Surgical management of lung metastases: selection factors and results

Lung parenchyma is the most common site of metastases from either carcinomas or sarcomas. Depending on the status of the original primary, resection of lung metastases may be curative. Multiple variables must be considered when deciding whether or not to operate on a patient with metastatic disease to the lung: The primary site must be evaluated; the lungs should be the only site of metastatic disease; the patient must be able to withstand the resection; and total removal of all disease must be possible. Other characteristics may be important to consider, such as the number of nodules and disease-free interval, and these factors may vary from histology to histology. However, if feasible, surgical resection remains the most important treatment modality for patients with pulmonary metastases.