Prognostic factors after surgical treatment of lung cancer invading the diaphragm

Management of Diaphragm Tumors

Diaphragm tumors are very rare, with secondary tumors being more common than primary tumors. The most common benign primary tumors include lipomas and cysts, and malignant primary tumors include rhabdomyosarcoma and leiomyosarcoma. Endometriosis is the most common benign secondary tumor, followed by malignant tumors with localized spread of disease. In addition, widely metastatic disease has been described. Benign lipomas and cysts can be managed conservatively, but more complex or concerning disease typically requires resection. The diaphragm can often be repaired primarily, though any large defect or tension would indicate the need for mesh or an autologous reconstruction.

Prognostic Differences in Subgroups of Patients With Surgically Resected T3 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

This study determined the characteristics and prognosis of each descriptor of T3 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

A total of 3,241 patients underwent an operation for NSCLC between 2001 and 2013, and this study included 461 patients who received complete anatomic resection of T3 NSCLC. The T3 descriptors were coded as follows: tumor invading main bronchus within 2 cm of the carina (T3-cent), tumor invading beyond visceral pleura (T3-inv), tumor larger than 7 cm (T3-size), separate tumor nodules (T3-sep), or tumor with combined T3 descriptors (T3-comb).

RESULTS

The T3 distribution was as follows: T3-cent, 75 patients (16.3%); T3-inv, 157 patients (34.1%); T3-size, 132 patients (28.6%); T3-sep, 34 patients (7.4%); and T3-comb, 63 patients (13.7%). Subgroup analyses revealed a significant survival benefit in the T3-cent group compared with the other groups (all p < 0.05). The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) values were 55.4%, 36.7%, 40.9%, 30.3%, and 32.0% in the T3-cent, T3-inv, T3-size, T3-sep, and T3-comb subgroups, respectively. Multivariable analyses revealed that age (p = 0.019), N status (p = 0.001), adjuvant chemotherapy (p < 0.001), and T3 descriptors (T3-cent versus others, p < 0.001) were the most important independent prognostic factors for DFS. Additional analyses were performed to evaluate prognostic factors for DFS in the T3-cent group. Multivariable analysis revealed that bronchoplastic procedures (p = 0.004) was an independent prognostic factor for DFS.

CONCLUSIONS

Survival for centrally located T3 NSCLC is better than other types of T3 NSCLC. Lung-preserving operations such as bronchoplastic procedures might result in improved survival of these patients.

The IASLC Lung Cancer Staging Project: Proposals for the Revisions of the T Descriptors in the Forthcoming Eighth Edition of the TNM Classification for Lung Cancer

INTRODUCTION

An international database was collected to inform the 8 edition of the anatomic classification of lung cancer. The present analyses concern its primary tumor (T) component.

METHODS

From 1999 to 2010, 77,156 evaluable patients, 70,967 with non-small-cell lung cancer, were collected; and 33,115 had either a clinical or a pathological classification, known tumor size, sufficient T information, and no metastases. Survival was measured from date of diagnosis or surgery for clinically and pathologically staged tumors. Tumor-size cutpoints were evaluated by the running log-rank statistics. T descriptors were evaluated in a multivariate Cox regression analysis adjusted for age, gender, histological type, and geographic region.

RESULTS

The 3-cm cutpoint significantly separates T1 from T2. From 1 to 5 cm, each centimeter separates tumors of significantly different prognosis. Prognosis of tumors greater than 5 cm but less than or equal to 7 cm is equivalent to T3, and that of those greater than 7 cm to T4. Bronchial involvement less than 2 cm from carina, but without involving it, and total atelectasis/pneumonitis have a T2 prognosis. Involvement of the diaphragm has a T4 prognosis. Invasion of the mediastinal pleura is a descriptor seldom used.

