Skip to main content

Pulmonary Metastasectomy for Soft Tissue Sarcomas: Is It Justified?

  • Chapter
Book cover Treatment of Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Part of the book series: Recent Results in Cancer Research ((RECENTCANCER,volume 179))

Abstract

Pulmonary metastases are common in patients following resection for soft tissue sarcoma. Pulmonary resection of metastatic soft tissue sarcomas is widely practiced in surgical oncology. No randomized phase III trials are available, and data for this review were retrieved only from retrospective studies. This article addresses the issues of patient selection, surgical technique, and adjuvant chemotherapy, and provides the surgical oncologist with a current review of pulmonary metastasectomy in meta-static soft tissue sarcoma. In summary, there is a substantial body of evidence demonstrating that resection of soft tissue pulmonary metastases can be performed safely and with a low mortality rate. For a subset of highly selected patients, the overall results of a 5-year actuarial survival rate ranged between 25% and 37.6%. These outcomes exceed those normally associated with metastatic soft tissue sarcoma and are well comparable with surgical resection for other malignancies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • (1997a) Adjuvant chemotherapy for localised resect-able soft-tissue sarcoma of adults: meta-analysis of individual data. Sarcoma Meta-analysis Collaboration. Lancet 350:1647–1654

    Google Scholar 

  • (1997b) Long-term results of lung metastasectomy: prognostic analyses based on 5206 cases. The International Registry of Lung Metastases. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 113:37–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Aberg T (1997) Selection mechanisms as major determinants of survival after pulmonary metas-tasectomy. Ann Thorac Surg 63:611–612

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alexander J, Haight C (1947) Pulmonary resection for solitary metastatic sarcomas and carcinomas. Surg Gynecol Obstet 85:129–146

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ambrogi V, Paci M, Pompeo E, Mineo TC (2000) Transxiphoid video-assisted pulmonary metastasec-tomy: relevance of helical computed tomography occult lesions. Ann Thorac Surg 70:1847–1852

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ariel IM (1988) Incidence of metastases to lymph nodes from soft-tissue sarcomas. Semin Surg Oncol 4:27–29

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bathe OF, Kaklamanos IG, Moffat FL, Boggs J, Franceschi D, Livingstone AS (1999) Metasta-sectomy as a cytoreductive strategy for treatment of isolated pulmonary and hepatic metastases from breast cancer. Surg Oncol 8:35–42

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beckles MA, Spiro SG, Colice GL, Rudd RM (2003) The physiologic evaluation of patients with lung cancer being considered for resectional surgery. Chest 123:105S–114S

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Billingsley KG, Burt ME, Jara E, Ginsberg RJ, Woodruff JM, Leung DH, Brennan MF (1999) Pulmonary metastases from soft tissue sarcoma: analysis of patterns of diseases and postmetasta-sis survival. Ann Surg 229:602–610

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • British Thoracic Society (2001) BTS guidelines: guidelines on the selection of patients with lung cancer for surgery. Thorax 56:89–108 Burt ME, Liu D, Abolhoda A, Ross HM, Kaneda Y, Jara E, Casper ES, Ginsberg RJ, Brennan MF (2000) Isolated lung perfusion for patients with unresectable metastases from sarcoma: a phase I trial. Ann Thorac Surg 69:1542–1549

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Canter RJ, Qin LX, Downey RJ, Brennan MF, Singer S, Maki RG (2007) Perioperative chemotherapy in patients undergoing pulmonary resection for metastatic soft-tissue sarcoma of the extremity: a retrospective analysis. Cancer 110:2050–2060

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Casson AG, Putnam JB, Natarajan G, Johnston DA, Mountain C, McMurtrey M, Roth JA (1992) Five-year survival after pulmonary metastasectomy for adult soft tissue sarcoma. Cancer 69:662–668

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chang AE, Kinsella T, Glatstein E, Baker AR, Sindelar WF, Lotze MT, Danforth DN, Jr Sugarbaker PH, Lack EE, Steinberg SM (1988) Adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with high-grade soft-tissue sarcomas of the extremity. J Clin Oncol 6:1491–1500

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chao C, Goldberg M (2000) Surgical treatment of metastatic pulmonary soft-tissue sarcoma. Oncology 14:835–841

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chojniak R, Younes RN (2003) Pulmonary metas-tases tumor doubling time: assessment by computed tomography. Am J Clin Oncol 26:374–377

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Diederich S, Semik M, Lentschig MG, Winter F, Scheld HH, Roos N, Bongartz G (1999) Helical CT of pulmonary nodules in patients with extrathoracic malignancy: CT-surgical correlation. Am J Roentgenol 172:353–360

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dienemann H, Hoffmann H, Trainer C, Muley T (1998) Lung metastases: tumor reduction as an oncologic concept [in German]. Langenbecks Arch Chir Suppl Kongressbd 115:138–142

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dominguez-Ventura A, Nichols FC 3rd (2006) Lymphadenectomy in metastasectomy. Thorac Surg Clin 16:139–143

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Downey RJ (1999) Surgical treatment of pulmonary metastases. Surg Oncol Clin N Am 8:341

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ercan S, Nichols FC 3rd, Trastek VF, Deschamps C, Allen MS, Miller DL, Schleck CD, Pairolero PC (2004) Prognostic significance of lymph node metastasis found during pulmonary metastasec-tomy for extrapulmonary carcinoma. Ann Thorac Surg 77:1786–1791

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fey MF, Rauch D (2001) Metastasectomy—a direct therapeutic effect or an illusion due to patient selection? [in German]. Ther Umsch 58:726–731

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fleming JB, Cantor SB, Varma DG, Holst D, Feig B W, Hunt KK, Patel SR, Benjamin RS, Pollock RE, Pisters PW (2001) Utility of chest computed tomography for staging in patients with T1 extremity soft tissue sarcomas. Cancer 92:863–868

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gadd MA, Casper ES, Woodruff JM, McCormack M, Brennan MF (1993) Development and treatment of pulmonary metastases in adult patients with extremity soft tissue sarcoma. Ann Surg 218:705–712

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Glenn J, Kinsella T, Glatstein E, Tepper J, Baker A, Sugarbaker P, Sindela W, Roth J, Brennan M, Costa J (1985) A randomized, prospective trial of adjuvant chemotherapy in adults with soft tissue sarcomas of the head and neck, breast, and trunk. Cancer 55:1206–1214

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gortzak E, Azzarelli A, Buesa J, Bramwell VH, van Coevorden F, van Geel AN, Ezzat A, Santoro A, Oosterhuis J W, van Glabbeke M, Kirkpatrick A, Verweij J (2001) A randomised phase II study on neo-adjuvant chemotherapy for ‘high-risk’ adult soft-tissue sarcoma. Eur J Cancer 37:1096–1103

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Iagaru A, Chawla S, Menendez L, Conti PS (2006) 18F-FDG PET and PET/CT for detection of pulmonary metastases from musculoskeletal sarcomas. Nucl Med Commun 27:795–802

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Inoue M, Kotake Y, Nakagawa K, Fujiwara K, Fukuhara K, Yasumitsu T (2000) Surgery for pulmonary metastases from colorectal carcinoma. Ann Thorac Surg 70:380–383

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jablons D, Steinberg SM, Roth J, Pittaluga S, Rosenberg SA, Pass HI (1989) Metastasectomy for soft tissue sarcoma. Further evidence for efficacy and prognostic indicators. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 97:695–705

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johnston MR, Minchen RF, Dawson CA (1995) Lung perfusion with chemotherapy in patients with unresectable metastatic sarcoma to the lung or diffuse bronchioloalveolar carcinoma. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 110:368–373

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kamiyoshihara M, Hirai T, Kawashima O, Ishikawa S, Morishita Y (1998) The surgical treatment of metastatic tumors in the lung: is lobectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection suitable treatment? Oncol Rep 5:453–457

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kane JM 3rd (2004) Surveillance strategies for patients following surgical resection of soft tissue sarcomas. Curr Opin Oncol 16:328–332

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kayton ML, Huvos AG, Casher J, Abramson SJ, Rosen NS, Wexler LH, Meyers P, LaQuaglia MP (2006) Computed tomographic scan of the chest underestimates the number of metastatic lesions in osteosarcoma. J Pediatr Surg 41:200–206

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kersjes W, Mayer E, Buchenroth M, Schunk K, Fouda N, Cagil H (1997) Diagnosis of pulmonary metastases with turbo-SE MR imaging. Eur Radiol 7:1190–1194

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ketchedjian A, Daly B, Luketich J, Fernando HC (2006) Minimally invasive techniques for managing pulmonary metastases: video-assisted thoracic surgery and radiofrequency ablation. Thorac Surg Clin 16:157–165

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kick J, Schelzig H, Heinecke A, Forster R (2005) Resection of lung metastases—risk or chance? Zentralbl Chir 130:534–538

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lanza LA, Putnam JB, Benjamin RS, Roth JA (1991) Response to chemotherapy does not predict survival after resection of sarcomatous pulmonary metastases. Ann Thorac Surg 51:219–224

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lerner HJ, Amato DA, Savlov ED, DeWys WD, Mittleman A, Urtasun RC, Sobel S, Shiraki M (1987) Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group: a comparison of adjuvant doxorubicin and observation for patients with localized soft tissue sarcoma. J Clin Oncol 5:613–617

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liebl LS, Elson F, Quaas A, Gawad KA, Izbicki JR (2007) Value of repeat resection for survival in pulmonary metastases from soft tissue sarcoma. Anticancer Res 27:2897–2902

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin JC, Wiechmann RJ, Szwerc MF, Hazelrigg SR, Ferson PF, Naunheim KS, Keenan RJ, Yim A P, Rendina E, DeGiacomo T, Coloni GF, Venuta F, Macherey RS, Bartley S, Landreneau RJ (1999) Diagnostic and therapeutic video-assisted thoracic surgery resection of pulmonary metastases. Surgery 126:636–641

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lucas JD, O'Doherty MJ, Wong JC, Bingham JB, McKee PH, Fletcher CD, Smith MA (1998) Evaluation of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in the management of soft-tissue sarcomas. J Bone Joint Surg Br 80:441–447

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Margaritora S, Porziella V, D'Andrilli A, Cesario A, Galetta D, Macis G, Granone P (2002) Pulmonary metastases: can accurate radiological evaluation avoid thoracotomic approach? Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 21:1111–1114

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McCormack PM, Bains MS, Begg CB, Burt ME, Downey RJ, Panicek DM, Rusch VW, Zakowski M, Ginsberg RJ (1996) Role of video-assisted thoracic surgery in the treatment of pulmonary metastases: results of a prospective trial. Ann Thorac Surg 62:213–216

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mineo TC, Ambrogi V, Tonini G, Nofroni I (2001) Pulmonary metastasectomy: might the type of resection affect survival? J Surg Oncol 76:47–52

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mutsaerts EL, Zoetmulder FA, Meijer S, Baas P, Hart AA, Rutgers EJ (2002) Long term survival of thoracoscopic metastasectomy vs metastasec-tomy by thoracotomy in patients with a solitary pulmonary lesion. Eur J Surg Oncol 28:864–868

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nakajima J, Takamoto S, Tanaka M, Takeuchi E, Murakawa T, Fukami T (2001) Thoracoscopic surgery and conventional open thoracotomy in metastatic lung cancer. Surg Endosc 15:849–853

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nakajima J, Murakawa T, Fukami T, Sano A, Sugiura M, Takamoto S (2007) Is finger palpation at operation indispensable for pulmonary metasta-sectomy in colorectal cancer? Ann Thorac Surg 84:1680–1684

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pastorino U, Valente M, Gasparini M, Azzarelli A, Santoro A, Alloisio M, Ongari M, Tavecchio L, Ravasi G (1989) Lung resection for metastatic sarcomas: total survival from primary treatment. J Surg Oncol 40:275–280

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pastorino U, Valente M, Gasparini M, Azzarelli A, Santoro A, Tavecchio L, Casali P, Ravasi G (1990) Median sternotomy and multiple lung resections for metastatic sarcomas. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 4:477–481

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pastorino U, Veronesi G, Landoni C, Leon M, Picchio M, Solli PG, Leo F, Spaggiari L, Pelosi G, Bellomi M, Fazio F (2003) Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography improves preop-erative staging of resectable lung metastasis. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 126:1906–1910

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pfannschmidt J, Klode J, Muley T, Dienemann H, Hoffmann H (2006a) Nodal involvement at the time of pulmonary metastasectomy: experiences in 245 patients. Ann Thorac Surg 81:448–454

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pfannschmidt J, Klode J, Muley T, Dienemann H, Hoffmann H (2006b) Pulmonary metastasec-tomy in patients with soft tissue sarcomas: experiences in 50 patients. Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 54:489–492

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Potter DA, Kinsella T, Glatstein E, Wesley R, White DE, Seipp CA, Chang AE, Lack EE, Costa J, Rosenberg SA (1986) High-grade soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities. Cancer 58:190–205

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Putnam JB (2000) Secondary tumors of the lung. In: Shields T W, Ponn RB (eds) General thoracic surgery. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia, pp 1311–1341

    Google Scholar 

  • Putnam JB Jr (1998) Soft part sarcomas—metas-tases. Chest Surg Clin N Am 8:97–118

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Putnam JB Jr, Roth JA, Wesley MN, Johnston MR, Rosenberg SA (1984) Analysis of prognostic factors in patients undergoing resection of pulmonary metastases from soft tissue sarcomas. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 87:260–268

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rehders A, Hosch SB, Scheunemann P, Stoecklein NH, Knoefel WT, Peiper M (2007) Benefit of surgical treatment of lung metastasis in soft tissue sarcoma. Arch Surg 142:70–75

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rolle A, Pereszlenyi A, Koch R, Richard M, Baier B (2006) Is surgery for multiple lung metastases reasonable? A total of 328 consecutive patients with multiple-laser metastasectomies with a new 1318-nm Nd:YAG laser. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 131:1236–1242

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roth JA, Pass HI, Wesley MN, White D, Putnam JB, Seipp C (1986) Comparison of median sternot-omy and thoracotomy for resection of pulmonary metastases in patients with adult soft-tissue sarcomas. Ann Thorac Surg 42:134–138

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rusch VW (1995) Pulmonary metastasectomy. Current indications. Chest 107:322–331

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saito Y, Omiya H, Kohno K, Kobayashi T, Itoi K, Teramachi M, Sasaki M, Suzuki H, Takao H, Nakade M (2002) Pulmonary metastasectomy for 165 patients with colorectal carcinoma: a prognostic assessment. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 124:1007–1013

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sorensen JB (2004) Endobronchial metastases from extrapulmonary solid tumors. Acta Oncol 43:73–79

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thomford NR, Woolner LB, Clagett OT (1965) The surgical treatment of metastatic tumors in the lungs. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 49:357–363

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • van Geel AN, Pastorino U, Jauch KW, Judson IR, van Coevorden F, Buesa JM, Nielsen OS, Boudinet A, Tursz T, Schmitz PI (1996) Surgical treatment of lung metastases: The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcoma Group study of 255 patients. Cancer 77:675–682

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Virgo KS, Naunheim KS, Johnson FE (2006) Preoperative workup and postoperative surveillance for patients undergoing pulmonary metas-tasectomy. Thorac Surg Clin 16:125–131

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vogt-Moykopf I, Krysa S, Bulzebruck H, Schirren J (1994) Surgery for pulmonary metastases. The Heidelberg experience. Chest Surg Clin N Am 4:85–112

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe M, Deguchi H, Sato M, Ozeki Y, Tanaka S, Izumi Y, Kobayashi K (1998) Midterm results of thoracoscopic surgery for pulmonary metas-tases especially from colorectal cancers. J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A 8:195–200

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Waters DJ, Coakley F V, Cohen MD, Davis MM, Karmazyn B, Gonin R, Hanna M P, Knapp DW, Heifetz SA (1998) The detection of pulmonary metastases by helical CT: a clinicopathologic study in dogs. J Comput Assist Tomogr 22:235–240

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Webb W (1997) Magnetic resonance imaging of the thorax: clinical utility in comparison with CT. In: Freundlich IM, Bragg DG (eds) A radiologic approach to diseases of the chest, vol 2. Williams and Wilkens, Baltimore, pp 803–823

    Google Scholar 

  • Weinlechner J (1882) Zur Kasuistik der Tumoren der Brustwand und deren Behandlung (Resektion der Rippen, Eröffnung der Brusthöhle, partielle Entfernung der Lunge). Wien Med Wochenschr 32:589–591, 624–628

    Google Scholar 

  • Weiser MR, Downey RJ, Leung DH, Brennan MF (2000) Repeat resection of pulmonary metas-tases in patients with soft-tissue sarcoma. J Am Coll Surg 191:184–190

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Younes RN, Gross JL, Deheinzelin D (2002) Surgical resection of unilateral lung metastases: is bilateral thoracotomy necessary? World J Surg 26:1112–1116

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2009 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Pfannschmidt, J., Hoffmann, H., Schneider, T., Dienemann, H. (2009). Pulmonary Metastasectomy for Soft Tissue Sarcomas: Is It Justified?. In: Tunn, PU. (eds) Treatment of Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas. Recent Results in Cancer Research, vol 179. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-77960-5_20

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-77960-5_20

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-77959-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-77960-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics