High-dose radiotherapy in trimodality treatment of Pancoast tumors results in high pathologic complete response rates and excellent long-term survival

Trimodality Treatment of Superior Sulcus Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: An Institutional Series of 47 Consecutive Patients

OBJECTIVES

Treatment of superior sulcus tumors (SST) using concurrent chemoradiation followed by surgery is a current standard. However, due to the rarity of this entity, clinical experience in its treatment remains scarce. Here, we present the results of a large consecutive series of patients treated with concurrent chemoradiation followed by surgery at a single academic institution.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study group included 48 patients with pathologically confirmed SST. The treatment schedule consisted of preoperative 6-MV photon-beam radiotherapy (45-66 Gy delivered in 25-33 fractions over 5-6.5 weeks) and concurrent two cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy. Five weeks after completion of chemoradiation, pulmonary and chest wall resection was performed.

RESULTS

From 2006 to 2018, 47 of 48 consecutive patients meeting protocol criteria underwent two cycles of cisplatin-based chemotherapy and concurrent radiotherapy (45-66 Gy) followed by pulmonary resection. One patient did not undergo surgery due to brain metastases that occurred during induction therapy. The median follow-up was 64.7 months. Chemoradiation was well tolerated, with no toxicity-related deaths. Twenty-one patients (44%) developed grade 3-4 side effects, of which the most common was neutropenia (17 patients; 35.4%). Seventeen patients (36.2%) had postoperative complications, and 90-day mortality was 2.1%. Three- and five-year overall survival (OS) were 43.6% and 33.5%, respectively, and three- and five-year recurrence-free survival were 42.1% and 32.4%, respectively. Thirteen (27.7%) and 22 (46.8%) patients had a complete and major pathological response, respectively. Five-year OS in patients with complete tumor regression was 52.7% (95% CI 29.4-94.5). Predictive factors of long-term survival included age below 70 years, complete resection, pathological stage, and response to induction treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Chemoradiation followed by surgery is a relatively safe method with satisfactory outcomes.

Current Surgical Indications for Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Simple Summary

The management strategy for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been transformed by our improved understanding of the cancer biology and concomitant development of novel systemic therapies. Complete surgical resection of NSCLC continues to offer the best chance for cure or local and regional disease control, and with improvements in minimally invasive techniques and enhanced recovery, the morbidity associated with surgical resection has been reduced. Patient-centered multi-disciplinary discussions that consider surgical therapy are associated with improved outcomes. Provided with promising novel therapeutic modalities including immune checkpoint inhibitors with or without chemotherapy, stereotactic radiotherapy, and targeted systemic therapies, indications for surgery continue to evolve and have expanded to include selected patients with advanced and metastatic disease.

Abstract

With recent strides made within the field of thoracic oncology, the management of NSCLC is evolving rapidly. Careful patient selection and timing of multi-modality therapy to permit the optimization of therapeutic benefit must be pursued. While chemotherapy and radiotherapy continue to have a role in the management of lung cancer, surgical therapy remains an essential component of lung cancer treatment in early, locally and regionally advanced, as well as in selected, cases of metastatic disease. Recent and most impactful advances in the treatment of lung cancer relate to the advent of immunotherapy and targeted therapy, molecular profiling, and predictive biomarker discovery. Many of these systemic therapies are a part of the standard of care in metastatic NSCLC, and their indications are expanding towards surgically operable lung cancer to improve survival outcomes. Numerous completed and ongoing clinical trials in the surgically operable NSCLC speak to the interest and importance of the multi-modality therapy even in earlier stages of NSCLC. In this review, we focus on the current standard of care indications for surgical therapy in stage I-IV NSCLC as well as on the anticipated future direction of multi-disciplinary lung cancer therapy.

Adjuvant chemotherapy following combined induction chemotherapy and concurrent chemoradiotherapy improves survival in N2-3-positive nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the clinical value of adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) following concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (CCRT) and induction chemotherapy (ICT) in loco-regionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LANC).

METHODS

We included 839 newly diagnosed LANC patients in this study. ICT plus CCRT (ICT + CCRT group) was administered to 443 patients, and 396 patients received ACT after ICT plus CCRT (ICT + CCRT + ACT group). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were carried out. Furthermore, propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to balance the study and control groups.

RESULTS

A total of 373 pairs of LANC patients were obtained after PSM analysis. We found that ACT following ICT + CCRT has no significant effect on improving the survival of LANC patients. By further exploring the ICT + CCRT + ACT treatment protocol, we excluded N0-1-positive patients and re-performed PSM in the ICT + CCRT and ICT + CCRT + ACT groups. Each group consisted of 237 patients. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that there were differences between the ICT + CCRT and ICT + CCRT + ACT groups in terms of the 5-year overall survival (OS) (78.9% vs. 85.0%, P = 0.034), disease-free survival (DFS) (73.4% vs. 81.7%, P = 0.029), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) (84.9% vs. 76.0%, P = 0.019). In addition, the ICT + CCRT + ACT group had a higher incidence of grade 3/4 acute leukocytopenia/neutropenia.

CONCLUSION

Compared with ICT + CCRT, ACT following ICT plus CCRT can reduce distant metastasis of N2-3-positive LANC and improve the OS and DFS. The results demonstrated the feasibility and clinical utility of ACT following ICT plus CCRT.

A nationwide population-based cohort study of surgical care for patients with superior sulcus tumors: Results from the Dutch Lung Cancer Audit for Surgery (DLCA-S)

OBJECTIVES

Data on national patterns of care for patients with superior sulcus tumors (SST) is currently lacking. We investigated the distribution of surgical care and outcome for patients with SST in the Netherlands.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Data was retrieved from the Dutch Lung Cancer Audit for Surgery (DLCA-S) for all patients undergoing resection for clinical stage IIB-IV SST from 2012 to 2019. Because DLCA-S is not linked to survival data, survival for a separate cohort (2015-2017) was obtained from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR).

