Persistent N2 After Induction Is Not a Contraindication to Surgery for Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Surgical management for potentially resectable stage IIIA-N2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is controversial. For some, persistent N2 disease after induction therapy is a contraindication to resection. We examined outcomes of a well-selected surgical cohort of postinduction IIIA-N2 NSCLC patients with persistent N2 disease. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all resected clinical IIIA-N2 NSCLC patients from 2001 to 2018. Thorough preoperative staging, including invasive mediastinal staging, was performed. Those with nonbulky N2 disease, appropriate restaging, and potential for a margin-negative resection were included. After resection, patients were classified as having persistent N2 disease or mediastinal downstaging (N2 to >N0/N1). Persistent N2 patients were further classified as uncertain resection (R[un]) or complete resection (R0) according to the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer definition. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients met inclusion criteria. After induction, 31 patients (57%) demonstrated persistent N2 disease, and 23 patients (43%) had mediastinal downstaging. Preinduction invasive mediastinal staging was performed in 98.1%. Most had clinical single-station N2 disease (75.9%). Margin-negative resections were performed in 100%. Eight patients were reclassified as R(un) due to positive highest sampled mediastinal station. The median overall survival for persistent N2 was 26 months for R(un) and 69 months for R0. Overall survival for the downstaged group was 67 months (P = .31). CONCLUSIONS: Overall survival for patients with non-R(un) or persistent N2 (true R0) was similar to those with mediastinal downstaging. Well-selected patients with persistent N2 disease experience reasonable survival after resection and should have surgery considered as part of their multimodality treatment. This study underscores the importance of classifying the extent of mediastinal involvement for persistent N2 patients, supporting the proposed International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer R(un) classification.

Surgical Resections of Superinfected Pneumatoceles in a COVID-19 Patient.

Emerging studies on radiologic findings in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) report a high incidence of bilateral lung involvement, with ground-glass opacities imaging being the most common pattern on computed tomography. Cystic lesions, such as pneumatoceles, are rare, although they may occur in 10% of cases. Cyst formation may be explained by a focal pulmonary trauma caused by mechanical ventilation or infection-related damage to the alveolar walls leading to pneumatoceles. The superinfection of pneumatoceles is a potential life-threatening condition for which no standardized therapeutic algorithm has been accepted. We report a case of a COVID-19 patient successfully treated by lung resections for infected pneumatoceles.

Case report: the thoracoscopic surgery in peritoneal-pleural leakage. A valid therapeutic strategy.

Pleuro-peritoneal leakage is an uncommon complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). In this study, we report the case of a male patient (age 83), treated with PD (daytime single-exchange). In October 2019, hospitalization was necessary due to dyspnoea and a reduction of peritoneal ultrafiltration. A right pleural leakage resulted at chest x-ray. A regression of the pleural leakage was immediately observed after interrupting PD. It was then performed a pleuro-peritoneal CT scan at baseline, followed by a second scan performed 4 hours after the injection of 2 L of isotonic solution with 100ml of contrast medium, which evidenced a pleuro-peritoneal communication. It was then decided to perform a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), that showed no evidence of diaphragm communication. It was then executed a pleurodesis using sterile talcum. The patient was released on the 3rd day, with a conservative therapy and a low-protein diet. After 2 weeks a new pleuro-peritoneal CT scan with contrast medium was executed. This time the scan evidenced the absence of contrast medium in the thoracic cavity. The patient then resumed PD therapy, with 3 daily exchanges with isotonic solution (volume 1.5 L), showing no complications. Concerning the treatment of pleuro-peritoneal leakage, VATS allows both the patch-repairing of diaphragmatic flaws and the instillation of chemical agents. In our case, VATS allowed the chemical pleurodesis which in turn enabled, in just 2 weeks of conservative treatment, the resuming of PD. In conclusion, this methodology is a valid option in the treatment of pleuro-peritoneal leakage in PD patients.

Beta1- and Beta2-Adrenoceptors Expression Patterns in Human Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: Relationship with Cancer Histology.

