Surgical treatment for brain metastases: prognostic factors and survival in 177 patients

Challenges in radiological evaluation of brain metastases, beyond progression

MRI is the cornerstone in the evaluation of brain metastases. The clinical challenges lie in discriminating metastases from mimickers such as infections or primary tumors and in evaluating the response to treatment. The latter sometimes leads to growth, which must be framed as pseudo-progression or radionecrosis, both inflammatory phenomena attributable to treatment, or be considered as recurrence. To meet these needs, imaging techniques are the subject of constant research. However, an exponential growth after radiotherapy must be interpreted with caution, even in the presence of results suspicious of tumor progression by advanced techniques, because it may be due to inflammatory changes. The aim of this paper is to familiarize the reader with inflammatory phenomena of brain metastases treated with radiotherapy and to describe two related radiological signs: "the inflammatory cloud" and "incomplete ring enhancement", in order to adopt a conservative management with close follow-up.

Surgical treatment of cerebellar metastases in elderly patients: A threshold that moves forward?

The impact of surgery for cerebellar brain metastases in elderly population has been the object of limited studies in literature. Given the increasing burden of their chronic illnesses, the decision to recommend surgery remains difficult. All patients aged ≥65 years, who underwent surgical resection of a cerebellar brain metastasis from May 2000 and May 2021 at IRCCS National Cancer Institute "Regina Elena", were analyzed. The study cohort includes 48 patients with a mean age of 70.8 years. 7 patients belonged to the II Class according to the RPA classification, 41 to the III Class; the median GPA classification was 1.5. Median pre-operative and post-operative KPS was 60. Median Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was 11; median 5-variable modified Frailty Index was 2. Overall, 14 patients (29%) presented perioperative neurologic and systemic complications. 34 patients (71%) were able to perform adjuvant therapies as RT and/or CHT after surgery. A higher CCI predicted complications occurrence (p = 0.044), while significant factors for a post-operative KPS ≥70, were i) hemispheric location of the metastasis, ii) higher pre-operative KPS, iii) RPA II classification. Median Overall Survival was 7 months. A post-operative KPS <70 (p = 0.004) and a short time interval between diagnosis of the primary tumor and cerebellar metastasis appearance, were predictive for a worse outcome (p = 0.012). Our study suggests that selected elderly patients with cerebellar metastases may benefit from microsurgery to continue their adjuvant therapies, although a high complications rate should be taken in account.

Metastatic Lesions of the Brain and Spine

Brain and spinal metastases are common in cancer patients and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Continued advancement in the systemic care of cancer has increased the life expectancy of patients, and consequently, the incidence of brain and spine metastasis has increased. There has been an increase in the understanding of oncogenic mutations, and research has also demonstrated spatial and temporal mutations in patients that may drive overall treatment resistance and failure. Combinatory treatments with radiation, surgery, and newer systemic therapies have continued to increase the life expectancy of patients with brain and spine metastases. Given the overall complexity of brain and spine metastases, this chapter aims to give a comprehensive overview and cover important topics concerning brain and spine metastases. This will include the molecular, genetic, radiographic, surgical, and non-surgical treatments of brain and spinal metastases.

Recurrent brain metastases: the role of resection of in a comprehensive multidisciplinary treatment setting

Background

Treatment decision for recurrent symptomatic brain metastases (BM) is challenging with scarce data regarding surgical resection. We therefore evaluated the efficacy of surgery for pretreated, recurrent BM in a comprehensive multidisciplinary treatment setting.

Methods

In a retrospective single center study, patients were analyzed, who underwent surgical resection of recurrent BM between 2007 and 2019. Intracranial event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated by Kaplan-Maier and Cox regression analysis.

Results

We included 107 patients with different primary tumor entities and individual previous treatment for BM. Primary tumors comprised non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (37.4%), breast cancer (19.6%), melanoma (13.1%), gastro-intestinal cancer (10.3%) and other, rare entities (19.6%). The number of previous treatments of BM ranged from one to four; the adjuvant treatment modalities comprised: none, focal or whole brain radiotherapy, brachytherapy and radiosurgery. The median pre-operative Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS) was 70% (range 40–100) and improved to 80% (range 0-100) after surgery. The complication rate was 26.2% and two patients died during the perioperative period. Sixty-seven (62.6%) patients received postoperative local radio-oncologic and/or systemic therapy. Median postoperative EFS and OS were 7.1 (95%CI 5.8–8.2) and 11.1 (95%CI 8.4–13.6) months, respectively. The clinical status (postoperative KPS ≥ 70 (HR 0.27 95%CI 0.16–0.46; p < 0.001) remained the only independent factor for survival in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Surgical resection of recurrent BM may improve the clinical status and thus OS but is associated with a high complication rate; therefore a very careful patient selection is crucial.

Prediction of Short and Long Survival after Surgery for Breast Cancer Brain Metastases

Background: Brain metastases requiring surgical treatment determine the prognosis of patients with breast cancer. We aimed to develop the scores for the prediction of short (<6 months) and long (≥3 years) survival after BCBM surgery. Methods: Female patients with BCBM surgery between 2008 and 2019 were included. The new scores were constructed upon independent predictors for short and long postoperative survival. Results: In the final cohort (n = 95), 18 (18.9%) and 22 (23.2%) patients experienced short and long postoperative survival, respectively. Breast-preserving surgery, presence of multiple brain metastases and age ≥ 65 years at breast cancer diagnosis were identified as independent predictors of short postoperative survival. In turn, positive HER2 receptor status in brain metastases, time interval ≥ 3 years between breast cancer and brain metastases diagnosis and KPS ≥ 90% independently predicted long survival. The appropriate short and long survival scores showed higher diagnostic accuracy for the prediction of short (AUC = 0.773) and long (AUC = 0.775) survival than the breast Graded Prognostic Assessment score (AUC = 0.498/0.615). A cumulative survival score (total score) showed significant association with overall survival (p = 0.001). Conclusion: We identified predictors independently impacting the prognosis after BCBM surgery. After external validation, the presented scores might become useful tools for the selection of proper candidates for BCBM surgery.

