Surgical treatment of complex malignant anterior mediastinal tumors invading the superior vena cava

Outcomes of extended surgical resections for locally advanced thymic malignancies: a narrative review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Thymic malignancies represent the most common anterior mediastinal neoplasms, as well as rare and challenging tumors. Surgery is the cornerstone in the treatment of thymic malignancies, although a multidisciplinary approach is mandatory, for both, locally advanced or metastatic disease. In our narrative review, we explored the recent literature to investigate clinical and radiological assessment, multimodality approach and outcomes of locally advanced thymic tumors. More than one-third of patients affected by an anterior mediastinal mass are asymptomatic at diagnosis. In case of locally advanced thymoma, symptoms are related to compression or invasion of adjacent structures, such as the superior vena cava (SVC), innominate veins and pericardium. Paraneoplastic syndromes, such as myasthenia gravis (MG), are related to release of antibodies, hormones and cytokines.

METHODS

Diagnostic methods must be chosen accurately to avoid unnecessary surgical resections, to define the best strategy of care, and to plan the surgical strategy. Therefore, each case must be evaluated in a multidisciplinary context, where surgery plays an essential role.

KEY CONTENT AND FINDINGS

In this narrative review, we describe indications and surgical techniques for the treatment of locally advanced thymoma; focusing on oncological outcomes after different approaches.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, aggressive surgery is always indicated, when possible, and when a complete resection can be planned, yet, the multidisciplinary approach is mandatory, in case of both locally or metastatic advanced disease.

Superior Vena Cava Reconstruction in Masaoka Stage III and IVa Thymic Epithelial Tumors

BACKGROUND

We present here a case series of patients who underwent resection for Masaoka Stage III and IVa Thymic Epithelial Tumors (TETs) with invasion into the superior vena cava.

METHODS

29 patients with Stage III and IVa TETs were treated surgically in three institutions. Operative resections involved replacing the superior vena cava from one of the innominate veins (n=18) or via reconstruction by truncal replacement (n=2) or patchplasty (n=9).

RESULTS

Fifteen patients underwent neoadjuvant treatment. Thirty and 90-day mortality rate were 3.4% and 10.3%, respectively. For Stage III patients, the median overall survival and DFS were 39 and 30 months, respectively. The median overall survival and DFS in patients with Masaoka Stage IVa disease were 67 and 21 months, respectively. Undergoing only preoperative chemotherapy (p=0.007) or receiving no chemotherapy (p=0.009) had a disease-free survival that was significantly higher than receiving both pre- and postoperative chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

SVC resection and reconstruction in Masoaka Stage III and IVa TETs can be performed with acceptable morbidity and mortality. Stage IVa patients with SVC involvement can be treated with similar results as Stage III patients with multimodality treatment.

Autogenous pericardial angioplasty for thymic malignancies: a narrative review

Locally advanced thymic tumor usually invades adjacent great vessels, while the optimal treatment strategy for vessels resection and prosthetic replacement is still in controversial. We hereby present our series of patients undergoing autologous pericardial angioplasty for thymic malignancies. For invasive thymic tumors involving the superior vena cava (SVC), the replacement vessel was prepared by autologous pericardium and placed between the right atrium and distal left innominate vein stump to establish a SVC bypass. Then, the distal right innominate vein and proximal SVC were blocked, and the thymic tumor and involved vessel were completely resected, followed by SVC reconstruction using pericardium. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics and short-term outcomes of six related patients with autologous pericardial angioplasty. Due to the homologous advantages of autologous pericardial transplantation, those patients didn't need to receive anticoagulant therapy during the perioperative period, so as to avoid the occurrence of hemorrhage, embolism and other graft-related complications. There were no postoperative long-term thoracic drainage (>7 days), anastomotic bleeding, reconstructed vascular stenosis, embolism or even secondary thoracotomy and other related complications occurred in this case series. The application of autologous pericardium for the replacement of mediastinal great vessels in the surgery of locally advanced thymoma is a safe and effective technique. Compared with former artificial materials, such as polytetrafluoroethylene synthetic prosthesis, autologous pericardial transplantation avoids the occurrence of high risk graft-related complications such as postoperative hemorrhage and vascular stenosis, and its clinical application prospect is worth expecting.

Superior Vena Cava Resection in Locally Advanced Thymoma-Surgical and Survival Outcomes

This study was aimed at reporting the surgical management of superior vena cava invasion in patients with locally advanced thymoma and to evaluate surgical and survival outcomes. This is a retrospective analysis of 12 patients operated for superior vena cava resection for locally advanced thymoma over 8 years in a thoracic surgery centre in India. An analysis of peri-operative variables including complications was carried out. The influence of various predictors on survival was assessed by log-rank test. Intra-operatively, superior vena cava (SVC) alone was involved in 3 (25%) cases, SVC with BCV involvement was there in 8 cases (66.7%) and in 1 patient, the SVC involvement extended into the right atrium also. In all cases, the tumour was resected en bloc with the involved part of SVC. Repair with primary closure was sufficient in 2 cases (16.6%) in view of < 1/3rd of circumferential involvement. However, in remaining 10 cases, SVC was replaced with PTFE graft (single graft in 6 cases, Y-graft in 2 cases and twin grafts in 2 cases). No peri-operative deaths. Overall survival (OS) at 1, 3 and 5 years was 100%, 91.6% and 83.3%, respectively. Myasthenia gravis and higher Masaoka stage (IV A) of the disease were poor predictors of survival. Superior vena cava resection and reconstruction is a feasible and oncologically superior option in invasive thymoma with SVC involvement. This challenging surgical procedure should only be attempted by an experienced team of thoracic and cardiac surgeons at high-volume centre to achieve best outcomes.

Prosthetic Reconstruction of Superior Vena Cava System for Thymic Tumor: A Retrospective Analysis of 22 Cases

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to report our experience in superior vena cava (SVC) resection and reconstruction for 22 thymic tumor patients and to make comparisons with previous related reports.

METHODS

A retrospective study on 22 patients (15 thymomas, 7 thymic cancers) who underwent tumor resection with concomitant SVC reconstruction. All the patients underwent vascular conduit reconstruction by the cross-clamping technique. The corresponding data were reviewed, including clinical presentation, operation management (surgery procedure, selection of suitable graft, strategies against SVC syndrome, etc.), postoperative cares (antithrombotic agent application, treatments on brain edema, etc.), and follow-up information.

RESULT

Two patients were myasthenic, well controlled by oral pyridostigmine. All resections were radical (R0). Ten patients received induction treatment. All the 15 thymoma patients were Masaoka stage III (type B1-B3). As for thymic cancer, six patients were Masaoka stage III and one was stage IVa. Wedge pulmonary resection was performed in three patients (two right upper lobe, one both upper lobe). Procedures included were single graft replacement in 12 patients, bilateral grafts in 9, and Y-shaped graft in 1 patient. Anticoagulation and dehydration agents were routinely applied after operation. No perioperative mortalities were observed. Major complication rate was 9.1%. The median survival time was 44.2 months (range, 4-92 months). Three- and 5-year overall survival rates were 80.8 and 44.0%, respectively. As for conduit patency, two grafts (9.1%) demonstrated evidence of occlusion during long-term follow-up, but no additional interventions were required due to no complications related.

CONCLUSION

Our study, confirming data from existing literature, showed that the prosthetic reconstruction of the SVC system is a feasible additional procedure during resection of thymic tumor infiltrating the venous mediastinal axis, minimally increasing postoperative complications in experienced hands.

Salvage resection of advanced mediastinal tumors

The surgical treatment of locally advanced mediastinal tumors invading the great vessels and other nearby structures still represent a tricky question, principally due to the technical complexity of the resective phase, the contingent need to carry out viable vascular reconstructions and, therefore, the proper management of pathophysiologic issues. Published large-number series providing oncologic outcomes of patients who have undergone extended radical surgery for invasive mediastinal masses are just a few. Furthermore, the wide variety of different histologies included in some of these studies, as well as the heterogeneity of chemo and radiation therapies employed, did not allow for the development of clear oncologic guidelines. Usually in the past, surgical resections of large masses along with the neighbouring structures were not offered to patients because of related morbidity and mortality and limited information available on the prognostic advantage for long term. However, in the last decades, advances in surgical technique and perioperative management, as well as increased oncologic experience in this field, have allowed radical exeresis in selected patients with invasive tumors requiring resections extended to the surrounding structures and complex vascular reconstructions. Such aggressive surgical treatment has been proposed in association or not with adjuvant chemo- or radiotherapy regimens, achieving encouraging oncologic results with limited morbidity and mortality in experienced institutions. Congestive heart failure or impending cardiovascular collapse due to the compression by the large mass are the most frequent immediately life-threatening problems that some of these patients can experience. In this setting, medical palliation is usually ineffective and an aggressive salvage surgical treatment may remain the only therapeutic option.

Thoracoscopic thymectomy with partial superior vena cava resection for locally advanced thymomas

Background

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is now increasingly used for the treatment of early stage thymic malignancies. However, VATS has not been advocated for patients with locally advanced diseases. We reviewed our initial experience in VATS thymectomy with partial superior vena cava (SVC) resection for IASLC/ITMIG stage III thymic tumors.

Methods

From August 2017 to October 2018, patients who underwent VATS thymectomy with partial SVC resection were retrospectively reviewed, and peri-operative outcomes and short-term follow-up results were analyzing.

Results

Four patients with partial SVC resection via VATS were identified. All of them had pathologically confirmed IASLC/ITMIG stage III thymic tumors invading the SVC. The average of operative time was 228 minutes and mean blood loss was 88 mL. The mean duration of chest tube drainage and post-operative hospital stay were 4.5 and 7.3 days respectively. No major complication was encountered after surgery. No mortality was observed. And no recurrence was detected with the longest follow-up time of 14 months.

Conclusions

With careful patient selection and plenty surgical expertise, VATS thymectomy for locally invasive thymic tumors with limited the SVC invasion is challenging yet technically feasible.