Assessment of Beta-AR protein expression on tumour tissues might be a plausible strategy to select cancer patients who can benefit from Beta-blockers therapy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the differences between resected tissue specimens from primary lung cancer (adenocarcinoma (ADC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)) in terms of expression pattern of Beta1- and Beta2-AR in both tumour and adjacent surrounding non-tumour tissue. This retrospective study was based on the analysis of 80 patients with histologically confirmed diagnosis of primary Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) who received surgical treatment. The cases were carefully selected in order to obtain the most homogeneous sample in terms of histologic subtype (40 ADCs and 40 SCCs) and clinical stage (10 each). Beta1- and Beta2-AR expression was determined by immunohistochemistry and the staining evaluated by semi-quantitative scoring using the H-score method. In our NSCLC series, Beta1- and Beta2-AR are differentially expressed. Beta1-AR expression is present at low levels in both SCC and ADC. Likewise, when compared with the matched surrounding non-tumour tissues, Beta1-AR expression level was significantly lower in both histologic subtypes. Conversely, Beta2-AR is highly expressed in both histologic subtypes, but clearly highly expressed in ADC when compared with SCC and with their matched surrounding non-tumour tissue. Overall, this clinicopathological study highlights the differential expression of Beta1- and Beta2-AR in ADC and SCC. Repurposing non-selective Beta-blockers in oncologic setting might be a suitable therapeutic strategy for lung ADC. Graphical abstract.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic resection of lung nodules localized with a hydrogel plug.

OBJECTIVES: Computed tomography (CT)-guided hydrogel plug deployment was recently proposed for lung nodule preoperative localization and simultaneous prevention of pneumothorax. We analysed our initial experience with CT-guided hydrogel plug localization of lung nodules in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) resection. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the medical notes from 27 consecutive patients (mean age 68 ± 11 SD years; men 74%) undergoing VATS lung wedge resection for biopsy or definitive treatment of 28 small pulmonary nodules (malignant 82%) at a single institution between October 2017 and July 2018. Difficult intraoperative nodule localization was anticipated with a lesion <10 mm, a depth from pleura:size ratio >1, ground-glass opacity or the judgement of the operating surgeon. All lesions were preoperatively marked by deployment of a CT-guided hydrogel plug. Study end points were frequency of postlocalization pneumothorax; feasibility of delayed surgery; rate of localization of intraoperative nodule and rate of successful VATS resection. RESULTS: The mean sizes of the solid nodules (n = 24) and of the ground-glass opacities (n = 4) were, respectively, 10.4 ± 3.4 mm and 16.0 ± 6.2 mm. One (4%) hydrogel plug marking procedure caused a clinically relevant pneumothorax. Nodule resection was scheduled flexibly as required by patient management/operating room scheduling: same day (11 nodules) or delayed [median 6 days (range 1-60 days)]; (17 nodules). All nodules were localized intraoperatively: 25 (89%) by hydrogel plug; 3 (11%) by palpation and pleural puncture hole visible after plug displacement. All nodules were completely excised by VATS, without complications. CONCLUSIONS: CT-guided hydrogel plug marking was valuable for VATS localization and resection of challenging lung nodules. The plug minimized clinically relevant pneumothoraxes and allowed flexible surgical schedules.

Quantitative computed tomography detects interstitial lung diseases proven by biopsy.

Background: The Quantitative chest CT (QCT) is emerging as a promising tool in the assessment of interstitial lung disease (ILD). However, the precise relationship between QCT parameters and the fibrosis detectable in lung tissue, remains to be established. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare QCT and histopathological features in patients with ILD. Moreover we verified if the QCT assessment is similar in patients with or without a ILD diagnosis proven by a biopsy. Methods: Twenty patients affected by ILD who underwent a chest CT and, later, a lung biopsy, were enrolled. Patients were divided according to the histopathological findings (IPF vs sarcoidosis) in two groups (respectively bIPF and bSarc). Other 20 patients with a radiological diagnosis of IPF were included in a control group (rIPF). All CTs were post-processed with a free software (Horos) in order to obtain an ILD quantitative assessment. Results: There were no differences in terms of gender, smoking habit and spirometric values between patients' groups. rIPF subjects were older than the other: 70 vs 59 and 47 years (p<0.001). A different distribution of QCT parameters was observed between bIPF and bSarc (p<0.01) while it was comparable within bIPF and rIPF. Conclusions: QCT parameters were similar in subjects affected by the same type of ILD detected with biopsy and with CT alone. These findings make stronger the assumption that QCT can identify the presence of pulmonary fibrosis and, ultimately, that it can represent an useful and effective tool to assess ILD. (Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis 2018; 35: 16-20).

