The contribution of surgery to the management of carcinomatous pulmonary metastases.
The presence of carcinomatous pulmonary metastases is a common clinical problem viewed by many physicians as beyond the realm of definitive surgical considerations. However, a number of patients dying with pulmonary metastases will have the totality of their disease confined to the lungs. In this select population, there is some potential for long term control or effective palliation through aggressive surgical management. This study quantitatively assesses the value of surgery in this setting and examines the prognostic effect of several important clinical variables. A single set of criteria were adhered to in the selection of patients. Cases were stratified in accordance with the intent of surgery, namely, 1) complete control and ablation of all known disease, or 2) reduction of total tumor burden to examine the possibilities for enhanced control by adjunctive therapeutic modalities.
D000328:Adult; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011379:Prognosis; D013997:Time Factors