Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2003; 51(1): 38-41
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-37274
Original Thoracic
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Pneumonectomy for Lung Metastases:
Report of Ten Cases

J.  M. H.  Hendriks1 , B.  van Putte1 , S.  Romijn1 , J.  van den Brande1 , J.  B.  Vermorken1 , P.  E.  van Schil1
  • 1Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
Presented at the 11th Annual ERS Congress, September 22 - 26, 2001, Berlin, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Received: August 4, 2002

Publication Date:
14 February 2003 (online)

Abstract

Today, pulmonary resection for lung metastases is a widely accepted treatment if complete resection can be achieved. However, 5-year survival is only 40 %. Many patients develop recurrences, but some reports have demonstrated that salvage operations can result in a long-term survival. A resection of a complete lung or a resection of more than a lung is still controversial since procedure-related morbidity or mortality does not outweigh the survival benefit. We report on a series of 10 consecutive patients who underwent a primary pneumonectomy or an operation on the residual lung after pneumonectomy with curative intent for pulmonary metastases. 5 year survival rates for the 10 patients after pneumonectomy alone or with additional resection was 45 %, which was not significantly different from those who underwent a more minor resection with a 5-year survival of 39 % (p = 0.40). Since there is currently no alternative proven therapy for patients with isolated pulmonary metastases, a primary or completion pneumonectomy may be offered to selected patients as long as sufficient pulmonary reserve is present, and a complete resection can be achieved.

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Dr. J. Hendriks

Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Antwerp (UZA)


Wilrijkstraat 10

2650 Edegem

Belgium

Phone: +32 (3) 821 31 48

Fax: +32 (3) 825 13 08

Email: jeroen.hendriks@uza.be