Resection of lung metastases from soft-tissue sarcomas. A multivariate analysis
G. T. Verazin, J. A. Warneke, D. L. Driscoll, C. Karakousis, N. J. Petrelli and H. Takita
Department of Surgical Oncology, New York State Department of Health, Rosewell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo 14263.
From 1970 through 1986, 78 patients underwent 162 thoracotomies for removal
of lung metastases from soft-tissue sarcomas. A multivariate analysis
showed that the presence of a local recurrence, an incomplete pulmonary
resection, and a shorter disease-free interval were poor prognostic
factors. Patients who underwent multiple thoracotomies survived longer from
the time of initial thoracotomy. The histologic type of sarcoma and the
number of metastases resected showed no statistical significance. The
median survival of the 61 patients who had a complete resection was 21
months. Patients with five or fewer metastases resected had an overall
5-year survival of 22% compared with 21% for patients who had six or more
metastases resected. However, patients with five or fewer metastases showed
a trend toward a higher 10-year disease-free survival. A complete resection
of pulmonary metastases from soft-tissue sarcoma can prolong survival even
if multiple metastases are present, although patients with fewer metastases
may have a longer disease-free survival.
