What is lung metastases surgery and how does it differ from other techniques/treatments?
Lung metastasis surgery is the surgical removal of lung tumors that have their origin in other organs such as the colon, breast or sarcomas, among the most frequent.
Unlike other techniques or treatments, surgery eliminates the tumor and also allows to have a sample for its study.
What does the surgery consist of?
This surgery is usually performed endoscopically, removing a wedge of lung that includes the metastasis.
What limitations and risks are there for the patient?
One limitation for the surgery is the existence of multiple metastases. Nowadays the risks are minimal since it is a small surgery in which there is ample experience.
The newest technique today is the use of laser energy. What are its advantages? In what other specialties is this technique used?
Laser metastasectomy is an effective surgery that helps to save more lungs, since the laser makes it possible to ‘profile’ each metastasis according to its contour, and it is also safer than the conventional technique and causes less blood loss, since it seals the organ as it progresses.
Only in cases where the metastasis is endobronchial and causes obstruction is laser indicated as a palliative treatment.