RESULTS

In the study period, 181 patients had SST surgery, representing 1.03% (181/17488) of all lung cancer pulmonary resections. For 2015-2017, the SST resection rate was 14.4% (79/549), and patients with stage IIB/III SST treated with trimodality had a 3-year overall survival of 67.4%. 63.5% of patients were male, and median age was 60 years. Almost 3/4 of tumors were right sided. Surgery was performed in 20 hospitals, with average number of annual resections ranging from ≤ 1 (n = 17) to 9 (n = 1). 39.8% of resections were performed in 1 center and 63.5% in the 3 most active centers. 12.7% of resections were extended (e.g. vertebral resection). 85.1% of resections were complete (R0). Morbidity and 30-day mortality were 51.4% and 3.3% respectively. Despite treating patients with a higher ECOG performance score and more extended resections, the highest volume center had rates of morbidity/mortality, and length of hospital stay that were comparable to those of the medium volume (n = 2) and low-volume centers (n = 1).

CONCLUSION

In the Netherlands, surgery for SST accounts for about 1% of all lung cancer pulmonary resections, the number of SST resections/hospital/year varies widely, with most centers performing an average of ≤ 1/year. Morbidity and mortality are acceptable and survival compares favourably with the literature. Although further centralisation is possible, it is unknown whether this will improve outcomes.

Clinical outcomes of pancoast tumors treated with trimodality therapy

Background

Superior sulcus tumors, or Pancoast tumors, are challenging thoracic malignancies to treat due to their anatomical location posing difficult surgical access and potential involvement of adjacent vital structures. The current standard of care is trimodality treatment, which consists of induction chemoradiotherapy followed by radical surgical resection. This study aims to report the clinical outcomes of trimodality approach in British Columbia, Canada.

Methods

Patients with Pancoast tumors who underwent trimodality treatment between 2000–2015 were included in this provincial multi-center retrospective study. Patient-, disease-, and treatment-related data were collected, and treatment outcomes were recorded.

Results

We identified 32 patients who underwent induction chemoradiotherapy and subsequent surgical resection. Mean age was 59 (43–75 years) with median follow-up of 43 months (5–216 months). Complete resection was achieved in 31 patients (97%). Fourteen patients (44%) had pathological complete response after induction chemoradiotherapy. Thirteen (41%) showed minimal microscopic (>90% tumor necrosis) and 5 (16%) macroscopic residual disease (<90% tumor necrosis). Fourteen patients (44%) developed recurrence, which was distant in 9 cases. The 2-, 5-, and 10-year overall survival rates were 67.9%, 50.1%, 31.8% and the 2-, 5-, and 10-year disease-free survival rates were 65.1%, 47.1% and 28.2% respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in overall survival or disease-free survival rates with or without pathological complete response.

Conclusions

Complete surgical resection with negative margins can be achieved after induction chemoradiotherapy, and curative-intent trimodality treatment can lead to long-term survival in some patients. This study did not demonstrate any prognostic value of pathological complete response, likely due to small sample size.

Horner syndrome

Horner syndrome is an uncommon but important clinical entity, representing interruption of the sympathetic pathway to the eye and face. Horner syndrome is almost always diagnosed clinically, though pharmacological testing can be used to confirm the diagnosis. Imaging modalities such as PET, CT and MRI are important components of work-up for patients presenting with acquired Horner syndrome. Our patient's presentation with Horner syndrome unmasked the causative superior sulcus squamous cell carcinoma and a coincidental lower lobe adenocarcinoma. Successful radical treatment of these cancers resulted in complete resolution of the syndrome and disease-free survival at 18 months. We review the anatomy and pathophysiology underlying this and other causes of Horner syndrome.

Three-stage approach to resection of left pancoast tumour with spinal and major vessel involvement

Here we describe the successful outcome of a complex and challenging resection of a left-sided pancoast tumour involving the left subclavian artery and vertebral bodies. The resection was performed following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in a multi-staged fashion involving multiple teams including thoracic surgery, plastic surgery, neurosurgery and vascular surgery. Each operation was less than 6 h, without complication, and the patient was discharged within 1 week of each procedure. This case report highlights the importance of multidisciplinary team collaboration and planning in order to achieve a successful oncologic outcome and a good quality of life following treatment of these challenging tumours. The patient had a good functional outcome and no evidence of recurrence 1.5 years later.

Trimodality therapy for superior sulcus tumour: experience of a single institution over 19 years

OBJECTIVES

Induction chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery is the standard treatment for superior sulcus tumours (SSTs). However, the protocols, chemotherapy agents and cycles used as well as the mode and intensity of radiotherapy vary between institutions. Thus, the objective of the study was to investigate the effects of trimodality therapy on the outcomes of patients with SSTs.

METHODS

Sixty patients with SSTs were enrolled between January 1999 and December 2017. Induction therapy consisted primarily of 2 cycles of mitomycin-vindesine-cisplatin or cisplatin-vinorelbine delivered concurrently to the tumour with 40-45 Gy of radiation. Surgery was performed 2-6 weeks after completion of induction therapy.

RESULTS

Fifty-four (90%) patients underwent radical surgical resection. Complete pathological resection was achieved in 44 patients (81%). There was no 30-day mortality. After a median follow-up of 57.0 months, 19 (35%) patients experienced recurrence, and 8 (15%) patients showed brain metastasis. A pathological complete response (PCR) was observed in 12 (22%) patients. The 5-year survival rate for the entire population (n = 54) was 69% (95% confidence interval 55-81%). The survival rate was better for patients who underwent complete resection than for those who underwent incomplete resection (73% vs 51%, P = 0.46). A better survival rate was evident in patients with PCR than in those without PCR (92% vs 62%, P = 0.12).

CONCLUSIONS

Trimodality therapy for SSTs was efficacious and associated with favourable outcomes, with acceptable morbidity and mortality. PCR in patients with resected SSTs reveals promising long-term survival prospects with the trimodality therapy.

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.

