Optimal management of pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer

The incidence of colorectal cancers is rising worldwide and pulmonary metastases were seen in approximately 10-15% of all patients. Surgical metastasectomy is a widely accepted procedure in selected patients and is considered as the only curative option in patients with secondary pulmonary malignancy. But surgical resection remains controversial due to the lack of randomized trials, comparing pulmonary metastasectomy to control, either medical therapy, or observation. This article will discuss the differentiated therapeutic strategies for patients with pulmonary metastases of colorectal cancer, focusing on surgical resection, patient evaluation, prognostic factors, interdisciplinary therapeutic approaches and current trials.