Modern possibilities of neurosurgical treatment of brain metastases

Despite significant progress in neuroimaging and introduction of new combined treatments for solid tumors, brain metastases are still adverse factor for overall survival. Brain metastases are diagnosed in 8-10% of patients and associated with extremely poor prognosis. These lesions result focal and general cerebral symptoms. Literature review highlights the current principles of surgical treatment of metastatic brain lesions in patients with solid tumors.

Brain metastases: increasingly precision medicine-a narrative review

Objective

To broadly review the modern management of brain metastases.

Background

Brain metastases are the commonest neurological manifestation of cancer and a major cause of morbidity in cancer patients. Brain metastases are increasing in frequency, as a result of longer life expectancy of cancer patients, more sensitive methods for brain metastasis detection and an ageing population. The proportional incidence of brain metastases according to cancer of origin, from greatest to least, is lung cancer, melanoma, renal, breast and colorectal cancers. Patients with lung cancer and melanoma are most likely to have brain metastases at diagnosis. Brain metastases cause a variety of symptoms, depending on their size and location, whether they cause mass effect and oedema, compression of the brain parenchyma, or focal neurological deficits. The major differential diagnoses of brain metastases include primary tumours and vascular/inflammatory lesions. Prognosis is dependent on the site, number and volume of lesions, the patients’ performance status, age and the activity and extent of extracranial disease.

Methods

English literature articles in PubMed from 1950 to June 2021 were reviewed. Article bibliographies provided further references.

Conclusions

Treatment of brain metastasis patients has moved from considering them as a homogenous population of patients, to individualised treatment. In those brain metastases patients of satisfactory performance status with a solitary lesion, especially one in a non-eloquent/accessible area causing significant mass effect and/or raised intracranial pressure or for whom the diagnosis is in doubt (histology needed), surgical resection is usually the treatment of choice. For multiple brain metastases, radiotherapy with or without systemic therapies are usually employed. For relatively fit patients with limited numbers of brain metastases (e.g., 4 or less), stereotactic radiosurgery is standard of care. Current clinical trials are testing the efficacy of stereotactic treatment alone for >4 brain metastases (although it is increasingly used for such patients in many centres) as well as integration of local therapies with targeted and immunological therapies in appropriately selected cases. In certain circumstances, cranial irradiation can be omitted.

Supracerebellar infratentorial inverted subchoroidal approach to lateral ventricle lesions: Anatomical study and illustrative case

Background:

This study provides an anatomical description of a novel supracerebellar infratentorial inverted subchoroidal (SIIS) approach to the lateral ventricle. An illustrative case is presented in which this approach was used to simultaneously resect two tumors residing in the posterior fossa and lateral ventricle.

Methods:

The SIIS approach was performed on five cadaveric heads using microsurgical and endoscopic techniques. Target points were defined in the lateral ventricle, and quantitative analysis was performed to assess limits of exposure within the lateral ventricle. Two coronal reference planes corresponding to the anterior and posterior margins of the lateral ventricle body were defined. Distances from target points to reference planes were measured, and an imaging-based predicting system was provided according to obtained measurements to guide preoperative approach selection.

Results:

Mean (standard deviation) distances between the predefined target points indicating the anterior limits and the anterior plane were 9 (7.0) mm, 11 (5.8) mm, and 7 (5.1) mm; posterior limits had distances of 8 (3.0) mm, 17 (9.2) mm, 15 (9.2) mm, and 9 (7.2) mm to the posterior plane. Limiting factors of the choroidal fissure dissection were the venous angle anteriorly and thalamocaudate vein posteriorly. The position of the venous angle had a high negative correlation with the anterior exposure limit (r = –0.87, P < 0.001; r = –0.92, P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

A step-by-step anatomical description of a new SIIS approach is given, and a quantitative description of the limits of the exposure is provided to evaluate the application of this approach.

Changing Therapeutic Landscape for Melanoma With Multiple Brain Metastases

Over 90 000 people are expected to be diagnosed with melanoma in the United States this year. The development of brain metastases is particularly difficult to manage. Over the past few years, melanoma patients with multiple unresectable brain metastases for which stereotactic surgery might also not be a viable option have fortunately experienced a dramatic expansion in available management options given improvements made to targeted agents, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy. Whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) is a long-standing radiation technique that has become increasingly sophisticated. In this review, we summarize retrospective and prospective studies on individual advances in targeted agents, immunotherapy, and WBRT, highlighting important variables such as overall survival, intracranial progression-free survival, control and response rates, and toxicities. We also discuss the recent integration of these therapies into a multimodality approach, which has shown promise in the clinical setting although toxicities have not been insignificant. Finally, we describe ongoing prospective trials relevant to melanoma with brain metastases, and we conclude with our own thoughts on the optimal approach for these patients.

[What is the place of surgery in the management of brain metastases in 2020?]

Brain metastases are the most common intracranial tumors and are associated with a dismal prognosis. The management of patients with brain metastases has become more important because of the increased incidence of these tumours, the better treatment of the systemic disease and the improvement of surgical techniques. The treatment requires multidisciplinary approaches and become complex because of new emerging systemic therapy and advancements in neurosurgery and radiation oncology. The surgical treatment has an indispensable role to obtain a tissue diagnosis, in relieving intracranial effect mass and improving neurological status by improving induced encephalopathy. An understanding of the role and indications of the surgery in patients with metastatic brain lesions is essential for the effective management of this growing population.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors of perioperative outcomes in elderly patients with intracranial tumors

We aimed to study the clinical and radiological characteristics of intracranial tumors and explore the possible predictive value of these characteristics in relation to perioperative outcomes in elderly patients. We retrospectively identified 1535 elderly patients (aged 65 years and older) with intracranial tumors who underwent surgical resection between 2014 and 2018 in Beijing Tiantan Hospital. Factors associated with an increased risk of unfavorable perioperative performance and complications were investigated. Meningiomas were the most common tumors in the cohort (43.26%). The overall risk of perioperative death was 0.59%, and 42.80% of patients were discharged with unfavorable performance (Karnofsky Performance Scale [KPS] score ≤ 70). Of all patients, 39.22% had one or more complications after surgical resection. Aggressive surgery significantly lowered the rate of unfavorable perioperative outcomes (P = 0.000) with no increase in postoperative complications (P = 0.153), but it failed to be an independent predictor for perioperative outcomes in the multivariate analysis. Low performance status at admission (KPS ≤ 70) was independently associated with both unfavorable perioperative performance (P = 0.000) and complications (P = 0.000). In addition to the histopathological patterns of tumors, low performance status at admission is an independent predictor for both unfavorable perioperative performance and the occurrence of complications in elderly patients with intracranial tumors who have undergone surgical resections. However, age is not associated with perioperative outcomes in elderly patients.

