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Lung Metastases Removal

Osteosarcoma is not usually curable without surgery. This also applies to the treatment of lung metastases (where the tumor has spread to the lung). All lung metastases must be removed completely to give the best chance for a cure. First, the surgeon must determine the number of tumors, their size, and their location. The tumor metastases could be in one lung or both lungs. Lung metastases can be seen with a spiral CT scan of the lungs, giving the surgeon the exact number, size, and location of the tumors.

Lung metastases should be removed through surgery by opening the chest cavity (thoracotomy), exposing the lungs, so that your surgeon can manually explore both lungs. Both lungs should be examined even if your CT scan was negative on one side. High-dose methotrexate should not be given right after surgery, but other chemotherapeutic agents can be used.