Superior sulcus tumors (Pancoast tumors)

Superior Sulcus Tumors, frequently termed as Pancoast tumors, are a wide range of tumors invading the apical chest wall. Due to its localization in the apex of the lung, with the potential invasion of the lower part of the brachial plexus, first ribs, vertebrae, subclavian vessels or stellate ganglion, the superior sulcus tumors cause characteristic symptoms, like arm or shoulder pain or Horner's syndrome. The management of superior sulcus tumors has dramatically evolved over the past 50 years. Originally deemed universally fatal, in 1956, Shaw and Paulson introduced a new treatment paradigm with combined radiotherapy and surgery ensuring 5-year survival of approximately 30%. During the 1990s, following the need to improve systemic as well as local control, a trimodality approach including induction concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by surgical resection was introduced, reaching 5-year survival rates up to 44% and becoming the standard of care. Many efforts have been persecuted, also, to obtain higher complete resection rates using appropriate surgical approaches and involving multidisciplinary team including spine surgeon or vascular surgeon. Other potential treatment options are under consideration like prophylactic cranial irradiation or the addition of other chemotherapy agents or biologic agents to the trimodality approach.

Superior sulcus non-small cell lung carcinoma: A comparison of IMRT and 3D-RT dosimetry

AIM

A dosimetric study comparing intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) by TomoTherapy to conformational 3D radiotherapy (3D-RT) in patients with superior sulcus non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

BACKGROUND

IMRT became the main technique in modern radiotherapy. However it was not currently used for lung cancers. Because of the need to increase the dose to control lung cancers but because of the critical organs surrounding the tumors, the gains obtainable with IMRT is not still demonstrated.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A dosimetric comparison of the planned target and organs at risk parameters between IMRT and 3D-RT in eight patients who received preoperative or curative intent irradiation.

RESULTS

In the patients who received at least 66 Gy, the mean V95% was significantly better with IMRT than 3D-RT (p = 0.043). IMRT delivered a lower D2% compared to 3D-RT (p = 0.043). The IH was significantly better with IMRT (p = 0.043). The lung V 5 Gy and V 13 Gy were significantly higher in IMRT than 3D-RT (p = 0.043), while the maximal dose (D max) to the spinal cord was significantly lower in IMRT (p = 0.043). The brachial plexus D max was significantly lower in IMRT than 3D-RT (p = 0.048). For patients treated with 46 Gy, no significant differences were found.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that IMRT is relevant for SS-NSCLC. In patients treated with a curative dose, it led to a reduction of the exposure of critical organs, allowing a better dose distribution in the tumor. For the patients treated with a preoperative schedule, our results provide a basis for future controlled trials to improve the histological complete response by increasing the radiation dose.

Early results of a trimodality treatment for superior sulcus tumors

Introduction

Superior sulcus tumors are a unique form of lung cancer. Preoperative concurrent radio- and chemotherapy improves the results of treating these lung tumors.

Aim

The study aimed to assess the early results of a trimodality treatment for superior sulcus tumors.

Material and methods

Fifty-six superior sulcus tumors patients were operated on between 2006 and 2013. Data from 25 patients undergoing preoperative chemoradiotherapy were analyzed. Fifteen men and 10 women were treated (mean age: 59 years). All patients experienced pain in the pectoral girdle of the chest.

Results

Nineteen patients received preoperative chemoradiotherapy consisting of 2 chemotherapy cycles with cisplatin (a different number of cycles was administered in 6 cases) and irradiation at a mean dose of 51.2 Gy (30-60 Gy) in 25 fractions (25-30 fractions). All patients underwent upper lobectomy. Twenty-two patients underwent chest wall resection, whereas 3 patients underwent extrapleural excision of the infiltrate without rib resection. Stages IIB and IIIB were diagnosed in 15 and 10 patients, respectively. In 9 samples, no neoplastic features were found, 9 showed individual neoplastic lesions, and in 7 most tumor cells were necrotized. The R1 resection was noted in 2 patients. Mean hospitalization time was 13 days. No perioperative deaths were noted.

Conclusions

The trimodality treatment for superior sulcus tumors is a safe method. Perioperative mortality and the number of complications observed among patients treated with this method are similar to those observed in one-phase surgery. In over half of the patients, chemoradiotherapy resulted in complete or nearly complete remission of the neoplasm.

Clinical Prediction of Pathologic Complete Response in Superior Sulcus Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

Management of superior sulcus non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) continues to evolve, with preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CXRT) followed by surgical intervention supported by several studies. Rates of pathologic complete response (pCR) have varied, and previous attempts to identify clinical predictors of pCR have been unsuccessful. We analyzed our experience with resected superior sulcus NSCLC to elucidate clinical features suggestive of pCR among patients after preoperative treatment.

METHODS

A multiinstitutional retrospective review was performed in patients who underwent resection for superior sulcus NSCLC between January 1988 and July 2013. Data pertaining to comorbidities, staging, therapy, imaging, and outcomes were collected. Logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of survival and pCR.

RESULTS

During the study, 102 patients underwent preoperative therapy, consisting of CXRT in 75 (73.5%), chemotherapy in 15 (14.7%), and radiotherapy in 12 (11.8%). After median follow-up of 18.0 months, overall and disease-free survivals were 51.0% and 45.1%, respectively. On multivariate regression, independent predictors of survival included pCR (p = 0.001; hazard ratio [HR], 0.243; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.106-0.555) and age (p = 0.007; HR, 1.049; CI, 1.013-1.085). Among those who received CXRT, 24 of 75 (32%) achieved pCR. Multivariate regression analysis of the CXRT group revealed that pCR was independently predicted by extent of size reduction on imaging (p = 0.015; HR, 1.042; CI, 1.008-1.078), with histologic examination showing a trend toward significance (p = 0.073).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative chemoradiation frequently resulted in pCR, and treatment response on imaging was associated with the likelihood of achieving pCR. Future investigations are warranted to further predict pCR from preoperative clinical variables such as symptom resolution, as identification of accurate predictors may ultimately permit the application of selective surgical intervention in superior sulcus NSCLC.

Long-Term Outcomes of Lobectomy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer After Definitive Radiation Treatment

BACKGROUND

Salvage surgical resection for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients initially treated with definitive chemotherapy and radiotherapy can be performed safely, but the long-term benefits are not well characterized.

