Single-center evaluation of prognostic factors for thymoma treated by surgery: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the clinical, pathological, and treatment-related factors associated with survival in patients with surgically treated thymomas. METHODS: Sixty patients with thymomas who underwent treatment at our institution between 2004 and 2015 were included. Survival analysis was performed based on curves that were obtained using the Kaplan-Meier method. The Wilcoxon test was used for all comparisons, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Forty-seven, four, three, four, and two patients presented tumor stages I, II, III, IVa, and IVb (according to the Masaoka classification), respectively, while six, 14, 11, 22, and seven patients had type A, AB, B1, B2, and B3 thymomas, respectively. Furthermore, 53 and eight patients underwent complete resection and required additional resection of adjacent organs, respectively, and no patients died from surgery-related complications. The five-year survival and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were 96 and 86%, respectively. The five-year survival rate for all stages was 100% except for those with stage IVb tumors (Masaoka classification); the survival rate for those patients was 0%. Separately, the five-year RFS rates for tumor stages I, II, III, IVa, and IVb were 100, 91, 91, 81, and 71%, respectively. Finally, the five-year survival rates in cases with complete and incomplete resections were 100 and 71%, respectively, indicating that the latter group had a significantly poorer prognosis (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that complete resection and the Masaoka pathological stage are significant predictors of prognosis in patients with thymomas. Surgery should aim to achieve complete resection; however, advanced cases may require multimodality therapy.

Bronchial angiolipoma successfully treated by sleeve resection of the right bronchus intermedius: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Angiolipoma is a rare, benign tumor that primarily develops in the limbs and trunk. The occurrence of angiolipoma in the lungs is extremely rare; to date, only two cases of primary bronchial angiolipoma have been reported. Here, we report a case of angiolipoma of the right bronchus intermedius that was successfully treated with sleeve resection and reconstructive surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: This report presents a case of angiolipoma that developed in the right bronchus intermedius of a 68-year-old man. A chest CT revealed a 10-mm endobronchial mass that was clearly visible as a high-attenuation area of contrast enhancement. Bronchoscopy revealed a submucosal tumor on the anterior wall of the entrance to the right bronchus intermedius that was constricting the airway lumen. The tumor surface was covered with numerous engorged blood vessels, and the middle and inferior pulmonary lobes were intact. Bronchial sleeve resection of the right bronchus intermedius was performed. Histologically, a mixture of proliferating blood vessels and adipocytes were observed within the bronchus wall. Therefore, the pathological diagnosis was angiolipoma. Lung function was preserved, and complete resection of the tumor was achieved. At present (2 years and 7 months after surgery), the patient is recurrence-free. CONCLUSION: Accordingly, using bronchial sleeve resection and end-to-end anastomosis techniques, we accomplished complete tumor excision and avoided the need to resect additional lung parenchyma. Our procedure preserved pulmonary function and yielded a curative result. Bronchoscopic intervention or minimal parenchymal resection should be considered as treatments for bronchial angiolipoma. Given the small number of reports of bronchial angiolipoma, the collection of additional data is important to elucidate the clinical characteristics of this rare tumor.

Intrathoracic fibrolipoma resected using complete thoracoscopic surgery: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Other than adipocytes, lipomas may contain mesodermal components such as varying proportions of fibrous tissues and blood vessels. Fibrolipoma is an uncommon variant of lipoma and comprises a high proportion of fibrous components. An intrathoracic fibrolipoma is extremely rare; to the best of our knowledge, only three such cases have been reported till date. CASE PRESENTATION: A 51-year-old female presented with a left intrathoracic mass, which was confirmed to be a lipomatous tumor using computed tomography. A pedunculated tumor originating from the parietal pleura was resected using complete thoracoscopic surgery. Pathological examination indicated a diagnosis of fibrolipoma. Intrathoracic fibrolipomas are extremely rare; this is one of the first reported cases of successfully resecting an intrathoracic fibrolipoma using complete thoracoscopic surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The tumor was asymptomatic and relatively small when detected during a medical checkup. This enabled the successful resection of the tumor via complete thoracoscopic surgery. Although fibrolipomas are histologically benign, careful observation and follow-up are essential owing to the possibility of recurrence.

[The Use of Octreotide Acetate in the Management of Refractory Chylothorax Following Surgical Treatment for Lung Cancer].

A 78-year-old man underwent right upper lobectomy with systemic lymph node dissection for lung cancer. On the 1st operative day, chylothorax was suspected by a large amount of yellowish-white fluid through the chest tubes. In spite of stopping the oral intake as a conservative therapy, a lot of chylous drainage was continued, and we chose surgical treatment at day 7 after operation, however, chylous discharge did not decrease significantly. Finally we decided to try octreotide administration subcutaneously. After continuous subcutaneous infusion of octreotide, the amount of chylous discharge was reduced dramatically. Then we have done 2 times of pleurodesis with OK-432. The chest tubes were removed at day 17 after the 2nd operation, and the chylothorax was improved. It was suggested that octreotide administration was a highly effective therapy against postoperative refractory chylothorax.

[Thymoma Associated with Pure Red Cell Aplasia Treated with Ciclosporin as Remission-induction Therapy before Thymectomy].

A thymoma with pure red cell aplasia( PRCA) is relatively rare, and the treatment of the disease has not established yet. We describe a case of a thymoma associated with PRCA treated with a surgery and remission-induction therapy by ciclosporin. An 80-year-old man complained of dizziness and his blood cell count showed a severe anemia. He was diagnosed as PRCA by bone-marrow aspiration biopsy, which showed abatement of erythroblasts. In addition, the chest computed tomography revealed a solid tumor in the anterior mediastinum, strongly suggesting a thymoma. Oral administration of ciclosporin as remission-induction therapy for PRCA was started at 1st. The treatment contributed to partial remission for PRCA without blood transfusion. Consecutively thymectomy through median sternotomy was performed at 6 weeks after initiation of the treatment without any transfusions or complications. Histology of the solid tumor showed the thymoma of type B2 in World Health Organization (WHO) category. We continued to treat PRCA with ciclosporin after the surgery. The patient has been surviving for 2 years after surgery without any recurrence of thymoma or relapse of anemia. Combined therapy of surgery and remission-induction therapy with ciclosporin assumed to be a good strategy of the treatment for the patient with a thymoma associated with PRCA.

[Long-term survival case of primitive neuroectodermal tumor in the chest wall of a young adult].

A very rare case of Askin's tumor is described. A 22-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of an abnormal shadow on chest roentgenogram. His chest X-ray film showed a tumor shadow (4.0×5.0 cm) of chest wall protruding into the upper right lung field. The tumor shadow had markedly enlarged in size compared to previous examinations of chest X-ray film 1 month before. Chest computed tomography(CT) and magnetic resonance imaging( MRI) revealed an heterogenous tumor fixed on the right 4th rib, which did not infiltrate the surrounding tissues. In the examination of bone scintigram, no abnormal accumulation was seen at the site of the chest wall tumor. Because of the possibility of malignancy, an en bloc excision of the tumor was performed including the surrounding pleura. The histologic examination revealed primitive neuroectodermal tumors of the chest wall (Askin's tumor).The patient underwent both additional adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy postoperatively, being alive and well without any sign of recurrence 10 years after the operation. Askin's tumor is a very rare disease with an extremely poor prognosis, however, the effective treatment has not been established yet. Complete excision at initial operation seemed to be correlated with long-term survival in this case.

[Patient with massive hemothorax due to blunt trauma saved by transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE)].

A 78-year-old man who fell from a step ladder was transported to our hospital by ambulance under the diagnosis of multiple rib fractures and right hemothorax. Since he was in shock on arrival, endotracheal intubation and tube thoracotomy were immediately performed. Though 2 liters of blood was evacuated, persistent hemorrhage was observed, requiring continuous rapid infusion and blood transfusion. Emergency thoracic arteriography revealed active bleeding from a branch of the right internal thoracic artery. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) was performed using vascular embolization coils and porous gelatin particles. These procedures successfully controlled active hemorrhage from the chest. Intrathoracic hematoma was evacuated through the 2nd large chest tube. Chest tubes were removed on the 7th day. He was discharged on the 17th day without any complications.

[Right lower lobectomy with flap bronchoplasty for primary lung cancer].

A 59-year-old man was referred to our hospital for further investigation of an abnormal chest shadow. A chest computed tomography( CT) revealed a tumor shadow originating in the superior segment( S6)of the right lower lobe. Bronchoscopy showed no visible tumor, but adenocarcinoma cells were detected in brush cytology samples. We diagnosed primary lung cancer, classified as cT2aN0M0, and planned a radical operation. Intraoperatively, since the tumor had invaded the outer wall of intermediate bronchus, we considered a flap bronchoplasty to preserve the middle lobe. The right lower lobectomy and partial resection of intermediate bronchus were made with preserving unaffected ventral wall of lower bronchus. The lower bronchus remnant was used as a flap to cover the defect in the intermediate bronchus. The postoperative course was uneventful, and bronchoscopic findings revealed good healing of the suture line and sufficient airway patency.

[Thymic carcinoid associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1].

We report a case of a thymic carcinoid associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1( MEN-1). A 37-year-old man was referred to our hospital for further examination of an abnormal chest shadow. A chest computed tomography (CT) showed an anterior mediastinal mass measuring 6.5 cm in diameter. A pathological diagnosis of thymic carcinoid was made from a CT-guided needle biopsy specimen. Preoperative workup including endocrinological examination revealed a pituitary adenoma and hyperparathyroidism, and MEN-1 was clinically diagnosed. We performed total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation and thymectomy with lymph node dissection through cervical collar incision and median sternotomy. The diagnosis of MEN-1 was confirmed by the genomic analysis postoperatively. Since 25% of thymic carcinoids are MEN-1 related and 95% of MEN-1 patients develop hyperparathyroidism, it should be kept in mind that this condition can be treated by thymectomy and concurrent parathyroidectomy.

Non-circumferential tracheal resection with muscle flap reconstruction for adenoid cystic carcinoma.

Circumferential airway resection with primary anastomosis has been widely adopted as a treatment for adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the trachea. However, carinal resection is a complicated procedure with high mortality and morbidity rates. We describe a technique of non-circumferential tracheal resection performed to treat ACC arising from the lower membranous trachea adjacent to the carina. The tumor was resected while preserving the tracheo-carinal cartilage. A silicone Y-stent was placed at the bifurcation to ensure airway patency before closing the defect. The airway defect, measuring 4 × 2.5 cm, was closed using an autologous pericardial patch and pedicled latissimus dorsi muscle flap. These procedures were technically easy, and no postoperative airway complication occurred.

[Giant malignant solitary fibrous tumor successfully resected via clamshell incision and lower door open thoracotomy].

We report a case of a giant intrathoracic tumor successfully resected via clamshell incision and lower door open thoracotomy. A 62-year-old woman presented with cough and dyspnea on exertion. A chest computed tomography (CT) revealed a giant mass occupying nearly whole of the right hemithorax. Since the tumor infiltrated deeply into the lung parenchyma, we performed a right pneumonectomy. The 1st thoracotomy was performed at 4th intercostal clamshell incision. Then we divided lower sternum vertically and opened the right lower chest wall laterally. These procedures provided wide operative view from the apex to the diaphragm and excellent access to hilar constructions, and enabled enbloc resction of giant tumor with the right lung. The resected specimen was 25×19×12 cm in size, 2,830 g in weight, and histologically diagnosed as a malignant solitary fibrous tumor. We conclude that this approach is effective for excision of giant intrathoracic tumor.

[Reconstruction of the superior vena cava by artificial graft bypass between right brachiocephalic vein and right atrial appendage preserving azygos vein circulation for mediastinal non-seminomatous germ cell tumor].

