Surgery for lung cancer invading the mediastinum

Factors associated with incomplete resection for large, locally invasive non-small cell lung cancer

Background

Large, node-negative but locally invasive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is associated with increased perioperative risk but improved survival if a complete resection is obtained. Factors associated with positive margins in this population are not well-studied.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study using National Cancer Database (NCDB) for adult patients with >5 cm, clinically node-negative NSCLC with evidence of invasion of nearby structures [2006-2015]. Patients were classified as having major structure involvement (azygous vein, pulmonary artery/vein, vena cava, carina/trachea, esophagus, recurrent laryngeal/vagus nerve, heart, aorta, vertebrae) or chest wall invasion (rib pleura, chest wall, diaphragm). Our primary outcome was to evaluate factors associated with incomplete resection (microscopic: R1, macroscopic: R2). Kaplan-Meier analysis and cox multivariable regression models were used to evaluate overall survival (OS), 90-day mortality, and factors associated with positive margins.

Results

Among 2,368 patients identified, the median follow-up was 33.8 months [interquartile range (IQR), 12.6-66.5 months]. Most patients were white (86.9%) with squamous cell histology (47.3%). Major structures were involved in 26.4% of patients and chest wall invasion was seen in 73.6%. Four hundred and seventy-eight patients (20.2%) had an incomplete resection. Multivariable analysis revealed that black race [hazard ratio (HR) 1.568, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.109-2.218] and major structure involvement (HR 1.412, 95% CI: 1.091-1.827) was associated with increased risk of incomplete resection and surgery at an academic hospitals (HR 0.773, 95% CI: 0.607-0.984), adenocarcinoma histology (HR 0.672, 95% CI: 0.514-0.878), and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (HR 0.431, 95% CI: 0.316-0.587) were associated with decreased risk of incomplete resection. The 5-year OS was 43.7% in the entire cohort and 28.8% in patients with positive margins and 47.5% in patients with an R0 resection. Positive margin was also associated with a significantly higher 90-day mortality rate (9.9% versus 6.7%).

Conclusions

For patients with large, node-negative NSCLC invading nearby structures, R0 resection portends better survival. Treatment at academic centers, adenocarcinoma histology, and receipt of neoadjuvant chemotherapy are associated with R0 resection in this high-risk cohort.

Major vascular reconstructions in thoracic oncological surgery

The replacement of the superior vena cava and thoracic outlet vessels for thoracic malignancies often becomes necessary for radical oncological surgery. The pulmonary artery can be directly infiltrated by the tumor or affected by metastatic hilar lymph nodes. In some cases, it must be resected and reconstructed to achieve oncological radicality and/or avoid pneumonectomy. This study reflects a single-surgeon, retrospective experience spanning 6 years (2017-2023). We reviewed data from patients undergoing early anticoagulant therapy after superior vena cava or thoracic outlet vessels bypass and from patients undergoing early antiaggregation therapy following pulmonary artery reconstruction or resection. This series comprises 41 patients treated by a single surgeon. Fourteen patients underwent superior vena cava and thoracic outlet vessel procedures. Among these, eight patients received superior vena cava replacement (six for thymic malignancies and two for lung cancer), and six patients underwent jugular and subclavian artery/vein resection or replacement (all six had sarcomas). There was one death due to respiratory failure, not associated with bleeding or bypass closure. Additionally, there was one graft closure in a patient with severe coagulopathy and three instances of hemothorax (two patients had undiagnosed complex coagulopathies not evident in pre-operative routine blood tests). Following bleeding incidents, anticoagulation was initiated the next day in one case and based on hematological indications in the two coagulopathic patients. In the pulmonary artery series, 27 patients were involved: 20 underwent direct suture after tangential resection, and 7 received pericardial patch reconstruction. Only one case experienced bleeding necessitating redo-surgery. All these patients received early and chronic antiaggregation therapy after pulmonary artery reconstruction. We conclude that major thoracic oncological vascular surgery is safe and feasible with appropriate technical skills. However, achieving optimal results requires integration with correct early anticoagulant therapy or antiaggregation to maintain the patency of bypasses/grafts and prevent life-threatening risks associated with closure of the "new vessels."

Should we distinguish between intra and extrapericardial pulmonary artery involvement in NSCLC? A multicenter retrospective case-control study

BACKGROUND

T4 tumours comprise a heterogeneous group of locally invasive non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). Intrapericardial and extrapericardial involvement of the pulmonary artery (PA) may have a different prognosis. We compared the short and long-term surgery outcomes for NSCLC of the PA with intrapericardial or extrapericardial involvement.

METHODS

This is a multicenter retrospective study that included 129 patients who received an anatomical resection with PA resection and reconstruction in our centres between January 2000 and December 2018. Extrapericardial group included 70 patients, while the intrapericardial included 59.

RESULTS

Differences in outcomes were found in terms of left side surgery (more common in extrapericardial, p = 0.010), type of lung resection (p < 0.001), Clavien-Dindo score (p = 0.012) and 90-day mortality (1.4 vs 16.9%, p = 0.002). Overall survival (OS, 91.11 ± 63.78 vs 63.78 ± 58.241 months, p = 0.008) and tumour-free survival (TFS, 68.17 ± 71.57 vs 45.44 ± 61.32 months, p = 0.007) were statistically different. OS stratification for performed pneumonectomy, pathological lymph node status and pattern of recurrence were statistically different (p = 0.017, 0.040, <0.001). Differences were found in terms of recurrence months stratified for recurrence pattern (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

According to our results, the difference between PA involvement is significant in terms of survival and complications. A T4 subset or a shift to T3 for extrapericardial involvement of the PA may lead to a change in staging and surgical approach for these patients.

