Anatomy of mediastinal veins and nerves.

The mediastinum is the central compartment in the thoracic cavity that lies between the lungs. It extends from the thoracic inlet superiorly to the diaphragm inferiorly and sternum anteriorly to the vertebral column posteriorly. It is commonly divided into four compartments-superior, anterior, middle and posterior mediastinum. However, some have started to classify it into the more recent three compartments-anterior (prevascular), middle (visceral) and posterior (paravertebral). The mediastinum is of clinical significance because many vital structures, such as the heart, great vessels, esophagus, lymphatics, and trachea, lie within these compartments. Disease presentation can greatly vary depending on the structures involved, and the differential diagnosis can range widely. Therefore, knowledge of the anatomy and subdivisions of the mediastinum is vital for thoracic surgeons. Herein, we have provided a brief review of the mediastinal anatomy. Utilizing the four-compartment model, we detail the contents of each compartment of the mediastinum with special attention to its veins and nerves. There are also several venous junctions that are important for mediastinal surgery, such as the internal jugular-subclavian venous junction and the left-right brachiocephalic venous junction. We describe useful superficial landmarks, such as the sternocleidomastoid and manubrium, and how they relate to some of the key venous junctions.

Analysis of recurrence in lung adenocarcinoma with spread through air spaces.

OBJECTIVES: Spread through air spaces is defined as tumor cells in air spaces away from the edge of tumor in lung carcinoma. It is associated with higher locoregional recurrence and lower survival in lung adenocarcinoma. The features of spread through air spaces portending worse outcomes are still under investigation. We reviewed our lung cancer experience to define potential factors related to spread through air spaces that influence recurrence and survival. METHODS: Between January 2010 and December 2017, we identified 968 patients who underwent resection for T1-3N0M0 lung adenocarcinoma. Of these, histologic examination was possible in 787 patients. We examined the presence of spread through air spaces, spread through air spaces characteristics (micropapillary, solid nest, or single cell), average density (number per slide), and farthest distance from tumor at which spread through air spaces was detected, or maximal spread distance. Overall survival and recurrence-free survival were estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves, and differences between spread through air spaces positive versus spread through air spaces negative groups were assessed using the log-rank test. RESULTS: Spread through air spaces was present in 389 of 787 of the reviewed cases (49.4%). Overall survival and recurrence-free survival were significantly lower in the spread through air spaces positive group over 10 years (P < .0001). The incidences of locoregional and distant recurrence were nearly doubled over 10 years in the spread through air spaces positive group compared with the spread through air spaces negative group (P = .002 and <.0001, respectively). In a multivariable Cox regression model adjusted for spread through air spaces characteristics, distance, and tumor size, lobar resection did not confer survival advantage in patients with spread through air spaces (hazard ratio of sublobar resection with respect to lobar resection, 1.44; 95% confidence interval, 0.98-2.11; P = .067). In the spread through air spaces positive group, spread through air spaces density was 2.7 ± 1.4 clusters per slide and the maximal spread distance was 2.2 ± 1.7 mm from the tumor edge. There was no observed correlation between spread through air spaces density or maximal spread distance and overall survival or recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: We show increased distant recurrence in spread through air spaces positive lung adenocarcinoma. Quantifiable measures of spread through air spaces do not appear to correlate with recurrence or survival metrics.

Sublobar resections for lung cancer: Finally, some answers and some more questions?

The Lung Cancer Study Group Trial, published in 1995, set the tone for lobectomy as the standard of care for early-stage nonsmall cell lung cancer. Twenty-seven years and two randomized trials later, does the thoracic oncology community have clarity regarding the choice type of resection, or more questions?

Hyperthermic intraoperative chemotherapy (HIOC) for Stage IVa thymic malignancy may improve 5-year disease-free survival.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Stage IVa thymic malignancy has limited treatments. This study evaluated whether hyperthermic intraoperative chemotherapy (HIOC) after radical resection of Stage IVa thymic malignancy improves survival. METHODS: All patients who underwent resection, with or without HIOC, for Stage IVa thymic malignancy at a single center from 1990 to 2021 were reviewed. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were identified; 22 surgery-only versus 12 surgery and HIOC (60 min cisplatin regimen 175 mg/m2 ). Demographics and comorbidities were similar between groups. Three patients in each group were carcinomas; remainder were thymomas. Thirty-two patients underwent attempted macroscopic complete resection; 22 operations succeeded, 68.8%. Significant complications were similar between groups, 18.2% surgery-only versus 25.0% HIOC, p = 0.68. Median time to recurrence trended longer for HIOC patients (42.9 vs. 32.9 months in surgery-only, p = 0.77). Overall survival, 5-year, was similar (75.8% HIOC vs. 76.2% surgery-only, p = 0.91). On stratified analysis, thymoma patients with macroscopic complete resection and HIOC experienced similar 5-year Overall (80.0% vs. 100.0% surgery-only, p = 0.157) but longer trending 5-year disease-free (85.7% vs. 40.0%, p = 0.18) and 5-year locoregional recurrence-free survival (85.7% vs. 68.6%, p = 0.75). CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective cohort study treating Stage IVa thymic malignancy with radical pleurectomy, with or without HIOC, found addition of HIOC-signaled delayed recurrence and improved disease-free survival.

Perioperative Esophagectomy Outcomes in Older Esophageal Cancer Patients in Two Different Time Eras.

To investigate perioperative outcomes of esophagectomies by age groups. Retrospective analysis of esophageal cancer patients undergoing esophagectomy from 2005 to 2020 at a single academic institution. Baseline characteristics and outcomes were analyzed by 3 age groups: <70, 70-79, and ≥80 years-old. Sub-analysis was done for 2 time periods: 2005-2012 and 2013-2020. Of 1135 patients, 789 patients were <70, 294 were 70-79, and 52 were ≥80 years-old. Tumor characteristics, and operative technique were similar, except positive longitudinal margins rates (all <3%) (P = 0.008). Older adults experienced increased complications (53.6% vs 69.7% vs 65.4% respectively; P < 0.001) attributable to grade II complications (41.4% vs 62.2% vs 63.5% respectively; P < 0.001). Hospital length of stay (LOS) and rehabilitation requirements were higher in older adults (both P < 0.05). 30-day readmissions, reoperation, and 30-day mortality rates (all <2%) showed no association with age group. Overall complications, LOS, discharge disposition and re-operative rates improved from 2005 to 2012 to 2013-2020 for all (P < 0.05). Increasing age was an independent risk factor for cardiovascular complications (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.23-2.46 for ages 70-79 and OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.37-5.10 for ages ≥80 ), inpatient rehabilitation (OR 3.3, 95% CI 2.26-5.05 for ages 70-79 and OR 12.1 95% CI 5.83-25.04 for ages ≥80), and prolonged LOS (OR 1.64 95% CI 1.16-2.31 for ages 70-79 and OR 3.6 95% CI 1.71-7.67 for ≥80. After adjusting for time period, older age remained associated with complications (P < 0.05). Highly selected older adults at a large volume esophagectomy center can undergoesophagectomy with increased minor complication and rehabilitation needs.

Report on lung cancer surgery during COVID-19 pandemic at a high volume US institution.

Background: The impact of COVID-19 has been felt in every field of medicine. We sought to understand how lung cancer surgery was affected at a high volume institution. We hypothesized that patients would wait longer for surgery, have more advanced tumors, and experience more complications during the COVID-19 crisis. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted, comparing pathologically confirmed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) surgical cases performed in 2019 to cases performed from March to May 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 crisis. Clinical and pathologic stage, tumor size, time to surgery, follow up time, and complications were evaluated. Results: A total of 375 cases were performed in 2019 vs. 58 cases in March to May 2020. Overall, there were no differences in the distribution of clinical stages or in the distribution of median wait times to surgery between groups (COVID-19 16.5 days vs. pre-COVID-19 17 days, P=0.54), nor were there differences when subdivided into Stage I-II and Stage III-IV. Case volume was lowest in April 2020 with 6 cases vs. 37 in April 2019, P<0.01. Tumor size was clinically larger in the COVID-19 group (median 2.1 vs. 1.9 cm, P=0.05) but not at final pathology. No differences in complications were observed between groups (COVID-19 31.0% vs. pre-COVID-19 30.9%, P=1.00). No patients from the COVID-19 group tested positive for the disease during their hospital stay or by the median 15 days to first follow-up. Conclusions: Surgical wait time, pathologic tumor size, and complications were not different among patients undergoing surgery before vs. during the pandemic. Importantly, no patients became infected as a result of their hospital stay. The significant decrease in surgical cases is concerning for untreated cancers that may progress without proper treatment.