Operative and peri-operative considerations in the management of brain metastasis

The number of patients who develop metastatic brain lesions is increasing as the diagnosis and treatment of systemic cancers continues to improve, resulting in longer patient survival. The role of surgery in the management of brain metastasis (BM), particularly multiple and recurrent metastases, remains controversial and continues to evolve. However, with appropriate patient selection, outcomes after surgery are typically favorable. In addition, surgery is the only means to obtain a tissue diagnosis and is the only effective treatment modality to quickly relieve neurological complications or life-threatening symptoms related to significant mass effect, CSF obstruction, and peritumoral edema. As such, a thorough understanding of the role of surgery in patients with metastatic brain lesions, as well as the factors associated with surgical outcomes, is essential for the effective management of this unique and growing patient population.

Acute intracranial hypertension management in metastatic brain tumor: A French national survey

BACKGROUND

Brain metastases occur in 15-30% of cancer patients and their frequency has increased over time. They can cause intracranial hypertension, even in the absence of hydrocephalus. Emergency surgical management of brain metastasis-related intracranial hypertension is not guided by specific recommendations.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to make a French national survey of emergency management of intracranial hypertension without hydrocephalus in the context of cerebral metastasis.

METHODS

A national online survey of French neurosurgeons from 16 centers was conducted, consisting of three clinical files, with multiple-choice questions on diagnostic and therapeutic management in different emergency situations.

RESULTS

In young patients without any previously known primary cancer, acute intracranial hypertension due to a seemingly metastatic single brain tumor indicated emergency surgery for all those interviewed; 61% aimed at complete resection; brain MRI was mandatory for 74%. When a primary cancer was known, 74% of respondents were more likely to propose surgery if an oncologist confirmed the possibility of adjuvant treatment; 27% were more likely to operate on an emergency basis when resection was scheduled after multi-disciplinary discussion, prior to acute degradation.

CONCLUSION

Currently, there is no consensus on the emergency management of intracranial hypertension in metastatic brain tumor patients. In case of previously known primary cancer, a discussion with the oncology team seems necessary, even in emergency. Decision criteria emerge from our literature review, but require analysis in further studies.

Advanced Age Is Not a Universal Predictor of Poorer Outcome in Patients Undergoing Neurosurgery

BACKGROUND

Advances in medical care and technology have dramatically improved outcomes in patients undergoing neurosurgical intervention; however, certain patient subgroups (e.g., older adults) may encounter greater rates of morbidity and mortality in the perioperative period. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of patient and hospital characteristics, including age, on in-hospital mortality, and complication rates of 3 routine neurosurgical operations: subdural hematoma evacuation, brain tumor resection, and degenerative spine procedures.

METHODS

A retrospective multivariable analysis of the 2014 National Inpatient Sample was performed. The setting was a national sample of hospitalized inpatient stays occurring in 2014 in the United States. Patients (N = 48,963) included those undergoing subdural hematoma evacuation, brain tumor resection, or degenerative spine procedures, stratified according to age group (<65, 65-74, 75-84, 85+ years). Mortality and complication rate were measured.

RESULTS

Age ≥85 years was found to increase the odds of mortality (odds ratio 11.32) and complications (odds ratio 2.64) in patients undergoing degenerative spine procedures, whereas age had no significant effect on mortality and complication rate in subdural hematoma evacuation and brain tumor resection. Multiple comorbidities and nonelective status were predictors of increased mortality and complication rate in all procedure groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, our data would suggest that increased age does not universally predict worse outcome and that, for many procedures, surgical decision-making in older patients should instead consider other pertinent factors, such as comorbidities and elective status.

Outcome after surgery in supratentorial and infratentorial solitary brain metastasis

BACKGROUND

The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate and compare the outcome after surgery in patients with a supratentorial solitary metastasis (SSM) and an infratentorial solitary metastasis (ISM). A worse prognosis has been reported in ISM.

METHODS

Fifty-two patients with a newly diagnosed solitary brain metastasis on MRI were included to identify risk factors affecting the outcome. Key variables included tumor size, staging of the primary tumor, time span of presurgical work-up, and surgical technique. Outcome variables included postoperative complications, tumor recurrence, and mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was applied.

RESULTS

Thirty patients with a SSM and 22 patients with an ISM underwent gross total resection. The tumor size did not have a statistical significant effect on survival. Presurgical work-up time was similar in SSM and ISM. Postoperative complications were more frequently encountered in ISM. Recurrence rate was comparable in SSM and ISM. Carcinomatous meningitis (CM) was more frequently seen in ISM, and CM was seen more often with the piecemeal resection technique. There was no statistical difference in overall survival between SSM and ISM.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified factors that play a role in the outcome after surgery in patients with ISM and SSM on MRI. Postoperative complications seemed to be higher in ISM and CM was more often seen in ISM, but the worse prognosis in patients with ISM compared with SSM could not be confirmed.

Cerebral metastases: do size, peritumoral edema, or multiplicity predict infiltration into brain parenchyma?

BACKGROUND

Brain metastases (BMs) are the most frequent malignancy of the central nervous system. Previous research suggested that some metastases show infiltrative behavior rather than sharp demarcation. We hypothesized that three magnetic resonance (MR) imaging parameters-(a) tumor size, (b) extent of peritumoral edema, and (c) presence of multiple BMs-are predictors of cellular invasion beyond the surgically identifiable tumor margins.

METHODS

We performed a post hoc analysis on prospectively collected data of patients with BMs. Biopsies beyond the resection margin and immunohistochemistry were performed to assess infiltration status. The three MR imaging parameters were dichotomized into diameters ≤ 30 mm ("small") and > 30 mm ("large"), amount of peritumoral edema "extended" and "limited," and "multiple BMs" and "single BMs," respectively. The association between infiltration status and imaging parameters was calculated using chi-square test.

