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The contribution of surgery to the management of carcinomatous pulmonary metastases
Author(s) -
Mountain Clifton F.,
Khalil Kamal G.,
Hermes Kay E.,
Frazier O. Howard
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(197803)41:3<833::aid-cncr2820410309>3.0.co;2-4
Subject(s) - medicine , surgery , disease , therapeutic modalities , cancer , modalities , population , intensive care medicine , social science , environmental health , sociology
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.