Salvage surgery for local recurrence after sublobar surgery in Stages I and II non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To examine if patients undergoing salvage surgery for local recurrence following sublobar resection (SLR) have similar perioperative complications and overall survival (OS) compared to lobectomy patients for early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Patients undergoing lobectomy and SLR (segmentectomy or wedge resection) for Stages I and II NSCLC from 2010 to 2016 were reviewed. Lobectomy patients and those who underwent salvage surgery for local recurrence after SLR were compared. Salvage surgeries were curative-intent resections for recurrence. RESULTS: Cases included 634 lobectomies and 986 SLR. Fifty-nine SLR patients (6.0%) recurred at a local site compared to 11 lobectomy patients (1.7%; p < 0.001). Twenty-three locally recurrent SLR patients (39.0%) went on to salvage surgery. Peri-operative complications after salvage surgeries were similar to lobectomies (34.8% 8/23 vs. 34.7% 220/634, p = 1.00). OS at 5 years for salvage surgery patients was similar to lobectomy patients (79.6% 13/23 vs. 70.6% 227/634, p = 0.23). OS for patients who underwent salvage surgery was significantly better than those who did not have salvage surgery for recurrence (79.6% vs. 53.0%, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who undergo salvage surgery for local recurrence after SLR had similar perioperative complications and OS compared to lobectomy patients but less than half underwent salvage surgery.

Long-term Outcomes Following Esophagectomy in Older and Younger Adults with Esophageal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Patterns of overall and disease-free survival after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer in older adults have not been carefully studied. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all patients with esophageal cancer undergoing esophagectomy from 2005 to 2020 at our institution was performed. Differences in outcomes were stratified by age groups, < 75 and ≥ 75 years old, and two time periods, 2005-2012 and 2013-2020. RESULTS: A total of 1135 patients were included: 979 (86.3%) patients were < 75 (86.3%), and 156 (13.7%) were ≥ 75 years old. Younger patients had fewer comorbidities, better nutritional status, and were more likely to receive neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy (all p < 0.05). However, tumor stage and operative approach were similar, except for increased performance of the McKeown technique in younger patients (p = 0.02). Perioperatively, younger patients experienced fewer overall and grade II complications (both p < 0.05). They had better overall survival (log-rank p-value < 0.001) and median survival, 62.2 vs. 21.5 months (p < 0.05). When stratified by pathologic stage, survival was similar for yp0 and pathologic stage II disease (both log-rank p-value > 0.05). Multivariable Cox models showed older age (≥ 75 years old) had increased hazard for reduced overall survival (HR 2.04 95% CI 1.5-2.8; p < 0.001) but not disease-free survival (HR 1.1 95% CI 0.78-1.6; p = 0.54). Over time, baseline characteristics remained largely similar, while stage became more advanced with a rise in neoadjuvant use and increased performance of minimally invasive esophagectomy (all p < 0.05). While overall complication rates improved (p < 0.05), overall and recurrence-free survival did not. Overall survival was better in younger patients during both time periods (both log-rank p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Despite similar disease-free survival rates, long-term survival was decreased in older adults as compared to younger patients. This may be related to unmeasured factors including frailty, long-term complications after surgery, and competing causes of death. However, our results suggest that survival is similar in those with complete pathologic responses.

Manubrium Reconstruction.

To date, there is no standard approach for manubrial reconstruction. We had previously utilized mesh; however, this resulted in breakage, infection, and poor cosmesis. In this case series, we describe our transition to iliac wing autograft reconstruction. We examined 7 patients who underwent manubrial resection and reconstruction: 2 with mesh and methyl methacrylate and 5 with an iliac wing autograft. The outcomes of the autograft patients were overall favorable with no short-term complications or instances of breakage. We conclude that an iliac wing autograft for manubrial reconstruction is feasible and effective alternative to methyl methacrylate mesh.

Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer Performed During the Early Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Delay in time to esophagectomy for esophageal cancer has been shown to have worse peri-operative and long-term outcomes. We hypothesized that COVID-19 would cause a delay to surgery, with worse perioperative outcomes, compared to standard operations. All esophagectomies for esophageal cancer at a single institution from March-June 2020, COVID-19 group, and from 2019 were reviewed and peri-operative details were compared between groups. Ninety-six esophagectomies were performed in 2019 vs 37 during March-June 2020 (COVID-19 group). No differences between groups were found for preoperative comorbidities. Wait-time to surgery from final neoadjuvant treatment was similar, median 50 days in 2019 vs 53 days during COVID-19 p = 0.601. There was no increased upstaging, from clinical stage to pathologic stage, 9.4% in 2019 vs 7.5% in COVID-19 p = 0.841. Fewer overall complications occurred during COVID-19 vs 2019, 43.2% vs 64.6% p = 0.031, but complications were similar by specific grades. Readmission rates were not statistically different during COVID-19 than 2019, 16.2% vs 10.4% p = 0.38. No peri-operative mortalities or COVID-19 infections were seen in the COVID-19 group. Esophagectomy for esophageal cancer was not associated with worse outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic with minimal risk of infection when careful COVID-19 guidelines are followed. Prioritization is recommended to ensure no delays to surgery.

Short and Long-term Outcomes Among High-Volume vs Low-Volume Esophagectomy Surgeons at a High-Volume Center.

To determine associations between surgeon volume and esophagectomy outcomes at a high-volume institution. All esophagectomies for esophageal cancer at our institution from August 2005 to August 2019 were reviewed. Cases were divided by surgeon into low, <7 cases/year, vs high volume, ≥7 cases/year, based on Leapfrog Group recommendations. Surgeons remained 'high-volume' after one year of ≥7 cases. Demographics, comorbidities, course of care, and long-term outcomes were compared. In total, 1029 cases were evaluated; 120 performed by low-volume surgeons vs 909 by high-volume surgeons. Never-smokers, atrial fibrillation, and clinical Stage IVa patients were associated with high-volume surgeons. Other demographics were similar. Low-volume surgeons did more open cases, 45.8% vs 14.5%, P < 0.01. Low-volume surgeons had more complications than high-volume surgeons (71.7% vs 57.6%, P < 0.01), specifically Grade II and III (59.2% vs 46.8%, P = 0.01, and 44.2% vs 27.0%, P <0.01). No differences were seen in anastomotic leak rate, 90-day mortality, recurrences, 5-year overall survival (46.7% low-volume vs 49.3% high-volume, P = 0.64), or 5-year disease-free survival (35.7% low-volume vs 42.2% high-volume, P = 0.27). In multivariable logistic regression for Grade III or higher complications, high-volume surgeons had an odds ratio of 0.56 (95% confidence interval 0.36-0.87) for complications. Our study found higher rates of open esophagectomies and complications in low-volume esophagectomy surgeons compared to high-volume surgeons at the same, high-volume institution. However, low-volume surgeons were not associated with worse survival outcomes compared to high-volume surgeons. Low-volume esophagectomy surgeons may benefit from mentoring and support to improve perioperative outcomes; these efforts are underway at our institution.

