title: Pulmonary metastasectomy in colorectal cancer: a systematic review and quantitative synthesis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Surgical removal of pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer is undertaken increasingly but the practice is variable. There have been no randomized trials of effectiveness. We needed evidence from a systematic review to plan a randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  A formal search for all studies concerning the practice of pulmonary metastasectomy was undertaken including all published articles using pre-specified keywords. Abstracts were screened, reviewed and data extracted by at least two of the authors. Information across studies was collated in a quantitative synthesis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 101 articles identified, 51 contained sufficient quantitative information to be included in the synthesis. The reports were published between 1971 and 2007, and reported on 3504 patients. There was little change over time in patient characteristics such as age, sex, the time elapsed since resection of the primary cancer, its site or stage. The proportion with multiple metastases or elevated carcinoma embryonic antigen (CEA) did not change over time but there was an apparent increase in the proportion of patients who also had hepatic metastasectomy. Differences in 5-year survival between groups defined by CEA or by single versus multiple metastases persisted over time. Few data were available concerning postoperative morbidity, postoperative lung function or change in symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The quality of evidence available concerning pulmonary metastasectomy in colorectal cancer is not sufficient to draw inferences concerning the effectiveness of this surgery. There is great variety in what was reported and its utility. Given the burdensome nature of the surgery involved, better evidence, ideally in the form of a randomized trial, is required for the continuance of this practice.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Operational Research Unit, Department of Mathematics, University College London London WC1H 0BT.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fiorentino
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: Kristine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Teoh
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Treasure
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Utley
mesh_terms: D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*