Radioimmunoassisted surgery for lung metastases from colorectal cancer: results and perspectives.

The high incidence of resectable lung metastases from colorectal cancer and the very poor prognosis of untreated patients (less than 24-month survival) has promoted the surgical approach to treatment. Since the main aims of this kind of surgery are the complete resection of the tumor, the preservation of tumor-free parenchyma, and a minimal surgical trauma, innovative surgical techniques have been developed. We report on our experience in the radioimmunoassisted pulmonary metastasectomy by the use of a hand-held gamma-detecting probe (GDP) and describe the application of the intraoperative radioimmunolocalization of tumor to video-assisted minimally invasive surgery.