METHODS

Perioperative complications and long-term survival of all patients with NSCLC who received curative-intent definitive radiotherapy, with or without chemotherapy, followed by lobectomy from 1995 to 2012 were evaluated.

RESULTS

During the study period, 31 patients met the inclusion criteria. Clinical stage distribution was stage I in 2 (6%), stage II in 5 (16%), stage IIIA in 15 (48%), stage IIIB in 5 (16%), stage IV in 3 (10%), and unknown in 1 (3%). The reasons surgical resection was initially not considered were: patients deemed medically inoperable (5 [16%]); extent of disease was considered unresectable (21 [68%]); small cell lung cancer misdiagnosis (1 [3%]), and unknown (4 [13%]). Definitive therapy was irradiation alone in 2 (6%), concurrent chemoradiotherapy in 28 (90%), and sequential chemoradiotherapy in 1 (3%). The median radiation dose was 60 Gy. Patients were subsequently referred for resection because of obvious local relapse, medical tolerance of surgical intervention, or posttherapy imaging suggesting residual disease. The median time from radiation to lobectomy was 17.7 weeks. There were no perioperative deaths, and morbidity occurred in 15 patients (48%). None of the 3 patients with residual pathologic nodal disease survived longer than 37 months, but the 5-year survival of pN0 patients was 36%. Patients who underwent lobectomy for obvious relapse (n = 3) also did poorly, with a median overall survival of 9 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Lobectomy after definitive radiotherapy can be done safely and is associated with reasonable long-term survival, particularly when patients do not have residual nodal disease.

Management of locally advanced pancoast (superior sulcus) tumors with spine involvement

BACKGROUND

The preferred treatment for locally aggressive lung cancers is triple modality therapy with concurrent and induction chemotherapy with radiation therapy followed by surgery. Patients with locally advanced T4 Pancoast tumors with spine involvement, without mediastinal N2 lymph node involvement and without distant metastases, are appropriate candidates for complete resection with subsequent spine reconstruction. This review addresses the questions of whether triple modality therapy with complete en bloc resection of locally advanced Pancoast tumors offers an advantage in terms of overall survival and complication rates compared with other therapeutic modalities or therapies with incomplete resection.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted using common medical databases. Inclusion and exclusion criteria for the articles were prospectively defined. The articles were independently reviewed and a consensus decision was made about each article. Selected papers were graded by level of evidence.

RESULTS

A total of 1,001 abstracts and 93 articles fulfilled the criteria; from these studies, 14 were included in this systematic review. No level 1 study was found in this search. Four level 2 studies and 10 level 3 retrospective case series were found. The overall 5-year survival rate reported in these studies ranged from 37% to 59% and the mortality rate ranged from 0% to 6.9%.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence suggests that triple modality therapy with complete resection of locally advanced Pancoast tumors with involvement of the spine offers an advantage over other therapeutic modalities or therapies with incomplete resections.

Superior sulcus non small cell lung carcinoma: retrospective analysis of 42 patients

Aims

Retrospective, monocentric analysis of localized superior sulcus non-small cell cancer (SS-NSCLC), article management.

Materials and methods

Between 2000 and 2010, 42 patients have been treated for a SS-NSCLC. Median age was 54.7 years (34.5-86.8). Nineteen tumors (45.2%) were stage IIB, 18 were stage IIIA (42.9%) and 5 were stage IIIB (11.9%). Twenty-two patients were treated by pre-operative radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, 20 received exclusive radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. Preoperative and exclusive median radiotherapy doses were 46 Gy (40–47 Gy) and 51.8 Gy (40–70 Gy), respectively. All patients treated with chemotherapy received at least platinum. Mean follow up was 44.1 months (0–128 months).

Results

Local, loco-regional and metastatic relapses occurred in 11 (26.2%), 2 (4.8%) and 15 patients (35.7%), respectively. Most common metastatic site was cerebral (7 patients, 46.7%). Median disease-free survival (DFS) was 9.7 months (8.9-10.4). One-, 2- and 5- years DFS rates were 44%, 33% and 26.5%, respectively. No prognostic factor was identified.

Median overall survival (OS) was 22.6 months (10.4-34.8). One-, 2- and 5- years OS rates were 61.9%, 44.9% and 30.1%, respectively. Univariate prognostic factors for OS were WHO (p = 0.027) and tumoral response (p = 0.05). In multivariate analysis, independent favorable prognostic factors were WHO 0–1 (p = 0.017; OR = 0.316 [CI95% 0.123-0.81) and complete response to treatment (p = 0.035; OR = 0.312 [IC95% 0.106-0.919]).

Conclusion

This study highlighted that a good performans status and complete response to treatment are independent factors of OS, whatever the delivered treatment. Brain was the most common metastatic relapse site.

Therapeutic modalities for Pancoast tumors

A Pancoast tumor, also called a pulmonary sulcus tumor or superior sulcus tumor, is a tumor of the pulmonary apex. It is a type of lung cancer defined primarily by its location situated at the top end of either the right or left lung. It typically spreads to nearby tissues such as the ribs and vertebrae. Most Pancoast tumors are non-small cell cancers. The growing tumor can cause compression of a brachiocephalic vein, subclavian artery, phrenic nerve, recurrent laryngeal nerve, vagus nerve, or, characteristically, compression of a sympathetic ganglion resulting in a range of symptoms known as Horner's syndrome. Pancoast tumors are named for Henry Pancoast, a US radiologist, who described them in 1924 and 1932.The treatment of a Pancoast lung cancer may differ from that of other types of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Its position and close proximity to vital structures may make surgery difficult. As a result, and depending on the stage of the cancer, treatment may involve radiation and chemotherapy given prior to surgery. Surgery may consist of the removal of the upper lobe of a lung together with its associated structures as well as mediastinal lymphadenectomy. Surgical access may be via thoracotomy from the back or the front of the chest and modification. Careful patient selection, improvements in imaging such as the role of PET-CT in restaging of tumors, radiotherapy and surgical advances, the management of previously inoperable lesions by a combined experienced thoracic-neurosurgical team and prompt recognition and therapy of postoperative complications has greatly increased local control and overall survival for patients with these tumors.

