Is malignant pleural mesothelioma a surgical disease? A review of 83 consecutive extra-pleural pneumonectomies.

OBJECTIVE: To report on the experience with radical surgery, with emphasis on the long-term outcome, for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) at a single institution. METHODS: From our prospective database over a 17-year period, we reviewed 83 consecutive patients undergoing radical surgery for MPM in a multimodality programme. The long-term overall survival was analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: A total of 83 patients (65 males, median age: 60 years) underwent an extra-pleural pneumonectomy (EPP) with a curative intent. Epitheliod MPM was the most frequent (82%) cause. A right-sided disease was present in half of the cases (n=42). The International Mesothelioma Interest Group (IMIG) stage of the disease was 2 in 36%, 3 in 45% and 4 in 9% of the cases. Preoperative chemotherapy consisting of a doublet cisplatin-pemetrexed (mean of three cycles) was offered to 10 patients (12%). Postoperative therapies, either chemotherapy or radiotherapy, were given in 25 patients (30%). The 30-day and 90-day mortality rates were 4.8% and 10.8%, respectively. Postoperative complications occurred in 39.8% and were major in 23 patients (27.7%). Re-operation was necessary in 12 cases (14.5%) for one of the following reasons: broncho-pleural fistula (n=4), bleeding (n=3), diaphragmatic patch rupture (n=3), oesophago-pleural fistula (n=1) and empyaema (n=1). The mean hospital stay was 43 days. The median survival was 14.5 months, while the overall 1-, 2- and 5-year survival rates were 62.4%, 32.2% and 14.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results concur with the published data of the most experienced centre with regards to the mortality and morbidity after EPP for MPM. In line with the biggest series reported in the past, the observed 5-year survival rate of almost 15% is disappointing.

Colon interposition for oesophageal replacement.

The choice of the colon as an oesophageal substitute results primarily from the unavailability of the stomach. However, given its durability and function, colon interposition keeps elective indications in patients with benign or malignant oesophageal disease who are potential candidates for long survival. The choice of the colonic portion used for oesophageal reconstruction depends on the required length of the graft, and the encountered colonic vascular anatomy, the last being characterised by the near-invariability of the left colonic vessels, in contrast to the vascular pattern of the right side of the colon. Accordingly, the transverse colon with all or part of the ascending colon is the substitute of choice, positioned in the isoperistaltic direction, and supplied either from the left colic vessels for long grafts or middle colic vessels for shorter grafts. Technical key points are: full mobilisation of the entire colon, identification of the main colonic vessels and collaterals, and a prolonged clamping test to ensure the permeability of the chosen nourishing pedicle. Transposition through the posterior mediastinum in the oesophageal bed is the shortest one and thereby offers the best functional results. When the oesophageal bed is not available, the retrosternal route is the preferred alternative option. The food bolus travelling mainly by gravity makes straightness of the conduit of paramount importance. The proximal anastomosis is a single-layer hand-fashioned end-to-end anastomosis to prevent narrowing. When the stomach is available, the distal anastomosis is best performed at the posterior part of the antrum for the reasons of pedicle positioning and reflux prevention, and a gastric drainage procedure is added when the oesophagus and vagus nerves have been removed. In the other cases, a Roux-en-Y jejunal loop is preferable to prevent bile reflux into the colon. Additional procedures include re-establishment of the colonic continuity, a careful closure of the mesentery to avoid a further internal hernia, and routine appendectomy. When applying these technical aids, the chances of achieving a viable and well-functioning colon graft are excellent.

