Superior sulcus tumors: treatment selection and results for 85 patients without metastasis (Mo) at presentation

Management of Stage III Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: ASCO Guideline

PURPOSE

To provide evidence-based recommendations to practicing clinicians on management of patients with stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

An Expert Panel of medical oncology, thoracic surgery, radiation oncology, pulmonary oncology, community oncology, research methodology, and advocacy experts was convened to conduct a literature search, which included systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials published from 1990 through 2021. Outcomes of interest included survival, disease-free or recurrence-free survival, and quality of life. Expert Panel members used available evidence and informal consensus to develop evidence-based guideline recommendations.

RESULTS

The literature search identified 127 relevant studies to inform the evidence base for this guideline.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Evidence-based recommendations were developed to address evaluation and staging workup of patients with suspected stage III NSCLC, surgical management, neoadjuvant and adjuvant approaches, and management of patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC.Additional information is available at www.asco.org/thoracic-cancer-guidelines.

Perturbation effects of the carbon fiber-PEEK screws on radiotherapy dose distribution

Radiation therapy, in conjunction with surgical implant fixation, is a common combined treatment in cases of bone metastases. However, metal implants generally used in orthopedic implants perturb radiation dose distributions. Carbon‐Fiber Reinforced Polyetheretherketone (CFR‐PEEK) material has been recently introduced for production of intramedullary nails and plates. The purpose of this work was to investigate the perturbation effects of the new CFR‐PEEK screws on radiotherapy dose distributions and to evaluate these effects in comparison with traditional titanium screws. The investigation was performed by means of Monte Carlo (MC) simulations for a 6 MV photon beam. The project consisted of two main stages. First, a comparison of measured and MC calculated doses was performed to verify the validity of the MC simulation results for different materials. For this purpose, stainless steel, titanium, and CFR‐PEEK plates of various thicknesses were used for attenuation and backscatter measurements in a solid water phantom. For the same setup, MC dose calculations were performed. Next, MC dose calculations for titanium, CFR‐PEEK screws, and CFR‐PEEK screws with ultrathin titanium coating were performed. For the plates, the results of our MC calculations for all materials were found to be in good agreement with the measurements. This indicates that the MC model can be used for calculation of dose perturbation effects caused by the screws. For the CFR‐PEEK screws, the maximum dose perturbation was less than 5%, compared to more than 30% perturbation for the titanium screws. Ultrathin titanium coating had a negligible effect on the dose distribution. CFR‐PEEK implants have good prospects for use in radiotherapy because of minimal dose alteration and the potential for more accurate treatment planning. This could favorably influence treatment efficiency and decrease possible over‐ and underdose of adjacent tissues. The use of such implants has potential clinical advantages in the treatment of bone metastases.

Total or partial vertebrectomy for lung cancer invading the spine

BACKGROUND

Surgery for lung cancer invading the spine remains challenging associated with high morbidity and mortality. However, recent advances in surgical techniques as well as in perioperative care may improve outcomes of lung cancer surgery with vertebrectomy. We describe our surgical approach and assess the outcome lung cancer invading the spine.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed our recent experiences of lung cancer with vertebral invasion, in which we have performed total or partial vertebrectomy from January 2011 through April 2015.

RESULTS

We experienced eight patients who were treated with partial or total vertebrectomy for lung cancer. Vertebral invasion was evaluated by chest CT and MRI findings. All cases were no distant metastasis. N factors were all patients N0 revealed by chest CT and PET-CT. Two patients were treated preoperative induction therapy (CDDP + TS-1, Radiation 50 Gy). For the surgery, total vertebrectomy was performed two patients, hemi vertebrectomy was two patients, transverse-process resection was four patients. In all of eight cases, complete resection were perfomed with total or partial vertebrectomy. Morbidity was observed in six patients (75%); no mortality occurred. Six patients (75%) were survived after surgery (range: 12-62 months) and four patients (50%) were no recurrence. Five years overall survival rate was 71.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

In our experience, Lung cancer surgery combined with vertebrectomy is highly aggressive surgery associated with high morbidity. But, this procedure is a promising treatment option for selected patients, for example N0M0 disease with lung cancer invading the spine.

Resection of the First Rib With Preservation of the T1 Nerve Root in Pancoast Tumors of the Lung

BACKGROUND

Surgical outcomes for Pancoast (superior sulcus) tumors of the lung have significantly changed during the last few decades and have improved with use of curative-intent surgery by utilizing en bloc complete resections.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted of 11 selected patients treated at Moffitt Cancer Center from 2007 to 2016. Data from patient records were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

All 11 patients with a Pancoast tumor involving the first rib had their T1 root preserved at surgery. In 10 patients (90.9%), the tumor was removed en bloc. Clear margins of resection were documented in 4 cases (36.0%). No patient developed postoperative hand weakness, but 3 patients (27.3%) had minor postoperative complications, including air leak, chylothorax, and pericardial effusion. One iatrogenic injury to the subclavian artery was reported during surgery; the injury was subsequently repaired. No operative mortality was reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Radical resection of Pancoast tumors is considered to be safe, and preserving the T1 nerve root provides more favorable, functional outcomes.

Total vertebrectomy (Th2) and dissection of the subclavian artery for a superior sulcus tumor invading the spine: A case report

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The treatment of patients for lung cancer with vertebral body invasion remains challenging.

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We reported a case that total vertebrectomy (Th2) and dissection subclavian artery for lung cancer invading spine and subclavian artery.

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We experienced complete resected one case that tumor location and invading was very complicated.

Introduction

Surgery for primary lung cancer invading the spine remains challenging. Here, we present a case of superior sulcus tumor (SST) with vertebral invasion, successfully resected with total vertebrectomy (Th2) and dissection of involved apical chest wall and the subclavian artery (SCA).