Superior vena cava resection and reconstruction in mediastinal tumors and benign diseases

BACKGROUND

This study aims to evaluate our results of resection and reconstruction of the superior vena cava invaded by mediastinal tumors and benign diseases.

METHODS

Seventeen patients (8 males, 9 females; mean age 46±17 years; range 9 to 74 years) undergoing superior vena cava resection and reconstruction due to mediastinal pathologies between September 2006 and September 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who had angioplasty with primary suturing or partial resection with stapler were excluded. Mortality and morbidity rates were analyzed based on the demographic, and intra- and postoperative measures.

RESULTS

Majority of patients (94%) had mediastinal tumors. Twelve patients (71%) had thymic epithelial tumors. Tubular graft interposition was performed using ringed polytetrafluoroethylene prosthesis in nine patients (53%), while patch plasty using autologous pericardium, polytetrafluoroethylene or Dacron grafts was performed in eight patients (47%). Eleven patients (65%) necessitated concomitant resections of neighboring structures. Mean length of hospital stay was 11±6 days. There was no intraoperative death. Mortality occurred in three patients (18%). Five patients (29%) developed complications. Mortality occurred commonly in elderly patients (p<0.0001). Postoperative complications were more common in patients with concomitant resections (p=0.05). Neither acute nor chronic thrombosis developed in any patients. Median survival in patients with malignant diseases was 57 months, with a oneyear and three-year probability of survival of 83% and 74%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Replacement of superior vena cava should be included in the therapeutic algorithm of selected patients with mediastinal tumors and benign diseases. Mortality rates may be higher in older patients, while the need for concomitant resections may increase morbidity rates.

Reconstruction of mediastinal vessels for invasive thymoma: a retrospective analysis of 25 cases

BACKGROUND

Discuss an appropriate strategy for treatment of invasive thymoma invading adjacent great vessels.

METHODS

A retrospective study on 25 patients with invasive thymoma invading neighboring great vessels was performed. The corresponding data including clinical presentation, operation procedure, adjuvant radio-chemotherapy and follow-up were reviewed.

RESULTS

Twenty of 25 (80%) patients with invasive thymoma underwent complete resection of the tumor along with vessel reconstruction. Intraoperatively, different types of operation were conducted, namely, brachiocephalic vein (BCV)-right atrial appendage (RAA) reconstruction in 11 cases, complex vessel reconstruction (more than one graft) in 1 case and superior vena cava (SVC)-SVC reconstruction in the remaining cases. Ringed polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts were used for vessel reconstruction. Postoperatively, three cases suffered from pulmonary infection, and three cases had haemothorax, chylothorax and atelectasis, respectively. Two patients died due to acute respiratory distress syndrome within 90 days after the surgery. Within the remaining patients, 11 cases (44%) experienced a relapse and finally 8 (32%) patients died. Compared to R1 resection group, R0 resection group had a better prognosis (Log-rank P=0.0196). The 3- and 5-year survival rates were 79.6% and 59.1%, with median survival time of 84 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Reconstruction of mediastinal vessels for invasive thymoma is a feasible technology method. Radical resection of the tumor with involved neighboring structures is the key to prolong overall survival for patients suffered from invasive thymoma.

Malignant thrombosis of the superior vena cava caused by non-small-cell lung cancer treated with radiation and erlotinib: a case with complete and prolonged response over 3 years

Most cases of superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome resulting from neoplasm, especially from lung cancer, remain a serious challenge to treat. Here, for the first time as far as we are aware, we report the case of a non-small-cell lung cancer patient with a massive SVC malignant thrombosis who was treated with thoracic irradiation and erlotinib. The treatment regimen consisted of erlotinib 150 mg/day and a total dose of 66 Gy/33 fractions delivered to the tumor, malignant thrombosis, and metastasis mediastinal lymph nodes. The malignant thrombosis responded dramatically and the combined regimen was well tolerated. After discharge, the erlotinib was prescribed as maintenance therapy. The patient was followed closely for the next 3 years. During this time, positron emission tomography/computed tomography scans and serum tumor marker screens were undertaken. By 6 months, the primary tumor showed complete response and by 9 months, the SVC thrombosis had disappeared. No sign of relapse has been found to date.

Extensive resections: pancoast tumors, chest wall resections, en bloc vascular resections

Infiltration by lung tumor of adjacent anatomic structures including major vessels, main bronchi, and chest wall not only influences the oncologic severity of the disease but also increases the technical complexity of surgery, requiring extended resections and demanding reconstructive procedures. Completeness of resection represents in every case one of the main factors influencing the long-term outcome of patients. Technical and oncologic aspects of extended operations, including resection of Pancoast tumors and chest wall, bronchovascular sleeve resections, and en bloc resections of major thoracic vessels, are reported in this article.

Surgical management of stage III thymic tumors

Thymic tumors are classified as stage III when they clearly invade the surrounding structures: pericardium, great vessels (superior vena cava, innominate veins, ascending aorta, and main pulmonary artery), lung parenchyma, phrenic nerves, and chest wall. Surgical treatment with or without induction therapy should always aim to complete resection removing en bloc all the involved structures. Also, extended procedures are justified because only R0 resection allows long-term survival.