RESULTS

Biopsy beyond the resection margin was performed in 77 patients; 49 (63.6%) had supramarginal infiltration and 28 patients (36.4%) showed no infiltration. Histological evidence of tumor infiltration was found in 25/41 patients with smaller lesions (61%) and in 24/36 with larger lesions (66.7%, p = 0.64), in 28/44 patients with limited (63.6%) and in 21/33 patients with extended edema (63.6%, p = 1.0), in 28/45 patients (62.2%) with single BM and in 21/32 patients (65.6%) with multiple BMs (p = 0.81).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the post hoc analysis of our prospective trial data, we could not confirm the hypothesis that infiltration of brain parenchyma beyond the glial pseudocapsule is associated with the MR imaging parameters tumor size, extent of edema, or multiplicity of metastases.

Sodium fluorescein-guided brain tumor surgery under the YELLOW-560-nm surgical microscope filter in pediatric age group: feasibility and preliminary results

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the feasibility and safety of sodium fluorescein (Na-Fl)-guided surgery with the use of the PENTERO 900 surgical microscope (Carl Zeiss, Meditec, Oberkochen, Germany) equipped with the YELLOW-560-nm filter and low-dose Na-Fl (2 mg/kg) in pediatric brain tumor surgery.

METHODS

The study included 23 pediatric patients with various intracranial pathologies, who underwent Na-Fl-guided surgery between April 2015 and February 2018. Clinical features, surgical observations, extent of resection, and tumor histopathology were retrospectively analyzed. The use of YELLOW-560-nm filter was found "helpful" if the discrimination of the pinkish brain tissue and bright yellow stained tumor tissue was clear. Otherwise, it was described as "not helpful."

RESULTS

There were 11 female and 12 male patients with a mean age of 9.4 years. There were 7 brain stem/tectal plate gliomas, 6 supratentorial tumors, 4 intraventricular tumors, 2 pineal tumors, 2 infratentorial tumors, 1 clivus tumor, and 1 tumor with supra- and infratentorial extensions in the current series. Na-Fl was found helpful by means of the tumor demarcation in 20 instances (87%). In 11 of these 20 operations (55%), a total resection was achieved regardless of the tumor pathology. A subtotal resection was achieved in the remaining 9 patients (45%). No adverse events or side effects were encountered with regard to Na-Fl use.

CONCLUSION

Na-Fl guidance with the use of the YELLOW-560 filter is safe and effective during brain tumor surgery in pediatric age group.

Safety of resident training in the microsurgical resection of intracranial tumors: Data from a prospective registry of complications and outcome

The aim of the present study was to assess the safety of microsurgical resection of intracranial tumors performed by supervised neurosurgical residents. We analyzed prospectively collected data from our institutional patient registry and dichotomized between procedures performed by supervised neurosurgery residents (defined as teaching procedures) or board-certified faculty neurosurgeons (defined as non-teaching procedures). The primary endpoint was morbidity at discharge, defined as a postoperative decrease of ≥10 points on the Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS). Secondary endpoints included 3-month (M3) morbidity, mortality, the in-hospital complication rate, and complication type and severity. Of 1,446 consecutive procedures, 221 (15.3%) were teaching procedures. Patients in the teaching group were as likely as patients in the non-teaching group to experience discharge morbidity in both uni- (OR 0.85, 95%CI 0.60-1.22, p = 0.391) and multivariate analysis (adjusted OR 1.08, 95%CI 0.74-1.58, p = 0.680). The results were consistent at time of the M3 follow-up and in subgroup analyses. In-hospital mortality was equally low (0.24 vs. 0%, p = 0.461) and the likelihood (p = 0.499), type (p = 0.581) and severity of complications (p = 0.373) were similar. These results suggest that microsurgical resection of carefully selected intracranial tumors can be performed safely by supervised neurosurgical residents without increasing the risk of morbidity, mortality or perioperative complications. Appropriate allocation of operations according to case complexity and the resident's experience level, however, appears essential.

Brain metastases

An estimated 20% of all patients with cancer will develop brain metastases, with the majority of brain metastases occurring in those with lung, breast and colorectal cancers, melanoma or renal cell carcinoma. Brain metastases are thought to occur via seeding of circulating tumour cells into the brain microvasculature; within this unique microenvironment, tumour growth is promoted and the penetration of systemic medical therapies is limited. Development of brain metastases remains a substantial contributor to overall cancer mortality in patients with advanced-stage cancer because prognosis remains poor despite multimodal treatments and advances in systemic therapies, which include a combination of surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapies. Thus, interest abounds in understanding the mechanisms that drive brain metastases so that they can be targeted with preventive therapeutic strategies and in understanding the molecular characteristics of brain metastases relative to the primary tumour so that they can inform targeted therapy selection. Increased molecular understanding of the disease will also drive continued development of novel immunotherapies and targeted therapies that have higher bioavailability beyond the blood-tumour barrier and drive advances in radiotherapies and minimally invasive surgical techniques. As these discoveries and innovations move from the realm of basic science to preclinical and clinical applications, future outcomes for patients with brain metastases are almost certain to improve.

Application of fluorescein sodium in breast cancer brain-metastasis surgery

Objective

Surgical resection serves an important role in the multidisciplinary treatment of cerebral metastases (CMs). Conventional white-light, microsurgical, and circumferential stripping of CMs is standard neurosurgical procedure, but is associated with a high recurrence rate. Based on this outcome, there is an urgent need for a new surgical strategy, such as fluorescence-guided resection, for CMs, in order to achieve total removal.

Methods

A retrospective study was carried out in 38 patients clinically and pathologically diagnosed with breast cancer brain metastasis at three medical centers from May 2012 to June 2016. The study comprised group 1 (fluorescein-guided surgery) and group 2 (standard microsurgery). In group 1, 5 mg/kg of fluorescein sodium was injected intravenously after an allergy test and before general anesthesia for 17 patients. A yellow 560 filter was employed for microsurgical tumor resection. Group 2 consisted of 21 patients for whom fluorescein was not administered.

