metastasectomy
Pronunciation: muh-TAS-tuh-sek-tuh-mee
Surgical removal of metastatic tumors that have spread from the primary cancer site to distant organs.
Full Definition
Metastasectomy refers to the surgical resection of metastatic deposits that have spread from a primary tumor to distant organs. This procedure is most commonly performed for liver metastases from colorectal cancer, lung metastases from various primary sites, and brain metastases. The goal is to achieve complete removal of all visible metastatic disease, potentially improving survival outcomes. Patient selection for metastasectomy requires careful consideration of factors including the number and location of metastases, primary tumor control, and overall patient fitness.
Usage
Usage note: Specify the organ involved (e.g., hepatic metastasectomy, pulmonary metastasectomy) for clarity.
In Context
- "Hepatic metastasectomy was performed to remove three liver lesions from colorectal primary cancer." — Operative note
- "Pulmonary metastasectomy may be considered for selected patients with limited lung metastases and controlled primary disease." — Multidisciplinary team meeting notes