Factors influencing survival following pulmonary resection for metastatic colorectal carcinoma

The results of pulmonary resection and clinical factors relating to long-term survival were evaluated in 29 patients with histologically proven pulmonary metastasis from colorectal carcinoma. The patients were followed up from 4 months to 120 months, with an average of 43.7 months. Overall 5- and 10-year survival rates were 41% and 34%, respectively. The 5- and 10-year survival rates in patients with metastatic nodules 30 cm or less in diameter mere 77% and 58%, respectively, a significantly better result than in those with metastatic nodules over 30 mm in diameter. Survival in patients without nodal involvement was significantly better than that in patients with lymph node metastases. Multivariate analysis according to Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated that the size of the metastasis was an independent prognostic factor.