Nine consecutive patients underwent surgery for liver and lung metastases from colorectal cancer (Dukes' stage B in five, C in one and 'D' in three) between 1980 and 1991. A total of 21 procedures were performed: 16 thoracotomies with six lung lobectomies and 17 lung wedge resections, ten laparotomies with nine hepatectomies and six liver wedge resections. No operative or hospital deaths occurred and the mean(s.d.) postoperative hospital stay was 10(7) days per procedure. Perioperative blood transfusions for all nine patients amounted to a total of 7 units. The median survival after completion of liver and lung surgery was 27 (range 10-62) months. Median survival from resection of the first liver or lung metastasis was 30 (range 12-62) months and from excision of the primary colorectal tumour 46 (range 30-78) months. Two patients were alive and well 11 and 62 months after liver and lung resections; seven have died with metastases. This controversial aggressive treatment resulted in longer survival times than most alternative therapies in these highly selected and well motivated young patients, with no hospital mortality and only moderate morbidity.