Stereotactic body radiotherapy versus surgery for lung metastases from colorectal cancer: single-institution results

Abstract

Background: Surgery and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) are two of the options available as local treatments for pulmonary oligometastases from colorectal cancer (CRC). We hypothesized that SBRT would have, at least, a similar local control rate to surgery. Methods: We identified an initial cohort of 100 patients with CRC who received SBRT or surgery for lung metastases. This was then narrowed down to 75 patients: those who underwent surgery (n = 50) or SBRT (n = 25) as their first local thoracic treatment between 1 January 2004 and 29 December 2017. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate lung-progression-free survival (L-PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: The 1 and 2-year L-PFS was 85% and 70% in the surgical group and 87% and 71% in the SBRT group, respectively (p = 0.809). No significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of OS. The biologically effective dose (BED), age and initial CRC stage did not have a significant effect on local control or survival. No grade 3 or above acute- or late-toxicity events were reported. Conclusions: These results add retrospective evidence that SBRT and surgery have similar results in terms of OS and local control in patients with lung oligometastases from CRC.