A 24-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for surgical resection of mediastinal non-seminomatous germ cell tumor after 4 courses of BEP therapy (cisplatin, bleomycin, etoposide). Although it became markedly smaller after chemotherapy, the tumor invaded the superior vena cava (SVC) and the left brachiocephalic vein (LBCV). Venogram demonstrated SVC obstruction above the azygos vein and missing LBCV. A blood return from the left upper limb was shown through thoracodorsal vein, intercostal vein, and accessory hemi-azygos continuation. Excision of residual tumor with SVC and LBCV was done through a median sternotomy. Vascular reconstruction was performed between the right brachiocephalic vein and the right atrial appendage with ringed polytetrafluoroethylene graft. SVC was sutured just above the azygos vein to preserve collateral circulation. LBCV reconstruction was abandoned because distal end of LBCV was entirely surrounded by postchemotherapy scar tissue. Venous occlusive symptoms were not seen in both intraoperative and postoperative period.

[Sleeveresection of the left main bronchus for bronchogenic carcinoid for preserving lung parenchyma].

UNLABELLED: We performed bronchoplasty for a bronchogenic tumor of low-grade malignancy without lung parenchyma resection. A 69-year-old man visited our hospital in March 2008 because of cough. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed atelectasis of the entire left upper lobe and a 2-cm mass with strong contrast enhancement in the lumen of the left main bronchus. Bronchoscopy identified a polypoid mass in the left main bronchus, about 3 cm distal to carina, obstructing the lumen. Biopsy led to a diagnosis of typical carcinoid tumor. Surgery : Thoracotomy showed complete atelectasis of the left upper lobe. After lymph node dissection, resection of the left main bronchus including the site of tumor origin was performed. From the extent of expansion, the left upper lobe was decided to be possible to be spared, and end-to-end anastomosis of the bronchus was performed. Postoperative respiratory rehabilitation resulted in improved aeration of the left upper lobe and markedly improved respiratory function. CONCLUSION: The judgment of whether the long-standing atelectatic left upper lobe could be spared or not was a key in choosing this procedure.

A prospective evaluation of transbronchial ultrasonography for assessment of depth of invasion in early bronchogenic squamous cell carcinoma.

In order to determine the appropriate treatment modality for roentgenographically occult bronchogenic squamous cell carcinoma (ROSCC), it is essential to evaluate the depth of invasion, because ROSCC invading beyond the cartilaginous layer cannot be effectively treated by photodynamic therapy (PDT) due to spread of disease. Transtracheal endoscopic ultrasonography (TUS) was useful for predicting the depth of invasion in some ROSCCs. In order to assess the actual significance of TUS as a diagnostic tool for predicting the depth of carcinoma invasion, we have conducted a prospective trial with 22 lesions of ROSCCs. We ultrasonographically classified the degree of the depth of invasion into two groups; A: "invasion does not reach cartilaginous layer" and B: "invasion involves cartilaginous layer". Then the patients were treated by irradiation, PDT, or surgical resection. Pathological findings were also classified into A or B. In order to calculate the sensitivity for evaluating the depth of invasion by TUS, the cases without any tumor and/or malignant cells after PDT were regarded as pathological A. In the evaluation of the depth of carcinoma invasion staying inside the cartilaginous layer, the sensitivity and the positive predictive value were 85.7%, the specificity was 66.7%, and the accuracy was 80.0%. With TUS, preoperative evaluation of the depth of invasion would be more accurate, and the decision of treatment modality would be more appropriate, compared with the conventional bronchoscopic observation alone.

Roentgenographically occult bronchogenic squamous cell carcinoma involving mediastinal lymph nodes after removal of initial lesion by the diagnostic examination.

