Is there any relationship between quality of life and the level of sympathectomy in primary palmar hyperhidrosis? Single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: The discussions at the surgical levels (sympathectomy levels) about endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) method, which is applied in hyperhidrosis treatment in the present day and acknowledged as the golden treatment method, continue. Mainly, most of the studies evaluates postoperative early period results. Our aim in this study is to compare the long-term quality of life depending on the different surgical levels (sympathectomy levels) and evaluate the postoperative complications. METHODS: 165 patients operated due to palmar hyperhidrosis between January 2012 and July 2017 were evaluated. Sympathectomy was performed either by clipping or cauterization and sympathetic nerves included were T2-4, T3-4, or T3 levels. Data were retrospectively reviewed for complications, factors affecting the postoperative quality of life. RESULTS: Ninety of the patients were male (54.5%) and 75 (45.5%) were female. The level of ganglion block was T2-T4 in 62 patients (37.6%), T3-T4 in 46 patients (27.9%), and T3 in 57 patients (34.5%). Early complications were observed in 27 patients (16.4%). Compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH) was observed in 62 patients (37.6%). There was a significant difference in the postoperative quality of life according to ETS level (p < 0.001). Patients who underwent T2-T4 sympathectomy had a lower quality of life than patients who underwent isolated T3 or T3-T4 sympathectomy. CONCLUSION: Based on our results, we recommend performing lower level resections to increase the long-term quality of life in palmar hyperhidrosis patients. The lower risk of CH and comparable quality of life suggest that T3 sympathectomy is more effective.

Long-Term Outcomes of Carinal Sleeve Resection in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Carinal resections for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) invading the carina are challenging cases that require a therapeutic strategy. The aim of this study was to compare the oncologic outcomes and complications of patients who underwent carinal resection. METHODS: Sixty-four patients who underwent carinal resection between 2005 and 2016 were evaluated. Data were retrospectively reviewed for indications, complications, and factors influencing long-term survival. RESULTS: The study included 51 patients (79.7%) who underwent sleeve pneumonectomy (sP) and 13 patients who underwent carinal sleeve lobectomy (csL) as a curative therapy. Nine patients (14.1%) received induction chemotherapy. Complications were observed in 31 patients (48.8%), including 24 patients (47.1%) in the sP group and 7 patients (53.8%) in the csL group (p = 0.662). Six patients (9.4%) developed bronchopleural fistula. The 30-day mortality rate was 10.9% (n = 7). The 5- and 10-year survival rates were 42.2 and 23.1%, respectively. N2 and R1 were identified as factors affecting survival (p = 0.029 and p = 0.047). CONCLUSION: Carinal resections have acceptable morbidity, mortality, and long-term survival outcomes in central NSCLC. The main factors affecting survival are complete resection and nodal status. The results of csL were similar to those of sP. Therefore, we believe that csL should be performed in all eligible patients.

Bronchial Stump Recurrence after Complete Resection of Lung Cancer: Effect of the Distance between the Tumor and Bronchial Resection Margin.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the following parameters after complete resection in established lung cancer patients: the frequency of bronchial stump recurrence (BSR), the effect of the distance between the tumor and bronchial resection margin (DBTM) on BSR, the survival of patients with BSR, and the effect of the DBTM on survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 553 consecutive lung cancer patients who underwent complete lung resection. The patients were classified as DBTM: ≤ 10 mm (group 1), 11 to 20 mm (group 2), and > 20 mm (group 3). RESULTS: We found BSR in eight (1.5%) patients. Six patients were in group 1, and two were in group 2. The difference was found to be statistically significant (p = 0004; groups 1 vs. 3). In multivariable analysis, we observed a trend toward significance for the effect of a DBTM on BSR development (p = 0.1). The DBTM did not significantly affect survival (p = 0.61). The survival of patients who developed BSR was significantly poor compared with those who did not develop BSR (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: BSR can develop even after complete resection of lung cancer. The DBTM is associated with BSR risk, and the survival of patients who develop BSR is poor.

Relationship between lung adenocarcinoma histological subtype and patient prognosis.

PURPOSE: Lung adenocarcinoma (AC) demonstrates various histological subtypes within the tumour tissue. A panel established jointly by the IASLC, ATS and ERS classified invasive lung ACs based on the predominant histological subtype. We examined the distribution of tumours in lung AC patients according to histological subtype and analysed the effects of this classification on survival. METHODS: The records of patients who had pulmonary resection for lung cancer between January 2000 and December 2009 were reviewed and 226 lung AC patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were identified. Histological subtypes of the ACs and their ratios in the tumour tissue were determined. Tumours were classified according to the predominant histological subtype and subsequently graded. The relationship between the predominant histological subtype, grade and survival were analysed. RESULTS: Tumours were predominantly acinar in 99 cases (43.8%), solid in 89 (39.3%), lepidic in 20 (8.8%), and papillary in 11 (4.8%), whereas 7 tumours (3%) were variants of AC. Stage significantly affected survival (p = 0.001); however, the predominant histological subtype had no significant effect. The 5-year survival rate for patients with histologically grade II tumours was 48.6%, whereas that in patients with grade III tumours was 56%. (p = 0.69). CONCLUSION: Invasive lung ACs may be defined by their predominant histological subtype. However, it is not yet possible to conclude that this classification is related to survival.

Primary pulmonary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: ten cases with a review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Primary pulmonary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (PPNHL) of the lung occurs very rarely. To clarify clinical features, treatment alternatives and outcomes, we evaluated our surgically diagnosed PPNHL cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of PPNHL cases from January 2004 to December 2009 was performed. Demographic and clinical data are presented as means or medians. Overall survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Survival rates were compared using the log-rank test. A p value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Patients were eight males and two females with a median age of 50 years (range, 29-76 years). In 40% of the patients, antigenic stimulation, immune-suppression or auto-immune disease could not been found. All patients were symptomatic at presentation. Surgical procedures were needed to obtain a diagnosis (nine wedge resections and one pneumonectomy). Eight patients had an extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma), and two had diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. The patients were treated with observation (pneumonectomy case), chemotherapy (n= 7), and chemotherapy and radiotherapy (n= 1). Five-year survival was 76%. Difference in survival rates of patients with bilateral vs. unilateral disease were not statistically different. CONCLUSIONS: On contrary of the literature, PPNHL can occur with absence of antigenic stimulation, and patients generally have some symptoms. Chemotherapy or surgery can be used to treat PPNHL. Patient survival is good.

A hamartoma located in the trachea.

Hamartoma is rarely found to be localized in the trachea. In the literature, only about ten cases have been reported. A 52-year-old male who was being treated for asthma for 15 years applied to our hospital with a progressive dyspnea complaint. During his physical examination, stridor was heard, after which a computed tomography of his chest revealed a tracheal mass. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed a mass which obstructed 80% of the tracheal lumen attached to the posterior tracheal wall with a broad base. The mass was removed surgically with segmentary resection of the trachea. histopathological examination of the lesion indicated that it was a hamartoma. Hamartomas can localize in the trachea very rarely, causing serious obstruction.

Extent of lung resection in non-small lung cancer with interlobar lymph node involvement.