Superior sulcus (Pancoast) tumors: current evidence on diagnosis and radical treatment

Pancoast tumors account for less than 5% of all bronchogenic carcinomas. These tumors are located in the apex of the lung and involve through tissue contiguity the apical chest wall and/or the structures of the thoracic inlet. The tumors become clinically evident with the characteristic symptoms of the "Pancoast-Tobias syndrome" which includes Claude-Bernard-Horner syndrome, severe pain in the shoulder radiating toward the axilla and/or scapula and along the ulnar distribution of the upper arm, atrophy of hand and arm muscles and obstruction of the subclavian vein resulting in edema of the upper arm. The diagnosis will be made by the combination of the characteristic clinical symptoms with the radiographic findings of a mass or opacity in the apex of the lung infiltrating the 1(st) and/or 2(nd) ribs. A tissue diagnosis of the tumor via CT-guided FNA/B should always be available before the initiation of treatment. Bronchoscopy, thoracoscopy and biopsy of palpable supraclavicular nodes are alternative ways to obtain a tissue diagnosis. Adenocarcinomas account for 2/3 of all Pancoast tumors, while the rest of the tumors are squamous cell and large cell carcinomas. Magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic inlet is always recommended to define the exact extent of tumor invasion within the thoracic inlet before surgical intervention. Pancoast tumors are by definition T3 or T4 tumors. Induction chemo-radiotherapy is the standard of care for any potentially resectable Pancoast tumor followed by an attempt to achieve a complete tumor resection. Resection can be made through a variety of anterior and posterior approaches to the thoracic inlet. The choice of the approach depends on the location of the tumor (posterior - middle - anterior compartment of the thoracic inlet) and the depth/extent of invasion. Prognosis depends mainly on T stage of tumor, response to preoperative chemo-radiotherapy and completeness of resection. Resection of the invaded strictures of the thoracic inlet should me made en bloc with pulmonary parenchyma resection, preferably an upper lobectomy. Invasion of the vertebral column is not a contraindication for surgery which, however, should be performed in oncologic centers with experience in spinal surgery. Surgery for Pancoast tumors is associated with 5% mortality rate and the complication rate varies from 7-38%. The overall 2-year survival rate after induction chemo-radiotherapy and resection varies from 55% to 70%, while the 5-year survival for R0 resections is quite good (54-77%). The main pattern of recurrence is that of distant metastases, especially in the brain.

[Impact of induction therapies on pathology and outcome after surgical resection of non-small lung cancer: a 30-year experience of 859 patients]

The management of localized non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been modified over the last decades, with induction therapies being increasingly recommended as a prerequisite to surgical resection. However, the relative impact of chemo- and chemoradiotherapy on tumours' pathology and patients' survival is still discussed.

METHODS

We set a retrospective study including every patient who underwent surgical resection for NSCLC in 2 French centres from 1980 to 2009. We then compared the tumours' pathology and patients' survival according to the use of induction chemotherapy (group 1) or induction chemoradiotherapy (group 2).

RESULTS

There were 733 patients in group 1 and 126 patients in group 2. In group 1, 669 patients (91%) had platinum-based chemotherapy, for 2 to 3 cycles in 564 cases (77%). In group 2, chemoradiotheray was concomitant in 68 patients (54%), and sequential in 58 patients (46%). As compared with group 1, group 2 was characterized by younger age (mean 59.8±9.5 vs 56.4±9.6, respectively, P<.001), a higher rate of tumours deemed unresectable before induction treatment (25% vs 44%, P<.001), and a higher proportion of T4 (25% vs 44%, P<.001) or N2 diseases (56% vs 69%, P=.005). The type of resection, postoperative complications, and postoperative mortality were not significantly different between groups. On final pathologic report, as compared with group 1, there were more N0 and N1 disease in group 2 (N0: 43% vs 58%, P=.002; N1: 22% vs 10%, P=.002) while the rate of N2 disease was comparable (34% vs 32%, P=ns). The median, 5-, and 10-year survivals were 28 months, 35%, and 21% for group 1, and 29 months, 36%, and 23% for group 2, respectively (P=ns).

CONCLUSION

As compared with induction chemotherapy, induction chemoradiotherapy was performed in more advanced NSCLC, and resulted in better downstaging, similar postoperative course, and comparable long-term outcome after surgical resection.

Management of tumors involving the chest wall including pancoast tumors and tumors invading the spine

Bronchogenic carcinomas involving the chest wall include tumors invading the ribs and spine, as well as Pancoast tumors. In the past, such neoplasms were considered to be incurable, but with new multimodality regimens, including induction chemoradiation followed by surgery, they can now be completely resected and patients can benefit from prolonged survival. The most important prognostic factors are the completeness of resection and the pathologic nodal status.

Role of induction therapy: surgical resection of non-small cell lung cancer after induction therapy

Patients with Stage III non-small cell lung cancer are best managed by multimodality therapy. Patients with N2 disease can be treated with induction therapy (usually chemotherapy) followed by surgical resection. Patients whose medical comorbidities preclude surgery should be treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy. T3 or T4 tumors involving the superior sulcus or spine are best managed with induction chemoradiotherapy and surgical resection.

Evaluation of arm function and quality of life after trimodality treatment for superior sulcus tumours

OBJECTIVES

Following trimodality treatment for superior sulcus tumours (SSTs), the 5-year survival rate has significantly improved. Quality of life and potential negative effects of this strategy have become more important. The objective of this study was to investigate the quality of life and the arm and shoulder function after the resection of superior sulcus tumours following neoadjuvant chemoradiation.

METHODS

Patients were selected from a thoracic surgery database. Between January 2002 and December 2010, 72 patients received trimodality treatment of whom 39 were alive at the start of this study in 2010. The following arm function tests were used: nine-hole peg test, range of motion test and action research arm test. Quality of life was assessed using the Disability of the arm and shoulder and SF-36 questionnaires. Analyses of the arm function were conducted comparing the treated side with the untreated side. For quality of life, patients treated on their dominant side were compared with those treated on their non-dominant side.