Indications and outcome of salvage surgery for oesophageal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Some patients with localised oesophageal cancer are treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) rather than surgery. A subset of these patients experiences local failure, relapse or treatment-related complication without distant metastases, with no other curative treatment option but salvage oesophagectomy. The aim of this study was to assess the benefit/risk ratio of surgery in such context. METHODS: Review of a single institution experience with 24 patients: 18 men and 6 women, with a mean age of 59 years (+/-9). Histology was squamous cell carcinoma in 18 cases and adenocarcinoma in 6. Initial stages were cIIA (n=5), cIIB (n=1) and cIII (n=18). CRT consisted of 2-6 sessions of the association 5-fluorouracil/cisplatin concomitantly with a 50-75 Gy radiation therapy. Salvage oesophagectomy was considered for the following reasons: relapse of the disease with conclusive (n=11) or inconclusive biopsies (n=7), intractable stenosis (n=3), and perforation or severe oesophagitis (n=3), at a mean delay of 74 days (14-240 days) following completion of CRT. RESULTS: All patients underwent a transthoracic en-bloc oesophagectomy with 2-field lymphadenectomy. Thirty-day and 90-day mortality rates were 21% and 25%, respectively. Anastomotic leakage (p=0.05), cardiac failure (p=0.05), length of stay (p=0.03) and the number of packed red blood cells (p=0.02) were more frequent in patients who received more than 55 Gy, leading to a doubled in-hospital mortality when compared to that of patients having received lower doses. A R0 resection was achieved in 21 patients (87.5%). A complete pathological response (ypT0N0) was observed in 3 patients (12.5%). Overall and disease-free 5-year survival rates were 35% and 21%, respectively. There was no long-term survivor following R1-R2 resections. Functional results were good in more than 80% of the long-term survivors. CONCLUSION: Salvage surgery is a highly invasive and morbid operation after a volume dose of radiation exceeding 55 Gy. The indication must be carefully considered, with care taken to avoid incomplete resections. Given that long-term survival with a fair quality of life can be achieved, such high-risk surgery should be considered in selected patients at an experienced centre.

Long-term results of redo gastro-esophageal reflux disease surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To review the long-term results of redo gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) surgery with special emphasis on residual acid-suppressing medications, pH monitoring results, and quality of life. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 52 patients (24 males) who underwent redo GERD surgery between 1986 and 2006 through a transthoracic (n=14), or a transabdominal (n=38) approach. Indications were recurrent GERD in 41 patients, and complication of the initial surgery in 11. Quality of life was evaluated by telephone enquiry using a validated French questionnaire (reflux quality score, RQS). RESULTS: Postoperative complications occurred in 18 patients (35%), resulting in one death (2%). Reoperation was required in seven patients. At 1 year, 26 patients (51%) had 24h pH monitoring, among whom 2 (8%) were proved to have recurrence of GERD. RQS values were calculated in 38 patients with a mean follow-up of 113 months. Fifty percent of this subgroup had a RQS value beyond 26/32, indicating an excellent quality of life. Among these 38 patients, 20 (53%) had acid-suppressing medications whatever their RQS values. Patients who underwent transthoracic GERD surgery had the highest RQS values (p=0.02), a lower rate of complications (p=0.06) and a lower rate of reoperation (p=0.04). CONCLUSION: Our experience confirms that selection of candidates for redo GERD surgery is a challenging issue. A transthoracic approach seems to produce better results and lower rates of complications.

Airway colonisation and postoperative pulmonary complications after neoadjuvant therapy for oesophageal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical relevance of preoperative airway colonisation in patients undergoing oesophagectomy for cancer after a neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. METHODS: From 1998 to 2005, 117 patients received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for advanced stage oesophageal cancer. Among them, 45 non-randomised patients underwent a bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL group) prior to surgery to assess airways colonisation. The remaining patients (n=72) constituted the control group. The two groups were similar with respect to various clinical or pathological characteristics. RESULTS: Thirteen of the 45 BAL patients (28%) had a preoperative bronchial colonisation by either potentially pathogenic micro-organisms (PPMs) (n=7, 16%) or non-potentially pathogenic micro-organisms (n=6, 13%). Cytomegalovirus (CMV) was cultured from BAL in four patients. Pre-emptive therapy was administrated in seven patients: four antiviral and three antibiotic prophylaxes. Postoperatively, 14 patients (19%) developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in the control group and three (7%) in the BAL group (p=0.064). The cause of ARDS was attributed to CMV pneumonia in six control group patients on the basis of the results of open lung biopsies (n=3) or BAL cultures (n=3) versus none of the BAL group patients (p=0.08). Timing for extubation was shorter in the BAL group (mean 13+/-3 h) as compared with the control group (mean 19.5+/-14 h; p=0.039). In-hospital mortality was not significantly lower in BAL group patients when compared to that of control group patients (8% vs 12.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Airway colonisation by PPMs after neoadjuvant therapy is suggested as a possible cause of postoperative ARDS after oesophagectomy. Pre-emptive treatment of bacterial and viral (CMV) colonisation seems an effective option to prevent postoperative pneumonia.

Stent placement in the management of oesophageal leaks.

OBJECTIVE: To examine retrospectively the patients of our department who had a self-expandable totally covered metal stent placed for oesophageal leak. METHODS: Patients hospitalised in our department for oesophageal cancer and/or oesophageal perforation between 2004 and 2006. All medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Seventy-two patients underwent oesophageal resection for oesophageal cancer and 16 were managed for oesophageal perforations. RESULTS: Eight out of 72 patients submitted to resection for oesophageal cancer had postoperative leaks, while one patient developed tracheo-oesophageal fistula (TEF) due to prolonged mechanical ventilation. Six of them had stent placement in first intention, whereas two received the procedure after an unsuccessful repeat operation. The mean stent placement time was 18.4 days (SD=15.2 days), whereas the median was 14 days. The leak was managed efficiently by the stent in seven patients, whereas two patients needed repeat operations (one with TEF). The mean stent removal time was 56.8 days (SD=30.5 days) and the median was 40 days. None developed anastomotic stricture. On the other hand, three out of 16 patients with perforation had a stent, two of them for Boerhaave syndrome and one for iatrogenic rupture after bariatric surgery. One of them required the stent 17 days after surgical repair with excellent results, while the other two patients had the stent placed immediately, but still needed thoracotomy to control the leak. CONCLUSIONS: Stent placement can prove very useful in the management of post-oesophagectomy anastomotic leaks, but its contribution needs to be evaluated with caution in cases of oesophageal perforations or TEF. Larger series and prospective comparative clinical trials could eventually clarify the role of stents in clinical practice of surgical patients.

Multifocal T4 non-small cell lung cancer: a subset with improved prognosis.

OBJECTIVE: T4-disease for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) includes different conditions: mediastinal invasion, neoplastic pleural cytology, and multifocal disease in the same lobe; regarding the last category, no strict criteria allow to differentiate satellite nodules from synchronous multiple primary tumours. METHODS: Retrospective study of 56 patients who underwent a complete resection from 1985 to 2006 of a NSCLC graded pT4N0 due to multifocal disease. A small nodule (<1cm) closed to the primary tumour, in a same pulmonary segment with an identical histology was considered as a satellite nodule (pT4sn). Multiple tumours, sized more than 1cm, with an identical histology, located in the same lobe but in different segment were considered as synchronous cancers (pT4sc). RESULTS: There were 44 males and 12 females: 35 patients were graded T4sn and 21 patients T4sc. The median age was 62.5 years. The two groups were similar for sex, age, tobacco consumption, ASA score, NYHA, Charlson's index, spirometric parameters, cardiovascular comorbidity and history of previous extra-thoracic malignancies. All had a complete anatomic resection with mediastinal lymphadenectomy. Thirty-day mortality rate was 3.6%. Overall 5-year and 10-year survival rates were 48.2% and 29.9%, respectively. There was a non-significant trend for a worse survival in T4sn group patients when compared to that of T4sc group patients: 42.9% vs 52.3% at 5 years, and 25% vs 34.9% at 10 years (p=0.62). CONCLUSIONS: Multifocal T4 stage IIIB disease is a heterogeneous category where overall prognosis is far better than those of other T4 subgroups. Survival rates associated with pT4sn and pT4sc look roughly similar because of the small size of the subgroups usually submitted to comparison in most series. In the present experience, respective survival figures diverge, suggesting different biological behaviours.

Synchronous multiple primary lung cancer: an increasing clinical occurrence requiring multidisciplinary management.

OBJECTIVE: No guidelines detailing recommendations for the selection and treatment of patients with synchronous multiple primary lung cancer have been published. We report on a single-institution experience with synchronous multiple primary lung cancer, with emphasis on long-term survival. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of 125 consecutive patients with synchronous multiple primary lung cancer who underwent operation between 1985 and 2006. Various treatment strategies were applied, including perioperative therapy. Potential prognosticators were submitted to univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Tumors were bilateral (n = 34) or ipsilateral (n = 91). Optimal surgical treatment (complete anatomic resection with radical lymphadenectomy) was possible in 65.6% of the cases. pN0 disease was present in 32.3% of the patients; 30-day and 90-day mortality rates were 4.5% and 11%, respectively. Two- and 5-year overall survivals were 61.6% and 34%, respectively, with a median survival of 35 months. On univariate analysis, smoking status, high Charlson index, low forced expiratory volume in 1 second, occurrence of postoperative complications, and performance of a pneumonectomy affected the overall survival adversely. Conversely, bilateral disease, location in the same lobe, and pN0 disease were favorable prognosticators. On multivariate analysis, low forced expiratory volume in 1 second, nonoptimal surgical treatment, and performance of a pneumonectomy were independent predictors of poor long-term survival, whereas female sex, younger age, asymptomatic disease, pN0 status, and performance of an adjuvant treatment affected the survival favorably. CONCLUSIONS: Provided there is an appropriate selection process, patients with synchronous multiple primary lung cancer are expected to benefit from surgery. Optimal surgery should be performed, but pneumonectomy should be avoided whenever possible. Adjuvant treatment is suggested to provide an added survival advantage.

Long-term observation and functional state of the esophagus after primary repair of spontaneous esophageal rupture.

BACKGROUND: Long-term outcome of patients treated for a spontaneous esophageal rupture (Boerhaave's syndrome) is seldom reported. METHODS: From 1989 to 2004, 62 esophageal perforations were treated in a single institution. Eighteen patients presented with a spontaneous esophageal rupture. Among them, 15 could be treated with a transthoracic primary repair and constituted the material of the present study. A chart review was performed with special attention to survival, residual symptoms, and anatomic and motility disorders. RESULTS: Three patients died postoperatively (20%). At last follow-up, 10 patients were alive and 2 had died from unrelated causes. At a median delay of 13 months (3 to 74), 7 patients accepted to undergo complementary investigations. None of them had any anatomic abnormality as checked by barium swallow. Six patients complained of mild symptoms from gastroesophageal reflux. Six patients (85%) presented with esophageal motility disorders on manometry and 4 (54%) had nocturne chronic reflux disease on pH monitoring. Two patients underwent endoscopic ultrasonography, of which one presented with a focal absence of one layer of the esophageal wall within the area of the suture. With time, no patient experienced recurrence, but one developed a cancer in the cervical esophagus. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that esophageal functional disorders are the rule after primary repair of a Boerhaave's syndrome. Whether or not these findings are causal, coincidental, or related to the surgical treatment remains unclear. However, performance of routine postoperative explorations is strongly encouraged for a better understanding of this challenging condition.

Venobronchial fistula: an unusual complication of long-term central venous access.

A venobronchial fistula developed between the azygous vein and the upper aspect of the right main bronchus 12 months after completion of the treatment of a stage IIIB non-small-cell lung cancer in a 54-year-old man. The fistula contained the tip of the catheter placed for chemotherapy perfusion. The reported case presented risk factors previously identified for such a complication. In addition, some clinical particularities were present, suggesting new potent risk factors and some preventive means for safe long-term central venous catheterization.