Presentation of case

A 62-year-old man was referred with the diagnosis of lung squamous cell carcinoma originating from left upper lobe (clinical stage IIIA/T4N0M0) involving the thoracic vertebrae (Th2) as well as the apical chest wall including three ribs (1st, 2nd and 3rd) and SCA. After induction concurrent chemo-radiotherapy, we achieved complete resection by three-step surgical procedures as follows: first, the anterior portion of involved chest wall including SCA was dissected through the trans-manubrial approach (TMA); next, the posterior portion of involved chest wall including ribs was dissected and left upper lobectomy with nodal dissection was performed through posterolateral thoracotomy; finally, total vertebrectomy (Th2) was performed through posterior mid-line approach.

Discussion

This tumor was existence of anterior and posterior position in pulmonary apex region. So that, it is very important for complete resecting this complicated tumor to work out operation’s strategy.

Conclusion

Surgery may be indicated for SST invading the spine, when complete resection is expected.

Comparative study evaluating the role of color Doppler sonography and computed tomography in predicting chest wall invasion by lung tumors

OBJECTIVES

To analyze qualitative and quantitative parameters of lung tumors by color Doppler sonography, determine the role of color Doppler sonography in predicting chest wall invasion by lung tumors using spectral waveform analysis, and compare color Doppler sonography and computed tomography (CT) for predicting chest wall invasion by lung tumors.

METHODS

Between March and September 2007, 55 patients with pleuropulmonary lesions on chest radiography were assessed by grayscale and color Doppler sonography for chest wall invasion. Four patients were excluded from the study because of poor acoustic windows. Quantitative and qualitative sonographic examinations of the lesions were performed using grayscale and color Doppler imaging. The correlation between the color Doppler and CT findings was determined, and the final outcomes were correlated with the histopathologic findings.

RESULTS

Of a total of 51 lesions, 32 were malignant. Vascularity was present on color Doppler sonography in 28 lesions, and chest wall invasion was documented in 22 cases. Computed tomography was performed in 24 of 28 evaluable malignant lesions, and the findings were correlated with the color Doppler findings for chest wall invasion. Of the 24 patients who underwent CT, 19 showed chest wall invasion. The correlation between the color Doppler and CT findings revealed that color Doppler sonography had sensitivity of 95.6% and specificity of 100% for assessing chest wall invasion, whereas CT had sensitivity of 85.7% and specificity of 66.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined qualitative and quantitative color Doppler sonography can predict chest wall invasion by lung tumors with better sensitivity and specificity than CT. Although surgery is the reference standard, color Doppler sonography is a readily available, affordable, and noninvasive in vivo diagnostic imaging modality that is complementary to CT and magnetic resonance imaging for lung cancer staging.

Diagnostic imaging in the preoperative management of lung cancer

Surgical resection is the accepted standard of care for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Several imaging modalities play central roles in the detection and staging of the disease. The aim of this review is to evaluate the utility of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) and PET/CT for NSCLC staging. Radiographic staging refers to the use of CT as a non-invasive diagnostic technique. However, while the vast majority of patients undergo only CT, CT is a notoriously inaccurate means of tumor and nodal staging in many situations. PET/CT clearly improves the staging, particularly nodal staging, compared to CT or PET alone. In addition, as a result of the increased soft-tissue contrast, MRI is superior to CT for distinguishing between tissue characteristics. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA), which is a minimally invasive technique, also has pathological diagnostic potential. Extensive research and the resultant improvements in the understanding of genetics, histology, molecular biology and oncology are transforming our understanding of lung cancer, and it is clear that imaging modalities such as CT, MRI, PET and PET/CT will have an important role in its preoperative management. However, thoracic surgeons should also be aware of the limitations of these techniques.

Use of CT to evaluate pleural invasion in non-small cell lung cancer: measurement of the ratio of the interface between tumor and neighboring structures to maximum tumor diameter

PURPOSE

To develop a simple noninvasive technique for evaluating pleural invasion by using routine preoperative computed tomography (CT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The institutional review board approved this retrospective study, and written informed consent was obtained for performing the initial and follow-up CT studies. Preoperative CT findings (169 patients with possible pleural invasion) and pathologic diagnoses after surgical resection were evaluated. The length of the interface between the primary tumor and neighboring structures (arch distance) and the maximum tumor diameter were measured on CT images, after which arch distance-to-maximum tumor diameter ratios were calculated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to analyze the ratios.

RESULTS

Median arch distance-to-maximum tumor diameter ratios for pleural invasion categories (pl1, pl2, pl3) assessed by using the Union Internationale Contre le Cancer TNM staging system were as follows: pl1, 0.206 (25th-75th percentile, 0-0.486); pl2, 0.638 (25th-75th percentile, 0.385-0.830); and pl3, 1.092 (25th-75th percentile, 1.045-1.214) (P < .001 between groups). On the basis of the ROC curves, the cut-off value for invasion was an arch distance-to-maximum tumor diameter ratio of 0.9. When the ratio was greater than 0.9, the sensitivity and specificity for thoracic invasion and area under the ROC curve were 89.7%, 96.0%, and 0.976, respectively, which represents an improvement over values obtained by using conventional criteria (radiologists A and B: 46.7% and 74.2% and 91.3% and 84.8%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

When diagnosing T3 or T4 lung cancer based on arch distance-to-maximum tumor diameter ratios, a higher performance level was achieved than that with use of conventional criteria. Measurement of the ratios is a simple noninvasive technique for evaluating pleural invasion at CT.