RESULTS

In total, 19 patients participated in this study (15 men and 4 women). The median age was 59 years (range 39-73), median radiation dose 50 Gy (range 39-66) and median follow-up 40 months (range 4-101). There was no statistically significant difference in arm and shoulder function between the treated and the untreated arm. However, statistically significantly less pain was found if patients were treated on their dominant side.

CONCLUSIONS

After the resection of SSTs following chemoradiotherapy, the arm and shoulder function on the affected side is comparable with the functions at the contralateral side. Patients treated for an SST on their dominant side are less affected in their quality of life regarding pain compared with those treated on their non-dominant side.

Chest wall resection and reconstruction according to the principles of biomimesis

Biomimesis has become the objective of the reconstructive strategies after chest wall resections for primary or secondary tumors. Biomimesis is pursued by respecting the anatomy, preserving function, selecting adequate reconstructive materials, and integrating multidisciplinary efforts for complex reconstructions. Elements of novelty in the clinical practice are represented by the introduction of the principles of video-assisted thoracic surgery to resect chest wall tumors and the increasingly frequent resort to either new materials or revised concepts of time-honored ones for chest wall reconstruction. Experimental investigation seems to outline interesting perspectives for materials destined to reconstruction after either partial or full-thickness resections for recurrent chest wall tumors.

Postoperative radiation therapy for non-small cell lung cancer and thymic malignancies

For many thoracic malignancies, surgery, when feasible, is the preferred upfront modality for local control. However, adjuvant radiation plays an important role in minimizing the risk of locoregional recurrence. Tumors in the thoracic category include certain subgroups of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as well as thymic malignancies. The indications, radiation doses, and treatment fields vary amongst subtypes of thoracic tumors, as does the level of data supporting the use of radiation. For example, in the setting of NSCLC, postoperative radiation is typically reserved for close/positive margins or N2/N3 disease, although such diseases as superior sulcus tumors present unique cases in which the role of neoadjuvant vs. adjuvant treatment is still being elucidated. In contrast, for thymic malignancies, postoperative radiation therapy is often used for initially resected Masaoka stage III or higher disease, with its use for stage II disease remaining controversial. This review provides an overview of postoperative radiation therapy for thoracic tumors, with a separate focus on superior sulcus tumors and thymoma, including a discussion of acceptable radiation approaches and an assessment of the current controversies involved in its use.

Role of surgery following induction therapy for stage III non-small cell lung cancer

Over the last 30 years neoadjuvant treatment of stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) followed by surgical resection for stage IIIB disease has significantly improved the overall results of treatment for patients with stage III NSCLC as well as for those with locally invasive tumors. Different chemotherapy regimens have been used, although in most studies some combination of drugs that include cisplatin is the standard. Radiation when given as part of the induction protocol appears to offer a higher rate of resection and complete resection, and higher doses of radiation are associated with better nodal downstaging. Resection in patients with persistent N2 disease and pneumonectomy following induction therapy remain controversial. Resection in patients with persistent N2 disease and pneumonectomy following induction therapy remain controversial.

Extensive resections: pancoast tumors, chest wall resections, en bloc vascular resections

Infiltration by lung tumor of adjacent anatomic structures including major vessels, main bronchi, and chest wall not only influences the oncologic severity of the disease but also increases the technical complexity of surgery, requiring extended resections and demanding reconstructive procedures. Completeness of resection represents in every case one of the main factors influencing the long-term outcome of patients. Technical and oncologic aspects of extended operations, including resection of Pancoast tumors and chest wall, bronchovascular sleeve resections, and en bloc resections of major thoracic vessels, are reported in this article.

Induction therapy for lung cancer: sailing across the pillars of Hercules

In spite of numerous clinical trials, the jury is still out on the value of induction therapy for locally advanced lung cancer. We elected to address this topic from the multifaceted views of the clinicians often involved in lung cancer management and according the most recent views on locally advanced NSCLC. The concept of a prognostic stratification of N2 disease subsets, especially single vs multiple zone, has been introduced and this may lead to a new interpretation of locally advanced NSCLC. Ten crucial issues were identified that may have an impact on the approach to patients with locally advanced lung cancer in everyday practice.

[Chest wall surgery]

Despite the numerous differences among the distinct diseases of the chest wall, the surgery of this area shows certain common features. Treatment has progressively changed in the last few years due to advances in diagnostic techniques, minimally invasive procedures and reconstruction materials, and especially due to the multidisciplinary management of many diseases. Nuss' minimally invasive correction of pectus excavatum has gained devotees, although open approaches are performed with increasingly small incisions, almost comparable to the lateral incisions in Nuss' technique. Surgeons supporting the open approach also cite the evident disadvantages of the need for a steel implant for 2 or 3 years and for a second intervention to remove this implant. En-bloc resections with reconstruction using materials, which are increasingly better and covered by myocutaneous grafts in collaboration with plastic surgery departments, constitute a major advance in the treatment of chest wall tumors. Trimodal therapy for Pancoast tumors, consisting of induction chemotherapy and radiotherapy and subsequent surgical treatment of the tumor, currently provides the best results in terms of resectability and survival.

A prospective phase 2 study of surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation for superior sulcus tumors

BACKGROUND

The optimal treatment for locally advanced superior sulcus tumors is not clear. The authors report long-term results of a trial examining the safety and efficacy of surgery followed by concurrent chemoradiation therapy for this disease.

METHODS

Thirty-two patients with resectable or marginally resectable superior sulcus tumors at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center from 1994 to 2010 were enrolled in a prospective trial. Surgery involved segmentectomy or lobectomy with en bloc resection of the involved chest wall and complete nodal staging; radiation therapy (RT) began 14 to 42 days later to a dose of 60 grays (Gy) in 50 1.2-Gy fractions if surgical margins were negative or 64.8 Gy in 54 1.2-Gy fractions if margins were positive. Two cycles of etoposide (50 mg/m(2) ) and cisplatin (50 mg/m(2) ) were given during RT, and another 3 cycles were given after RT. Eleven patients underwent prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI).