CONCLUSIONS

Recommended changes are as follows: to subclassify T1 into T1a (≤1 cm), T1b (>1 to ≤2 cm), and T1c (>2 to ≤3 cm); to subclassify T2 into T2a (>3 to ≤4 cm) and T2b (>4 to ≤5 cm); to reclassify tumors greater than 5 to less than or equal to 7 cm as T3; to reclassify tumors greater than 7 cm as T4; to group involvement of main bronchus as T2 regardless of distance from carina; to group partial and total atelectasis/pneumonitis as T2; to reclassify diaphragm invasion as T4; and to delete mediastinal pleura invasion as a T descriptor.

Lung cancer surgery: an up to date

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) GLOBOCAN World Cancer Report, lung cancer affects more than 1 million people a year worldwide. In Greece according to the 2008 GLOBOCAN report, there were 6,667 cases recorded, 18% of the total incidence of all cancers in the population. Furthermore, there were 6,402 deaths due to lung cancer, 23.5% of all deaths due to cancer. Therefore, in our country, lung cancer is the most common and deadly form of cancer for the male population. The most important prognostic indicator in lung cancer is the extent of disease. The Union Internationale Contre le Cancer (UICC) and the American Joint Committee for Cancer Staging (AJCC) developed the tumour, node, and metastases (TNM) staging system which attempts to define those patients who might be suitable for radical surgery or radical radiotherapy, from the majority, who will only be suitable for palliative measures. Surgery has an important part for the therapy of patients with lung cancer. "Lobectomy is the gold standard treatment". This statement may be challenged in cases of stage Ia cancer or in patients with limited pulmonary function. In these cases an anatomical segmentectomy with lymph node dissection is an acceptable alternative. Chest wall invasion is not a contraindication to resection. En-bloc rib resection and reconstruction is the treatment of choice. N2 disease represents both a spectrum of disease and the interface between surgical and non-surgical treatment of lung cancer Evidence from trials suggests that multizone or unresectable N2 disease should be treated primarily by chemoradiotherapy. There may be a role for surgery if N2 is downstaged to N0 and lobectomy is possible, but pneumonectomy is avoidable. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is considered a systemic disease at diagnosis, because the potential for hematogenous and lymphogenic metastases is very high. The efficacy of surgical intervention for SCLC is not clear. Lung cancer resection can be performed using several surgical techniques. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy is a safe, efficient, well accepted and widespread technique among thoracic surgeons. The 5-year survival rate following complete resection of lung cancer is stage dependent. Incomplete resection rarely is useful and cures the patient.

Anatomy and physiology of the thoracic lymphatic system

The thoracic lymphatic system is one of the most complex and poorly understood systems of the human body, and much is still to be learned, especially in lymphatic physiology. Knowledge of the normal anatomy of this system as well as of its variations is nevertheless important for thoracic surgeons investigating and treating patients with lung or esophageal neoplasms.

Newly designed bioabsorbable substitute for the treatment of diaphragmatic defects

PURPOSE

Earlier studies have investigated the suitability of various materials and autologous grafts for the repair of diaphragmatic defects. Our group investigated the feasibility of using an artificial diaphragm (AD) to repair wide diaphragmatic defects.

METHODS

Twelve pigs were laparotomized and, in each pig, a defect was fashioned by resecting a round 8-cm diameter hole in the left diaphragm. Next, the defect was repaired by implanting an AD. The animals were relaparotomized 8 or 24 weeks after implantation for gross, histological and radiological observation of the implanted sites.

RESULTS

All recipient animals survived until killing for evaluation. Chest X-ray examinations showed no differences between the preoperative diaphragms and the grafted diaphragms at 8 and 24 weeks after implantation. At 8 weeks after implantation, the implanted sites exhibited fibrous adhesions to the liver and lungs without deformities or penetrations. Parts of the surface tissue at the graft sites had a varnished appearance similar to those of the native diaphragm. Histology performed at 8 weeks detected no trace of the ADs in the graft sites; however, numerous inflammatory cells and profuse fibrous connective tissue were observed. At 24 weeks after implantation, no differences were found in the thorax between the areas with the grafts and the unaffected areas. Histology of the graft sites in the thorax confirmed growth of mesothelial cells similar to that observed in the native diaphragm.

