Immediate surgical rescue for mediastinal compression by giant metastatic lung tumor.

Mediastinal compression by a large metastatic lung tumor is a life-threatening condition and needs immediate decompression. We performed palliative surgical rescue for 2 patients aged 42 and 30 years with these conditions, and were able to control their symptoms. Patients were free of symptoms soon after the operation. Palliative surgical rescue can relieve the symptoms immediately and improve the general condition dramatically. We think that surgical rescue is worthwhile, especially for younger patients.