SURGICAL-TREATMENT OF PULMONARY METASTASES FROM SOFT-TISSUE SARCOMAS - A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY IN THE NETHERLANDS

Sixty-seven of 87 patients with soft tissue sarcoma underwent complete resection of the metastases in the lung. In this retrospective study, follow-up was for a median of 24 months. The 5-year overall, crude, a nd disease-free survival was 38%, 45%, and 41%, respectively. Twenty-s even (40%) patients developed a recurrence in the lung. Of the six pro gnostic variables, the only factor significantly related to disease-fr ee survival was grade. It is concluded that surgery for lung metastase s of soft tissue sarcoma should be considered as standard therapy when preoperative evaluation predicts a complete resection. By adding chem otherapy to surgery, an improvement of prognosis probably can be achie ved. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.