Comparative prognostic features of stage IIIAN2 and IIIB non-small-cell lung cancer patients treated with surgery after induction therapy.

OBJECTIVE: Induction Therapy (IT) before surgery emerged as a widely used strategy for IIIAN2 and selected IIIB NSCLC patients. However, IT is associated with a possible increase in postoperative complications. Consequently, selection of patients with the best chances to benefit from combined treatment is mandatory. METHODS: Study recorded demographics, treatment and outcome of consecutive patients treated with IT plus surgery for IIIAN2 or IIIB NSCLC. Survival was analysed by Kaplan-Meier and prognostic factors were analysed by log-rank and Cox regression. RESULTS: From 1993 to 2003, 155 patients (IIIAN2=95/IIIB=60) were treated. Complete resection was associated with a significant prolonged median survival both for IIIAN2 (20 vs 16 months, P=0.05) and IIIB (20 vs 15 months, P=0.02) patients. A lower risk of death for IIIAN2 patients was independently associated with postoperative mediastinal lymph node clearance (HR=0.45, 95%CI [0.25-0.81], P=0.009) and absence of postoperative complication (HR=0.54, 95%CI [0.31-0.93], P=0.02). Absence of blood vessel invasion only was identified as an independent predictor of a lower risk of death (HR=0.27, 95%CI [0.12-0.59], P=0.01) for stage IIIB patients. CONCLUSIONS: Besides similarities as the role of a complete R0 resection, treatment-related factors influence outcome of IIIAN2 patients while disease-related factors prevail on survival of IIIB patients, in whom the benefit of IT is unclear.

One hundred consecutive pneumonectomies after induction therapy for non-small cell lung cancer: an uncertain balance between risks and benefits.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess postoperative outcome after pneumonectomy after neoadjuvant therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. METHODS: This retrospective study included 100 patients treated from January 1989 through December 2003 for a primary lung cancer in whom pneumonectomy had been performed after an induction treatment. Surgical intervention had not been considered initially for the following reasons: N2 disease (stage IIIA, n = 79), doubtful resectability (stage IIIB [T4, N0], n = 19), and M1 disease (stage IV [T2, N0, M1, solitary brain metastasis], n = 2). All patients received a 2-drug platinum-based regimen with a median of 2.5 cycles (range, 2-4 cycles), and 30 had associated radiotherapy (30-45 Gy). RESULTS: There were 55 right and 45 left resections. Overall 30-day and 90-day mortality rates were 12% and 21%, respectively. At multivariate analysis, one independent prognostic factor entered the model to predict 30-day mortality: postoperative cardiovascular event (relative risk, 45.7; 95% confidence interval, 3.7-226.7; P = .001). Four variables predicted 90-day mortality: age of more than 60 years (relative risk, 5.06; 95% confidence interval, 1.47-17.48; P = .01), male sex (relative risk, 8.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-67.34; P = .049), postoperative respiratory event (relative risk, 3.64; 95% confidence interval, 1.14-9.37; P = .007), and postoperative cardiovascular event (relative risk, 7.84; 95% confidence interval, 3.12-19.71; P < .001). Estimated overall survivals in 90-day survivors were 35% (range, 29%-41%) and 25% (range, 19.3%-30.7%) at 3 and 5 years, respectively. At multivariate analysis, one independent prognostic factor entered the model: pathologic stage III-IV residual disease (relative risk, 1.89; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-3.26; P = .022). CONCLUSIONS: Pneumonectomy after induction therapy is a high-risk procedure, the survival benefit of which appears uncertain.

