Results of Primary Surgery With T4 Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer During a 25-Year Period in a Single Center: The Benefit is Worth the Risk

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."

Resectable non-stage IV nonsmall cell lung cancer: the surgical perspective

Surgery remains an essential element of the multimodality radical treatment of patients with early-stage nonsmall cell lung cancer. In addition, thoracic surgery is one of the key specialties involved in the lung cancer tumour board. The importance of the surgeon in the setting of a multidisciplinary panel is ever-increasing in light of the crucial concept of resectability, which is at the base of patient selection for neoadjuvant/adjuvant treatments within trials and in real-world practice. This review covers some of the topics which are relevant in the daily practice of a thoracic oncological surgeon and should also be known by the nonsurgical members of the tumour board. It covers the following topics: the pre-operative selection of the surgical candidate in terms of fitness in light of the ever-improving nonsurgical treatment alternatives unfit patients may benefit from; the definition of resectability, which is so important to include patients into trials and to select the most appropriate radical treatment; the impact of surgical access and surgical extension with the evolving role of minimally invasive surgery, sublobar resections and parenchymal-sparing sleeve resections to avoid pneumonectomy.

Short- and medium-term outcomes of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery versus thoracotomy for carinal lung resection combined with carina reconstruction in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients

BACKGROUND

The application of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for complex carina surgeries in treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with involved carina is controversial. This study compared short- and medium-term outcomes of VATS versus thoracotomy for carinal lung resection with carina reconstruction in treating locally advanced NSCLC, aiming to assess the potential benefit of VATS over thoracotomy for these patients.

METHODS

A total of 37 consecutive NSCLC cases receiving VATS (n = 14) or thoracotomy (n = 23) for carinal lung resection with carina reconstruction from 2016 to 2021 were retrospectively identified. Baseline clinicopathological characteristics, perioperative outcomes, and survival profiles were investigated.

RESULTS

Patients in the VATS and thoracotomy groups had comparable baseline clinicopathological characteristics (all p > 0.050). VATS decreased postoperative drainage volume compared with thoracotomy (1280 [1170-1510] vs. 1795 [1510-1905] mL, p = 0.012). Regarding surgical-related pains, VATS reduced numeric rating scale scores on the postoperative day 1 (4 [3, 4] vs. 5 [4, 5], p = 0.021) and day 2 (3 [3, 4] vs. 5 [3-5], p = 0.023) than thoracotomy. No difference was found between the VATS and thoracotomy groups in other perioperative outcomes, postoperative complications, and assessment of lymph nodes (LNs) and LN stations (all p > 0.050). Moreover, patients in the two groups had comparable 3-year disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and recurrence and mortality patterns. Further subgroup and Cox hazards regression analyses also observed no difference in DFS or OS between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

VATS reduced postoperative drainage volume and ameliorated surgical-related pain, and achieved comparable medium-term survival compared to thoracotomy for carinal lung resection with carina reconstruction in treating locally advanced NSCLC.

Atrial resection for T4 non-small cell lung cancer with left atrium involvement: a systematic review and meta-analysis of survival

PURPOSE

Extended resection for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with T4 left atrium involvement is controversial. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes of this treatment strategy.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed database for studies on atrial resection in NSCLC patients. The primary investigated outcome was the effectiveness of the surgery represented by survival data and the secondary outcomes were postoperative morbidity, mortality, and recurrence.

RESULTS

Our search identified 18 eligible studies including a total of 483 patients. Eleven studies reported median overall survival and 17 studies reported overall survival rates. The estimated pooled 1, 3, 5-year overall survival rates were 69.1% (95% CI 61.7-76.0%), 21.5% (95% CI 12.3-32.3%), and 19.9% (95% CI 13.9-26.6%), respectively. The median overall survival was 24 months (95% CI 17.7-27 months). Most studies reported significant associations between better survival and N0/1 status, complete resection status, and neoadjuvant therapy.

CONCLUSION

Extended lung resection, including the left atrium, for NSCLC is feasible with acceptable morbidity and mortality when complete resection is achieved. Lymph node N0/1 status coupled with the use of neoadjuvant therapies is associated with better outcomes.

The oncologic efficacy of extended resections for lung cancer

Extended lung resections for T3-T4 non-small-cell lung cancer remain challenging. Multimodal management is mandatory in multidisciplinary tumor boards, and here the determination of resectability is key. Long-term oncologic efficacy depends mostly on complete resection (R0) and the extent of N2 disease. The development of novel innovative treatments (targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors) sets interesting perspectives to reinforce current therapeutic options in the induction and adjuvant setting.

Extended Pulmonary Resection for T4 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

T4 non-small cell lung cancer is a locally advanced disease with poor prognosis. The operation can be challenging even for an experienced surgeon. N2 disease has been shown repeatedly as a risk factor for poor outcome, and these patients should not be candidates for surgical treatment. Surgery for locally advanced T4 tumors without mediastinal lymph node involvement (T4N0 and T4N1) has been demonstrated to result in good outcomes in carefully selected patients. Patients with T4N0-1M0 should be rejected for surgery only after consulting an expert surgical center. As with other stages, the decision for resectability and surgery should be made by a multidisciplinary team.

Endovascular Surgery of Descending Thoracic Aorta Involved in T4 Lung Tumor

PURPOSE

Surgical treatment of primary lung T4 tumors is controversial especially when the cancer invades the mediastinal structures or the descending thoracic aorta. Conventional surgical treatment is associated with a high perioperative mortality and morbidity rate. Thoracic EndoVascular Aortic Repair has emerged as a valid off-label alternative to conventional surgery. We aimed to assess perioperative and midterm aortic-related outcome of patients who have undergone aortic stent-graft implantation, followed by en bloc surgical treatment of the involved aorta and lung cancer resection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From July 2017 to May 2020, we treated 5 patients diagnosed with a T4 lung cancer by the involvement of the descending thoracic aorta. When only the descending thoracic aorta is involved, a 2-stage procedure was considered, with aortic stent-graft implantation performed before tumor resection. One-stage strategy, with stent-graft implantation carried out before thoracotomy, was preferred for patients with the involvement of cardiac and/or other vascular mediastinal structures.

RESULTS

The mean age was 58.4 ± 6.2 years. All patients were affected by non-small cell lung cancer. All 5 patients required a single stent-graft to completely cover the involved segment of aorta. Four patients underwent a 2-stage procedure. One patient, with the involvement of the left inferior pulmonary vein, required a 1-stage en bloc resection of the left lower lobe, aortic wall adventitia, left inferior pulmonary vein, and reconstruction of the left atrial wall. Primary procedural success was achieved in all. At follow-up, no patient developed aortic-related complications. One patient died 2 years after surgery, due to local recurrence of the tumor.

