Liver metastases from lung cancer: is surgical resection justified?

Ann Thorac Surg. 2003 Jul;76(1):291-3. doi: 10.1016/s0003-4975(03)00149-8.

Abstract

Resection of the liver for metastatic lesions has largely been done for secondary colorectal or neuroendocrine tumors, and there is little information of its value for other lesions. Recent improvements in hepatic surgery have made resection of metastases a safe procedure and it should certainly be considered whenever there is an isolated lesion. We report the case of a successful resection of an isolated secondary hepatic lesion from a lung primary tumor, which was resected approximately 4 years beforehand. A review of the literature demonstrates that although early reports of similar procedures were not favorable, more recent reports reinforce the value of an aggressive approach in favorable cases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / secondary*
  • Adenocarcinoma / surgery
  • Aged
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hepatectomy / methods*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Liver Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / surgery
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Pneumonectomy / methods
  • Risk Assessment
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome