Pulmonary resection for metastatic soft tissue sarcomas.

The therapeutic results of pulmonary resection for metastatic soft tissue sarcomas were analyzed. From 1970 to 1992, 23 patients (15 male and 8 female) underwent 40 pulmonary resections for metastatic soft tissue sarcomas. Nine (39%) patients had multiple thoracotomies for recurrences (range, 2-6). The 5-year actuarial overall survival was 32% (median, 28 months). Statistical analysis showed that age, gender, location of primary tumor, histology, site of pulmonary metastasis, tumor doubling time, or chemotherapy did not impact on survival. Significant prognostic factors associated with improved survival (p < 0.05) included a disease-free interval, and completeness and extent of the initial pulmonary resection. Patients with disease-free intervals > or = 12 months survived longer (5-year survival, 48.5%) than patients with disease-free intervals < 12 months (12%). Patients who could be rendered free of disease at their initial thoracotomy, without extended chest-wall resection, achieved a better outcome (5-year survival, 44%) than the others (5-year survival, 0%).