CONCLUSION

T4 lung resection combined with aortic stent-graft implantation can be safely performed. Endovascular surgery, by avoiding the use of cardiopulmonary bypass, aortic cross-clamping, and graft replacement, can reduce significant morbidity and mortality rate. Postoperative and long-term outcome of these patients treated with endovascular surgery is mainly related to pulmonary disease, not to aortic treatment.

Prognostic Factors in Patients with Clinic Locally Advanced T4 Lung Cancer: Surgical Considerations

Background Inclusion of surgery in the treatment of T4 lung cancer has been a debate for the last two decades. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential prognostic factors which could affect the outcome.

Methods Fifty-seven clinical T4 non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients out of 716 lung resections, who were operated at a single institution in 7 years period, were included in this study. Patients are grouped into three groups as patients with neoadjuvant treatment group (group 1 n: 16), salvage surgery group (surgery after 3 months of definitive chemotherapy and radiotherapy) (group 2 n: 14), and straightforward surgery group (group 3 n: 27) with adjuvant treatment. Groups were analyzed and compared in terms of postoperative complications, 30 days of mortality, disease free survival, and overall survival.

Results Mean overall survival (OS) was 48.43 ± 4.4 months and mean disease-free survival (DFS) 40.55 ± 4.46 months for all patients. Thirty days mortality was 5.2% and complication rates were 63.1%. Two years OS was 61.4 ± 6.4%, DFS was 58.1 ± 7.8%. Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3 patients had mean 39.14 ± 5.6, 44.7 ± 7.1, and 62.9 ± 4.8 months for OS (p: 0.09), and 29.6 ± 7.2, 38.4 ± 9.1, and 46.9 ± 6 months for DFS (p: 0.27). Patients who received blood transfusion showed significantly worse outcomes (p: 0.001 for DFS and p: 0.004 for OS).

Conclusion According to our outcomes, surgery should be included in the treatment of clinical T4 lung cancer when physiologically and oncologically possible with careful patient selection. This study demonstrates that patients receiving straightforward surgery have longer survival, in spite of higher perioperative mortality rate. Risks and benefits should be considered carefully.

A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study on Superior Vena Cava Resection in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Surgery

BACKGROUND

Surgery for non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) invading the superior vena cava (SVC) is rarely performed due to surgical complexities and reported poor prognoses. Different methods have been described to reconstruct the SVC, such as direct suture, patch use or prosthesis, according to its circumferential involvement. The aim of our study was to analyze the short- and long-term results of different types of SVC resection and reconstruction for T4 NSCLCs.

METHODS

Between January 2000 and December 2019, 80 patients received an anatomical lung resection with SVC surgery in this multicenter retrospective study. The partial resection and direct suture or patch reconstruction group included 64 patients, while the complete resection and prosthesis reconstruction group included 16 patients. The primary endpoints were as follows: long-term survival and disease-free survival. The secondary endpoints were as follows: perioperative complications and 30- and 90-day mortality. Unpaired t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests for non-parametric variables were applied to discrete or continuous data, and the chi-square test was applied to dichotomous or categorical data. Survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test.

RESULTS

No differences were found between the two groups in terms of general characteristics and surgical, oncological and survival outcomes. In particular, there were no differences in terms of early (50.0% vs. 68.8%, p = 0.178) and late complication frequency (12.5% vs. 12.5%, p = 1.000), 30- and 90-day mortality, R status, recurrence, overall survival (33.89 ± 40.35 vs. 35.70 ± 51.43 months, p = 0.432) and disease-free survival (27.56 ± 40.36 vs. 31.28 ± 53.08 months, p = 0.668). The multivariate analysis demonstrated that age was the only independent predictive factor for overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

According to our results, SVC resection has good oncological and survival outcomes, regardless of the proportion of circumferential involvement and the type of reconstruction.

Long-term survival of patients with central or > 7 cm T4 N0/1 M0 non-small-cell lung cancer treated with definitive concurrent radiochemotherapy in comparison to trimodality treatment

Background

To examine long-term-survival of cT4 cN0/1 cM0 non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients undergoing definitive radiochemotherapy (_ccRTx/CTx) in comparison to the trimodality treatment, neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy followed by surgery, at a high volume lung cancer center.

Methods

All consecutive patients with histopathologically confirmed NSCLC (cT4 cN0/1 cM0) with a curative-intent-to-treat _ccRTx/CTx were included between 01.01.2001 and 01.07.2019. Mediastinal involvement was excluded by systematic EBUS-TBNA or mediastinoscopy. Following updated T4-stage-defining-criteria initial staging was reassessed by an expert-radiologist according to UICC-guidelines [8th edition]. Outcomes were compared with previously reported results from patients of the same institution with identical inclusion criteria, who had been treated with neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy and resection. Factors for treatment selection were documented. Endpoints were overall-survival (OS), progression-free-survival (PFS), and cumulative incidences of isolated loco-regional failures, distant metastases, secondary tumors as well as non-cancer deaths within the first year.

Results

Altogether 46 consecutive patients with histopathologically confirmed NSCLC cT4 cN0/1 cM0 [cN0 in 34 and cN1 in 12 cases] underwent _ccRTx/CTx after induction chemotherapy (_iCTx). Median follow-up was 133 months. OS-rates at 3-, 5-, and 7-years were 74.9%, 57.4%, and 57.4%, respectively. Absolute OS-rate of _ccRTx/CTx at 5 years were within 10% of the trimodality treatment reference group (Log-Rank p = 0.184). The cumulative incidence of loco-regional relapse was higher after _iCTx + _ccRT/CTx (15.2% vs. 0% at 3 years, p = 0.0012, Gray’s test) while non-cancer deaths in the first year were lower than in the trimodality reference group (0% vs 9.1%, p = 0.0360, Gray’s test). None of the multiple recorded prognostic parameters were significantly associated with survival after _iCTx + _ccRT/CTx: Propensity score weighting for adjustment of prognostic factors between _iCTx + _ccRT/CTx and trimodality treatment did not change the results of the comparisons.

Conclusions

Patients with cT4 N0/1 M0 NSCLC have comparable OS with _ccRTx/CTx and trimodality treatment. Loco-regional relapses were higher and non-cancer related deaths lower with _ccRTx/CTx. Definitive radiochemotherapy is an adequate alternative for patients with an increased risk of surgery-related morbidity.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13014-022-02080-9.

Usefulness of a temporary shunt by cannulation during superior vena cava combined resection

Superior vena cava invasive thoracic malignancy requires combined resection of the superior vena cava to achieve en bloc resection of the involved structures with negative margins. The superior vena cava combined resection requires the creation of collateral circulation from the head to the heart before performing the combined resection. Even for a short time, total superior vena cava clamping without a procedure is unsafe and should be avoided. We will present a surgical resection with superior vena cava reconstruction, involving a temporary extrathoracic shunt from the left brachiocephalic vein to the right auricle using a venous return cannula. This is an optional technique for convenient and safe superior vena cava combined resection. It provides an excellent intrathoracic surgical view by venous return via the unilateral brachiocephalic vein, with the advantages of being a simple procedure requiring short surgical time.

Management of Early-Stage Resected Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Consensus Statement of the Lung cancer Consortium

BACKGROUND

Management of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (ES-NSCLC) has evolved over the last few years especially in terms of work-up and the use of systemic therapy. This consensus statement was developed to present updated guidelines for the management of this disease.

METHODS

Multidisciplinary team (MDT) of lung cancer experts convened to discuss a set of pertinent questions with importance relevance to the management of ES-NSCLC. ES-NSCLC includes stages I, II and resected stage III. The experts included consultants in chest imaging, thoracic surgery, radiation oncology, and medical oncology. Questions were discussed in virtual meetings and then a written manuscript with supporting evidence was drafted, reviewed, and approved by the team members.

RESULTS

The Consensus Statement included 9 questions addressing work-up and management of ES-NSCLC. Background information and literature review were presented for each question followed by specific recommendations to address the questions by oncology providers. The Statement was endorsed by various oncology societies in the Gulf region.

CONCLUSION

The Consensus Statement serves as a guide for thoracic MDT members in the management of ES-NSCLC. Adaptation of these to the local setting is dictated usually by available resources and expertise, however, all efforts should be excreted to provide the optimal care to all patients whenever possible.

Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients with a High Predicted Risk of Irradical Resection: Can Chemoradiotherapy Offer Similar Survival?

Purpose

Irradical resection of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a detrimental prognostic factor. Recently, Rasing et al. presented an internationally validated risk score for pre-treatment prediction of irradical resection. We hypothesized that chemoradiation therapy (CRT) could serve as an alternative approach in patients with a high risk score and compared overall survival (OS) outcomes between surgery and CRT.

Methods

Patients from a population-based cohort with stage IIB–III NSCLC between 2015 and 2018 in The Netherlands were selected. Patients with a ‘Rasing score’ > 4 who underwent surgery were matched with patients who underwent CRT using 1:1 nearest-neighbor propensity score matching. The primary endpoint of OS was compared using a Kaplan–Meier analysis.

Results

In total, 2582 CRT and 638 surgery patients were eligible. After matching, 523 well-balanced pairs remained. Median OS in the CRT group was 27.5 months, compared with 45.6 months in the surgery group (HR 1.44, 95% CI 1.23–1.70, p < 0.001). The 114 surgical patients who underwent an R1–2 resection (21.8%) had a worse median OS than the CRT group (20.2 versus 27.5 months, HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.61–0.99, p = 0.039).

Conclusion

In NSCLC patients at high predicted risk of irradical resection, CRT appears to yield inferior survival compared with surgery. Therefore, choosing CRT instead of surgery cannot solely be based on the Rasing score. Since patients receiving an R1–2 resection do have detrimental outcomes compared with primary CRT, the treatment decision should be based on additional information, such as imaging features, comorbidities, patient preference, and the surgeon’s confidence in achieving an R0 resection.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1245/s10434-021-10982-3.

Superior Vena Cava Resection and Reconstruction with Resection of Primary Lung Cancer and Mediastinal Tumor

The superior vena cava is a short ∼7-cm valveless vessel that brings blood from the upper half of the body to the heart but has connections to the infracardiac venous structures as well. It can become obstructed, mostly by advanced lung cancer but benign conditions account for one-fourth of cases. When possible, reconstruction can be by biological material or via ring reinforced grafts. When perfomed, replacement should be with small caliber grafts to allow for rapid flow of blood, which, with the addition of anticoagulants, reduces the risk of thrombosis. Even with advanced malignancy, treatment may confer reasonable survival.

Cardiopulmonary bypass does not consequentially contribute to postoperative distant metastasis of giant refractory thoracic tumors: A retrospective study with long-term follow-up

Background

Few clinical research studies with long‐term follow‐up have revealed whether cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) increases the risk of postoperative distant metastasis in patients with giant refractory thoracic tumors. The present study evaluated the risk of distant metastasis after surgery utilizing CPB with long‐term follow‐up.

Methods

Clinical data for patients with giant refractory thoracic tumors who underwent resection with the use of CPB in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University during the past 11 years were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

Of the 14 patients with giant refractory thoracic tumors who had undergone surgery under CPB, 10 patients (71.4%) were completely resected. Twelve patients were followed up for 13–127 months with 10 patients were completely resected and two patients could not be completely resected due to severe tissue invasion. Three patients (25%) suffered from distant metastasis, and four patients (33.3%) experienced local recurrence. Only one patient (1/10) with complete resection suffered from distant metastasis, while two patients (2/10) experienced local recurrence. Two patients (2/2) with major resection suffered from both distant metastasis and local recurrence. Median overall survival for patients who have been regularly followed up was 50 months with 1‐, 5‐, and 10‐year survival of 100%, 75%, and 66.7%. No difference was found between the distant metastasis survival and the local recurrence survival. (p = 0.99).

Conclusions

CPB is an effective strategy for complete resection of the giant refractory thoracic tumors with an acceptable risk of postoperative distant metastasis for some patients.

Correlation between outcomes and tumor size in >7 cm T4 non-small cell lung cancer patients: A tumor size-based comparison study

BACKGROUND

We investigated whether all size-based pathological T4N0-N1 non-small cell lung cancer patients with tumors at any size >7 cm had the same outcomes.

METHODS

We reviewed non-small cell lung cancer patients with tumors >7 cm who underwent anatomical lung resection between 2010 and 2016. A total of 251 size-based T4N0-N1 patients were divided into two groups based on tumor size. Group S (n = 192) included patients with tumors of 7.1-9.9 cm and Group L (n = 59) as tumor size ≥10 cm.

RESULTS

The mean tumor size was 8.83 ± 1.7 cm (Group S: 8.06 ± 0.6 cm, Group L: 11.3 ± 1.6 cm). There were 146 patients with pathological N0 and 105 patients with pathological N1 disease. Mean overall survival and disease-free survival were 64.2 and 51.4 months, respectively. The five-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 51.2% and 43.5% (five-year OS; pT4N0:52.7%, pT4N1:47.9%, DFS; pT4N0:44.3%, pT4N1: 42.3%). No significant differences were observed between T4N0 and T4N1 patients in terms of five-year OS or DFS (p = 0.325, p = 0.505 respectively). The five-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 52% and 44.6% in Group S, and 48.5% and 38.9% in Group L. No significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of five-year overall survival or disease-free survival (p = 0.699, p = 0.608, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Above 7 cm, any further increase in tumor size in non-small cell lung cancer patients had no significant effect on survival, confirming it is not necessary to further discriminate among patients with tumors in that size class.

Superior vena cava prosthetic replacement for non-small cell lung cancer: is it worthwhile?

OBJECTIVES

Direct involvement of the superior vena cava (SVC) by non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) requires en-bloc tumour resection with complete vascular clamping and prosthetic replacement. We report the outcomes of this highly demanding procedure in the largest patient cohort to date.

METHODS

We searched our institution's database for patients who underwent complete en-bloc resection of NSCLC invading the SVC followed by prosthetic SVC replacement, between 1980 and 2018. Patients with cN2, cN3 or distant metastases were not eligible.

RESULTS

We identified 48 patients (38 males, 10 females; mean age of 57 years; tumour size, 1.9-17 cm). Neoadjuvant therapy was administered to 17 and adjuvant therapy to 31 patients. R0 resection was achieved in 41 (85%) patients; lymph node involvement was pN0 in 8, pN1 in 23, pN2 in 14 and pN3 in 3 patients. Five patients died within 30 days of surgery. Right pneumonectomy was significantly associated with postoperative death (P = 0.02). Postoperative complications developed in 13 other patients. No neurologic events related to SVC clamping occurred. Graft thrombosis developed in 2 patients. Median survival was 24 months; 3-, 5- and 10-year survival rates were 45%, 40% and 35%, respectively; and corresponding disease-free survival rates were 37%, 37% and 30%, respectively. By univariable analysis, only margin-free (R0) resection was associated with better survival (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

In highly selected patients with NSCLC involving the SVC, mortality is acceptable after complete en-bloc resection and prosthetic replacement done in an expert centre. SVC involvement should not preclude consideration of curative resection in selected patients.

Prognostic factors related to postoperative survival in the newly classified clinical T4 lung cancer

OBJECTIVES

T4 lung cancer has become a more heterogeneous group since the 8th edition of tumour, node, metastasis classification. The aim of this study was to identify predictive factors related to post-surgical survival in patients with clinical T4 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), based on the 8th edition of the classification.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with clinical T4 NSCLC who underwent resection between January 2006 and December 2016, to identify factors associated with overall survival.

RESULTS

Ninety-three patients were identified. The criteria for clinical T4 disease included tumours larger than 7 cm (n = 54), great vessels or left atrial invasion (n = 22), mediastinal invasion (n = 11), vertebral invasion (n = 3), tracheal or carina invasion (n = 3), diaphragm invasion (n = 1) and ipsilateral different lobe pulmonary metastasis (n = 2). The postoperative nodal status was 0, 1, 2 and 3 in 59, 18, 15 and 1 patient, respectively. R0 resection was achieved in 80 patients, and the 30-day mortality was 0%. The median follow-up time was 37.6 months, and the 5-year overall survival rate was 56.3%. The multivariable analysis revealed that nodal status and R-status were significant prognostic factors for postoperative survival [hazard ratio (HR) 2.62, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20-5.72, P = 0.016 and HR 3.29, 95% CI 1.45-7.44, P = 0.004].

CONCLUSIONS

Surgery provided encouraging survival outcomes for clinical T4 NSCLC based on the 8th edition of classification. The nodal status and R-status were significant prognostic factors for postoperative survival.

Does the carinal involvement have the same surgical outcome as the main bronchus involvement in patients with non-small cell lung cancer?

OBJECTIVE

Carinal and main bronchus involvement were compared in terms of the survival of patients with N0-1 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

Sixty-six NSCLC patients who underwent complete surgical carinal resection/reconstruction (Carina group) and complete resection because of main bronchus involvement (Main Bronchus group) between 2006 and 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. The Carina group included 30 patients and the Main Bronchus group included 36. In the Carina group, conditions other than carinal involvement that rendered patients pathological (p) T4, and in the Main Bronchus group, conditions that would upstage the pT status from pT2 were excluded. Patients with mediastinal lymph node metastases were excluded. Thus, an isolated main bronchial invasion and isolated carinal invasion patient population was tried to be obtained.

RESULTS

The overall 5-year survival rate was 49.4% (median 61.5 ± 19.9 months). The 5-year survival rates of patients in the Carina group was 49.2% (median 63.3 months), and that of patients in the Main Bronchus group was 46.4% (median 55.9 months). The difference between survival rates was not statistically significant (p = 0.761). The survival rates of pN0 and pN1 patients also did not differ significantly (63.2% vs. 45.5%, p = 0.207). Recurrence was significantly more common in the Main Bronchus group than the Carina group (28.1% vs. 7.1%; p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Isolated carinal invasion had a comparable outcome to isolated main bronchus invasion in pN0-1 patients with NSCLC who are undergoing anatomical surgical resection.

T4 extension alone is more predictive of better survival than a tumour size >7 cm for resected T4N0-1M0 non-small-cell lung cancer†

OBJECTIVES

T4N0-1 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was historically considered curable but now includes tumours of size >7 cm according to the 8th edition tumour, node and metastasis (TNM) staging. This study was set out to evaluate the role of surgery and predictors of long-term survival after surgery in this renewed group of patients.

METHODS

Patients, with clinical T4N0-2M0 NSCLC diagnosed in 2010-2013, in the National Cancer Database were queried. A Cox regression analysis was applied to investigate independent predictors of survival in 1588 N0-1 surgical cases. For previous T3 cases, the efficacy of treatment including and not including surgery was compared after propensity score matching by age, gender, race, facility type, comorbidity, laterality, clinical N stage, histology and tumour grade.

RESULTS

In newly defined T4N0-1 NSCLC patients undergoing surgery, age, gender, comorbidity, nodal status, resection margin, tumour grade, chemotherapy and extension-size group were shown to be independent predictors of survival. In particular, patients with only T4 extension showed better survival than patients with tumour size >7 cm only [hazard ratio (HR) 0.75, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.62-0.92, P = 0.016]. In the latter group, surgical treatment was associated with better survival than non-surgical treatment after matching (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.42-0.48, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In the newly defined T4 NSCLC, tumour size >7 cm is a descriptor that is more predictive of worse survival than local extension alone for patients whose treatment included surgery. For T4-extended, N0-1 NSCLC with a tumour size ≤7 cm, surgery might be associated with favourable long-term outcomes and should be further encouraged as a treatment option.

Comparison of early tumour-associated versus late deaths in patients with central or >7 cm T4 N0/1 M0 non-small-cell lung-cancer undergoing trimodal treatment: Only few risks left to improve

BACKGROUND

The optimal treatment for patients with locally advanced non-small-cell lung-cancer (NSCLC) cT4 cN0/1 cM0 is still under debate. The purpose of this study was to examine the long-term survival of cT4 cN0/1 cM0 NSCLC patients undergoing induction chemotherapy and concurrent radiochemotherapy before surgery.

METHODS

All consecutive patients with confirmed NSCLC (cT4 cN0/1 cM0) treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, concurrent radiochemotherapy (RT/CTx) (45-46 Gy) and surgical resection between 2000 and 2015 were included. According to the UICC guidelines (8th edition), T4 stage was reanalysed by an expert radiologist. The mediastinal staging was performed by systematic EBUS-TBNA or mediastinoscopy. The primary end-point was overall-survival (OS). The power to detect an increase of early tumour-associated mortality (hazard ratio > 3.5) within the first 5 years after treatment in comparison to late deaths beyond 96 months was >80%.

RESULTS

Overall, 67 patients were treated with concurrent RT/CTx. T4 criteria were fulfilled by all patients, and multiple T4 criteria by 53 patients. Seventy percent of patients had an initial PET/CT staging. The median follow-up period was 134 months. OS rates at 2, 5, 10 and 15 years were 83.6 ± 4.5%, 65.4 ± 5.9%, 53.3 ± 6.3% and 36.6 ± 6.8%, respectively. A total of 44.8% of patients achieved a pathologic complete response. In multivariable analysis, ypT category was the most predictive factor. OS at 5 years for ypT0 (n = 31) was 80.5%, and ypT1 (n = 11) was 62.5%. Main sites of failure were brain and pulmonary metastases in seven and three patients, respectively. The intercurrent annual death rate was estimated from the survival curve beyond 96 months and was found to be 4.75% (95% CI 2.40-9.27%). No significant increased mortality was observed during the first 5 years (annual death rate: 8.31% [95% CI 5.60-12.24%], hazard-ratio = 1.72 [95% CI 0.81-3.65]).

CONCLUSIONS

The effectiveness of this trimodality schedule is high in patients with cT4 cN0/1 cM0 NSCLC with excellent local control rates. Considering the annual death rate beyond 8 years of survival as an intercurrent death rate due to comorbidity, this treatment schedule reduces annual mortality to background even in the first 5 years after therapy.

Prognostic Factors and Survival in Resected T4 Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: Is There Any Difference in the T4 Subgroups?

INTRODUCTION

The eighth edition of the TNM classification revised the subgroups of T4 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aimed to compare the T4-NSCLC subgroups that underwent surgical treatment in terms of mortality, morbidity, survival, and prognostic factors based on the new classification.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 2000 and 2014, a total of 284 T4-NSCLC patients who underwent lung resection (mediastinal organ invasion, n = 114; ipsilateral different lobe tumors, n = 32; and tumors larger than 7 cm, n = 138) were included in the present study.

RESULTS

Surgical mortality and morbidity were 5.6% (n = 16) and 23.9% (n = 68), respectively. The 5-year survival rates were 46% for ipsilateral different lobe tumors, 45.4% for tumours larger than 7 cm, and 36.6% for mediastinal organ invasion (28% for patients with heart/atrium invasion, 43.3% for carina invasion, 37.5% for large vessel invasion) (p = 0.223). Age above 65 (p = 0.002, HR = 1.781), pN2 versus pN0/1 (p < 0.0001, HR = 2.564), incomplete resection (p = 0.003, HR = 2.297), and pneumonectomy (p = 0.02, HR = 1.524) were identified as poor prognostic survival factors. According to multivariate analysis, mediastinal lymph node metastasis (p = 0.001) and incomplete resection (p = 0.0026) were the independent negative risk factors for survival.

CONCLUSION

According to the results of our study, surgical treatment is a good option in T4-NSCLC patients who have no mediastinal lymph node metastasis and are completely resectable. There is no difference in terms of survival among the T4 subgroups. The eighth edition of the TNM classification has a better prognostic definition than the previous version.

Neoadjuvant Treatment Is Associated With Superior Outcomes in T4 Lung Cancers With Local Extension

BACKGROUND

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation is associated with improved survival of superior sulcus cancers, but little data exists regarding clinical T4 lung cancers with mediastinal invasion. We hypothesized that neoadjuvant treatment would be associated with improved survival in T4 lung cancer patients with mediastinal invasion.

METHODS

Clinical T4-N0/1-M0 non-small cell lung cancers from 2006-2015 were identified in the National Cancer Database. Patients with T4 extension to mediastinal structures undergoing lobectomy, bilobectomy, or pneumonectomy were included. Neoadjuvant treatment was defined as preoperative chemotherapy and/or radiation. Patients receiving surgery >120 days after radiation were excluded. Study endpoints were pathologic margin status and overall survival. To adjust for heterogeneity, a 1:1 propensity match analysis was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 1101 patients with cT4N0/1M0 cancers were analyzed; 595 (54.0%) received primary surgery and 506 (46.0%) received neoadjuvant treatment. Neoadjuvant therapy was associated with fewer positive surgical margins (46 of 506 [9.3%] vs 186 of 595 [33.1%], P < .001). Multivariate analysis showed an association of neoadjuvant therapy with a lower rate of positive margin (odds ratio 0.220, P < .001). Overall survival was longer among patients receiving neoadjuvant treatment (65.9 vs 27.5 months, P < .001). Propensity matching identified 331 matched pairs of patients. Among these, positive margins were less likely after receiving neoadjuvant treatment (10.5% vs 31.3%, P < .001). Overall survival among the matched pairs was improved in those receiving neoadjuvant treatment (57.0 vs 27.5 months, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

In the NCDB, T4N0/1 mediastinal invasion patients who receive neoadjuvant treatment have decreased rates of positive surgical margins and improved overall survival. The use of neoadjuvant treatment should be considered in these patients.

Initial extended resection or neoadjuvant therapy for T4 non-small cell lung cancer-What is the evidence?

Locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumors that invade surrounding structures within the chest (T4) are a heterogeneous group, and, as such, there are no straightforward guidelines for their management. Advances in imaging, invasive mediastinal staging, and neoadjuvant therapies have expanded the role of surgery with curative intent for this patient group and have also diminished the rate of explorative thoracotomies. Unlike for T4 superior sulcus tumors, the use of neoadjuvant therapy for central T4 tumors is not clearly defined. The most important determinants of a successful outcome after surgery are achieving an R0 resection and avoiding incidental pathologic N2 disease. Use of neoadjuvant therapy in this setting may yield better outcomes after surgery, as both of these variables can be altered if the tumor responds to neoadjuvant therapy. Moreover, response to induction therapy has been shown to have prognostic value.

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.

Long-term survival in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer invading the great vessels and heart

Background

The aim of this study was to analyze the surgical outcomes of locally advanced lung cancer invading the great vessels or heart, according to the extension of cancer invasion.

Methods

From 1995 to 2015, 59 patients who were surgically treated and pathologically diagnosed with T4N0–1 non‐small cell lung cancer with invasion to the great vessels or heart were enrolled. Surgical outcomes were compared between patient groups with and without intrapericardial invasion.

Results

The median age was 64 years (interquartile range [IQR] 57–68) and 56 patients (95%) were male. In‐hospital mortality was 9% and median overall survival was 30 months (IQR 12–83). One and five‐year overall survival rates were 75% and 44%, respectively. The median overall survival in patients with lung cancer invasion to the intrapericardial space (n = 45) was 27 months (IQR 10–63), while it was 42 months (IQR 18–104) in patients without intrapericardial invasion (n = 14). Median disease‐free survival was significantly poorer in patients with intrapericardial invasion (12 months; IQR 6–55), especially in patients with heart invasion (n = 11, 7 months, IQR 5–27), than in patients without intrapericardial invasion (30 months, IQR 13–103).

Conclusion

Patients with lung cancer invading the intrapericardial space showed worse surgical outcomes in both overall and disease‐free survival. Therefore, surgical management should be carefully considered in patients with intrapericardial invasion.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Invading the Descending Thoracic Aorta: Surgical Resection Without Using Cardiopulmonary Bypass and Without Cross-Clamping the Aorta: Long-Term Follow-Up of 2 Cases

Lung cancer can sometimes invade vital adjacent mediastinal structures, such as the descending thoracic aorta. We describe 2 cases where pulmonary resection was performed en bloc including a patch of the descending thoracic aorta. These procedures were easily performed using an aortic endoprosthesis in the same anesthetic procedure. We also comment some aspects about an intraoperative endoleak, postoperative evolution, and long-term follow-up.

[Modern Aspects of Lung Cancer Surgery]

Modern Aspects of Lung Cancer Surgery Abstract. Surgery is still an inherent part of the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. This article summarizes various aspects of the surgical treatment of early and locally advanced stages of lung cancer. Minimally invasive techniques for lung cancer resection - video- or robotic-assisted - are today standard for early stages. Perioperative mortality is below 1 % and the oncological outcome is equal to open surgery. The learning curve is at 50 VATS lobectomies in a program with a minimum of 25 VATS lobectomies/year to obtain satisfying results. In specialized centers, Locally advanced tumors can be resected technically and oncologically safe, with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates. With careful patient selection and planning, 5-year survival rates can be as high as 48 %.

A rare case of squamous cell carcinoma lung with multiple locoregional recurrences and histological transformation

A 52-year-old female nonsmoker with localized squamous cell carcinoma (T3N1M0) of lung underwent lobectomy with adjuvant chemotherapy. Two years later, the patient had her first locoregional recurrence with adenosquamous cell carcinoma, and pneumonectomy with adjuvant chemotherapy rendered her disease free. Subsequent isolated locoregional recurrence with squamous cell carcinoma 18 months later was treated with chemoradiotherapy and had a complete response. Patient yet again had locoregional recurrence after 4 years and had progressive disease despite subsequent multiple line of treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy, stereotactic body radiation therapy, and nivolumab. This case is unique in presentation due to prolonged survival with multiple line of treatment of recurrent locoregional tumor without distant metastasis and alteration in the histology of tumor during illness.

[Cardiopulmonary bypass in thoracic surgery]

AIM

To analyze advisability of cardiopulmonary bypass in thoracic surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We estimated early and long-term results of CPB-assisted thoracic interventions in 31 patients with malignant and benign thoracic diseases and invasion into vital mediastinal structures or with concomitant cardiovascular pathology.

RESULTS

Acceptable rates of mortality and morbidity confirm safety of CPB in thoracic surgery while satisfactory long-term outcomes are arguments in favor of this direction of thoracic oncology.

Evaluating vertebral artery dominancy before T4 lung cancer surgery requiring subclavian artery reconstruction

PURPOSES

To evaluate vertebral artery (VA) dominancy and the risk of brain infarction in T4 lung cancer patients with tumor invasion into the subclavian artery.

METHODS

We reconstructed the subclavian artery in 10 patients with T4 non-small cell lung cancer. The histological stages were IIIA in eight patients and IIIB in two patients. We evaluated the VA dominancy by performing a four-vessel study preoperatively and investigated the relationship between the methods of VA treatment and postoperative brain complications, retrospectively.

RESULTS

Seven patients had a superior sulcus tumor (SST) and three had direct invasion into the mediastinum. Based on the tumor location, a transmanublial approach was used in five patients and a posterolateral hook incision was used in the other five. All subclavian artery (SA) reconstructions were done using an artificial woven graft. Preoperative angiography of the VA revealed poor development of the contralateral side in two patients. One of these patients suffered a severe brain infarction on postoperative day 2, which proved fatal. In the other patient, the VA was connected to the left SA graft by a side-to-end anastomosis and there was no postoperative brain complication.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative SA and VA angiography is mandatory for identifying the need for VA reconstruction in lung cancer patients with major arterial invasion.

Surgery for malignant lesions of the chest which extensively involved the mediastinum, lung, and heart

OBJECTIVE

Radical resection for thoracic malignancies that invade the great vessels or heart structure is an uncommon, high-risk operation. To help surgeons determine therapeutic strategy, we reviewed the patient characteristics and outcomes of combined thoracic and cardiovascular surgery for thoracic malignancies.

METHODS

Surgical resections of lung cancer, mediastinal tumor and pulmonary artery sarcoma invading great vessels or heart structures were reviewed from the literature.

RESULTS

Pneumonectomy was often performed for lung cancer invading the aorta, superior vena cava, and left atrium. Complete resection (R0), no mediastinal lymph node metastasis and without using cardiopulmonary bypass led to a good prognosis. Induction therapy was often performed for complete resection. Regarding mediastinal tumors, thymic epithelial tumors or germ cell tumors occasionally invaded the great vessels or heart structures. For these malignancies, multimodality therapy was often performed, and complete resection could be one of the prognostic factors. The resection of primary pulmonary artery sarcoma (PPAS) is also a combined thoracic and cardiovascular surgery. The primary treatment for PPAS is surgical resection; specifically, pulmonary endarterectomy and pneumonectomy, because PPAS has substantial resistance to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The prognosis of PPAS is poor, but surgical resection has potential for long-term survival.

CONCLUSION

Although these surgeries are uncommon and invasive for the patients, selecting appropriate patients, aggressive multimodality therapy, and performing combined thoracic and cardiovascular surgery can contribute to a good outcome.

Surgical Treatment of Superior Sulcus Tumors: A 15-Year Single-center Experience

This paper reports on the characteristics, treatment modalities, and outcomes of patients with superior sulcus tumors who underwent surgery over a period of 15 years in 1 institution. Clinical records of 94 consecutive patients operated on by the same surgical team for non-small cell lung cancer between July 1998 and December 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients received lung and chest wall en bloc resection. Forty-eight (51%) received induction treatments. Surgery was an anterior approach in 46 patients (48.9%), Paulson incision in 35 (37.2%), and a combined approach in 13 (13.8%). Lung resections were 78 lobectomies (83%), 3 were pneumonectomies (3.2%), 6 were bronchoplastic reconstructions (6.4%), and 7 were wedge resections (7.4%). Nodal dissection was systematic in 96% of patients. The median number of resected ribs was 2 (1-5), chest wall residual defect was reconstructed in 42 patients (44.7%), and 21 patients had an associated vascular resection (22.3%). Resection was radical in 85 patients (90.4%). Overall 90-day mortality was 9.6%. After a median follow-up of 1.9 years, 5-year and 10-year overall survival rates were 35% and 23%, respectively. A lower 5-year survival was observed in patients with nodal disease (48% in N0 vs 18% in N+; P < 0.0001), incomplete resection (21% for incomplete vs 37% for complete resection; P = 0.15), and anteriorly located tumor (anterior vs posterior: 26% vs 50%; P = 0.05). Pancoast tumor is a severe condition, but long-term survival may be achieved in selected cases. Nodal involvement, completeness of resection, and vascular invasion are the most important prognostic factors, and induction treatment may play a role.

Surgery for lung cancer invading the mediastinum

Lung cancer infiltrating the mediastinum is a subset of locally advanced lung tumors for which surgery is not routinely offered. Radical operations that involve removal of adjacent mediastinal structures to obtain free margins may provide a realistic cure. Such extended resections are typically reserved to highly motivated patients seeking more aggressive management, and are only offered following complete evaluation on a case-by-case basis. Positive prognosis depends on complete R0 resection and lack of mediastinal nodal metastases. Careful and exhaustive preoperative planning as well as surgical expertise cannot be overemphasized for successful surgical outcomes. Here we provide a brief summary of the literature as well as our own experience managing these rare and sometimes challenging surgeries.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy for T3 and T4N0M0 non-small cell lung cancer

To evaluate the outcomes and feasibility of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for cT3 and cT4N0M0 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 25 patients with localized primary NSCLC diagnosed as cT3 or cT4N0M0, given SBRT between May 2005 and July 2013, were analyzed. All patients had inoperable tumors. The major reasons for tumors being unresectable were insufficient respiratory function for curative resection, advanced age (>80 years old) or technically inoperable due to invasion into critical organs. The median patient age was 79 years (range; 60-86). The median follow-up duration was 25 months (range: 5-100 months). The 2-year overall survival rates for T3 and T4 were 57% and 69%, respectively. The 2-year local control rates for T3 and T4 were 91% and 68%, respectively. As for toxicities, Grade 0-1, Grade 2 and Grade 3 radiation pneumonitis occurred in 23, 1 and 1 patient, respectively. No other acute or symptomatic late toxicities were reported. Thirteen patients who had no local, mediastinal or intrapulmonary progression at one year after SBRT underwent pulmonary function testing. The median variation in pre-SBRT and post-SBRT forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) values was -0.1 (-0.8-0.8). This variation was not statistically significant (P = 0.56). Forced vital capacity (FVC), vital capacity (VC), %VC and %FEV1 also showed no significant differences. SBRT for cT3 and cT4N0M0 NSCLC was both effective and feasible. Considering the favorable survival and low morbidity rate, SBRT is a potential treatment option for cT3 and cT4N0M0 NSCLC.

Outcomes After Resection of T4 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Using Cardiopulmonary Bypass

BACKGROUND

Complete, en bloc resection offers the greatest chance of long-term survival in T4 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) to achieve an en bloc resection is controversial because of potentially increased bleeding, lung dysfunction, and tumor dissemination. We reviewed our institutional experience to assess CPB's effect on survival.

METHODS

All patients who underwent resection for T4 NSCLC at our institution between 1980 and 2013 were retrospectively reviewed and stratified according to whether they did (CPB group, n = 20) or did not (No CPB group, n = 355) undergo CPB. Primary outcomes of interest were overall and disease-free survival and perioperative complications.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics and medical therapy were similar between the groups. Median overall survival for all patients was 31 months, with 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year survival of 73%, 47%, 40%, and 26%, respectively. Median disease-free survival for all patients was 19 months, with 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year disease-free survival of 61%, 40%, 33%, and 21%, respectively. No difference was found in overall or disease-free survival at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years between the No CPB and CPB groups (p = 0.89 and p = 0.88). In addition, no differences were found in the rates of major perioperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of CPB allows for complete, en bloc resection in otherwise inoperable patients with T4 NSCLC and offers similar overall and disease-free survival to patients resected without CPB. All thoracic surgeons who manage T4 NSCLC should consider the use of CPB if it is necessary to achieve a complete, en bloc resection.

Utility of a Computed Tomography-Based Navigation System (O-Arm) for En Bloc Partial Vertebrectomy for Lung Cancer Adjacent to the Thoracic Spine: Technical Case Report

We describe successful vertebrectomy from a posterior approach using a computed tomography (CT)-based navigation system (O-arm) in a 53-year-old man with adenocarcinoma of the posterior apex of the right lung with invasion of the adjacent rib, thoracic wall, and T2 and T3 vertebral bodies. En bloc partial vertebrectomy for lung cancer adjacent to the thoracic spine was planned using O-arm. First, laminectomy was performed from right T2 to T3, and pedicles and transverse processes of T2 to T3 were resected. O-arm was used to confirm the location of the cutting edge in the T2 to 3 right vertebral internal body, and osteotomy to the anterior cortex was performed with a chisel. Next, the patient was placed in a left decubitus position. The surgical specimen was extracted en bloc. This case shows that O-arm can be used reliably and easily in vertebrectomy from a posterior approach and can facilitate en bloc resection.