Mind-mapping for lung cancer: towards a personalized therapeutics approach

There were over 220,000 people diagnosed with lung cancer and over 160,000 people dying of lung cancer during 2010 alone in the United States. In order to arrive at better control, prevention, diagnosis, and therapeutics for lung cancer, we must be able to personalize the approach towards the disease. Mind-mapping has existed for centuries for physicians to properly think about various "flows" of personalized medicine. We include here the epidemiology, diagnosis, histology, and treatment of lung cancer-in particular, non-small cell lung cancer. As we have new molecular signatures for lung cancer, this is further detailed. This review is not meant to be a comprehensive review, but rather its purpose is to highlight important aspects of lung cancer diagnosis, management, and personalized treatment options.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy: the report of AAPM Task Group 101

Task Group 101 of the AAPM has prepared this report for medical physicists, clinicians, and therapists in order to outline the best practice guidelines for the external-beam radiation therapy technique referred to as stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). The task group report includes a review of the literature to identify reported clinical findings and expected outcomes for this treatment modality. Information is provided for establishing a SBRT program, including protocols, equipment, resources, and QA procedures. Additionally, suggestions for developing consistent documentation for prescribing, reporting, and recording SBRT treatment delivery is provided.

Inoperable Pancoast tumors treated with hyperthermia-inclusive multimodality therapies

PURPOSE

This study aimed to assess the feasibility, efficacy and complication of hyperthermia-inclusive multimodality therapies for patient with inoperable Pancoast tumor.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Five patients with inoperable Pancoast tumor were treated with hyperthermia-inclusive multimodality therapies. They received thermoradiotherapy with/without chemotherapy. Radiation therapy was delivered using 10 MV X-rays with total dose of 68-70 Gy. In the latter half of the radiation therapy hyperthermia was performed for 2-4 sessions once a week with 8 MHz radiofrequency device.

RESULTS

For primary response, 4 tumors showed partial response to the treatment with the exception of 1 tumor who showed stable disease. Only one patient was with a short follow-up period (9 months), all other patients survived 3 years or more without recurrence. Of them, 2 patients were recognized with local recurrence at 38.7 and 42.7 months after treatment and died at 66.9 and 78.5 months after treatment. The other 2 patients are disease-free survivor for 4 and 5 years after treatment. No severe non-hematological toxicity was observed in each patient.

CONCLUSION

These data suggested that hyperthermia-inclusive multimodality therapies might be a promising approach for inoperable Pancoast tumor.

Ultrasound vs. CT in detecting chest wall invasion by tumor: a prospective study

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Accurate staging is important for patient management and clinical research. The recognition of chest wall involvement preoperatively is important for staging and surgical planning. Multiple modalities are available to assess the chest wall involvement preoperatively, including CT scanning, MRI, and ultrasound (US) examination. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the US examination in determining the chest wall involvement of lung cancer compared to that of CT scan and surgery.

METHODS

A total of 136 patients with clinical suspicion of chest wall involvement were recruited. Ninety patients met the inclusion criteria and underwent CT scanning, transthoracic US, and surgical exploration. A final determination regarding chest wall involvement was made after reviewing the final pathology results and surgical staging.

RESULTS

Chest wall invasion by tumor was noted in 26 patients during surgery and final pathologic examination of the tissue. Of these patients, US correctly identified 23 patients tumor invasion, while CT scanning identified 11 patients with tumor invasion. There were 3 false-positive results and 3 false-negative results with US examination, compared to 15 false-negative results and no false-positive results with CT scanning.

CONCLUSIONS

US has better sensitivity (89%) and specificity (95%) in assessing chest wall involvement by a lung tumor compared to CT scan examination (sensitivity, 42%; specificity, 100%).

Résection vertébrale monobloc pour cancer pulmonaire : 12 ans d'expérience

OBJECTIVES

To report a single-institution retrospective study of radical en bloc resection for lung cancer invading the spine.

METHODS

Between 1993 and 2004, 32 patients underwent partial or total vertebrectomy for non-small cells lung cancer with spinal extension. Twenty-one received induction treatment (chemotherapy, N=16; radiation, N=1 and chemoradiotherapy, N=4). Pneumonectomy was performed in 3 patients, lobectomy in 26 patients and wedge resection in 3 patients. Partial vertebrectomy was performed in 26 patients and total vertebrectomy was performed in 6 patients. Tumor stage was IIb in 9 patients, IIIa in 2 patients and IIIb in 21 patients.

RESULTS

There was no immediate postoperative mortality. Major morbidity was observed in 10 patients (31%), including 4 complications related to spinal surgery. For 28 patients, a completed resection was achieved (87%). 2-years survival was 65% and 5-years survival was 24%. Completed resection and induction chemotherapy appear to be determinant prognostics factors (respectively p=0,01 and p=0,04 in univariate analysis).

CONCLUSION

Radical en bloc resection with vertebrectomy for lung cancer is technically demanding. Encouraging long-term survival suggest that this surgical approach could be a valid option for selected patients with vertebral involvement of lung cancer.

The Role of Radiation Therapy in Thoracic Tumors

Radiation plays an important role in the treatment of thoracic tumors. During the last 10 years there have been several major advances in thoracic RT including the incorporation of concurrent chemotherapy and the application of con-formal radiation-delivery techniques (eg, stereotactic RT, three-dimensional conformal RT, and intensity-modulated RT) that allow radiation dose escalation. Radiation as a local measure remains the definitive treatment of medically inoperable or surgically unresectable disease in NSCLC and part of a multimodality regimen for locally advanced NSCLC, limited stage SCLC, esophageal cancer, thymoma, and mesothelioma.

Surgical approach in T4N0M0 (vertebral involvement) lung cancer

Approximately 5% of the cancers involve the chest wall and spine by direct extension and remain localized at the time of diagnosis. T4 lesions invading the vertebra are considered inoperable. We reviewed a new evolution in the surgical treatment of lung cancer involving the vertebra (T4N0M0) and report preliminary results of our approach. Four patients with T4N0M0 (vertebral involvement) lung cancer underwent en bloc surgical resection of tumor between 1998 and 2002. Posterior stabilization, hemilaminectomy, and osteotomy of the involved vertebral bodies below the corresponding pedicle were performed in the prone position and then, in the lateral position, en bloc resection was completed along with the lung resection (large wedge resection or lobectomy) and involved vertebral bodies. There was no immediate postoperative mortality. Three patients died during the follow-up period at the 6th, 8th, and 14th postoperative months with a postoperative recognized metastasis. The fourth patient was in follow-up at 20 months. Although T4N0M0 (vertebral involvement) lung cancers are considered inoperable, lung resection with hemivertebrectomy of the involved vertebra after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy is an alternative treatment in this type of lung cancer. Staging should be made meticulously for the expected surveillance.