RESULTS

The protocol completion rate was 78%. Gross total resection was accomplished in all 32 patients; 28% underwent R1 resection. Operative mortality was 0%. The most common surgical complication was postoperative pneumonia (25%). At a median follow-up time of 53.4 months (range, 2-154 months), the 2-year, 5-year, and 10-year rates of locoregional control were 84%, 76%, and 76%; distant metastasis-free survival, 52%, 48%, and 48%; disease-free survival, 49%, 45%, and 45%; and overall survival, 72%, 50%, and 45%, respectively. The brain was the most common site of distant failure (n = 5), but no patient who received PCI experienced brain metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgery followed by postoperative chemoradiation is safe and effective for the treatment of marginally resectable superior sulcus tumors.

Treatment of pancoast tumors from the surgeons prospective: re-appraisal of the anterior-manubrial sternal approach

Pancoast tumours are now amenable to multimodality treatment with an acceptable survival. This is because trimodality treatment improves tumor sterilization and hence outcome. Moreover the development of an anterior approach to access the tumor, further improved the technical challenges for a sound resection.The Anterior-manubrial sternal approach was described more than a decade ago and although this method facilitates better exposure of the extreme apex of the lung, brachial plexus and subclavian vessels, its popularity has not reached high levels. We felt that by re-addressing this topic we would stimulate reconsideration of the anterior approach.

Preoperative concomitant chemo-radiotherapy in superior sulcus tumour: A mono-institutional experience

Superior sulcus tumour (SST) is an uncommon neoplasia whose optimal treatment remains controversial. Usually resected after induction RT or treated with definitive chemo-radiotherapy, it has recently aroused more interest because of preoperative chemo-radiotherapy. Treatment consisted of a platinum-based chemotherapy: carboplatin AUC 5 on days 1 and 22, combined with mitomycin-C 8 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 22, and vinblastine 4 mg/m(2) on days 1, 8, 22 and 29 (MVC) from 1994 to 1999, or combined with navelbine 25mg/m(2) on days 1, 8, 22 and 29 (NC), from 2000 to 2007. Radiotherapy was administered 5 days/week, 30 Gy in 10 fractions on days 22-35 (from 1994 to 1996), or 44 Gy in 22 fractions on days 22-52 (from 1997 to 2007). SURGERY was planned after 2-3 weeks since the completion of radiotherapy. Since 1994, 37 pts were treated with induction chemo-radiotherapy, 1 with induction radiotherapy only. Induction chemotherapy: 16 pts had MVC (43%) and 21 NC (57%); induction radiotherapy: 7 patients treated with MVC had 30 Gy/10F, 9 had 44 Gy/22F; all the patients treated with NC had 44 Gy/22F, but 2 of them did not complete radiotherapy because of early death (after 16 Gy/8F) and toxicity (after 38 Gy/19F). Grade 3-4 haematological toxicity of induction chemo-radiotherapy was found in 13 patients (35%); the most frequent non-haematological toxicities were constipation and oesophagitis. One complete, 18 partial and 8 minimal responses/stable disease were observed. Moreover, 1 progression disease and 1 early death occurred.

SURGERY

30 upper lobectomies (17 right, 13 left) and 4 segmentectomies, with chest wall resections, were performed (89% resection rate); 4 pts were not operated. Radical resections were achieved in 74% of the patients, with 5 pathologic complete remissions at resection. Twenty-seven patients (71%) had improvement of shoulder/arm pain. Median progression-free survival was 64 weeks and median survival was 148 weeks. The 5-year overall and progression-free survivals were 40% and 29%, respectively. In the multimodality treatment of SST, concurrent carboplatin-based chemotherapy plus radiotherapy were active and feasible without major toxicities. This resulted in high resectability rate and favourable progression-free and overall survival rates.

Survival after trimodality treatment for superior sulcus and central T4 non-small cell lung cancer

INTRODUCTION

For sulcus superior tumors and central cT4 tumors, low resectability and poor long-term survival rates are obtained with single-modality treatment.

METHODS

Analysis of all consecutive patients in our prospective database, who had potentially resectable superior sulcus (cT3-T4) and central cT4 tumors and were treated with induction chemoradiotherapy (two courses of cisplatin-etoposide) and concomitant radiotherapy (45 Gy/1.8 Gy) after multidisciplinary discussion. Surgery with attempted complete resection was performed in patients showing response or stable disease on computed tomography.

RESULTS

Between April 2002 and February 2008, 32 consecutive patients were enrolled. Two patients did not complete the induction chemoradiotherapy. Thirty patients were reassessed after induction, 28 had response or stable disease by conventional imaging. Twenty-seven patients were surgically explored since one patient became medically inoperable during induction treatment. The overall complete resectability was 78% (25/32). Resection was microscopically incomplete (R1) in two patients. In 11 patients (41%), a pneumonectomy was performed, and in 14 patients (52%), a chest wall resection was necessary. In 74% of the resected patients, there was a complete pathologic response or minimal residual microscopic disease. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 9.2 days with no hospital mortality and no bronchopleural fistula. With a median follow-up of 26.5 months, 5-year survival rates are 74% in the intent-to-treat population (n = 32) and 77% in completely resected patients (n = 25), with no statistically significant difference between sulcus superior tumors and centrally located T4 tumors.

CONCLUSION

In patients with sulcus superior tumors and in selected patients with centrally located T4 tumors, trimodality treatment is feasible with acceptable morbidity and mortality. The complete resectability is high, and long-term survival is promising.

Phase I/II trial of hyperfractionated radiation and chemotherapy followed by surgery in stage III lung cancer

BACKGROUND

We have previously demonstrated that high-dose chemoradiotherapy followed by resection for patients selected on the basis of mediastinal sterilization was feasible and resulted in excellent outcomes. This study was designed to determine the ability to intensify our prior approach utilizing hyperfractionated radiation and more aggressive consolidative chemotherapy.