A 69-year-old male was suspected of having lung cancer by sputum cytology and diagnosed as roentgenographically occult squamous cell carcinoma (ROSCC) at the spur of left B(1+2)/B(3). However, after the first bronchoscopy, no suspicious lesion was detected by any examinations. Therefore, we considered that cancer cells had been removed completely by the initial examination, and the patient was followed up by sputum cytology, chest roentgenogram, and bronchoscopy. Sixteen months later from the initial examination, bronchoscopy was performed for follow-up. The bronchoscopic findings showed the elevation of the surface of left B(1+2) a+b, but the cytologic specimen by brushing toward B(1+2) a+b showed negative findings. However, the lesion had developed to polypoid-shaped tumor and obstructed B(1+2) a+b after the next 6 months. The tumor was diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma, and hilar and mediastinal nodal involvement was suspected on chest computed tomography. The standard thoracotomy was performed and the pathological results showed positive for nodal involvement on hilus and mediastinum. The tumor is considered to arise from the residual cancer cells of initially detected ROSCC. In conclusion, although some ROSCCs regress by the diagnostic examinations, it is important to detect the recurrence of residual cancer cells as early as possible by intensive follow-up.

Computed tomographic image comparison between mediastinal and lung windows provides possible prognostic information in patients with small peripheral lung adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the ratio of the area of the mediastinal computed tomographic image to that of the lung computed tomographic image can be a prognostic factor of small peripheral lung adenocarcinoma. METHODS: We studied the computed tomographic images of 143 patients with primary peripheral lung adenocarcinoma of 30 mm or less in maximum diameter. Two groups were categorized according to the tumor's ratio of the area of the mediastinal computed tomographic image to that of the lung computed tomographic image (tumor's area in the mediastinal computed tomographic image/tumor's area in lung computed tomographic image x 100%), both faint density-type (<50%) and solid-type images (>/=50%). Clinical factors and prognoses of the 2 groups were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 58 patients with the solid-type tumor image and 85 patients with the faint density-type tumor image. The number of patients with tumor size of less than 20 mm in the faint density-type tumor group (n = 30) was significantly higher than that in the solid-type tumor group (n = 8, P =.008). The 5-year survival of patients with faint density-type tumors was 74.1%, whereas that in patients with solid-type tumors was 54.2% (P =.013). Furthermore, the survival curve of patients with the solid-type computed tomographic image combined with ground-glass opacity was similar to that of patients with the faint density-type image. Multivariate analysis revealed the prognostic influence of the ratio of the area of the mediastinal computed tomographic image to that of the lung computed tomographic image on survival (P =.029, relative risk = 0.48) and showed to be of second highest influence after the N factor. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that the ratio of the area of the mediastinal computed tomographic image to that of the lung computed tomographic image can be a prognostic factor in patients with small peripheral lung adenocarcinoma.

Hypoxia diminishes toll-like receptor 4 expression through reactive oxygen species generated by mitochondria in endothelial cells.

Hypoxia and inflammation often occur simultaneously due to prevention of adequate gas exchange. Understanding the influence of hypoxia on the inflammatory response is important because hypoxia directly regulates expression of many genes, including those regulating inflammation, and plays a role in modulating the resolution of an inflammatory response. LPS is a major mediator of cellular injury and inflammation that induces its effects through Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hypoxia on TLR4 expression. Hypoxia decreased TLR4 expression on cultured endothelial cells. Furthermore, LPS-induced ICAM-1 up-regulation was decreased by hypoxia. Because reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated from mitochondria are one of the signaling molecules induced by hypoxia, the role of ROS in hypoxia-induced TLR4 down-regulation was evaluated. Our data showed that hypoxia increased ROS generation and that hypoxia-induced TLR4 down-regulation was inhibited by myxothiazol, a mitochondrial site III electron transport inhibitor. Hypoxia also inhibited AP-1 translocation. Since the TLR4 promoter has a binding site for AP-1, hypoxia-induced TLR4 down-regulation may be due to an ROS-mediated decrease in AP-1-binding activity. We conclude that hypoxia decreases TLR4 expression in endothelial cells and that this change is mediated by mitochondrial ROS leading to attenuation of AP-1 transcriptional activity.