Vertebral body resection

Vertebral body resection for locally advanced lung cancer can be performed with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates, and with improved long-term survival, when combined with chemotherapy and radiation. A consensus has not been reached on either the optimal extent of vertebral resection or the optimal treatment regimen. Should total vertebrectomies be the standard of care for all patients, even those with minimal spine involvement? Can the extended operative times and multiple incisions and anatomic limitations that place some of the mediastinal organs at risk be justified for potential improvement in local control, or are the quicker and potentially safer endolesional resections appropriate for these tumors? Is local control, and ultimately survival, improved when additional chemotherapy and radiation therapy is given up front, or is an uninterrupted course of a higher dose of concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy following surgery preferred? Ideally, these questions will be answered by means of prospective randomized trials; however, because of the small number of patients who actually present with vertebral body involvement by lung cancer, physicians may have to rely on phase 2 studies and series reports from high-volume institutions to guide their treatment algorithms in the future.

Le traitement par neutrons : hadronthérapie partie II : bases physiques et expérience clinique

Neutrons have radiobiological characteristics, which differ from those of conventional radiotherapy beams (photons) and which offer a theoretical advantage over photons to fight radioresistance by the differential relative biological effect of them between normal and tumour tissues. Neutron therapy beneficed of great interest between 1975 and 1985. Many of phase III trials were conducted and indications have been definitively deducted of them. After briefly describing the properties of neutron beams, this review discusses the indication of neutron therapy on the basis of the clinical results. Salivary, prostate tumours and sarcomas are the main indications of neutron therapy. In concern to the prostate cancers, other alternative treatments reduce the neutron therapy field. For sarcomas, the lack of randomised trials limits the impact of the interest of neutrons. For other tumours, the ratio benefice/risk of neutron therapy is inferior to these obtained with photons and they could not be considered like classical indications.

Surgery for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Advanced stage non-small lung cancers are currently considered unresectable. However numerous series on patients with locally advanced disease treated by surgery have been published. Surgery alone or induction treatments followed by surgery achieve long-term outcomes in an encouraging proportion of selected patients with T4 disease, despite the high rate of morbidity associated with technically demanding procedures.

Radical excision in the management of thoracic and cervicothoracic tumors involving the spine: results in a series of 36 cases

STUDY DESIGN

A new surgical technique for en bloc resection of posterior mediastinum tumors invading the spine is described.

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate that major soft tissue tumors of the thoracic apex (Pancoast Tobias syndrome) or posterior mediastinum tumors can be removed en bloc even though the vertebral body or the foramina are invaded.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

En bloc surgery of tumor is accepted today as being the goal of carcinologic surgery with the best results for survival. Until now, no surgical technique has been described for radical excision of soft tissue tumors invading the thoracic spine adjacent to the ribs and lung. We reviewed our 8 years' experience of 36 such cases and report outcome and survival rates.

METHOD

The authors have joined their abilities and technique to enable complete en bloc extratumoral resections of lung tumors or posterior mediastinum tumors invading the adjacent soft tissue and spine. The surgical technique recommended by the authors is different at the cervicothoracic and medium thoracic level. At the cervicothoracic level, the authors first perform an anterior approach with dislocation of the sternoclavicular joint and dissection of the subclavian vessels with exposure of the brachial plexus. Dissection of the tumor from the anterior soft tissues is then performed but is kept attached to the adjacent spine. Dissection of lung hilum and its division are done through the same approach. At the thoracic level, the authors perform a posterior lateral thoracotomy for dissection of lung hilum and division of its elements. The lung and the adjacent tumoral ribs are not removed but are carefully kept undissected against the spine. Thoracoscopy can replace the open thoracotomy in small and medium-sized tumors. En bloc extratumoral resection is the second step performed through a median posterior cervicothoracic or thoracic approach. Vertebrectomy is complete or partial depending on the type of extension against or inside the vertebrae.

RESULTS

Thirty-six cases have been operated on with this technique. Vertebrectomy was complete in seven cases and partial in 29. Follow-up ranges from 6 days to 7.2 years (average, 23.3 months). One patient died 1 year postoperatively from an unrelated cause. Only 35 patients are available for follow-up analysis. Twenty-one patients (60%) are dead, with an average survival of 16.7 months 8 days to 44 months. The 14 others (40%) are alive (average, 38.26 months; range, 8-87 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Even though a learning curve is necessary to achieve this extreme type of surgery, selective preoperative screening of patients is mandatory. Interesting results today confirm the feasibility of possible treatment of tumors still considered unresectable.

The effect of titanium stabilization rods on spinal cord radiation dose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the dosimetric effect of a titanium-rod spinal stabilization system on surrounding tissue, especially the spinal cord. Ion chamber dosimetry was performed for 6- and 18-MV photon beams in a water phantom containing a titanium-rod spinal stabilization system. Isodose curves were obtained in the phantom with and without rods. To assess the ability of a treatment planning system to reproduce the effects of the stabilization system on the radiation dose delivered to surrounding tissue, dose distributions were calculated after appropriate modifications were made in the computed tomography number-to-density conversion table to account for the increased density of the titanium rods. The resultant heterogeneity-corrected plans were compared with uncorrected plans. At a 7-cm depth in the water phantom, corresponding to the depth of the spinal cord, the beam was attenuated by 4% under the rods alone and by 13% rods under the rods with screws for the 6-MV photon beam as compared with curves generated in the absence of rods. The beam was attenuated by 3% and 11%, respectively, for the 18-MV beam. Using anteroposterior (18-MV) and posteroanterior (6-MV) photon beams, with and without heterogeneity correction for the rods, the corrected isodose plan showed an approximately 2% beam attenuation 4 cm anterior to the rods as compared with the uncorrected plan. No significant difference in the spinal cord dose was observed between the 2 plans, however. The titanium-rod spinal stabilization system tested in this study caused a decrease in the dose delivered distal to the rods but did not significantly affect the dose delivered to the spinal cord.