Results

Surgical outcomes were assessed concerning the extent of resection and Karnofsky performance status. Gross total resection was achieved in these patients, with high fluorescence markedly enhancing tumor visibility. The extent of resection had a powerful influence on performance status. Overall survival after CM was 24.1 months in patients given fluorescein and was 22.8 months in the nonfluorescein group.

Conclusion

Fluorescein-guided surgery is a simple, safe, and practical method to resect breast cancer brain metastasis, and leads to a higher proportion of resection compared to common microsurgery. This offers a tremendous advantage when navigating a tiny tumor, and improves the quality of life of patients with CM.

Local recurrence of brain metastasis reduced by intra-operative hyperthermia treatment

PURPOSE

Brain metastasis is a common complication in cancer patients. Local recurrence after total resection of metastatic brain tumor has been frequently reported. In this study, we developed a new hyperthermia device and applied it to metastatic brain tumor patients intra-operatively to study if hyperthermia treatment could reduce local tumor recurrence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 63 metastatic brain patients were enrolled in the study with an informed consent obtained from every patient. After total resection of the tumor, the hyperthermia device was applied intra-operatively to the resection cavity. The surrounding brain tissue at 5 mm in depth from the tumor resection margin was raised to 42.5 °C for a total of 60 minutes (Clinical Research Information Service Registration Number: KCT0001308).

RESULTS

A total of 10 local recurrences were observed in 63 patients who received hyperthermia treatment showing a local recurrence rate of 15.8%. It was significantly lower than the local recurrence rate of those who received conventional treatment (34%) when analyzed with one tailed z-test (p value: .001). Kaplan-Meier analysis also showed a significantly lower recurrence rate in the hyperthermia treatment group (p value: .0003). Complications included two cases of seizures and two cases of wound infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of this study suggest that intra-operative hyperthermia treatment after total resection of metastatic brain tumor could reduce local recurrence of tumor. We believe that intra-operative hyperthermia treatment could be used as an adjuvant therapy to surgery and post-operative radiotherapy, or as a salvage treatment in patients who cannot receive further radiotherapy.

Simultaneous Resection of Multiple Metastatic Brain Tumors with Multiple Keyhole Craniotomies

BACKGROUND

The proper management of symptomatic patients with 2 or more brain metastases is not entirely clear, and the surgical outcomes of these patients undergoing multiple simultaneous craniotomies have not been well described. In this article, we describe patient outcomes after simultaneously resecting metastatic lesions through multiple keyhole craniotomies.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of data obtained for all patients undergoing resection of multiple brain metastases in one operation between 2014 and 2016. We describe a technique for resecting multiple metastatic lesions and share the patient outcomes of this operation.

RESULTS

Twenty patients with 46 tumor resections were included in the study. The primary site of metastases for the majority of patients was lung, followed by melanoma, renal, breast, colon, and testes. Nine of 20 (45%) patients had 2 preoperative intracranial lesions, and 11 (55%) had three or more. Karnofsky performance scales were calculated for 14 patients: postoperatively 10 of 14 (71%) scores improved, 2 of 14 (14%) worsened, and 2 of 14 (14%) remained unchanged. After surgery, 9 of 14 (64%) patients were weaned off steroids by 2-month follow-up. The overall median survival time from date of surgery was 10.8 months.

CONCLUSIONS

We present patient outcomes after simultaneously resecting metastatic brain tumors through multiple keyhole craniotomies in symptomatic patients. Our results suggest comparable outcomes and similar surgical risk compared with those undergoing resection of a single brain metastasis. Resection of multiple brain metastases may improve Karnofsky Performance Scale scores in the early postoperative period and allow patients to be weaned from steroids.

Prognostic factors in patients treated with surgery for brain metastases: A single-center retrospective analysis of 125 patients

BACKGROUD

Brain metastases are the most common malignant intracranial tumors, however, the prognosis of patients is still poor despite multiple treatment have been applicated. The aim of this study was to analyse parameters influence overall survival from patient, tumor and treatment. Summarized characteristics of long-time (>2 years) survivors furtherly.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In total, clinical data of 125patients between 2004 and 2015 were collected and the parameters from patients, tumor and treatment were evaluated. Univariate analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier and Log-rank test, multivariate analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazards regression model, respectively.

RESULTS

Median overall survival time was 14.5 (95% confidence interval were 12.3-16.7) months and median survival time was 34.5 (95% confidence interval were 30.1-38.9) months in long-time survivors, respectively.KPS, RPA, GPA, number of brain metastases, extracranial metastases, treatment pattern and resection method were identified influence survival time significantly by univariate analysis. KPS, number of brain metastases, extracranial metastases and treatment pattern were independent prognosis factors by multivariate analysis. Long-time survivors obtain higher KPS, complete resection, adjuvant therapy postoperative more commonly.

CONCLUSION

Higher KPS, GPA I,RPA3.5∼4, single brain metastases, adjuvant therapy postoperative and complete resection were significant improve survival time, however, extracranial metastases significant decreased survival time. Patients who have good status and received multimodality therapy involved complete resection can survive longer time more commonly.

[Crizotinib Treatment Combined with Resection and Whole-brain Radiation Therapy in A ROS1 Rearranged Lung Adenocarcinoma with Brain Metastasis: Case Report and Literature Review]

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer with brain metastasis had poor prognosis. Crizotinib had been confirmed to be used in ROS1 (C-ros oncogene 1 receptor tyrosine kinase) rearranged lung adenocarcinoma, but its efficacy in lung cancer with brain metastasis was poor due to the blood brain barrier. In the present study, we reported one case of ROS1 fusion lung adenocarcinoma with symptomatic brain matastasis, who was treated with brain metastases resection, crizotinib, and whole brain radiotherapy plus boost to residual brain metastasis. The safety and efficacy was summarized.

METHODS

At first, surgical resection was used to relive mass effect and to biopsy. Then crizotinib (250 mg, bid) was chosen for the existence of ROS1 fusion gene. Whole brain radiotherapy plus boost to residual brain metastasis were used after surgery. Objective response was evaluated by Response Evaluation Criteriation in Solid Tumours (RECIST) v1.1 and brain metastasis were evaluated by computer tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) image. Adverse events were evaluated according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTC AE) v4.0.