Chest pain control with kinesiology taping after lobectomy for lung cancer: initial results of a randomized placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVES: Kinesiology taping (KT) is a rehabilitative technique performed by the cutaneous application of a special elastic tape. We tested the safety and efficacy of KT in reducing postoperative chest pain after lung lobectomy. METHODS: One-hundred and seventeen consecutive patients, both genders, age 18-85, undergoing lobectomy for lung cancer between January 2013 and July 2015 were initially considered. Lobectomies were performed by the same surgical team, with thoracotomy or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) access. Exclusion criteria (n = 25 patients) were: previous KT exposure, recent trauma, pre-existing chest pain, lack of informed consent, >24-h postoperative intensive care unit treatment. After surgery, the 92 eligible patients were randomized to KT experimental group (n = 46) or placebo control group (n = 46). Standard postoperative analgesia was administered in both groups (paracetamol/non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, epidural analgesia including opioids), with supplemental analgesia boluses at patient request. On postoperative day 1 in addition, in experimental group patients a specialized physiotherapist applied KT, with standardized tape length, tension and shape, over three defined skin areas: at the chest access site pain trigger point; over the ipsilateral deltoid/trapezius; lower anterior chest. In control group, usual dressing tape mimicking KT was applied over the same areas, as placebo. Thoracic pain severity score [visual analogue scale (VAS) ranging 0-10] was self-assessed by all patients on postoperative days 1, 2, 5, 8, 9 and 30. RESULTS: The KT group and the control group had similar demographics, lung cancer clinico-pathological features and thoracotomy/VATS ratio. Postoperatively, the two groups also resulted similar in supplemental analgesia, complication rate, mean duration of chest drainage and length of stay. There were no adverse events with KT application. After tape application, KT patients reported overall less thoracic pain than the control group, the difference being significant on postoperative day 5 [median VAS, 2 (interquartile range, 1-3) vs 3 (2-5), P < 0.01] and day 8 [median VAS, 1 (0-2) vs 2 (1-3), P < 0.05]. Moreover, on postoperative day 30 persistence of chest pain (VAS ≥3) was reported less frequently by the KT group than by the control group (7 vs 24%; P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: KT after lung lobectomy is a safe and effective auxiliary technique for chest pain control. ISRCTN REGISTRY: ISRCTN37253470.

Comparison of outcomes for patients with lepidic pulmonary adenocarcinoma defined by 2 staging systems: A North American experience.

OBJECTIVE: Application of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer/American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (IASLC/ATS/ERS) classification of lepidic adenocarcinomas in conjunction with American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging has been challenging. We aimed to compare IASLC/ATS/ERS and AJCC classifications, to determine if they could be integrated as a single staging system. METHODS: We reviewed patients from 2001-2013 who had AJCC stage I lepidic adenocarcinomas, and categorized them according to IASLC/ATS/ERS guidelines: adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS); minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA); or invasive adenocarcinoma (IA). We integrated the 2 classification systems by separating AIS and MIA as being stage 0, and routinely classifying IA as stage I. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 52 months in 138 patients. The IASLC/ATS/ERS classification demonstrated a higher disease-free survival (DFS) in AIS (100%) and MIA (96%) versus IA (80%) (P = .022), and higher overall survival (OS): 100% for AIS and MIA, versus 90% for IA (P = .049). The AJCC classification identified a DFS of 87% and an OS of 94% for stage I patients. Integration of the 2 systems demonstrated higher DFS in stage 0 (98%) versus I (80%) (P = .006), and higher OS: 100% for stage 0 versus 90% for stage I (P = .014). CONCLUSIONS: The IASLC/ATS/ERS classification better discriminates AIS and MIA compared with current AJCC staging; however, integration suggests that these categories may be collectively classified in AJCC staging, based on similarly favorable outcomes and distinctive survival rates.

Resection rate of lung cancer in Teesside (UK) and Varese (Italy): a comparison after implementation of the National Cancer Plan.