Surgical treatment of superior sulcus tumors with spinal and brachial plexus involvement

OBJECT

Non-small cell lung carcinomas with spinal and brachial plexus involvement have traditionally been considered to be Stage IIIb lesions and therefore unresectable. Advances in spinal surgery, the application of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and improvements in neoadjuvant therapy require a reassessment of the potential for complete resection.

METHODS

The authors conducted a retrospective review of all procedures involving the resection of superior sulcus tumors with spinal or brachial plexus involvement performed between 1985 and 1999. Assessment or resectability and operative planning were based on an MR imaging classification scheme in which the extent of spinal involvement was considered. Class A tumors involved the periosteum of the vertebral body (VB) (16 patients); Class B, distal neural foramen without epidural compression (eight patients); Class C, proximal neural foramen with epidural compression (four patients); and Class D, bone involvement (VB or posterior elements) with or without epidural involvement (14 patients). Brachial plexus involvement was present in 21 patients, including 17 with T-1 nerve root only and four with C-8 or lower-trunk infiltration. Complete tumor resection was achieved in 27 patients and incomplete resection in 15. Complications occurred in 14 patients, two of which were related to instrumentation failures. The overall median survival was 1.44 years. The median survival for the complete and incomplete resection groups were 2.84 and 0.79 years, respectively (p = 0.0001). There was no statistical difference in survival among classification groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Complete tumor resection of superior sulcus tumors is possible in selected patients in whom involvement of the spinal column and/or brachial plexus is present. Preoperative MR imaging is essential for evaluation of the spine and surgical planning. Survival and cure are dependent on complete resection, regardless of the extent of spinal involvement.

Management of superior sulcus tumors: experience with 139 cases treated by surgical resection

BACKGROUND

The management of non-small cell carcinomas of the lung involving the superior sulcus remains controversial. The goal of this retrospective study was to evaluate the role of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy for the treatment of superior sulcus tumors, to define the best surgical approach for radical resection, and to identify factors influencing long-term survival.

METHODS

Between 1983 and 1999, 139 patients underwent surgical resection of superior sulcus tumors in seven thoracic surgery centers. According to the classification of the American Joint Committee, 51.1% of cancers were stage IIB, 13.7% stage IIIA, 32.4% stage IIIB, and 2.9% stage IV.

RESULTS

The resections were performed with 74.1% using the posterior approach and 25.9% using an anterior approach. A lobectomy was accomplished in 69.8% of the cases and a wedge resection in 22.3%. Resection of a segment of vertebrae or subclavian artery was performed, respectively, in 19.4% and 18% of the cases. Resection was complete in 81.3% of cancers. The overall 5-year survival rate was 35%. Preoperative radiotherapy improved 5-year survival for stages IIB-IIIA. Surgical approach, postoperative radiotherapy, or chemotherapy did not change survival.

CONCLUSIONS

The optimal treatment for superior sulcus tumors is complete surgical resection. The surgical approach (anterior/posterior) did not influence the 5-year survival rate. Preoperative radiotherapy should be recommended to improve outcome of patients with a superior sulcus tumor.

Radical en bloc resection for lung cancer invading the spine

OBJECTIVE

We reviewed our 8-year experience with en bloc partial and total vertebrectomy for lung cancer invading the spine and report outcome and survival.

METHODS

Nineteen patients with lung cancers involving the spine underwent en bloc resection. Eleven received induction treatment (chemotherapy, n = 5; chemoradiotherapy, n = 4; and radiation, n = 2). Pneumonectomy was performed in 3 patients, lobectomy in 13 patients, and wedge resection in 3 patients. Hemivertebrectomy was performed in 15 patients, and total vertebrectomy was performed in 4 patients. The median number of resected vertebral bodies was 3 (range, 1-4). Tumor stage was IIIB in 14 patients, IIIA in 1 patient, and IIB in 4 patients (hemivertebrectomy is performed in the case of T3 disease to obtain free margins). Surgical nodal status was N0 in 13 patients, N1 in 3 patients, N2 in 1 patient, and N3 (supraclavicular) in 2 patients. Complete macroscopic and microscopic resection was achieved in 15 (79%) patients.

RESULTS

There was no immediate postoperative mortality. Morbidity was observed in 10 patients, including 4 (21%) complications related to the spinal surgery. The median hospital stay was 30 days. Seven patients were alive after a mean follow-up of 26 months (range, 7-74 months). The 1- and 5-year predicted survivals (updated) are 59% and 14%, respectively. Nine local recurrences were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

En bloc resection of chest tumors with vertebrectomy is technically demanding, and postoperative morbidity should be critically addressed with this aggressive surgical intervention. However, an encouraging long-term survival observed in this series suggests that en bloc resection could be a valid option in selected patients with vertebral involvement of chest tumors.

Outcome predictors for 143 patients with superior sulcus tumors treated by multidisciplinary approach at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center

PURPOSE

Superior sulcus tumors (SST) of the lung are uncommon and constitute approximately 3% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These tumors cause specific symptoms and signs, and are associated with patterns of failure that differ from those seen for NSCLC tumors in other nonapical locations. Prognostic factors and most effective treatments are controversial. We conducted a retrospective study at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center to identify outcome predictors for patients with SST treated by a multidisciplinary approach.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

This retrospective review of 143 patients without distant metastasis at presentation is a continuation of a previous M. D. Anderson study now updated to 1994. In this study, we examine the 5-year survival rate by pretreatment tumor and patient characteristics and by the treatments received. Strict criteria were used to define SST. Actuarial life-table analyses and Cox proportional hazard models were used to compare survival rates.