RESULTS

After taking crizotinib for 3 months, the lung lesions were close to complete response (CR), the brain metastasis were partial response (PR), the abdomen metastasis were CR and the symptom of blurred vision relieved.

CONCLUSIONS

Crizotinib combined with palliative operation and radiation therapy (WBRT plus boost to residual brain metastasis) in the treatment of ROS1 fusion gene positive lung adenocarcinoma with symptomatic brain metastases, can effectively control intracranial lesions with good tolerance.

Methods and results of locoregional treatment of brain metastases in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

This article presents methods and results of surgery and radiotherapy of brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer (BMF-NSCLC). Patients with single BMF-NSCLC, with Karnofsky score ≥ 70 and controlled extracranial disease are the best candidates for surgery. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is recommended in patients with 1-3 BMF-NSCLC below 3-3.5 cm, with minor neurological symptoms, located in parts of the brain not accessible to surgery, with controlled extracranial disease. Whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) following SRS reduces the risk of local relapse; in selected patients median survival reaches more than 10 months. Whole brain radiotherapy alone is a treatment in patients with multiple metastases, poor performance status, uncontrolled extracranial disease, disqualified from surgery or SRS with median survival 3 to 6 months. There is no doubt that there are patients with BMF-NSCLC who should receive only the best supportive care. There is a debate in the literature on how to select these patients.

The use of the YELLOW 560 nm surgical microscope filter for sodium fluorescein-guided resection of brain tumors: Our preliminary results in a series of 28 patients

OBJECTIVE

Sodium fluorescein (Na-Fl) is a fluorescent dye that accumulates in tumoral tissues via disrupted blood-brain barrier. It has been used in fluorescence-guided surgery for various brain tumors. Herein, we report our initial experience and preliminary results for the first 28 patients who were operated on under Na-Fl guidance with the use of a special filter on the surgical microscope.

PATIENT AND METHODS

Between January and November 2015, 200 mg (2-4 mg/kg) of Na-Fl was administered in 28 patients (30 surgeries) after anesthesia induction. The clinical features, surgical observations, extent of resection on the postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histopathology of the tumors were retrospectively analyzed. The use of YELLOW 560 nm filter was found "helpful" if the discrimination of the pinkish brain tissue and bright yellow stained tumor tissue was clear. Otherwise, it was described as "not helpful.

RESULTS

There were 23 high-grade and 7 metastatic tumors in our study group. Na-Fl was found helpful by means of the tumor demarcation in 29 of 30 operations (97%). In 23 of these 29 operations (79%), a total resection was achieved regardless of the tumor pathology. No adverse events were encountered regarding the use of Na-Fl.

CONCLUSION

Na-Fl guidance with the use of a YELLOW 560 filter is safe and effective in high-grade glioma and metastatic tumor surgery. We think it is feasible for increasing the extent of resection in these tumors.

Prognostic factors and long-term survival in surgically treated brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVE

Brain metastases (BMs) are the most common malignant brain tumors in adults. Despite multimodal treatment options such as microsurgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, prognosis still remains very poor. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) constitutes the most common source of brain metastases. In this study, prognostic factors in this patient population were identified through an in-depth analysis of clinical parameters of patients with BMs from NSCLC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Clinical data of 114 NSCLC cancer patients who underwent surgery for BMs at the University Hospital Heidelberg were retrospectively reviewed for age, gender, type of treatment, time course of the disease, presence of neurologic symptoms, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), smoking history, presence of extracranial metastases at initial diagnosis of NSCLC, number, location and size of brain metastases. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed using the Log-rank test and Cox' proportional hazard model, respectively.

RESULTS

Median survival time from surgery for BMs was 11.2 months. 18.4% (21 of 114) patients were long-term survivors (>24 months; range 26.3-75.1 months). Age, gender, size and number of intracranial metastases were not significantly associated with patient survival. Univariate analysis identified complete resection, postoperative whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and a preoperative KPS of >80% as positive prognostic factors. Infratentorial location and presence of extracranial metastases were shown to be negative prognostic factors. Surgery for the primary tumor was associated with a superior patient outcome both in univariate and multivariate analyses.

CONCLUSION

Our data strongly suggest that surgical treatment of the primary tumor and complete resection of brain metastases in NSCLC patients followed by WBRT improve survival. Moreover, long-term survivors (>2 years) were more frequent than previously reported.

Lung cancer: Biology and treatment options

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer mortality in men and women in the U.S. and worldwide. About 90% of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking and the use of tobacco products. However, other factors such as radon gas, asbestos, air pollution exposures, and chronic infections can contribute to lung carcinogenesis. In addition, multiple inherited and acquired mechanisms of susceptibility to lung cancer have been proposed. Lung cancer is divided into two broad histologic classes, which grow and spread differently: small-cell lung carcinomas (SCLCs) and non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs). Treatment options for lung cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. Therapeutic-modalities recommendations depend on several factors, including the type and stage of cancer. Despite the improvements in diagnosis and therapy made during the past 25 years, the prognosis for patients with lung cancer is still unsatisfactory. The responses to current standard therapies are poor except for the most localized cancers. However, a better understanding of the biology pertinent to these challenging malignancies, might lead to the development of more efficacious and perhaps more specific drugs. The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent developments in lung cancer biology and its therapeutic strategies, and discuss the latest treatment advances including therapies currently under clinical investigation.

