Long-term results in patients with lung resections for colorectal cancer metastases. Experience of a single center in Argentina

Abstract

Between 5-10% of patients who undergo curative surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC) will present recurrence of their disease on the lungs. Surgical treatment of pulmonary metastases (PM) has gained popularity over the years, different publications report an overall survival rate at 5 years of between 30% and 60%. We present a review of patients with PM resections of CRC treated in a single center in Argentina. A descriptive, observational, retrospective study was conducted between 2008 and 2018. All patients with pulmonary metastasectomy of colorectal cancer were included. The primary endpoint was to evaluate overall survival and disease-free survival. Possible prognostic factors were evaluated as a secondary endpoint. A total of 99 surgeries were performed in the 68 patients, the resection was multiple in 48.5%, with more than 3 nodules in 13%. Overall and progression-free survival at 5 years was 55% and 27%, respectively. In the statistical analysis we found that the lesions in more than one lobe (p = 0.015) and the resection of more than 3 nodules (p = 0.011) presented a lower overall survival. In this retrospective analysis we evidenced comparable values to the world literature regarding morbidity, mortality, overall survival and progression-free. In our series, patients with disease in more than one lobe or more than three resected lesions had significantly lower overall survival.