Author Correction: Intraoperative detection of circulating tumor cells in pulmonary venous blood during metastasectomy for colorectal lung metastases.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Intraoperative detection of circulating tumor cells in pulmonary venous blood during metastasectomy for colorectal lung metastases.

Circulating tumor cells (CTC) have been studied extensively in various tumor types and are a well-established prognosticator in colorectal cancer (CRC). This is the first study to isolate CTC directly from the tumor outflow in secondary lung tumors. For this purpose in 24 patients with CRC who underwent pulmonary metastasectomy in curative intent blood was drawn intraoperatively from the pulmonary vein (tumor outflow). In 22 samples CTC-enumeration was performed using CellSieve-microfilters and immunohistochemical- and Giemsa-staining. Additionally 10 blood samples were analyzed using the CellSearch-System. We could isolate more CTC in pulmonary venous blood (total 41, range 0-15) than in samples taken from the periphery at the same time (total 6, range 0-5, p = 0.09). Tumor positive lymph nodes correlated with presence of CTC in pulmonary venous blood as in all cases CTC were present (p = 0.006). Our findings suggest a tumor cell release from pulmonary metastases in CRC and a correlation of CTC isolated from the tumor outflow with established negative prognostic markers in metastasized CRC. The presented data warrant further investigations regarding the significance of local tumor compartments when analyzing circulating markers and the possibility of tumor cell shedding from secondary lung tumors.

Significance of the resection margin in bronchopulmonary carcinoids.

BACKGROUND: Complete surgical resection is the treatment of choice in bronchopulmonary carcinoids. Previously published data showed no inferiority of sublobar versus lobar resection. Data on the length of resection margins are lacking; thus, we aimed to analyze resection margins in pulmonary carcinoids and correlated them with survival and recurrence. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 85 patients who underwent surgery for atypical (AC) or typical (TC) pulmonary carcinoids. Patient charts were reviewed, and clinicopathologic and survival data were collected. Pathology reports were reviewed for length of resection margins. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 42.3 mo (range, 0.3-172.2). There was no statistically significant difference in disease-free survival (DFS) when comparing resection margins ≤2 mm to >2 mm (P = 0.93, hazard ratio = 1.7). When looking at AC alone, a worse DFS can be seen if the resection margin was smaller than 2 mm (P = 0.06, hazard ratio = 15.8). In AC, likelihood of recurrence was higher when the resection margin was ≤1 cm (odds ratio = 5.1, P = 0.28). In TC, this tendency was not present (odds ratio = 1.2, P = 1). CONCLUSIONS: There is a trend toward a worse prognosis and higher likelihood of recurrence in smaller resection margins in AC in contrast to TC. Owing to low sample size, no definitive statements can be made based on this study; however, respective data on these rare tumors cannot be drawn from tumor databases. The resection margin is one of the critical issues for the treating surgeon, and any information on this topic is of highest importance to the field.

Prognostic factors in solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura.

BACKGROUND: Solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura (SFTP) are rare neoplasms originating from submesothelial mesenchymal cells with fibroblastic differentiation. The clinical behavior of SFTPs is mostly benign; however, up to 20% of patients develop local recurrence and/or distant metastasis. Although different risk-stratification models have been described, definitive criteria to predict a malignant clinical course of SFTP are still lacking. METHODS: In a retrospective analysis at a single-institution, 25 patients with histologically proven SFTP were identified. Clinicopathologic and survival data were collected and pathologic sections reviewed. Different markers and risk-stratification models were correlated with disease- and overall-free survival by Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: Of 25 SFTP, 8 tumors (32%) were classified as malignant according to the World Health Organization criteria. Three patients (12%) developed recurrence. Cohort median follow-up was 28 mo, and median overall survival was 160 mo. Comparison of proliferation markers showed higher mitosis count per high-power field and MIB-1 labeling index (MIB) in malignant compared with nonmalignant SFTP. MIB was identified as a predictor for disease-free survival. Applying the previously reported classifications to categorize SFTP according to the probability to show malignant behavior, significant differences in disease-free survival were also present in our cohort. CONCLUSIONS: In the present analysis of rare SFTP, previously proposed staging systems were applicable for prediction of disease-free survival. Independently of treatment, MIB was the only sole predictive marker. A prospective multi-institutional database could be helpful in establishing detailed predictive criteria in patients diagnosed with SFTP.

Bypass surgery versus intentionally incomplete resection in palliation of pancreatic cancer: is resection the lesser evil?

OBJECTIVE: As technical expertise increases, the indication for pancreatic resection for advanced pancreatic cancer has been expanded over the last years. Recently, several groups reported their series of unintentionally incomplete tumor resections and reported a potential survival benefit for patients after incomplete resection when compared with palliative bypass surgery. We investigated in a retrospective analysis whether even tumor resection that was intended to be incomplete might provide a better outcome than conventional palliative procedures. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with a locally non-resectable or disseminated adenocarcinoma of the pancreas underwent a palliative intentionally incomplete resection. Outcome after resection was compared with that of 46 patients matched for age, sex, and histopathological tumor type who underwent a palliative bypass operation. RESULTS: Overall surgical morbidity was significantly higher in the resection group (59%) compared with the bypass group (33%, p < 0.05), resulting in a higher relaparotomy rate and a significantly longer postoperative hospital stay (p < 0.001). Surgery-related mortality was significantly higher in the resection group (p < 0.05). Overall survival showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the higher surgery-related morbidity and mortality and lack of survival benefit in cases of advanced adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, intentionally incomplete palliative resection is not advisable.