Differences in the Pathological Diagnosis and Repeat Craniotomy Rates in Cerebral Tumors Undergoing Biopsy or Resection in an Urban Versus Regional Center

Primary intracranial tumors occur with an incidence of between 2.5 and 6 per 100,000 individuals. They require specialist expertise for investigation and management including input from radiology, pathology, neurosurgery, and oncology. Therefore, most patients with intracranial neoplasia are investigated and managed in larger hospitals. The geographically dispersed population of Australia has facilitated the development of neurosurgical units in regional areas. However, major metropolitan hospitals are over-represented compared with regional centers in most research cohorts. We therefore sought to investigate the spectrum of intracranial neoplasms undergoing biopsy and surgery at a major regional center in Australia and to compare the demographic and pathological features to similar cohorts treated in major metropolitan hospitals.We searched the pathological databases of both a major regional pathology provider and a major metropolitan pathology practice, which provides surgical pathology services for both a large private and a large public neurosurgical hospital, to identify all cerebral tumors undergoing biopsy or resection over a 14-year period (calendar years 2001 and 2014).In all, 3717 cerebral tumors were identified. Among them, 51% were from an urban private hospital, 33% from an urban public hospital, and 16% from a regional public hospital. Overall, one-third of them were neuroepithelial in origin, a quarter metastatic disease, a fifth meningeal, and one-tenth were pituitary adenomas. The regional center treated a higher proportion of metastatic tumors and less meningeal tumors compared with the urban center. Additionally, patients were less likely to undergo a second operation in the regional center (P < 0.001). The differences give an important insight into the burden of neurosurgical disease in regional Australia, and how it differs from that encountered in large metropolitan centers.

Survival of patients with multiple brain metastases treated with whole-brain radiotherapy

AIM

To report the survival outcomes of patients with multiple brain metastases treated with whole-brain radiotherapy.

PATIENTS & METHODS

From 2004 to 2012, patients with brain metastases treated with whole-brain radiotherapy were included. Overall survival (OS) was calculated from the start of radiation treatment. Univariate and multivariate proportional hazard model of OS was conducted. Generalized R(2) statistic (ranged from 0 to 1) was calculated to determine the association with the outcome.

RESULTS

Nine-hundred-ninety-one patients were included. The actuarial median OS time was 2.7 months (95% CI: 2.5-2.9). Patients of older age (>65 years), lower Karnofsky performance status, not postoperative and patients with gastrointestinal, genitourinary or lung as opposed to breast cancer were more likely to have a shorter survival.

CONCLUSION

Short median survival of 2.7 months may reflect poorer prognosis of patients referred due to large amount of referrals for radiosurgery. Prognostic factors for survival should be considered at consultation.

Fluorescein sodium-guided resection of cerebral metastases—experience with the first 30 patients

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection is a key element of the multidisciplinary treatment of cerebral metastases (CMs). Recent studies have highlighted the importance of complete resection of CMs for improving recurrence-free and overall survival rates. This study presents the first data on the use of fluorescein sodium (FL) under the dedicated surgical microscope filter YELLOW 560 nm (Zeiss Meditec, Germany) in patients with CM.

METHODS

Thirty patients with CMs of different primary cancers were included (15 females, 15 males; mean age 61.1 years); 200 mg of FL was intravenously injected directly before CM resection. A YELLOW 560 nm filter was used for microsurgical tumor resection and resection control. Surgical reports were evaluated regarding the degree of fluorescent staining, postoperative MRIs regarding the extent of resection [gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced T1-weighted sequence] and the postoperative courses regarding any adverse effects.

RESULTS

Most patients (90.0%, n = 27) showed bright fluorescent staining, which markedly enhanced tumor visibility. Three patients (10.0%) (two with adenocarcinoma of the lung and one with melanoma of the skin) showed no or only insufficient FL staining. Another three patients (10.0%) showed residual tumor tissue in the postoperative MRI examination. In two other patients, radiographic examination could not exclude the possibility of very small areas of residual tumor tissue. Thus, gross-total resection was achieved in 83.3% (n = 25) of patients. No adverse effects were registered over the postoperative course.

CONCLUSIONS

FL and the YELLOW 560 nm filter are safe and practical tools for the resection of CM, but further prospective research is needed to confirm that this advanced technique will improve the quality of CM resection.

Postoperative stereotactic radiosurgery for resected brain metastasis

Despite therapeutic advances in management, the prognosis of patients with brain metastasis remains dismal. Treatment options include surgical resection, whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT), and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Patients who undergo surgical resection typically receive WBRT as adjuvant therapy. However, several studies have demonstrated an association between WBRT and neurotoxicity. Thus, clinicians are increasingly delaying WBRT in favor of postoperative use of SRS. In this review, we will discuss the current literature exploring the efficacy and toxicity of postoperative SRS in the treatment of patients with resected brain metastasis.

Efficacy of surgical treatment for brain metastasis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

PURPOSE

Patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and simultaneously having brain metastases at the initial diagnosis, presenting symptoms related brain metastasis, survived shorter duration and showed poor quality of life. We analyzed our experiences on surgical treatment of brain metastasis in patients with NSCLC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a single-center, retrospective review of 36 patients with NSCLC and synchronous brain metastases between April 2006 and December 2011. Patients were categorized according to the presence of neurological symptoms and having a brain surgery. As a result, 14 patients did not show neurological symptoms and 22 patients presented neurological symptoms. Symptomatic 22 patients were divided into two groups according to undergoing brain surgery (neurosurgery group; n=11, non-neurosurgery group; n=11). We analyzed overall surgery (OS), intracranial progression-free survival (PFS), and quality of life.

RESULTS

Survival analysis showed there was no difference between patients with neurosurgery (OS, 12.1 months) and non-neurosurgery (OS, 10.2 months; p=0.550). Likewise for intracranial PFS, there was no significant difference between patients with neurosurgery (PFS, 6.3 months) and non-neurosurgery (PFS, 5.3 months; p=0.666). Reliable neurological one month follow up by the Medical Research Council neurological function evaluation scale were performed in symptomatic 22 patients. The scale improved in eight (73%) patients in the neurosurgery group, but only in three (27%) patients in the non-neurosurgery group (p=0.0495).

CONCLUSION

Patients with NSCLC and synchronous brain metastases, presenting neurological symptoms showed no survival benefit from neurosurgical resection, although quality of life was improved due to early control of neurological symptoms.

