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World J Gastroenterol. Oct 28, 2014; 20(40): 14517-14526
Published online Oct 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i40.14517
History and present status of pulmonary metastasectomy in colorectal cancer
Tom Treasure, Mišel Milošević, Francesca Fiorentino, Joachim Pfannschmidt
Tom Treasure, Clinical Operational Research Unit, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
Mišel Milošević, Clinic for Thoracic Surgery, Institute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad 402920, Serbia
Francesca Fiorentino, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom
Joachim Pfannschmidt, HELIOS Klinikum Emil von Behring, Lungenklinik Heckeshorn, 14165 Berlin, Germany
Author contributions: All authors have contributed to our knowledge on this subject; Treasure T wrote the first draft; Milošević M, Fiorentino F and Pfannschmidt J contributed expert paragraphs and revised the overall manuscript; Fiorentino F worked on revisions and prepared the final version for submission.
Supported by The British Heart Foundation (to Fiorentino F)
Correspondence to: Tom Treasure, Professor, Clinical Operational Research Unit, University College London, Gower St, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom. tom.treasure@gmail.com
Telephone: +44-123-3740378 Fax: +44-123-3740378
Received: September 28, 2013
Revised: July 22, 2014
Accepted: September 12, 2014
Published online: October 28, 2014
Processing time: 396 Days and 4.2 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: In this review we examine the present position with respect to liver and lung metastasectomy for colorectal cancer and explore the history of how these clinical practices were adopted. We find that these practices are based on observational and largely retrospective data. The mechanistic rationale and the basic science are insufficient for proof of effectiveness. Although randomised studies have been proposed none have been completed so current practice does not reach the standards required for acceptance of other therapies. We provide an update of the present position and propose a way ahead.