BACKGROUND: Optimal resection type for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with interlobar lymph node involvement (ILNI) has seldom been reported. To completely resect a NSCLC with ILNI, some surgeons believe that a pneumonectomy is needed. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 151 patients (147 men, 4 women; mean age 58 ± 8 years, range 34-79) with non-small lung cancer without mediastinal or hilar lymph node metastasis who underwent an anatomic lung resection with systematic lymph node dissection between January 1995 and November 2006. All patients had involvement of the surgical-pathologic interlobar (#11) lymph node: 8 patients had a T1 tumor; 95, T2; 39, T3; and 9, T4. We evaluated the effect of resection type (pneumonectomy in 90 patients versus lobectomy in 61) on their prognosis by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The 5-year survival rate of patients was 61% for the lobectomy and 35% for the pneumonectomy (p = 0.04). We did not find statistically significant differences in sex, median age, distributions of tumor site, histology and differentiation, complete resection rate, N1 involvement status, morbidity and mortality. Patients who underwent the pneumonectomy had larger tumors and more T3 tumors. The T status, multiple levels N1 involvement and histology did not affect survival in the univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis revealed resection type as a significant prognostic factor. CONCLUSIONS: Pneumonectomy was not necessary in patients with NSCLC and interlobar lymph node involvement that we had discovered intraoperatively.

The validity of preoperative lymph node staging guidelines of European Society of Thoracic Surgeons in non-small-cell lung cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: The European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS) has proposed preoperative lymph-node staging guidelines (LNSGs) for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) based on the introduction of new staging modalities into clinical practice. The validity of these guidelines was assessed. METHODS: Among the patients (n=185) with histologically confirmed NSCLC diagnosed between 2007 and 2009, who were suitable for thoracotomy, the 168 who underwent computed tomography (CT) of the chest and CT-integrated positron emission tomography (PET-CT) were included in the study. The preoperative mediastinal stage was confirmed by mediastinoscopy in all patients. A thoracotomy was done for mediastinoscopy-negative patients. The mediastinal staging results were adapted to the ESTS-LNSG (direct thoracotomy for T1-2 N0 tumour according to CT and PET-CT and invasive staging for others) and the validity of the guidelines was tested. RESULTS: In this series, the overall mediastinal lymph-node metastasis (MLNM) prevalence was 29.2%. If the guidelines had been applied, thoracotomy without invasive mediastinal staging would have been done in only 11 (6.5%) patients, and no MLNM would have been detected. Mediastinoscopy would have been performed in 157 patients and MLNM would have been found in 41 (26%). In the 116 mediastinoscopy-negative patients, MLNM would have been detected after thoracotomy in an additional eight patients. Thus, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the guidelines were calculated as 84%, 100%, 100% and 94%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative LNSGs for NSCLC proposed by the ESTS are effective.

Survival and prognostic factors in surgically resected synchronous multiple primary lung cancers.

OBJECTIVE: The presence of synchronous multiple primary non-small-cell lung cancers (SMPLC) is a rare condition and the optimal treatment remains unclear. In this study, the survival of surgically treated SMPLC patients and the factors affecting survival were analyzed. METHODS: Between 2001 and 2008, 26 consecutive patients diagnosed with SMPLC, who had all of their tumors resected, were retrospectively evaluated. Patients, who had bronchoalveolar carcinoma or carcinoid tumors and satellite nodules, were excluded. Prognostic factors were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The tumors were unilateral in 14 and bilateral in 12 patients. In total, 38 procedures were performed. A complete resection was achieved in 35 (92.1%) procedures. The in-hospital mortality rate was 7.6% (two patients). The overall 5-year survival rate was 49.7%, and the median survival time was 40 months. The 5-year survival rate was 40.6% for unilateral and 62.8% for bilateral SMPLC patients (p = 0.47). Histopathologic tumor type, N1 nodal disease, tumor (T) status, and older age did not influence survival. There was no survival disadvantage for patients, upon whom a sublobar resection had been performed. There was a trend toward poorer survival in patients upon whom a pneumonectomy had been performed (p = 0.12). The 3-year survival rate for patients, who received adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy (66.7%), was better than other patients (56.3%). In the multivariate analysis, we found a trend toward poor survival in patients, who received a pneumonectomy, and a trend toward better survival in patients, who received adjuvant therapy (p = 0.05 and p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: The survival of SMPLC patients, who were treated surgically, was satisfactory. Pneumonectomy was a poor prognostic factor, whereas adjuvant therapy was a good prognostic factor.