CONCLUSIONS

Artificial diaphragms can be a novel substitute for diaphragmatic repair.

Reconstruction of complex thoraco-abdominal defects with extended anterolateral thigh flap

Background:

The reconstruction of complex thoraco-abdominal defects following tumour ablative procedures has evolved over the years from the use of pedicle flaps to free flaps. The free extended anterolateral thigh flap is a good choice to cover large defects in one stage.

Materials and Methods:

From 2004 to 2009, five patients with complex defects of the thoracic and abdominal wall following tumour ablation were reconstructed in one stage and were studied. The commonest tumour was chondrosarcoma. The skeletal component was reconstructed with methylmethacrylate bone cement and polypropylene mesh and the soft tissue with free extended anterolateral thigh flap. The flaps were anastomosed with internal mammary vessels. The donor sites of the flaps were covered with split-skin graft.

Result:

All the flaps survived well. One flap required re-exploration for venous congestion and was successfully salvaged. Two flaps had post operative wound infection and were managed conservatively. All flap donor sites developed hyper-pigmentation, contour deformity and cobble stone appearance.

Conclusion:

Single-stage reconstruction of the complex defects of the thoraco-abdominal region is feasible with extended anterolateral thigh flap and can be adopted as the first procedure of choice.

Resection of hepatocellular carcinoma recurring in the diaphragm after right hepatic lobectomy

We describe a 35-year-old man with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that recurred in the diaphragm after right hepatic lobectomy. The patient had undergone right hepatic lobectomy for HCC with chronic hepatitis B virus infection 1 year previously. On pathological examination, the tumor measured 15 × 14.4 × 11 cm and was moderately well differentiated. The surgical margins were negative. After 1 year, computed tomography of the abdomen revealed a mass extending from the right side of the diaphragm to the retroperitoneal space. The mass was enhanced in the early phase and washed out in the late phase. Extrahepatic recurrence of HCC in the diaphragm was diagnosed. We performed tumor resection with partial resection of the right side of the diaphragm and wedge resection of the right lower lobe of the lung. The diaphragm was reconstructed with a sheet of artificial pericardium. The histopathological diagnosis was recurrence of HCC in the diaphragm with invasion of the right lung. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 8. He underwent chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. After 9 months, the patient died of unresectable recurrence of HCC in the brain. No recurrence was detected in the right subphrenic area.

Tumors of the diaphragm

Primary tumors of the diaphragm are rare. The most common benign cystic lesions of the diaphragm are bronchogenic or mesothelial cysts, while the most common benign solid lesion is a lipoma. Benign tumors of the diaphragm are resected if they are symptomatic or if there is a doubt about the diagnosis. The most common primary malignant lesion is rhabdomyosarcoma. Malignant tumors are treated based on histology and often with chemotherapy and/or radiation along with surgical resection if feasible. Endometriosis, a benign process that metastasizes to the diaphragm, is typically treated medically; surgical ablation or resection is considered only after failed conservative treatment. Surgical resection of metastatic malignant tumors, such as ovarian cancer and thymoma, as well as malignancies affecting the diaphragm by direct extension, such as mesothelioma, lung, and esophageal cancer, may provide some survival advantage.

Reconstructive techniques after diaphragm resection

Diaphragmatic resection necessitates complete reconstruction to avoid respiratory compromise or the displacement of abdominal contents into the chest. Often the diaphragm can be reconstructed primarily, but with larger or complete resections, reconstruction with synthetic material or autologous tissues is the most appropriate choice. To reduce the risk of denervation of the diaphragm or large intraoperative blood loss, an in-depth knowledge of the diaphragmatic innervation and blood supply are necessary when performing diaphragm resection and reconstruction.

