Lung Metastasis in Children with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: Factors Associated with Diagnosis and Outcomes of Therapy.

Background: Lung metastasis from differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) in children and young adults (CAYA) is estimated at 25%, which is 3-4 times higher than in adults. Lung metastases may respond to radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy and overall survival is excellent. Associations with lung metastasis include lateral lymph node (LN) disease although CAYA data are limited. We investigated factors associated with lung metastasis in children and adolescents and described their presentation and outcome. Methods: A retrospective review of medical records from 1998 to 2017 in patients aged <18 years treated at a tertiary pediatric center was carried out. Data on age, clinical features at diagnosis, histology, biochemistry, imaging, RAI therapy, and outcome were collected. Results: Patients treated for DTC totaled 98 and 19 of 98 (19%) patients had lung metastasis; 17 of 19 (89%) patients were identified within 6 months from thyroidectomy. Patients with lung metastasis were younger (p < 0.001)-40% <13 years old had lung metastasis-and had a larger primary tumor diameter (p = 0.01). Absence of LN disease had negative predictive values ≥90% (p < 0.02). Patients with lung metastasis had a higher postoperative thyrotropin-stimulated thyroglobulin (Tg) (p < 0.001), ≥2 ng/mL in 10 of 11 (91%) patients, and 100% had an elevated preoperative Tg (>60 ng/mL). Post-therapy whole body scan (WBS) identified most metastasis (13 of 17 patients), which were mostly diffuse (11 of 19 patients). Discordant findings were found between WBS and computed tomography (CT) at diagnosis (2 patients), WBS and CT during surveillance (3 patients), and diagnostic and post-therapy WBS (2 patients). Final outcome was "excellent" in 3 of 19 (16%) patients, "biochemically persistent" in 1 of 19 (5%) patients, "structurally persistent" in 13 of 19 (68%) patients-including 1 death-and indeterminate in 2 of 19 (11%) patients. Postoperative Tg correlated with response to therapy. Lung metastasis pattern and RAI cumulative activity were not predictive of response to therapy. Conclusions: Lung metastases are mostly observed at diagnosis of DTC and higher suspicion should be maintained in CAYA who are younger, have LN disease, and have elevated postoperative Tg. Preoperative Tg shows promise as another predictive marker, but limited sample size precludes generalization. "Excellent" response to therapy is uncommon-multiple RAI courses do not necessarily improve outcome-response appears unrelated to RAI activity or metastasis pattern.

How to build a simple and safe laparoscopic hydatid evaluation system.

BACKGROUND: One of the most common problems faced in laparoscopic treatment of hydatid cysts is the difficulty in evacuating the particulate contents (daughter cysts and laminated membrane). Although various instruments and laparoscopic techniques have been described to evacuate the contents of hydatid cysts, most are not available at many surgical centers. METHODS: By assembling disposable, cheap, and available anesthesia equipment with common laparoscopic instruments, a laparoscopic system was made to evacuate the contents of a hydatid cyst. Ten patients with hepatic hydatid disease underwent laparoscopic surgery using this new hydatid system between June 2011 and January 2013. RESULTS: The procedure was completely straightforward. Twelve hydatid cysts (2 patients had 2 separated cysts) were evacuated without any spillage. All patients were followed for at least 8 months, with no evidence of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: This simple apparatus, which can be assembled anywhere, was safely used to evacuate the contents of hydatid cysts without causing any spillage.

The prognostic factors of chest wall metastasis resection.

OBJECTIVE: Limited data exist regarding the outcomes after resection of pure hematogenous chest wall (CW) metastases. Therefore, we reviewed our 17 years' experience to determine clinically relevant factors. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent CW metastasectomy (other than breast cancer) from October 1991 to August 2008 at a single institution was performed. Post-CW metastasectomy survival curves were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using log-rank test. Factors predictive of improved survival were determined by univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 90 CW metastasectomies were performed on 79 patients (33 females and 46 males). The median follow-up period was 25.6 months. Operative mortality was 1.1%. The 5-year survival was 40%. Significant factors after multivariable analysis were margin status, histology, and a history of heavy smoking (≥ 20 pack years). Microscopically positive margin (P=0.01; hazard ratio (HR) 2.85; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28-6.35) and grossly positive margin (P<0.01; HR 9.55; 95% CI 2.60-35.1) fared worse. Compared with carcinoma, sarcoma (P<0.01; HR 3.9; 95% CI 1.7-9.2) and melanoma (P<0.01; HR 6.4; 95% CI 1.7-24) had worse survival. A history of heavy smoking diminished survival (P<0.01; HR 3.7; 95% CI 1.6-8.4). CONCLUSIONS: The resection of CW metastases in highly selected patients as a part of multimodality treatment has low risk and is associated with prolonged survival. The margin status and histology are significant factors in the survival after CW metastasectomy. In addition, heavy smoking history also has a significant negative impact on survival.