Survival impact of pulmonary metastasectomy for patients with head and neck cancer

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the survival impact and prognostic factors of pulmonary metastasectomy in patients with pulmonary metastasis from head and neck cancer. Methods A retrospective study of 69 patients was analyzed. Twenty‐four patients (35%) underwent pulmonary metastasectomy, and the remaining 45 patients (65%) were treated with chemotherapy or best supportive care. Results The 1‐year overall survival (OS) of 69 patients was 28%. Pulmonary metastasectomy ( p = .01) and histology ( p < .001) had a significant impact on the prognosis. One‐year OS of patients who underwent metastasectomy and those who did not was 90% and 35%, respectively. In the metastasectomy group, recurrence of primary ahead of lung metastasis ( p = .006) and disease‐free interval (DFI; ≤21.4 months; p = .046) were significant negative prognostic factors. Conclusion Pulmonary metastasectomy has an impact on survival in carefully selected patients, especially for those with a long DFI and with no recurrence of primary cancer ahead of lung metastasis. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 35: 1745–1751, 2012