Survival and Recurrence Following Wedge Resection Versus Lobectomy for Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

To determine if wedge resection is equivalent to lobectomy for Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and to evaluate the impact of radiologic and pathologic variables not available in large national databases. Records were reviewed from 2010-2016 for patients with pathologic Stage I NSCLC who underwent wedge resection or lobectomy. Propensity score matching was performed on pre-operative variables and patients with ≥1 lymph node removed. Clinical variables were compared. Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models for 5-year overall survival (OS), disease-free (DFS), and locoregional-recurrence-free survival (LRFS) were created. A total of 1086 patients met inclusion criteria; 391 lobectomies and 695 wedge resections. Propensity score matching yielded 167 pairs of lobectomy and wedge resection patients. Complications were fewer for wedge resections than lobectomies, 19.2% for wedge resection patients vs 34.1% for lobectomy patients, p < 0.01. OS was equivalent between groups, 86.2% for lobectomy patients vs 83.4% for wedge resection patients p = 0.47. DFS was similar, 79.0% for lobectomy patients vs 72.5% for wedge resection patients p = 0.10. Overall LRFS was worse in wedge resection patients vs lobectomy patients, 82.0% vs 93.4% p < 0.01. However, in the matched wedge resection patients with a margin >10 mm the LRFS was equal to that of lobectomy patients, 86.4% for wedge resection patients vs 91.8% for lobectomy patients p = 0.140. Patients with Stage I NSCLC can experience similar OS, DFS, and LRFS with wedge resection as compared to lobectomy, when wedge resection margins are >10 mm and appropriate lymph node dissection is performed.

Surgical complications and clinical outcomes after dose-escalated trimodality therapy for non-small cell lung cancer in the era of intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Trimodality therapy (TMT) with preoperative chemoradiation followed by surgical resection is used for locally-advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC). Traditionally, preoperative radiation doses ≤54 Gy are used due to concerns regarding excess morbidity, but little is known about outcomes and toxicities after TMT with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) to higher doses. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients who received planned TMT with IMRT for LA-NSCLC at Brigham and Women's Hospital/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute between 2008 and 2017 was performed. Clinical and treatment characteristics, pathologic response, and surgical toxicity were assessed. Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test was used for survival outcomes. Cox proportional-hazards regression was used for multivariable analysis. RESULTS: Forty-six patients received less than definitive doses of <60 Gy and 30 patients received definitive doses ≥60 Gy. Surgical outcomes, pathologic complete response, and postoperative toxicity did not differ significantly between the groups. With median follow-up of 3.6 years (range: 0.4-11.4), three-year locoregional recurrence-free survival (78.0% vs. 68.3%, p = 0.51) and overall survival (OS) (61.0% vs. 69.4%, p = 0.32) was not significantly different between patients receiving <60 Gy and ≥60 Gy, respectively. On multivariable analysis, older age, clinical stage, and length of hospital stay (LOS) >7 days were associated with OS. CONCLUSIONS: With IMRT, there was no increased rate of surgical complications in patients receiving higher doses of radiation. Survival outcomes or LOS did not differ based on radiation dose, but increased LOS was associated with worse OS. Larger prospective studies are needed to further examine outcomes after IMRT in patients with LA-NSCLC receiving TMT.

Florid Foreign Body-type Giant Cell Response to Keratin Is Associated With Improved Overall Survival in Patients Receiving Preoperative Therapy for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

While most resection specimens from patients with neoadjuvantly treated esophageal squamous cell carcinoma show therapy-related changes in the form of inflammation and fibrosis, others harbor a florid foreign body-type giant cell response to keratin debris. The purpose of our study was to perform a detailed clinicopathologic analysis of these histologic types of treatment responses and correlate these findings with patient outcome. Clinical and pathologic parameters from 110 esophagogastrectomies were recorded and analyzed. Two main types of histologic responses were observed: inflammatory-predominant response (59%) and florid foreign body-type giant cell response to keratin (41%). Irrespective of cG, cTNM, and amount of residual cancer, florid foreign body-type giant cell reaction was predominantly noted deep within the esophageal wall, while the inflammatory response was restricted to the mucosa, submucosa, and inner half of muscularis propria. Patients with foreign body-type giant cell response showed significantly better overall survival compared with the inflammatory response group (log-rank test P=0.015). Florid foreign body-type giant cell response was the only factor associated with improved survival in a multivariable analysis for overall survival (hazard ratio=0.5; 95% confidence interval=0.3-1.0; P=0.038), but not in the model for disease-specific survival, whereas ypTNM stage II was the only significant risk factor for disease-specific survival in multivariable analysis (hazard ratio=3.4; 95% confidence interval=1.0-11.2; P=0.047). Our results suggest that in addition to the College of American Pathologists Tumor Regression Score and ypTNM stage, subtype of histologic response to therapy may represent another prognostic marker for neoadjuvantly treated esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Rates of invasive disease and outcomes in NSCLC patients with biopsy suggestive of carcinoma in situ.