A diagnostic review of carcinomas and sarcomas of the mediastinum: making the diagnosis on fine-needle aspiration and core needle biopsy specimens

The mediastinum is a complex anatomic region that can pose many diagnostic challenges on fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and core needle biopsy (CNB). With the recent technological advancements in EBUS-TBNA and EUS-guided procedures, FNA/CNB is being increasingly utilized to obtain the initial and, in many cases, the only diagnosis. As a result, it is imperative to have an understanding of the pearls and pitfalls associated with both the more common and rarer malignancies that occur at this site. Although the vast majority of mediastinal malignancies encountered in routine clinical practice are metastatic carcinomas to mediastinal lymph nodes, primary tumors and tumors that directly extend into the mediastinum are also encountered. As always, a multimodal approach with clinical and radiographic correlation, a targeted IHC panel, and molecular testing when indicated are indisposable and necessary tools in the diagnostic workup of mediastinal malignancies. This review focuses on the salient diagnostic features of malignancies of epithelial and mesenchymal origin, excluding tumors of neurogenic, thymic, hematolymphoid, and germ cell origins, which are discussed in separate articles of this issue.

Is Surgery after Chemoradiotherapy Feasible in Lung Cancer Patients with Superior Vena Cava Invasion?

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to explore the possibility of surgery after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for locally advanced-non-small-cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) with superior vena cava (SVC) resection in terms of prognosis and early and late postoperative course.

METHODS

The medical records of NSCLC patients who underwent surgery after CRT at our institution between January 2001 and March 2016 were reviewed. We evaluated the feasibility of surgery with SVC resection after CRT.

RESULTS

A total of 8 LA-NSCLC patients were enrolled in this study. The SVC management included a graft replacement in two patients, pericardial patch repair in two, and direct suture closure in four. A complete resection was achieved in seven of the eight patients (87.5%). Postoperative early and late complication rate (Clavien-Dindo classification ≥ grade III) was 25%. All the complications were manageable, and no treatment-related deaths occurred in this series. Although seven out of eight patients showed good patency of reconstructed SVC, one patient exhibited the SVC occlusion during long-term follow-up period. Regarding the prognosis, the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 60.0%, and the 2-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate was 75.0%.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that surgery with SVC resection after CRT is a feasible procedure in terms of clinical outcomes and postoperative course.

Superior vena cava replacement combined with venovenous shunt for lung cancer and thymoma: a case series

Background

Superior vena cava (SVC) replacement is infrequently performed and technically challenging in low-volume centers. Venovenous shunt (VVS) technique is used to reduce SVC pressure during SVC replacement and has not been well reported. This study aimed to add information on this subject and evaluate the surgical outcomes of patients who underwent SVC replacement combined with VVS in our center.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of six patients who underwent SVC replacement combined with VVS from September 2011 to February 2017 was performed. Clinical characteristics, pathological features, operative characteristics, postoperative outcomes, and the survival of the six patients were reviewed.

Results

There were four males and two females with a median age of 44 years (range, 35-69 years). There were three lung cancer patients and three thymoma patients at a stage from IIIA to IVA. Five patients underwent induction therapy. Complete resection was performed on five patients. One patient underwent internal VVS, and the other five patients underwent external VVS. Prosthesis grafts were employed in five cases and autologous pericardium in one case. Three patients underwent single-vein reconstruction, and the other three patients underwent double-vein reconstruction. The median SVC clamping time was 75 minutes. There were no postoperative deaths or major complications. All patients were alive at follow-up, and no thrombosis was found in any of the grafts.

Conclusions

SVC replacement combined with VVS is technically feasible and safe. Although VVS technique is not a must, it may make SVC replacement safer in inexperienced centers. Surgery-based multidisciplinary treatment for selected patients with type T4 lung cancer and SVC involvement or thymoma and SVC involvement may achieve a favorable long-term outcome.

The technique of endoscopic airway tumor treatment

More than half of primary lung cancers are not resectable at diagnosis and 40% of deaths may be secondary to loco-regional disease. Many of these patients suffer from symptoms related to airways obstruction. Indications for therapeutic endoscopic treatment are palliation of dyspnea and other obstructive symptoms in advanced cancerous lesions and cure of early lung cancer. Bronchoscopic management is also indicated for all those patients suffering from benign or minimally invasive neoplasm who are not suitable for surgery due to their clinical conditions. Clinicians should select cases, evaluating tumor features (size, location) and patient characteristics (age, lung function impairment) to choose the most appropriate endoscopic technique. Laser therapy, electrocautery, cryotherapy and stenting are well-described techniques for the palliation of symptoms due to airway involvement and local treatment of endobronchial lesions. Newer technologies, with an established role in clinical practice, are endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), autofluorescence bronchoscopy (AFB), and narrow band imaging (NBI). Other techniques, such as endobronchial intra-tumoral chemotherapy (EITC), EBUS-guided-transbronchial needle injection or bronchoscopy-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA), are in development for the use within the airways. These endobronchial interventions are important adjuncts in the multimodality management of lung cancer and should become standard considerations in the management of patients with advanced lung cancer, benign or otherwise not approachable central airway lesions. We aimed at revising several endobronchial treatment modalities that can augment standard antitumor therapies for advanced lung cancer, including rigid and flexible bronchoscopy, laser therapy, endobronchial prosthesis, and photodynamic therapy (PDT).