Tumor angiogenesis in predicting the survival of patients with stage I lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The effects of angiogenesis on survival were assessed by measuring the tumor microvessel density and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in patients with resected stage I non-small cell lung carcinoma. METHODS: The study population included 141 patients who underwent complete resection for stage pT1 and T2 N0 M0 tumors between 1999 and 2007. Lobectomy and pneumonectomy were performed in 131 and 10 patients, respectively. Tumor specimens were analyzed immunohistochemically for staining with anti-CD105 antibody to determine tumor microvessel density and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibody to determine the vascular endothelial growth factor expression level. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for factors influencing patients' survival. RESULTS: The overall 5-year survival was calculated as 68%, with rates of 76.9% for patients with T1 disease and 66.2% for patients with T2 disease (P = .4). The vascular endothelial growth factor expression rate was 94.3% for patients with stage I non-small cell lung carcinoma. Vascular endothelial growth factor expression did not influence survival (P = .9). The median microvessel density of the tumors measured based on the level of CD105 expression was 19.8. The effect of microvessel density on survival was significant (P = .02). The 5-year survivals of patients with tumors with 20 or more microvessels and less than 20 microvessels were 76.8% and 56.1%, respectively; this difference was highly significant (P = .004). The microvessel density was determined as an independent factor influencing survival on multivariate analysis (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: The level of vascular endothelial growth factor expression in tumors was not a successful predictor of survival in patients with resected stage I non-small cell lung carcinoma. A high microvessel density based on CD105 is a strong predictor of prognosis in these patients.

Surgical treatment and prognosis of primitive neuroectodermal tumors of the thorax.

INTRODUCTION: Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) are rare, rapidly progressive, small- round cell tumors with a poor prognosis despite multimodal therapy, including surgery and chemoradiotherapy. The treatment of choice was unknown since no clinical series with surgical therapy had been reported. We evaluated the impact of multimodal treatment in patients with PNETs located in the thoracic region. METHODS: Between 1998 and 2006, 25 patients with PNETs in the thoracic region were treated in 3 tertiary-care hospitals. The patients consisted of 15 males and 10 females with a mean age of 27.2 years (range, 6-60). The tumor was in the chest wall in 20 (involving the costovertebral junction in 9), the lung in four, and the heart in one patient. Twelve patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (54.5%), and 22 of 25 patients underwent surgery. RESULTS: In patients who received neoadjuvant treatment, the mean regression rate was 65.4% (range, 30-100%). Eighteen (82%) patients underwent chest wall resection, while 7 (32%) had vertebral resections, and the remaining 4 (16%) had pulmonary resections. A complete resection was possible in 18 of 22 patients (82%). Patients with incomplete and complete resections had 25% and 56% 5-year survival rates, respectively (p = 0.13). The progression-free 3-year survival rate was 36% and the median survival time was 13 months. The complete resection rate was significantly higher in patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy (p = 0.027). The 5-year survival rate of the patients with or without neoadjuvant therapy was 77% and 37%, respectively (p = 0.22) although it prolonged the disease-free survival (p = 0.01). The 5-year survival rate of patients without costovertebral junction involvement was 66%, whereas patients with PNETs involving the costovertebral junction had a 21% 3-year survival. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.01). The 5-year progression-free survival rate of patients without costovertebral junction involvement was 58%, whereas patients with PNETs involving the costovertebral junction had a 14% 1-year progression-free survival (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: PNET is an aggressive malignancy that often requires multimodal therapy. Induction chemotherapy leads to a greater complete resection rate and better disease-free survival, while involvement of the costovertebral junction indicates a poorer survival.

[The role of positron emission tomography (PET) in mediastinal staging of non-small cell lung cancer]. / Küçük hücreli disi akciger kanserinin mediastinal evrelemesinde pozitron emisyon tomografisi (PET)'nin rolü.

