Pulmonary metastases occur in up to 25% of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Many studies have reported that pulmonary metastasectomy might increase 5-year survival of these patients. The aim of this study was to describe our experience with pulmonary metastasectomy for metastatic colorectal cancer and to explore the prognostic value of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and other factors.

Between June 2002 and December 2013, the clinicopathological data of 88 patients who underwent resection of pulmonary metastases from colorectal carcinoma were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Clinical, investigative and operative data were prospectively collected. Overall survival (OS) was calculated from resection of pulmonary metastases to death.

There were 58 men and 30 women in this study, and their median age was 55 (range 31 to 85). Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) was performed in 59 cases (78%) and 29 patients (19%) underwent thoracotomy. Lung wedge resection and pulmonary lobectomy were performed in 52 (59.1%) and 36 patients (40.9%), respectively. Preoperative elevated CRP was present in 8 (9.1%) patients. After a median follow-up duration of 44 months, the cumulative 5-year survival was 45.4% and the median overall survival (OS) was 57.8 months. A significantly longer survival was observed in patients with normal preoperative CRP level compared with those with CRP level exceeding 10mg/L (62.6 months vs. 34.3 months, P=0.011). In multivariate analysis, preoperative CRP level was found to be independent significant prognostic factors for survival.

Pulmonary resection of metastatic colorectal cancer might offer a chance to prolong survival including those patients with extrapulmonary metastasis. Preoperative serum CRP level was identified as prognosis-related factor for surgery.