BACKGROUND: In a lung cancer survey in 2000 we showed significantly less favourable stage distribution and lower resection rate in Teesside (UK) than in the comparable industrialised area of Varese (Italy). Lung cancer services in Teesside were subsequently reorganised according to National Cancer Plan recommendations. METHODS: For all new lung cancer cases diagnosed in Teesside (n=324) and Varese (n=260) during the 12 months October 2010 to September 2011 (hereafter 'the 2010 cohort'), demographic, clinico-pathological and disease management data were prospectively recorded using the same database and protocol as the 2000 survey. Findings were analysed focusing on resection rate. RESULTS: In the 2010 cohort compared with 2000, both in Teesside and Varese emergency referral decreased (p<0.001), performance status improved (p<0.001), but cancer stage shift was not seen; resection rate improved in Teesside, from 7% to 11% (p=0.054), and was unchanged in Varese (24%). Moreover, in Teesside compared with Varese the stage distribution remained less favourable, stage I-II non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) proportion being respectively 12% and 19% (p=0.040), and resection rate in all lung cancers remained lower (11% and 24%; p<0.001). On multivariate analysis, resection predictors in Teesside were as follows: stage I-II NSCLC (OR 86.14; 95% CI 31.80 to 233.37), performance status 0-1 (OR 5.02; 95% CI 1.48 to 17.07), belonging to 2010 cohort (OR 2.85; 95% CI 1.06 to 7.64). CONCLUSIONS: In Teesside the main independent predictor of resection was disease stage; in 2010-2011 compared with 2000, lung cancer service improved but stage shift did not occur, and resection rate increased but remained significantly lower than in Varese.

Efficacy and safety of surgical lung biopsy for interstitial disease. Experience of 161 consecutive patients from a single institution in Italy.

BACKGROUND: The role of surgical biopsy for interstitial lung disease (ILD) is controversial, because of possible postoperative morbidity and mortality. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of surgical biopsy for ILD. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the diagnostic performance and the postoperative complications of 161 consecutive surgical lung biopsy procedures carried out in suspected ILD cases that were undefined after multidisciplinary clinico-radiological evaluation. In 151 cases (93.8%) the biopsy was performed by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), in 6.2% by limited thoracotomy. RESULTS: A specific histological diagnosis was obtained in 154 (95.7%) of the surgically biopsied patients, while 4.3% remained histologically unclassified. The predominant histological patterns were sarcoidosis (29.8 %), usual interstitial pneumonia/idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (UIP/IPF) (24.2%), cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (18.6%) and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (8.1%). The postoperative course was uneventful in 142 cases. In 19 patients (11.8%) we observed postoperative complications, predominantly prolonged air leakage (5.0% of all cases). Thirty-day postoperative mortality was 3.1%, mostly due to acute exacerbation of respiratory insufficiency. Postoperative mortality independently correlated with preoperative need of oxygen therapy (OR, 5.21; 95% CI, 1.19-22.95) and with UIP/IPF histology (OR, 5.67; 95% CI, 1.27-25.25). CONCLUSIONS: Lung biopsy was performed mostly by VATS, with limited morbidity, and was effective in yielding a specific histologic diagnosis in the vast majority of undefined ILD cases. To optimize the outcome of surgical biopsy for specific diagnosis of ILD, this procedure should be performed only exceptionally in patients with critical respiratory illness as postoperative mortality risk in these subjects is exceedingly high.

Is chest X-ray screening for lung cancer in smokers cost-effective? Evidence from a population-based study in Italy.

BACKGROUND: After implementation of the PREDICA annual chest X-ray (CXR) screening program in smokers in the general practice setting of Varese-Italy a significant reduction in lung cancer-specific mortality (18 %) was observed. The objective of this study covering July 1997 through December 2006 was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of this intervention. METHODS: We examined detailed information on lung cancer (LC) cases that occurred among smokers invited to be screened in the PREDICA study (Invitation-to-screening Group, n = 5815 subjects) to estimate costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) from LC diagnosis until death. The control group consisted of 156 screening-eligible smokers from the same area, uninvited and unscreened, who developed LC and were treated by usual care. We calculated the incremental net monetary benefit (INMB) by comparing LC management in screening participants (n = 1244 subjects) and in the Invitation-to-screening group versus control group. RESULTS: The average number of QALYs since LC diagnosis was 1.7, 1.49 and 1.07, respectively, in screening participants, the invitation-to-screening group, and the control group. The average total cost (screening + management) per LC case was higher in screening participants (€17,516) and the Invitation-to-screening Group (€16,167) than in the control group (€15,503). Assuming a maximum willingness to pay of €30,000/QALY, we found that the intervention was cost-effective with high probability: 79 % for screening participation (screening participants vs. control group) and 95 % for invitation-to-screening (invitation-to-screening group vs. control group). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the PREDICA study, annual CXR screening of high-risk smokers in a general practice setting has high probability of being cost-effective with a maximum willingness to pay of €30,000/QALY.

Radiologic Evaluation of Small Lepidic Adenocarcinomas to Guide Decision Making in Surgical Resection.

BACKGROUND: The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer/American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society classification of pulmonary adenocarcinomas identifies indolent lesions associated with low recurrence, superior survival, and the potential for sublobar resection. The distinction, however, is determined on the pathologic evaluation, limiting preoperative surgical planning. We sought to determine whether preoperative computed tomography (CT) characteristics could guide decisions about the extent of the pulmonary resection. METHODS: We reviewed the preoperative CT scans for 136 patients identified to have adenocarcinomas with lepidic features on the final pathologic evaluation. The solid component on CT was substituted for the invasive component, and patients were radiologically classified as adenocarcinoma in situ, 3 cm or less with no solid component; minimally invasive adenocarcinoma, 3 cm or less with a solid component of 5 mm or less; or invasive adenocarcinoma, exceeding 3 cm or solid component exceeding 5 mm, or both. Analysis of variance, t test, χ(2) test, and Kaplan-Meier methods were used for analysis. RESULTS: The radiologic classification identified 35 adenocarcinomas in situ (26%) and 12 minimally invasive (9%) and 89 invasive adenocarcinoma (65%) lesions. At a 32-month median follow-up, patient outcomes associated with the radiologic classification were similar to the pathologic-based classification: the radiologic classification identified 14 of 16 patients with recurrent disease and all 6 who died of lung cancer. In addition, patients with radiologic adenocarcinoma in situ and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma who underwent sublobar resections had no recurrence and 100% disease-free and overall survival at 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: The radiologic classification of patients with lepidic adenocarcinomas is associated with similar oncologic and survival outcomes compared with the pathologic classification and may guide decision making in the approach to surgical resection.

Patients with multiple nodules and a dominant lung adenocarcinoma have similar outcomes and survival compared with patients who have a solitary adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Lepidic growth pattern lung adenocarcinoma commonly presents as a dominant lesion (DL) with associated pulmonary nodules either in the ipsilateral or contralateral lung fields, posing a challenge in clinical decision-making. These tumours may be clinically upstaged compared with those who present with solitary lesions and, as a result, may be offered different therapies. The purpose of this study is to compare recurrence rates, the development of new lesions and survival in patients with adenocarcinoma with a lepidic component presenting with a DL with or without additional nodules. METHODS: We performed a 13-year retrospective chart review of patients with lepidic growth pattern adenocarcinoma. Patients were grouped into a uninodular group (UG) if they presented with a solitary lesion and a multinodular group (MG) if they had a DL with additional nodules. Clinicopathological features, outcomes and survival between the two groups were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 149 patients were identified: 62 (42%) in the UG and 87 (58%) in the MG. In addition to the DL, 217 nodules were preoperatively identified in the MG: 60 were resected concomitantly with the DL, while 157 were radiologically surveyed. Invasive adenocarcinoma was the predominant pathological cell type in both groups. The median time of follow-up was 3 years [interquartile range (IQR) 1.9-5.1]. Local (1 vs 2%), regional (1 vs 3%) and distant recurrences (7 vs 4%) were detected, respectively, in the UG and the MG. In the UG, 20 new lesions were identified, while in the MG there were 28. Only 4 of 157 (2.5%) surveyed pre-existing lesions were found to be malignant and required further treatment. No statistically significant differences were observed in 5-year disease-free and overall survival between the UG and the MG (82.3 vs 83.8%, P = 0.254 and 86.7 vs 93.8%, P = 0.096, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We observed that patients with lepidic growth pattern adenocarcinoma presenting with a DL with associated secondary nodules appear to behave similarly to patients with a solitary lesion. Multiple nodules including those that are malignant in this specific subset of non-small-cell lung cancer should not be upstaged as advanced disease and patients should be treated with the same curative intent as those presenting with uninodular disease.

Assessment of the aggregate risk score to predict mortality after surgical biopsy for interstitial lung disease†.

OBJECTIVES: An aggregate risk score (range 0-6 points) for predicting mortality after surgical biopsy for interstitial lung disease (ILD) was recently developed from four independent variables: intensive care unit treatment (2 points), age >67 years (1.5 points), immunosuppression (1.5 points), open biopsy (1 point). In the development cohort, patients were grouped in four classes of aggregate score (A, B, C, D) showing incremental risk of death within 90 days from biopsy. We tested this mortality risk model in an independent cohort. METHODS: The aggregate risk score and the corresponding class of 90-day mortality risk was retrospectively determined in 151 consecutive patients undergoing biopsy for uncertain ILD at the Center for Thoracic Surgery, University of Insubria (Varese, Italy) in 1997-2012. We evaluated, by Spearman's ρ test, the correlation between aggregate risk score and mortality rate in the development cohort and in our cohort. Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of overall mortality rate between the two cohorts. RESULTS: The mortality rate correlation with risk score differed in our cohort (ρ = 0.127; P = 0.06) compared with the development cohort (ρ = 0.352; P < 0.0001). In our dataset mortality polarized: it was minimal in Classes A and B (2% and 0%, respectively), 33% in Classes C and D. This skewed mortality distribution was possibly contributed by significantly lower overall mortality rate in our cohort than in the development cohort (2.6% vs 10.6%; P = 0.0017). Despite the difference in mortality distribution, in our dataset, we confirmed that ILD patients with aggregate score >2 (Classes C and D) were at exceedingly high risk of postoperative mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The aggregate score is a simple and useful risk score for ILD. Our dataset confirms that lung biopsy is reasonably safe in Class A and B patients while, in Class C and D patients, it is indicated only if histology would substantially change management and prognosis.

Management of hypertension in intrapericardial paraganglioma.

Functioning paraganglioma is extra-adrenal catecholamine-secreting tumours that may cause secondary hypertension. Primary intrapericardial paragangliomas are very rare and are located adjacent to the great vessels or heart, typically near the left atrium. These tumours are an exceptionally uncommon finding during the investigation of refractory hypertension. However, in recent years, intrapericardial paragangliomas have been diagnosed incidentally with increased frequency, due to the extensive use of radiologic chest imaging. The mainstay of treatment of functioning intrapericardial paraganglioma is surgical removal, which usually achieves blood pressure normalization. Due to the locations of these tumours, the surgical approach is through a median sternotomy or posterolateral thoracotomy, and manipulation-induced catecholamine release may cause paroxysmal hypertension. Typically in these patients, blood pressure fluctuates dramatically intra- and post-operatively, increasing the risk of cardiovascular complications. We review here the current modalities of perioperative fluid and hypotensive drug administration in the setting of surgery for functioning intrapericardial paraganglioma and discuss the recently proposed paradigm shift that omits preoperative preparation.

Surveillance of the Remaining Nodules after Resection of the Dominant Lung Adenocarcinoma is an Appropriate Follow-Up Strategy.

INTRODUCTION: Adenocarcinomas, commonly present as a dominant lesion (DL) with additional nodules in the ipsilateral or contralateral lung. We sought to determine the fate and management of the secondary nodules and to assess the risk of these nodules using the Lung CT Screening Reporting and Data System (Lung-RADS) criteria and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines to determine if surveillance is an appropriate strategy. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated patients with lepidic growth pattern adenocarcinoma and secondary nodules from 2000 to 2013. Risk assessment of the additional lesions was completed with a simplified model of Lung-RADS and NCCN-Guidelines. RESULTS: Eighty-seven patients underwent resection of 87 DLs (Group 1) concurrently with 60 additional pulmonary nodules (Group 2), while 157 non-DLs were radiologically surveyed over a median follow-up time of 3.2 years (Group 3). Malignancy was found in 29/60 (48%) nodules in Group 2. Whereas, only 9/157 (6%) of the lesions in Group 3 enlarged, 4 of which (2.5% of total) were found to be malignant, and then treated, while the remaining nodules continued surveillance. After applying the Lung-RADS and NCCN simplified models, nodules in Group 2 were at higher risk for lung cancer than those in Group 3. CONCLUSION: In patients with lepidic growth pattern adenocarcinoma associated with multiple secondary nodules, surveillance of the remaining nodules, after resection of the DL, is a reasonable strategy since these nodules exhibited a slow rate of growth and minimal malignancy. In contrast, nodules resected from the ipsilateral lung at the time of the DL, harbor malignancy in 48%. Risk assessment models may provide a useful and standardized tool for clinical assessment of pulmonary nodules.

The challenge of prognostic markers in pleural mesothelioma.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a very aggressive tumor, highly resistant to chemo- and radio-therapy. Treatment of MPM patients is often disappointing, regardless of the modality used. Inter-individual variability of response to multimodal treatment remains a challenge and generally the MPM prognosis continues to be poor. Knowledge of predicting factors of outcome is currently insufficient; therefore, it would be highly desirable to find specific prognostic markers for MPM. Translational research projects are to be implemented.