RESULTS

Overall predictors of 5-year survival were weight loss (p < 0.01), supraclavicular fossa (p = 0. 03), or vertebral body (p = 0.05) involvement, stage of the disease (p < 0.01), and surgical treatment (p < 0.01). Five-year survival for patients with Stage IIB disease was 47% compared to 14% for Stage IIIA, and 16% for Stage IIIB. For patients with Stage IIB disease, surgical treatment (p < 0.01) and weight loss (p = 0.01) were significant independent predictors of 5-year survival. Among patients with Stage IIIA disease, the only predictor of survival was Karnofsky performance score (KPS) (p = 0.02). For patients with Stage IIIB disease, the only independent predictor of survival was a right superior sulcus location, which was associated with a worse 5-year survival rate than that for patients with tumors in the left superior sulcus (p = 0.02). More patients with adenocarcinoma than with squamous cell tumors experienced cerebral metastases within 5 years (p < 0.01). Patients without gross residual disease after surgical resection who received postoperative radiation therapy with total doses of 55 to 64 Gy had a 5-year survival rate of 82% as compared with the 5-year survival rate of 56% in patients who received 50 to 54 Gy. Twenty-three patients survived for longer than 3 years. Of these, 4 patients (17%) received radiation therapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy without surgical resection. The other 19 patients (83%) had resection combined with radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings from this study confirm the importance of the new staging system, separating T3 N0 M0 (Stage IIB) from Stage IIIA, since there was a significant difference in the 5-year survival (p < 0.01). Interestingly, there was no significant 5-year survival difference between Stage IIIA (N2) and Stage IIIB (T4 or N3). This study also suggests that surgery is an important component of the multidisciplinary approach to patients with SST if their nodes were negative. Disease that is minimally invading surrounding normal structures can be resected followed by radiation therapy in doses of 55 to 64 Gy. Further investigation of treatment strategies combining high-dose radiation therapy (>/=66 Gy) with chemotherapy is indicated for patients with unresectable and/or node-positive (N2) SST.

MR imaging of nontraumatic brachial plexopathies: frequency and spectrum of findings

Magnetic resonance imaging is the method of choice for evaluating patients with a nontraumatic brachial plexopathy. Although there is a wide range of disease processes that may cause a brachial plexopathy, radiation fibrosis, primary and metastatic lung cancer, and metastatic breast cancer account for almost three-fourths of the causes. Radiation fibrosis, the most common cause in our series, may occur several months to years after the completion of therapy. Findings of radiation fibrosis include (a) thickening and diffuse enhancement of the brachial plexus without a focal mass and (b) soft-tissue changes with low signal intensity on both T1- and T2-weighted images. Lung cancer arising in the lung apex may invade the lower portion of the brachial plexus. Many tumors may metastasize to the brachial plexus, causing a brachial plexopathy. Breast cancer is the most likely to metastasize because major lymphatic drainage routes for the breast course through the apex of the axilla.

The management of superior sulcus tumors

Lung cancers arising from the extreme apex of the lung-superior sulcus tumors (SST)-have distinct symptoms and signs at presentation and a characteristic appearance on imaging. However, in their early stages, these tumors are often missed by traditional anterior/posterior chest X-rays. Recent advances in computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have made selection of patients with potentially resectable of SST more accurate. If mediastinoscopy reveals no mediastinal lymph nodes involved, the patient can be treated with surgery followed by radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy. If mediastinoscopy reveals microscopic mediastinal lymph node involvement, the patient can be treated with induction radiation therapy and concurrent chemotherapy followed by surgery. If mediastinoscopy reveals gross mediastinal lymph node involvement (N2), or if CT reveals N3 or T4 lesions, the patient can be treated with concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy to relieve symptoms; the outcome of such treatment appears to be better than that of sequential chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy. Whenever possible, to enhance the patient's quality of life, surgery should be considered to improve function and relieve pain.

A multidisciplinary surgical approach to superior sulcus tumors with vertebral invasion

BACKGROUND

Vertebral body invasion by superior sulcus tumor has traditionally been considered a contraindication to surgical resection. Attempts at definitive radiation or chemoradiation have not been successful. Recent advances in spinal instrumentation have allowed more complete resection of vertebral body tumors. We, therefore, reviewed our recent experience with vertebral resection of superior sulcus tumors.

METHODS

All patients (n = 17) undergoing resection of superior sulcus tumors with T4 involvement of the vertebrae from October 18, 1990 to September 21, 1998 at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) were evaluated. Their clinical and pathologic data were reviewed and analyzed for short- and long-term outcomes.

RESULTS

Total vertebrectomy was performed in 7 patients (42%), partial vertebrectomy in 7 (42%), and 3 (18%) underwent neural foramina or transverse process resection. The median hospital stay was 11 days. Postoperative complications occurred in 7 patients (42%) and included pneumonia (6, 36%), arrhythmia (2, 12%), cerebrospinal fluid leak (2, 12%), wound breakdown (1, 6%), and reoperation for bleeding (1, 6%). Sixteen out of 17 patients received preoperative or postoperative radiation therapy. No perioperative mortality occurred. All patients remained ambulatory after spinal reconstruction. Overall actuarial survival at 2 years was 54%, with 11 patients still alive 2 to 50 months after resection. Locoregional tumor recurrence was noted in all 6 patients who had positive surgical margins, as opposed to 1 out of 11 patients (9%) with negative margins (p < 0.006). Additionally, the 2-year actuarial survival of patients with negative microscopic margins was 80% versus 0% for positive margins (p < 0.0006).

CONCLUSIONS

An aggressive multidisciplinary approach to superior sulcus tumors with vertebral invasion can lead to long-term survival with acceptable morbidity if negative margins can be obtained. Vertebral body invasion should no longer be considered a contraindication for resection of superior sulcus tumors.