National Analysis of Short-Term Outcomes After Pulmonary Resections on Cardiopulmonary Bypass

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary resections using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are infrequently performed. Their short-term outcomes are not well described. We queried the National Inpatient Sample over a 10-year period (2001 to 2011) to more clearly delineate the short-term outcomes of patients undergoing pulmonary resections on CPB.

METHODS

We identified all patients 18 years and older who underwent pulmonary lobectomy (LB) or pneumonectomy (PN) on CPB; lung transplantations were excluded. We then grouped these patients based on the setting in which bypass was used: LB/PN with planned CPB (group 1), LB/PN with concomitant on-pump cardiac procedure (group 2), or LB/PN requiring CPB secondary to injury (group 3). Demographic data and inhospital outcomes were obtained for each patient.

RESULTS

In all, 843 patients underwent LB or PN on CPB during the study period. Lobectomies were the most commonly performed procedure overall. Inhospital mortality for groups 1, 2, and 3 were 22% (n = 58), 16% (n = 61), and 57% (n = 115), respectively. Complications were prevalent across all groups. Routine discharge was achieved by fewer than half of all patients: 48% of group 1 (n = 128); 34% of group 2 (n = 129); and 18% of group 3 (n = 36). Pneumonectomy (odds ratio 2.74, 95% confidence interval: 1.00 to 7.53, p = 0.049) as well as using CPB either as part of a combined cardiac surgery (odds ratio 1.48, 95% confidence interval: 0.39 to 5.59, p = 0.002) or because of injury (odds ratio 6.52, 95% confidence interval: 2.13 to 19.99, p = 0.002) were found to be significant multivariate predictors of short-term mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Pulmonary resections on CPB carry considerable short-term mortality and morbidity, but some risk can be partially mitigated when bypass is planned preoperatively.

Extended resections of non-small cell lung cancers invading the aorta, pulmonary artery, left atrium, or esophagus: can they be justified?

T4 tumors that invade the heart, great vessels, or esophagus comprise a heterogenous group of locally invasive lung cancers. Prognosis depends on nodal status; this relationship has been consistently demonstrated in many of the small series of extended resection. Current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines do not recommend surgery for T4 extension with N2-3 disease (stage IIIB). However, biopsy-proven T4 N0-1 (stage IIIA) may be operable. Localized tumors with invasion of the aorta, pulmonary artery, left atrium, or esophagus represent a small subset of T4 disease. Acquiring sufficient randomized data to provide statistical proof of a survival advantage for patients undergoing extended resections for these neoplasms will likely never be possible.Therefore, we are left to critically analyze current documented experience to make clinical decisions on a case-by-case basis.It is clear that the operative morbidity and mortality of extended resections for locally advanced T4 tumors have significantly improved over time,yet the risks are still high. The indications for such procedures and the anticipated outcomes should be clearly weighed in terms of potential perioperative complications and expertise of the surgical team. Patients with T4 N0-1 have the best prognosis and with complete resection may have the potential for cure. The use of induction therapy and surgery for advanced T4 tumors may improve survival. Current data suggest that for tumors that invade the aorta, pulmonary artery,left atrium, or esophagus, resection should be considered in relation to multidisciplinary care.For properly selected patients receiving treatment at high volume, experienced centers, extended resections may be warranted.

Superior vena caval resection in lung cancer

Lung cancer with involvement of the SVC is uncommon but presents a unique management challenge. Discovery of N2 disease should be given its due diligence and these patients should undergo induction therapy. Patients can attain favorable long-term outcomes with surgery, but they need to be carefully selected at specialized centers.

[pT4 non-small cell lung cancer: Surgical characteristics in present practice]

INTRODUCTION

pT4 is a group of miscellaneous tumors: our goal was to revisit their surgical reality.

METHODS

The different characteristics and prognostic factors of lung pT4 (n=403) were analysed according to three subgroups: G1 - by direct extension; G2 - by nodule in other ipsilateral lobe; G3 - because of both.

RESULTS

There were 332 males and 71 females mean aged 61.5 years. Surgery [exploratory: 89 (22.1 %), lobectomy: 149 (37 %), pneumonectomy: 169 (41.9 %)] was followed by 26 postoperative deaths (6.5 %), 82 complications (20.3 %) and concerned few pN0 (47.6 %). G1 (n=196) and G3 (n=53) were not different. By comparison with them, G2 (n=53) were mainly females (24\13 %), with less explorative thoracotomy (2.6\34 %), more complete R0 resections (77\29 %), less pneumonectomy (31\47 %), more small sized tumors (mean: 37\57 mm), more adenocarcinoma (67\32 %), more N0 tumors (48\31.7 %) and stages IIIA disease (46.7\56 %). G2 5-year survival rates were higher (G2: 22 %; G1: 13 %; G3: 15 %); G1 rates depended of the invaded structure (20.9 % for the vertebra down to 0 % for the esophagus and carina). pN2 rates were not very high but not different between groups (G1: 13.6 %; G2: 15.6 %; G3: 14.3 %; P=0.52). Multivariate analysis demonstrated completeness and type of resection, stage and age as independent factors of prognosis.

CONCLUSION

Surgery for pT4 is justified provided rigorous selection of extension forms. However, assimilating extension and ipsilateral lobe nodule in a same group does not obey to surgical reality.

Surgical management of advanced non-small cell lung cancer

More than 75% of the cases of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are diagnosed in advanced stages (IIIA-IV). Although in these patients the role of surgery is unclear, complete tumor resection can be achieved in selected cases, with good long-term survival. In this review, current indications for surgery in advanced NSCLC are discussed. In stage IIIA (N2), surgery after induction chemotherapy seems to be the best option. The indication of induction chemotherapy plus radiotherapy is debatable due to potential postoperative complications but recently reported experiences have not shown a higher postoperative risk in patients after chemo and radiotherapy induction even if pneumonectomy is performed. In cases of unexpected N2 found during thoracotomy, lobectomy plus systematic nodal dissection is recommended mostly for patients with single station disease. In stage IIIB, surgery is only the choice for resectable T4N0-1 cases and should not be indicated in cases of N2 disease. Favorable outcomes are reported after extended resections to the spine and mediastinal structures. Thorough and individualized discussion of each stage IIIB case is encouraged in the context of a multidisciplinary team. For stage IV oligometastatic cases, surgery can still be included when planning multimodality treatment. Brain and adrenal gland are the two most common sites of oligometastases considered for local ablative therapy.