SIMULTANEOUS THORACO-CRANIAL OPERATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF LUNG CANCER WITH BRAIN METASTASES

We performed simultaneous one-stage thoraciccranial surgery on ten cases of lung cancer with brain metastases during the period of 1990 to 1994. Surgical mortality was 0% with low morbidity. By the end of the follow-up in February' 1995, 4 patients died, with a mean survival of 8.25 months; and 6 patients survived, with a mean survival of 16 months and the longest one being approximately 36 months. Our results showed that, if patient's general condition permits, simultaneous onestage thoraco-cranial operation is feasible for the treatment of lung cancer involved the periphery with solitary' intracranial metastasis. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy is indicated to achieve belier results.