Combined chest wall resection with vertebrectomy and spinal reconstruction for the treatment of Pancoast tumors

OBJECT

Traditionally, superior sulcus tumors of the lung that involve the chest wall and spinal column have been considered to be unresectable, and historically, patients harboring these tumors have been treated with local radiation therapy with, at best, modest results. The value of gross-total resection remains unclear in this patient population; however, with the recent advances in surgical technique and spinal instrumentation, procedures involving more radical removal of such tumors are now possible. At The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, the authors have developed a new technique for resecting superior sulcus tumors that invade the chest wall and spinal column. They present a technical description of this procedure and results in nine patients in whom stage IIIb superior sulcus tumors extensively invaded the vertebral column.

METHODS

These patients underwent gross-total tumor resection via a combined approach that included posterolateral thoracotomy, apical lobectomy, chest wall resection, laminectomy, vertebrectomy, anterior spinal column reconstruction with methylmethacrylate, and placement of spinal instrumentation. There were six men and three women, with a mean age of 55 years (range 36-72 years). Histological examination revealed squamous cell carcinoma (three patients), adenocarcinoma (four patients), and large cell carcinoma (two patients). The mean postoperative follow-up period was 16 months. All patients are currently ambulatory or remained ambulatory until they died. Pain related to tumor invasion improved in four patients and remained unchanged in five. In three patients instrumentation failed and required revision. There was one case of cerebrospinal fluid leakage that was treated with lumbar drainage and one case of wound breakdown that required revision. Two patients experienced local tumor recurrence, and one patient developed a second primary lung tumor.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors conclude that in selected patients, combined radical resection of superior sulcus tumors of the lung that involve the chest wall and spinal column may represent an acceptable treatment modality that can offer a potential cure while preserving neurological function and providing pain control.

Superior sulcus lung tumors: impact of local control on survival

OBJECTIVES

Our goal was to assess patient survival and response to treatment for superior sulcus tumors treated with combined radiation therapy and surgery when possible, or with radiation alone when surgery was not possible.

METHODS

Seventy-three patients were treated for primary non-small cell carcinoma of the superior pulmonary sulcus. Thirty-four patients received combined resection and irradiation. Thirty-nine patients who had extensive primary disease, distant metastases, or who were medically unfit for surgery were treated with radiation alone. Thirty-one patients (91%) assigned to the resection/irradiation group completed treatment. Combined therapy patients routinely received 40 Gy before the operation, with additional postoperative irradiation based on the surgical findings.

RESULTS

Overall survival at 5 years was 19% and disease-specific survival was 20% for all patients. Overall survival and disease-specific survival at 5 years for the resection/irradiation group were 33% and 38%, respectively. Significant indicators of poor prognosis included unresected primary disease, low performance score, T4 stage, or positive node status. Eighty-two percent of the patients who received irradiation alone were treated with palliative intent. Freedom from local-regional progression, achieved initially in 66% of these patients, was associated with a median survival of 8 months. Median survival for 7 patients considered for definitive irradiation was 25 months. During the first 18 months, distant failures occurred in approximately 35% of patients in each treatment group.

CONCLUSIONS

Selection of medically fit patients with resectable disease for combined surgery and aggressive radiation therapy resulted in a high likelihood of local control. Overall survival for the resection/irradiation group was significantly poorer for patients with T4 stage, nodal disease, or Horner's syndrome. Distant metastases eventually developed in 56% of patients undergoing resection. Median survival in the resection/irradiation group was significantly prolonged for those patients who could tolerate high-dose radiation treatment.

Combined chest wall resection with vertebrectomy and spinal reconstruction for the treatment of Pancoast tumors

Traditionally, superior sulcus tumors of the lung that involve the chest wall and spinal column have been considered to be unresectable, and historically, patients harboring these tumors have been treated with local radiation therapy with, at best, modest results. The value of gross-total resection remains unclear in this patient population; however, with the recent advances in surgical technique and spinal instrumentation, procedures involving more radical removal of such tumors are now possible. At The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, the authors have developed a new technique for resecting superior sulcus tumors that invade the chest wall and spinal column. They present a technical description of this procedure and results in nine patients in whom stage IIIb superior sulcus tumors extensively invaded the vertebral column. These patients underwent gross-total tumor resection via a combined approach that included posterolateral thoracotomy, apical lobectomy, chest wall resection, laminectomy, vertebrectomy, anterior spinal column reconstruction with methylmethacrylate, and placement of spinal instrumentation. There were six men and three women, with a mean age of 55 years (range 36–72 years). Histological examination revealed squamous cell carcinoma (three patients), adenocarcinoma (four patients), and large cell carcinoma (two patients). The mean postoperative follow-up period was 16 months. All patients are currently ambulatory or remained ambulatory until they died. Pain related to tumor invasion improved in four patients and remained unchanged in five. In three patients instrumentation failed and required revision. There was one case of cerebrospinal leak that was treated with lumbar drainage and one case of wound breakdown that required revision. Two patients experienced local tumor recurrence, and one patient developed a second primary lung tumor. The authors conclude that in selected patients, combined radical resection of superior sulcus tumors of the lung that involve the chest wall and spinal column may represent an acceptable treatment modality that can offer a potential cure while preserving neurological function and providing pain control.

Superior sulcus (Pancoast) tumor: experience with 105 patients

BACKGROUND

The evolution of therapy in 105 patients with superior sulcus (Pancoast) tumor over the past 42 years was reviewed.

METHODS

There were 82 men and 23 women aged 30 to 75 years. Tumor cell types were: squamous, 41 (39%); adenocarcinoma, 23 (21.9%); anaplastic, 14 (13.3%); undetermined, 12 (11.4%); mixed, 9 (8.7%); and large cell 6 (5.7%). Therapy was based on extent of disease and lymph node involvement. There were 5 treatment groups: I, preoperative radiation and operation (n = 28); II, operation and postoperative radiation (n = 16); III, radiation (n = 37); IV, preoperative chemotherapy, radiation, and operation (n = 11); and V, operation (n = 12).