Does the extent of lymph node dissection influence outcome in patients with stage I non-small-cell lung cancer?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the therapeutic effect of the extent of lymph node dissection performed in patients with a stage pI non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: We analysed data on 465 patients with stage I NSCLC who were treated with surgical resection and some form of lymph node sampling. The median number of lymph node sampled was 10 and the median number of ipsilateral mediastinal lymph node stations sampled was two. We chose to define a procedure that harvested 10 or more lymph nodes and sampled two or more ipsilateral mediastinal stations as a lymphadenectomy, by contrast with sampling when one or both criteria were not satisfied. The effect of the surgical techniques: lymph node sampling (LS; n=207) vs. lymphadenectomy (LA; n=258) on 30-day mortality and overall survival were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 6244 lymph nodes was examined, including 4306 mediastinal lymph nodes. The mean (+/-SD) numbers of removed lymph nodes were 7+/-6.1 per patient following LS vs.18.6+/-9.3 following LA (P=0.001). An average mean of 1+/-0.90 mediastinal lymph node station per patient was sampled following LS vs. 2.7+/-0.8 following LA (P<10(-6)). Overall 30-day mortality rates were 2.4 and 3.1%, respectively. LA was disclosed as a favourable prognosticator at multivariate analysis (Hazard Risk: 1.43; 95% Confidence Interval: 1.00-2.04; P=0.048), together with younger patient age, absence of blood vessels invasion, and smaller tumour size. CONCLUSIONS: Importance of lymph node dissection affects patients outcome, while it does not enhance the operative mortality. A minimum of 10 lymph nodes assessed, and two mediastinal stations sampled are suggested as possible pragmatic markers of the quality of lymphadenectomy.

Transthoracic esophagectomy for adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus: standard versus extended two-field mediastinal lymphadenectomy?

OBJECTIVE: Controversy continues over the optimal extent of lymphadenectomy for the surgical treatment of Adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus. METHODS: From 1996 to 2003, 102 transthoracic en-bloc esophagectomy were performed for adenocarcinoma. Based on the 1994 consensus conference of the International Society of Disease of Esophagus, 35 patients underwent standard lymphadenectomy whereas 67 underwent extended lymphadenectomy. Mortality, morbidity and long-term survival were reviewed in each group. RESULTS: Extended lymphadenectomy increased the number of resected lymph nodes and improved the healthy/invaded lymph node ratio. It allowed to detect skip nodal metastasis in 36.4% of the N+ patients. Morbidity was higher following extended lymphadenectomy, with respect to pulmonary complications, and blood transfusions requirement (P=0.04). However, operative mortality was similar in both groups (9 vs. 11%). Overall disease-free survival was 28% at 5 years. Median of survival was higher in N0 than in N+ patients (55 months vs. 20 months; P=0.02). Extended lymphadenectomy was associated with an improving of disease-free survival when compared to standard lymphadenectomy (41 vs. 10% at 5 years; P<0.05), especially in the subgroup of patients with a N0 disease (median of survival 44 months vs. 17 months; P=0.001). Based on multivariable analyses, predictive factors of recurrence affecting disease free-survival were the pT status (P=0.02), standard lymphadenectomy (P=0.05) and extracapsular lymph node involvement (0.04). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that extended 2-field lymphadenectomy is an important component of the surgical treatment of patients with adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus. It increases the likelihood of proper staging and affects patient outcome, while it does not enhance the operative mortality. However, extended lymphadenectomy increases non-fatal morbidity, especially the incidence of pulmonary complications and the need for blood transfusion.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic management of recurrent primary spontaneous pneumothorax after prior talc pleurodesis: a feasible, safe and efficient treatment option.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in the management of a recurrent primary spontaneous pneumothorax after a prior talc pleurodesis. METHODS: From 1996 to 2002, we retrospectively reviewed all patients who were treated for a recurrent primary spontaneous pneumothorax after a previous talc pleurodesis. Data on the talc procedure and the recurrent pneumothorax, delay between both, and operative features were studied. Conversion rate to a thoracotomy and postoperative complications as well as long-term outcome were reported. RESULTS: We collected 39 patients (28 male) with a median age of 25 years (15-41 years). The initial procedure consisted of thoracoscopic talc poudrage in all cases. The median delay between the talc procedure and the recurrence was 23 months [10 days-13 years]. Size of recurrence involved 10-80% of the hemithorax. The VATS procedure was successfully achieved in 27 patients (69%) while 12 required conversion to a thoracotomy. The main cause for conversion was the presence of dense pleural adhesion at the mediastinal part of the pleural cavity. Postoperative morbidity was limited to pleural complications in the VATS group (n=6, 22%). Median follow-up was 26 months [10-38 months]. One patient treated by VATS developed a partial recurrent pneumothorax at 12 months with a favorable outcome without further surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Feasibility, safety and efficacy of VATS for management of recurrent primary spontaneous pneumothorax following thoracoscopic talc poudrage are strongly suggested.