Mediastinal lymph node metastasis (MLNM) is the most important prognostic factor and guide to the treatment in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with no distant metastasis. As a non invasive method, using of positron emission tomography (PET) to evaluate NSCLC is increasing. We aimed to compare results of PET and mediastinoscopy to reveal effectiveness of PET in the mediastinal staging of NSCLC patients. PET was performed to 100 operable NSCLC patients between 2004 and 2006. Later, standard cervical mediastinoscopy was performed to all of the patients. Twenty-six patients who detected MLNM at mediastinoscopy were referred to oncology clinic for neoadjuvant or definitive chemo-radiotherapy. Other 74 patients underwent thoracotomy and performed lung resection and mediastinal lymphatic dissection. Sensitivity and specificity rates for detecting mediastinal lymphatic metastasis of PET and mediastinoscopy were compared. There were 89 male and 11 female with mean age of 59 years. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy rates were calculated as 74%, 76%, 59%, 86% and 76% respectively for PET and 83%, 100%, 100%, 93% and 95% respectively for mediastinoscopy. Accuracy rate of PET is not sufficient and mediastinoscopy is still the gold standard to evaluate mediastinal staging of NSCLC, at present.

Role of positron emission tomography in mediastinal lymphatic staging of non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Positron emission tomography (PET) is used increasingly in staging of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as a non-invasive tool. The role of the PET in mediastinal lymphatic staging of NSCLC is not clear. We aimed to demonstrate the efficacy of PET in determining mediastinal lymphatic metastasis by comparing the results of PET with mediastinoscopy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed PET preoperatively in 170 patients with clinically operable NSCLC between 2004 and 2006. Stations defined as metastasis by PET (SUV(max) >2.5) were recorded. Mediastinoscopy was performed initially in all patients and a total of 687 stations which can be reached with mediastinoscope were sampled (mean 4.04). Forty-three patients with mediastinal metastasis were referred to the oncology clinic for chemotherapy while lung resection and complete mediastinal lymphatic dissection through thoracotomy was performed in the remaining 127 patients. Involvement of mediastinal lymph nodes was verified to compare the sensitivity and specificity of mediastinoscopy and the related PET results. RESULTS: Histopathologic classification of the tumors revealed 79 squamous carcinomas and 58 adenocarcinomas. False positivity rate of PET was 26% (95% CI: 14-38), false negativity was 25% (95% CI: 18-33), sensitivity was 74% (95% CI: 63-86), specificity was 73% (95% CI: 66-82) and accuracy was 74% in mediastinal staging. Negative predictive value of mediastinoscopy was 94% (95% CI: 89-98), positive predictive value 100%, sensitivity 84% (95% CI: 74-94), specificity 100% and accuracy was 95%. CONCLUSION: PET results do not provide acceptable accuracy rates. Mediastinoscopy still remains the gold standard for mediastinal staging of NSCLC, although it cannot reach to all the mediastinal stations.

Staging and resection of lung cancer with minimal invasion of the adjacent lobe.

OBJECTIVE: Correct staging, optimal resection type, and prognosis for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with invasion of the adjacent lobe through the fissure have seldom been reported. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 351 completely resected NSCLC patients between 1994 and 2004. Of these, 152 patients had T2 and 139 had T3 NSCLC confined in one lobe and 60 patients had T2 NSCLC that shows a limited growth through the interlobar fissure into the adjacent lobe (NSCLC-ALI). Types of resections performed in patients who have NSCLC-ALI were: pneumonectomy in 40, bilobectomy in 10, and lobectomy plus partial adjacent lobe resection (LPR) in 10. Survival rates of all patients were determined and factors affecting the survival were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. A multivariate survival analysis of NSCLC-ALI patients including the resection type as a prognostic factor was also performed. RESULTS: Survival of the patients with NSCLC-ALI was not statistically different from those with T3 disease (p=0.67, log rank test) but was significantly poorer than remaining patients with simple T2 disease (p=0.049, log-rank test). T status was found as a prognostic factor at multivariate analysis too (p=0.037). The survival of patients who underwent pneumonectomy was significantly worse than the patient group who underwent bilobectomy or LPR (p=0.04). There was no statistically significant difference between survival of the patients who underwent LPR and the patient group who underwent pneumonectomy or bilobectomy (p=0.16). Hospital mortality was 6.6% (4/60) and they all underwent a pneumonectomy. During follow-up there was no local recurrence encountered in patients in LPR group. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of NSCLC with limited invasion of an adjacent lobe was found to be similar with that of T3 tumors. A resection type lesser than a pneumonectomy may be considered in these tumors.