RESULTS

The median survival for group I was 21.6 months; group II, 6.9 months; group III, 6 months; and group V, 36.7 months. Median survival for group IV has not yet been reached (estimated at 72% at 5 years). On univariate analysis, mediastinal lymph node involvement, Horner syndrome, TNM classification, and method of therapy affected survival. On multivariate regression analysis, only N2 and N3 disease and method of therapy were significant (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The optimal treatment for superior sulcus tumor was preoperative radiation and operation. However, triple modality therapy, although promising, requires longer follow-up.

Pancoast (superior sulcus) tumors

Primary carcinomas arising in the apex of the lung (Pancoast tumors) have attracted attention because of the characteristic syndrome that is produced by local extension into the chest wall and the brachial plexus. This article reviews the history of the treatment of this disease, the natural history of untreated patients, and the diagnosis of Pancoast tumors. The published data on results, prognostic factors, and technical aspects of treatment with combined irradiation and operation are examined, as well as those pertaining to treatment with irradiation alone.

Radiation treatment of superior sulcus lung carcinoma

The survival of patients with superior sulcus lung carcinoma and the effects of treatment were reviewed. From a prospective database of 4123 consecutive new patients with lung carcinoma, 131 (3.2%) cases of superior sulcus lung carcinoma were identified. Seventy-four patients were planned to receive radiation with palliative intent, 53 radical radiotherapy and one was observed only. The remaining three patients, with small-cell carcinoma, were treated with chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy. Of the 53 radically treated patients, nine were treated with pre-operative radiation prior to intended radical resection. Analysis was carried out on the effect on survival of performance status, nodal involvement, weight loss, vertebral body or rib involvement, treatment intent and radical combined modality treatment compared with radical radiation alone. The estimated median survival for the whole group was 7.6 months; for those treated radically it was 18.3 months, while for the palliatively treated patients it was 3.7 months. Radically treated patients with no initial nodal involvement had an estimated median survival of 22 months, while radically treated patients with nodal involvement had an estimated median survival of 8.4 months (P = 0.003). There were no statistically significant differences in survival between radically treated patients grouped according to initial weight loss, performance status, or vertebral body and rib involvement. Patients treated with pre-operative radiation did not survive significantly longer than patients treated with radiation alone, although the numbers are small.

Clinical trials of neutron radiotherapy in the United States

The development of clinical neutron facilities in the 1980s, capable of delivering high energy neutrons spurred full scale phase III testing of neutron beam radiotherapy in a number of tumors including salivary gland, head and neck, prostate, and non small-cell lung cancer. The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) and the Medical Research Council (MRC) jointly sponsored a randomized trial for the treatment of advanced stage salivary gland tumors comparing neutron to conventional photon and/or electron radiotherapy. Although no improvement in survival was seen, the study demonstrated a striking and statistically significant difference in the local-regional control of unresectable salivary gland tumors (56 vs 17%), favoring neutron beam irradiation. Subsequent clinical trials of neutron beam irradiation were initiated by the Neutron Therapy Collaborative Working Group (NTCWG) sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). A phase III trial comparing neutron to photon radiotherapy for inoperable regional non-small cell lung cancer showed no overall improvement in survival. However, a statistically significant improvement in survival was observed in the subset of patients with squamous cell histology. The NTCWG trial comparing fast-neutron therapy versus conventional photon irradiation in the treatment of advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck showed a statistically significant improvement in initial complete response (70 vs 52%) favoring neutrons. However, subsequent failures erased any difference in ultimate local-regional control rates and survival curves were essentially the same in both arms. The randomized study of the NTCWG for locally advanced prostate cancer demonstrated a significant decrease in local-regional failure (11 vs 32%) at 5 years, favoring the neutron arm. Furthermore, biochemical measures of disease control also favored the neutron arm with prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels elevated in 17% of the neutron-treated patients compared to 45% of the photon-treated patients at 5 years. At the 5-year analysis, no significant difference in survival was observed between the two arms; however, longer follow-up is necessary to assess the ultimate impact of improved local-regional control on survival. An analysis of complications in this series revealed the importance of beam shaping and treatment planning capabilities in maintaining long-term sequelae following neutron irradiation at an acceptably low level.

Combined radiosurgical treatment of Pancoast tumor

Operative technique and long-term results of 60 consecutive patients with Pancoast tumor treated with combined radiosurgical treatment were evaluated. External radiation therapy was administered preoperatively in a dose of 30 Gy in 50 patients. Operation was considered radical (R0) in 36 patients (60%). A microscopic invasion of the margin of resection (R1) was observed in 5 patients (8.3%). In 19 patients (31.6%) the operation was considered presumably not radical (R2). Three patients died in the postoperative period (5%). Fourteen major postoperative complications occurred in 13 patients (21%). Seven patients had recurrence of pain postoperatively. Overall 3- and 5-year actuarial survival rates were 34% and 17.4%, respectively. The corresponding figures for the R0 and combined R1-R2 groups were 45.8% and 23.5% (R0), and 11.4% (R1-R2; no 5-year survivors were observed in this group) (p < 0.025). Median survivals in the R0 and combined R1-R2 patients were 19 and 7 months, respectively. Different median survivals for the patients with residual tumor were as follows: intervertebral foramina, 5 months; subclavian artery (isolated), 9 months; subclavian artery (in association), 7 months; brachial plexus, 4 months; and vertebral body, 7 months. We conclude that combined radiosurgical treatment represents a valuable therapeutic option in the treatment of Pancoast tumor. In case of residual tumor a poor outcome may usually be anticipated, but in the majority of these patients the operation permits good control of the pain.