Metastatic tumors in the lungs are cancers that developed at
other places in the body (or other parts of the lungs) and
spread through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to the lungs.
It is different than lung cancer that starts in the lungs.
Surgery to take a sample of tissue from the lungs (surgical lung
biopsy) Chemotherapy is usually used to treat metastatic cancer
to the lung. Surgery isn't always done, because usually the
cancer is in other parts of the body not seen by imaging tests.
Surgery to remove the tumors seen on an x-ray is not likely to
be helpful. However, surgery may be an option when: The first
(primary) tumor has been removed The cancer has spread to only
limited areas of the lung The lung tumors can be completely
removed with surgery However, the main tumor must be curable,
and the patient must be strong enough to go through the surgery
and recovery. There are other experimental treatments. One of
these treatments uses local heat probes to destroy the area.
Another places chemotherapy me