DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed pulmonary metastases (unilateral or bilateral) identified by spiral CT scan No primary lung cancer Documented previous cancer with no history of prior metastasectomy Primary tumor must be definitively controlled No evidence of primary tumor recurrence, either locally or systemically No extrapulmonary metastatic disease or evidence of mediastinal lymph node involvement Lymph nodes greater than 1.0 cm on CT scan must be proven to be benign by tissue biopsy (mediastinoscopy) All lesions must be amenable to minimally invasive resection Must be amenable to video-assisted thoracic surgery with curative intent (complete removal of all documented lesions) No greater than 4 lesions