Clinical features of surgical resection for pulmonary metastasis from breast cancer

Abstract 

Background and objectives

Metastatic breast cancer has been defined as a systemic disease. The discussion concerning the resection of lung metastases in patients with breast cancer is controversial. To confirm the role of resection of pulmonary metastases from breast cancer and to identify possible prognostic factors, we reviewed our institutional experience.

Methods

Between 1991 and 2007, 41 patients with pulmonary metastases from breast cancers underwent complete pulmonary resection. All patients had obtained or had obtainable locoregional control of their primary tumors. Various perioperative variables were investigated retrospectively to confirm the role of metastasectomy and to analyze prognostic factors for overall survival after metastasectomy.

Results

All patients were female with a median age of 55years (range, 35–81years). The overall survival rate after metastasectomy was 51% at 5 and 10years. On multivariate analysis, fewer than four pulmonary metastases and a disease-free interval of more than 3years were significantly favorable prognostic factors for overall survival (p=0.023 and 0.024, respectively).

Conclusions

The current practice of pulmonary metastasectomy for breast cancers in our institution was well justified. Pulmonary metastasectomy in patients with previous breast cancer might be justified when fewer than four pulmonary metastases or a disease-free interval of more than 3years.

Keywords: Breast cancer, Metastasectomy, Pulmonary metastasis, Prognosis