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung: an aggressive disease potentially treatable with surgery.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of clinical and pathologic features of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma to confirm its specificity in the setting of high grade neuroendocrine pulmonary tumors. METHODS: From 1989 to 2001, 123 patients with a neuroendocrine carcinoma were surgically treated in a curative intent at a single institution. According to the 1999 World Health Organization classification, 20 patients were reviewed as having a large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. Clinical data as well as detailed pathologic analysis and survival were collected. RESULTS: There were 18 men and 2 women. The median age was 62 years. Four patients had a preoperative diagnosis of large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. The resections consisted of 14 lobectomies and 6 pneumonectomies. There was no operative death. Complications occurred in 7 patients (35%). Four patients had a stage I of the disease, 4 had stage II, 9 had stage III, and 3 had stage IV. At follow-up (median, 46 months), 13 patients died from general recurrence and 7 patients were still alive. Median time to progression was 9 months (range, 1 to 54 months). The 5-year survival rate was 36% (median, 49 months) and it seemed to be negatively influenced by the disease stage (54% for stage I-II vs 25% for stage III-IV; p = 0.07), the presence of metastatic lymph node (45% for N0/N1 vs 17% for N2; p = 0.12), or vessel invasion (66 vs 25%; p = 0.18). CONCLUSIONS: Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma predominantly occurred in men. An accurate tissue diagnosis was rarely obtained preoperatively. Although overall survival after resection was substantial, large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma frequently showed pathologic features of occult metastatic disease, such as lymph node or vessel invasion, or both.

Completion pneumonectomy in cancer patients: experience with 55 cases.

OBJECTIVE: Analysis of a single institution experience with completion pneumonectomy. METHODS: From 1989 to 2002, 55 consecutive cancer patients received completion pneumonectomy (mean age 62 years; 25-79). Indications were bronchogenic carcinoma in 38 patients (4 first cancers, 8 recurrent cancers, 26 second cancers), lung metastases in three (one each from breast cancer, colorectal neoplasm and lung cancer), lung sarcoma in one, and miscellaneous non-malignant conditions in 13 patients having been surgically treated for a non-small cell lung cancer previously (bronchopleural fistula in 4, radionecrosis in 3, aspergilloma in 2, pachypleura in 1, massive hemoptysis in 1 and pneumonia in 2). Before completion pneumonectomy, 50 patients had had a lobectomy, three a bilobectomy, and two lesser resections. The mean interval between the two procedures was 51 months for the whole group (1-469), 60 months for lung cancer (12-469), 43 months for pulmonary metastases (21-59) and 29 months for non-malignant disorders (1-126). RESULTS: There were 35 right (64%) and 20 left (36%) resections. The surgical approaches were a posterolateral thoracotomy in 50 cases (91%) and a lateral thoracotomy in five cases (9%). Intrapericardial route was used in 49 patients (89%). Five patients had an extended resection (2 chest wall, 1 diaphragm, 1 subclavian artery and 1 superior vena cava). Operative mortality was 16.4% (n=9): 11.9% for malignant disease (n=5) and 30.8% for benign disease (n=4) Operative mortality was 20% for right completion pneumonectomies (n=7) and 10% for left-sided procedures (n=2) Twenty-three patients (42%) experienced non-fatal major complications. Actuarial 3- and 5-year survival rates from the time of completion pneumonectomy were 48.4 and 35.2% for the entire group. Three- and five-year survival for patients with bronchogenic carcinoma were 56.9 and 43.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that completion pneumonectomy in the setting of lung malignancies can be done with an operative risk similar to the one reported for standard pneumonectomy. In contrast, in cancer patients, completion pneumonectomy for inflammatory disorders is a very high-risk procedure.

Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma: myths and realities in the surgical management.

Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) of the lung is a subtype of adenocarcinoma with pure bronchoalveolar growth pattern and no evidence of stromal, vascular or pleural invasion (1999 WHO criteria), that seems to increase in incidence actually. BAC has its proper clinical spectrum, occurring more frequently in women and in younger patients. BAC also seems to be less dependent on tobacco exposure. Furthermore, original feature of this type of lung cancer is its intrapulmonary spreading and being infrequently systemic. Thus, surgical resection appears to have a pivotal role. This review of the literature attempted to assess whether or not patients with BAC should be treated according to the same oncological principles as those recommended for other non-small cell lung cancers, i.e. performance of anatomical resection combined with lymphadenectomy, and development of multimodality therapeutic strategies. Unilateral multinodular or pneumonic forms are best removed by lobectomy, or pneumonectomy when appropriate, combined with lymphadenectomy. Segmentectomy or wedge resection is a valuable option for the treatment of solitary lung nodules with pure pathological BAC patterns, provided specific conditions based upon computed tomography scan findings are present. The place of multimodality strategies is still unexplored. Treatment of bilateral BAC is challenging. Incomplete resection may be performed to palliate a severe intrapulmonary shunting. However, one hope of cure is provided by lung transplantation, even though disappointing results with disease recurrence on the grafts have been reported. The lack of large studies including only pure BAC gives a place for future biological and clinical research on this cancer.

Survival and postoperative complication in daily practice after neoadjuvant therapy in resectable stage IIIA-N2 non-small cell lung cancer.

Regarding persisting controversies about neoadjuvant treatment (NT), we studied the impact of neoadjuvant therapy in daily practice. Patients with stage IIIA-N2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) resected after NT were eligible. Data on preoperative treatments, surgical procedure, postoperative complications and survival were collected. Overall, 71 (60 men, median age of 60 years) patients met inclusion criteria. All patients received a two-drug platinum-based regimen (median of 2.5 cycles [2-4 cycles]) and 15 (21%) had an associated radiotherapy (20-40 Gy). Nine complete and 27 partial responses were achieved. Surgical procedure principally was a lobectomy (44%), a left (15.5%) or a right (27%) pneumonectomy. Operative mortality was 4.2% while 21 patients (29%) experienced postoperative complications. Median survival was 17 months (95% CI, 13-21 months) with 3- and 5-year survival rates of 24 and 13%, respectively. Five-year survival was worse if postoperative complication occurred (18 versus 0%, p=0.09). Multivariate analysis showed male gender (RR=0.37, 95% CI, 0.16-0.81, p=0.013) and postoperative positive lymph node (RR=2.7, 95% CI, 1.4-5.2, p=0.002) to influence survival. In conclusion, achievement of a clinical and pathological response after NT for stage IIIA-N2 NSCLC patients enables a better survival. More efficient but also less toxic regimens of chemotherapy should be developed regarding its impact on long-term survival.

Transdiaphragmatic hernia 1 year after heart transplantation following implantable LVAD.

Complications after ventricular assist devices placement most frequently consist of bleeding, infection, and thromboembolic events. We describe a late complication after transplantation caused by transdiaphragmatic connection of the device placed in the abdominal position that presented as an acute pulmonary syndrome, misleading initial diagnosis.