The role of GSTM1 gene polymorphisms in lung cancer development in Turkish population.

BACKGROUND: Glutathione S-transferase (GSTs) plays an important role in the detoxification of many xenobiotics involved in the etiology of cancer. In different ethnic groups, variations in null allele frequency have been observed. We have investigated GSTM1 gene polymorphisms in healthy subjects and lung cancer patients in the Turkish population and reviewed the control subjects of the studies performed in the Turkish population. METHODS: Following blood sampling from patients and controls, DNA samples were extracted from the whole blood and were amplified by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method in all of the 256 cases, consisting of 102 previously diagnosed with lung cancer and 154 healthy controls. RESULTS: The prevalence of GSTM1-null genotype in the lung cancer patients was 49%, compared to 52.6% in the control group (OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 0.70-1.90, p = 0.57). There were also no significant relationships in GSTM1 genotypes among histopathologic types of lung cancers (p > 0.05). The frequency of GSTM1 was found to be 41.2% (n = 1809) when the control subjects of the studies performed in Turkish population were reviewed. CONCLUSION: We have observed that GSTM1 genotype is not an independent risk factor for lung cancer.

Is routine mediastinoscopy indicated for patients with T1 non-small cell lung cancer?

OBJECTIVE: Mediastinoscopy is gold standard in the staging patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Yet, its necessity in every patient is being questioned as new data is being collected. In the present study, we compared pathology reports of the cases with T1 NSCLC both after mediastinoscopy and thoracotomy, and discussed about the necessity of mediastinoscopy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 74 patients (73 patients with pathologic T1 NSCLC patients who underwent pulmonary resection and one patient clinically T1 who did not undergo pulmonary resection), between 1996 and 2002. Clinically 80% of the cases were at T1 stage, and the rest were at T2 stage. The distribution of clinical lymph node status was NO in 85%, 15% N2. RESULTS: Fifty-three (71.6%) cases underwent mediastinoscopy. Mediastinoscopy showed that one patient had contralateral lymph node involvement and the remaining cases had no lymph node metastases. No mortality occurred and morbidity rate was 1.9%. Lobectomy was performed in 60 cases, pneumonectomy in seven, wedge resection in five, and segmentectomy in one. The histopathologic types were; squamous cancer in 40 (55%) cases, adenocarcinoma in 29 (40%), and large cell carcinoma in four (5%). Only two cases (2.7%) who had no detectable lymph node metastases at mediastinoscopy were found to have N2 disease after thoracotomy. In rest of the cases, NO was observed in 48 (66%) and N1 in 23 (31.5%). Five-year survival of the cases was calculated to be 73%. The two cases with N2 disease are alive at seven and four years after the operation. CONCLUSION: Routine mediastinoscopy does not appear to be necessary for patients with clinical T1 non-small cell carcinoma having no enlarged lymph nodes on computerised tomography.

Lobar torsion after pulmonary resection; report of two cases.

Lobar torsion is a rare complication after pulmonary resection. We report a case of right middle lobe torsion following a right upper lobectomy, and left lower lobe torsion following a left upper lobectomy. Careful postoperative clinical observation, chest radiography, fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB), and computed tomography (CT) are crucial for precise diagnosis of lobar torsion following pulmonary resection. Both patients underwent re-thoracotomy; a middle lobectomy and completion pneumonectomy were performed. In the clinical management of lobar torsion urgent diagnosis and conclusive surgical resection is needed to avoid mortality and morbidity.