INTRODUCTION: Carcinoma in situ is a rare non-invasive histology of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with excellent survival outcomes with resection. However, management of lung biopsy suggestive of in situ disease remains unclear. To inform decision-making in this scenario, we determined the rate of invasive disease presence upon resection of lesions with an initial biopsy suggestive of purely in situ disease. METHODS: The study included 960 patients diagnosed with NSCLC from 2003 to 2017 in the National Cancer Database whose workup included a lung biopsy suggestive of in situ disease. Among the cohort who proceeded to resection, we identified the rate of invasive disease discovered on surgical pathology along with significant demographic and clinical contributors to invasion risk. Survival outcomes were measured for the observed cohort that did not receive local therapy after biopsy. RESULTS: Invasive disease was identified at resection in 49.3 % of patients. Lesion size was associated with risk of invasive disease: 35.7 % for ≤1 cm, 45.2 % for 1-2 cm, 55.7 % for 2-3 cm, and 87.5 % for 3-5 cm (p < 0.001). Of patients with squamous histology, 61.5 % had invasive disease versus 46.5 % with adenocarcinoma histology (p = 0.026). On multivariable logistic regression, invasive disease remained associated with tumor size (OR 1.9 per cm, 95 % CI 1.5-2.4, p < 0.001), and squamous histology (OR 1.8, 95 % CI 1.1-3.2, p = 0.028). Overall survival at 3 years was 51.5 % in the observed cohort. CONCLUSION: Nearly half of patients with biopsy suggestive of in situ disease had invasive disease at resection. Tumor size and histology are strong predictors of invasive disease and may be used for risk stratification. However, the findings support the practice of definitive therapy whenever feasible.

Impact of radial margins after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: The prognostic significance of radial margin (RM) involvement in esophagectomy cancer specimens is unclear. Our study investigated survival and recurrence rates between different depths of RM involvement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 1103 esophagectomies at our institution from 2005 to 2019. Patients were grouped by three-tier stratification: negative RM > 1 mm away, direct RM involvement at 0 mm, and close RM between 0 mm and 1 mm. Survival, loco-regional and distant recurrences were analyzed. RESULTS: 1103 esophageal cancer patients were analyzed. 389 patients had recurrence (35.3%). Median survival (13.2 months) and recurrence rates (71%) were worst with direct RM (p < 0.001) as compared to negative RM (median survival not achieved within 5-years from surgery and 30%). Without nodal involvement, RM involvement of <1 mm was associated with decreased overall survival, and overall, loco-regional and distant recurrence-free survival compared to negative RM (log rank p-value <0.05). In those with persistent nodal disease, only direct RM was associated with decreased overall and loco-regional recurrence-free survival as compared to negative margins (p < 0.05). Direct RM tended to do worse compared to close RM in terms of median survival and trended worse for recurrence. Direct RM (baseline negative RM), but not close RM, was an independent RF in a multivariable Cox model for worse overall survival (HR 2.74; p < 0.001), recurrence-free survival (HR 1.96; p = 0.019), and loco-regional recurrence-free survival (HR 3.19; p = 0.011). CONCLUSION: RM involvement affects survival and recurrence. Tumor at 0 mm remained an independent RF for worse survival and overall and loco-regional recurrence.

Chemotherapy and Surgical Resection for N1 Positive Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: Better Than Expected Outcomes.

N1-positive (T1-3, N1, M0) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents a minority distribution (∼8%) of the approximately 234,000 diagnosed cases per year. As such, there is a paucity of modern high-quality data regarding outcomes following surgically-resected, stage N1-positive NSCLC. Randomized controlled trials from more than a decade ago have demonstrated a modest 5.4% survival benefit with adjuvant chemotherapy but have included heterogenous patient populations and stage distributions. Large database analyses have questioned the role of perioperative chemotherapy in resected patients with N1 disease, but without much granular detail regarding staging, quality of surgery, and chemotherapy. This single-institution study sought to evaluate the role of perioperative chemotherapy, specifically in N1-positive NSCLC patients. Data for all patients with surgically resected N1-positive NSCLC (T1-3, N1, M0) between 2006 and 2016 were collected for this study. Patients who underwent pneumonectomy were excluded from analysis. A retrospective chart review was conducted, and comprehensive clinicopathologic data were collected relative to staging, surgery, pathologic review, and perioperative oncology treatment. After exclusion criteria were applied, 148 patients with surgically resected, N1-positive disease (T1-3, N1, M0) remained for analysis. The majority of patients underwent lobectomy (75.0%), of which 55.4% underwent minimally invasive resection. There were no differences in postoperative complications, length of stay, number of lymph nodes sampled, or mortality associated with the surgery only and surgery with adjuvant therapy subgroups. 107 patients (72.3%) received adjuvant therapy, and this was associated with higher 5-year overall survival (62.8%) and disease-free survival (45.1%) than patients who underwent surgery only (33.9% overall survival at 5 years, P = 0.01; 22.4% disease-free survival at 5 years, P = 0.04). The presence of multistation N1 nodal metastases in patients was associated with lower 5-year overall survival (22.7%) and disease-free survival (5.6%) than patients with single-station N1 nodal metastasis (60.4% overall survival at 5 years, P = 0.003; 46.0% disease-free survival at 5 years, P < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, receiving any adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with improved overall survival and disease-free survival (Overall Survival HR 0.47, P < 0.01 | Disease-Free Survival HR 0.46, P <0.01). Multistation N1 disease was associated with significantly worse disease-free survival (HR 2.11, P = 0.04). Perioperative chemotherapy was associated with improved survival in N1-positive NSCLC, and the potential magnitude of benefit exceeded 25% in this study. Patients with single-station N1 lymph node metastasis were observed to have better disease-free survival.

Multimodality Curative Treatment of IIIA/T4 Lung Adenocarcinoma.

We present a 41-year-old female smoker with concurrent invasive ductal carcinoma of the right breast and stage IIIA (T4N0M0) adenocarcinoma of the left lung requiring neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by left pneumonectomy. We use this report as an educational work to show how multidisciplinary clinical decisions can be made to give way to successful treatment of a highly complex lung adenocarcinoma. Specifically, we show curative radical treatment of T4 disease and successful radical intervention of radiation-induced cardiac complications to achieve a comprehensive and curative treatment.

Adjuvant therapy following induction therapy and surgery improves survival in N2-positive non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate treatment strategies and factors influencing overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in resectable, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with mediastinal (N2) lymph node metastasis. METHODS: All patients undergoing surgery for NSCLC with N2 disease between 2006 and 2016 were included. Treatment approaches included surgery only, neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgery, surgery followed by adjuvant therapy, and neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgery and adjuvant therapy (triple therapy). Patient clinical and pathologic data were retrospectively collected. RESULTS: A total of 281 patients were included in the study. In total, 209 patients had neoadjuvant therapy, 47.4% of which went on to received additional adjuvant therapy. The pathologic complete response rate was 12.9%. The treatment strategy which included triple therapy was isolated as a significant contributor to improved OS and DFS. Nodal downstaging (N0) after induction therapy conferred an OS benefit (38.3% vs. 15.6%, p = .03). Patients with single-station N2 disease experienced higher DFS. Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy completion rates were higher at the end of the study period compared to the beginning (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who undergo neoadjuvant therapy for N2-positive NSCLC may benefit from additional adjuvant therapy. Single-station N2 disease confers higher DFS. VATS completion rates for lobectomy increase as experience increases.