Central nervous system cancers

Primary and metastatic tumors of the central nervous system are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms with varied outcomes and management strategies. Recently, improved survival observed in 2 randomized clinical trials established combined chemotherapy and radiation as the new standard for treating patients with pure or mixed anaplastic oligodendroglioma harboring the 1p/19q codeletion. For metastatic disease, increasing evidence supports the efficacy of stereotactic radiosurgery in treating patients with multiple metastatic lesions but low overall tumor volume. These guidelines provide recommendations on the diagnosis and management of this group of diseases based on clinical evidence and panel consensus. This version includes expert advice on the management of low-grade infiltrative astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, anaplastic gliomas, glioblastomas, medulloblastomas, supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors, and brain metastases. The full online version, available at NCCN. org, contains recommendations on additional subtypes.

Outcome of surgical resection of symptomatic cerebral lesions in non-small cell lung cancer patients with multiple brain metastases

OBJECTIVE

Patients with symptomatic brain metastases secondary to mass effect are often candidates for surgery. However, many of these surgical candidates are also found to have multiple asymptomatic tumors. This study aimed to determine the outcome of surgical resection of symptomatic brain metastases followed by chemotherapy or radiotherapy (RT) for the remnant asymptomatic lesions in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with multiple brain metastases.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of the medical records of 51 NSCLC patients with symptomatic multiple brain metastases who underwent surgical resection, of whom 38 had one or more unresected asymptomatic lesions subsequently treated with chemotherapy and/or RT. Thirteen patients underwent resection of all metastatic lesions.

RESULTS

Median survival for overall patient population after surgical resection was 10.8 months. Median survival for patients with surgical resection of all brain metastases was not significantly different with patients who underwent surgical resection of only symptomatic lesions (6.5 months vs. 10.8 months; p=0.97). There was no statistically significant difference in survival according to the number of tumors (p=0.86, 0.16), or post-surgical treatment modalities (p=0.69).

CONCLUSION

The survival time of NSCLC patients with multiple brain metastases after surgery for only symptomatic brain metastases is similar to that of patients who underwent surgery for all brain metastases. The remaining asymptomatic lesions may be treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The optimal treatment modality, however, needs to be defined in prospective trials with larger patient cohort.

Surgery of recurrent brain metastases: retrospective analysis of 67 patients

OBJECTIVE

Treatment of patients with recurrent brain metastasis is one of the major challenges in neurooncology. Commonly, WBRT was applied after or as the initial treatment. Many patients received radiosurgery or their lesions were operated on. The question arises of what treatment modalities are appropriate and can be offered to the patients. In our retrospective analysis, we evaluated whether re-operation might be a useful measurement for the patients with respect to overall survival and quality of life.

METHODS

We included 67 patients who were treated between 1993 and 2008 in our department. The median age was 59 years. Metastases of 11 different primaries were diagnosed. The median OST was 7.5 months.

RESULTS

Statistically significant prognostic factors for OS were single lesions, completeness of resection, and time to recurrence, which was significantly influenced by WBRT after first operation. The one year survival rate correlated with the RPA classification: class I: 53.3 %, class II: 26.9 %, class III: 12.5 %. In 31.3 %, a second recurrence occurred which was treated by repeated surgery. Six patients survived as long-term survivors (25.7-132.2 months).

CONCLUSION

Surgery of recurrent brain metastasis is an important therapeutic option. A subgroup of patients, defined by prognostic factors, will profit with improvement of symptoms and prolongation of the overall survival time. Even long-term survivors can be expected.

The role of surgical resection in patients with brain metastases

Brain metastasis is a devastating complication of systemic malignancy that affects a considerable number of cancer patients. The appearance of brain metastases is often considered to be a sign of poor prognosis; in patients with brain metastases poor survival time has been reported in the literature. Therefore, treatment of these brain lesions in cancer patients is important for quality of life, providing local tumour control, preventing death from neurological causes, and improving survival, although potentially only in a minority of patients. Surgical resection of brain metastases has been the cornerstone treatment in select patients. Careful patient selection, the use of appropriate surgical techniques, and surgical adjuncts are the major determinants of favourable outcome in patients undergoing resection of brain metastases. In this review, we explain the role of surgical resection in the treatment of patients with brain metastases with consideration of patient selection, surgical techniques and the use of intraoperative adjuncts.

Management options for metastatic melanoma in the era of novel therapies: a primer for the practicing dermatologist: part II: Management of stage IV disease

Part II of this continuing medical education article will discuss the treatment options for stage IV melanoma, including novel therapies, such as ipilimumab and vemurafenib; established therapies, including high-dose interleukin-2, conventional chemotherapy, and biochemotherapy; and additional therapies currently under investigation in the form of clinical trials. The approach to patients with brain metastases will be discussed, as will recommendations for distress screening and defining aspects of palliative care.

Surgical mortality at 30 days and complications leading to recraniotomy in 2630 consecutive craniotomies for intracranial tumors

BACKGROUND

In order to weigh the risks of surgery against the presumed advantages, it is important to have specific knowledge about complication rates.

OBJECTIVE

To study the surgical mortality and rate of reoperations for hematomas and infections after intracranial surgery for brain tumors in a large, contemporary, single-institution consecutive series.

METHODS

All adult patients from a well-defined population of 2.7 million inhabitants who underwent craniotomies for intracranial tumors at Oslo University Hospital from 2003 to 2008 were included (n = 2630). The patients were identified from our prospectively collected database and their charts studied retrospectively. Follow-up was 100%.

RESULTS

The overall surgical mortality, defined as death within 30 days of surgery, was 2.3% (n = 60). The mortality rates for high- and low-grade gliomas, meningiomas, and metastases were 2.9%, 1.0%, 0.9%, and 4.5%, respectively. Age >60 (odds ratio 1.84, P < 0.05) and biopsy compared with resection (odds ratio 4.67, P < 0.01) were significantly positively associated with increased surgical mortality. Hematomas accounted for 35% of the surgical mortality. Postoperative hematomas needing evacuation occurred in 2.1% (n = 54). Age >60 was significantly correlated to increased risk of postoperative hematomas (odds ratio 2.43, P < 0.001). A total of 39 patients (1.5%) were reoperated for postoperative infection. Meningiomas had an increased risk of infections compared with high-grade gliomas (odds ratio 4.61, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The surgical mortality within 30 days of surgery was 2.3%, with age >60 and biopsy vs resection being the 2 factors significantly associated with increased mortality. Postoperative hematomas caused about one third of the surgical mortality.