Reconstruction of diaphragm using autologous fascia lata: an experimental study in dogs

BACKGROUND

We investigated whether fascia lata is an appropriate material for reconstruction of the diaphragm.

METHODS

A diaphragmatic defect (2 cm by 5 cm) was reconstructed with a patch of autologous fascia lata in the experimental group (n = 12) and with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene in the control group (n = 12). Maximal tensile strength at the sutured region was measured serially.

RESULTS

The maximal tensile strength at the sutured region reconstructed with the fascia lata was 1.14 +/- 0.50 kgf 15 days and 2.04 +/- 0.94 kgf 30 days after operation. The values were higher than those of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (p < 0.0001). These values of fascia lata were close to the original maximal tensile strength of the muscular region of the diaphragm (1.52 to 1.66 kgf).

CONCLUSIONS

Reconstruction of diaphragm using autologous fascia lata is safe, easy, and inexpensive, and provides smooth wound healing. The only disadvantage is the necessity of a femoral incision for harvest; nevertheless, it may be worthwhile to use fascia lata in clinical trials to further assess its suitability as a reconstruction material.

Therapy for stage I and stage II non-small cell lung cancer

Despite complete resection of what seems to be all evident tumor, one third to three quarters of patients with stages I and II NSCLC ultimately succumb to this neoplasm. Patients who are cured of an original NSCLC or small cell cancer remain at risk for a new primary lung cancer. Although the importance of lifelong surveillance is clear, the extent and timing of optimal follow-up remain undefined. Although clinicians refer to the development after treatment of clinically discernible sites of tumor as "recurrence," it is probably more accurate to consider these foci as "persistence"--that is, the locoregional site was not sterilized by surgery, and the distant implants were present from the outset but undetected. Although data are sparse, induction and improved adjuvant therapy for early NSCLC may be helpful. Much further experience is needed. Further study and application of biologic indicators in addition to TNM staging likely will help identify patients at high risk for surgical failure who may benefit by combination treatment.

Results of surgical treatment of lung cancer involving the diaphragm

OBJECTIVES

Lung cancers with diaphragmatic invasion are categorized as T3 lesions, but the surgical results have not been well known. We retrospectively surveyed patients with resected primary lung cancers involving the diaphragm.

METHODS

A total of 16,771 patients underwent surgical resection for lung carcinoma between 1986 and 1995 at 31 institutions of the Lung Cancer Surgical Study Group in Japan. By investigating the database, we identified 63 patients (0. 38%) who underwent resection of T3 lung cancer invading the diaphragm. These patients constituted the study population, and their clinical and pathologic records were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

Tumor invasion to the diaphragm was diagnosed before operation only in 17 patients (27.0%). Complete resections of the primary lung tumors with the invaded diaphragm were performed in 55 patients (87.3%), of whom 26 had T3 N0 M0 diseases and 29 had T3 Nl-2 M0 diseases. The operative mortality was 1.6% in all patients. The 5-year survival of patients with complete resection was 22.6%, but there was no 4-year survivor in patients with incomplete resection (P =.024). The survivals of patients with completely resected T3 N0 M0 and T3 N1-2 M0 tumors were 28.3% and 18.1%, respectively (P =.013). In those patients, the depth of diaphragmatic involvement significantly affected the prognosis. The 5-year survival of the patients with shallow invasion (parietal pleura or subpleural tissue involvement) was 33.0%, whereas that of the patients with deep invasion (muscle or peritoneal infiltration) was 14.3% (P =.036).

CONCLUSIONS

In selected patients with lung carcinoma and diaphragmatic invasion, combined resection of the lung and diaphragm offers the prospect of cure with acceptable mortality. However, primary lung tumors with diaphragmatic invasion, especially invasion of the muscle layer or deeper tissue, are not considered to be T3 lesions, because these cancers are generally technically resectable but oncologically almost incurable.