['Solitary pulmonary lesion poses a diagnostic challenge, especially in patients with a history of malignancy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of solitary pulmonary lesions and the outcome of surgical resection.', 'We retrospectively analyzed 243 patients with a history of cancer who underwent surgery for new-found solitary pulmonary lesion between January 1998 and December 2007.', 'The diagnosis was primary lung cancer in 92 patients, metastasis in 133, and benign lesions in 18. The 5-year survival rate was 67.9% in all patients, 74.6% in those with primary lung cancer, 62.8% in those with metastasis, and 79.9% in those with benign lesions (p = 0.56). In metastasis patients, history of extrapulmonary recurrence and larger diameter lesion were risk factors for recurrence by multivariate analysis. History of cancers other than colorectal and bone and soft tissue sarcoma and shorter disease-free interval were indicators of poor prognosis. Pathologic stage was the only indicator of prognosis for primary lung cancer, and none of the factors concerning antecedent cancer influenced prognosis.'] Is resection of solitary pulmonary lesion beneficial to patients with a history of malignancy?