Pulmonary resection for metastatic breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
A patient with a solitary pulmonary metastasis who had breast cancer in the past may benefit from pulmonary resection.


METHODS
Between 1984 and 1996, 17 patients underwent metastatectomy for metastatic breast cancer. There were 15 females and two males whose average age was 59 (range: 40-74 years). The median tumour-free interval after the primary breast-cancer operation was 5.1 years (range: 8 months-18.2 years). Sixteen patients had complete resections, which included six lobectomies and 10 lesser resections.


RESULTS
The postoperative mortality was nil and the morbidity rate was 6%. Follow-up was complete in all patients. Recurrent disease developed in four patients and two patients died of their disease. The 5-year survival was 62%.


CONCLUSIONS
An aggressive surgical approach is warranted in patients with isolated resectable pulmonary metastases from breast cancer.
Simpson
R
R
Strathfield Breast Centre, New South Wales, Australia.
Kennedy
C
C
Carmalt
H
H
McCaughan
B
B
Gillett
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D018567:Breast Neoplasms, Male / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000601:surgery*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016019:Survival Analysis