METHODS

Patients with documented stage IIIA/B nonsmall-cell lung cancer, performance status 0 to 2, and adequate organ function were eligible. A phase I portion utilized escalating doses of carboplatin and vinorelbine, commencing with areas under the curve of 1 and 5 mg/m(2), respectively, and concurrent 69.6 Gy hyperfractionated radiotherapy. A phase II portion utilized the identical radiotherapy with carboplatin/vinorelbine at the maximum tolerated dose established in phase I. Patients for whom mediastinal nodal clearance was demonstrated underwent resection. All patients were to receive consolidation chemotherapy consisting of carboplatin/vinorelbine for three cycles, followed by docetaxel for three cycles. Prophylactic cranial irradiation was offered to patients after completion of therapy.

RESULTS

Forty-seven patients participated in the study (33 IIIA, 14 IIIB; 15 men, 32 women; median age, 56 years). The maximum tolerated dose for concurrent carboplatin/vinorelbine and hyperfractionated radiotherapy was established at areas under the curve of 1 and 10 mg/m(2), respectively. Twenty-eight patients completed trimodality treatment including surgery. Median survival time for the entire study cohort (n = 47) is 29.6 months, and it is 55.8 months for patients with mediastinal clearance who underwent resection (n = 28).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical resection of locally advanced stage IIIA and IIIB nonsmall-cell lung cancer after induction hyperfractionated radiation and concurrent chemotherapy is safe and well tolerated. Whether this approach is superior to less aggressive therapy is uncertain and will require comparative studies.

Inoperable Pancoast tumors treated with hyperthermia-inclusive multimodality therapies

PURPOSE

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

MATERIAL AND METHODS

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

RESULTS

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

CONCLUSION

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

Posterior midline approach for single-stage en bloc resection and circumferential spinal stabilization for locally advanced Pancoast tumors

The treatment of Pancoast (superior sulcus) tumors that extensively invade the vertebral column remains controversial. Different surgical approaches involving multistage resection techniques have been previously described for superior sulcus tumors that invade the chest wall and spinal column. Typically a posterior approach to stabilize the spine is followed by a second-stage thoracotomy (posterolateral or trap door) for definitive en bloc resection of stage T4 Pancoast tumors. The authors report and elaborate on a surgical technique successfully used for an en bloc resection as well as spinal stabilization through a single-stage posterior approach without any added morbidity.

Two patients with histologically proven Pancoast tumors were treated by single-stage resection and stabilization through a posterior approach at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center. A wedge lung resection or lobectomy was performed by the chest surgeon utilizing the chest wall defect. Placement of an anterior cage (in one case) and posterior cervicothoracic spinal instrumentation (in both cases) was performed during the same operation. Average blood loss was 675 ml and surgical time was 7 hours. The median hospital stay was 9 days (range 7–11 days). Both patients did well postoperatively and were free of recurrence at the 2-year follow-up.

Radical resection of Pancoast tumors including lobectomy, chest wall resection, costotransversectomy, and partial or complete vertebrectomy with simultaneous instrumentation for spinal stabilization can be performed through a posterior single-stage approach.

Special Treatment Issues in Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

This chapter of the guidelines addresses patients who have particular forms of non-small cell lung cancer that require special considerations. This includes patients with Pancoast tumors, T4N0,1M0 tumors, satellite nodules in the same lobe, synchronous and metachronous multiple primary lung cancers (MPLCs), solitary brain and adrenal metastases, and chest wall involvement.

METHODS

The nature of these special clinical cases is such that in most cases, metaanalyses or large prospective studies of patients are not available. For ensuring that these guidelines were supported by the most current data available, publications that were appropriate to the topics covered in this chapter were obtained by performance of a literature search of the MEDLINE computerized database. When possible, we also referenced other consensus opinion statements. Recommendations were developed by the writing committee, graded by a standardized method (see "Methodology for Lung Cancer Evidence Review and Guideline Development" chapter), and reviewed by all members of the lung cancer panel before approval by the Thoracic Oncology NetWork, Health and Science Policy Committee, and the Board of Regents of the American College of Chest Physicians.

RESULTS

In patients with a Pancoast tumor, a multimodality approach seems to be optimal, involving chemoradiotherapy and surgical resection, provided appropriate staging has been conducted. Patients with central T4 tumors that do not have mediastinal node involvement are uncommon. Such patients, however, seem to benefit from resection as part of the treatment as opposed to chemoradiotherapy alone when carefully staged and selected. Patients with a satellite lesion in the same lobe as the primary tumor have a good prognosis and require no modification of the approach to evaluation and treatment than what would be dictated by the primary tumor alone. However, it is difficult to know how best to treat patients with a focus of the same type of cancer in a different lobe. Although MPLCs do occur, the survival results after resection for either a synchronous presentation or a metachronous presentation with an interval of < 4 years between tumors are variable and generally poor, suggesting that many of these patients may have had a pulmonary metastasis rather than a second primary lung cancer. A thorough and careful evaluation of these patients is warranted to try to differentiate between patients with a metastasis and a second primary lung cancer, although criteria to distinguish them have not been defined. Selected patients with a solitary focus of metastatic disease in the brain or adrenal gland seem to benefit substantially from resection. This is particularly true in patients with a long disease-free interval. Finally, in patients with chest wall involvement, as long as tumors can be completely resected and there is absence of N2 nodal involvement, primary surgical treatment should be considered.

CONCLUSIONS

Carefully selected patients may benefit from an aggressive surgical approach.

Induction Chemoradiation and Surgical Resection for Superior Sulcus Non–Small-Cell Lung Carcinomas: Long-Term Results of Southwest Oncology Group Trial 9416 (Intergroup Trial 0160)

Purpose

Traditional treatment for superior sulcus non–small-cell lung cancers (SS NSCLC), radiation plus surgery, yields a 50% rate of complete resection and a 30% 5-year survival. On the basis of improved outcomes in other subsets of stage III NSCLC, this trial tested the feasibility of induction chemoradiotherapy for SS NSCLC.

Patients and Methods

Patients with T3-4, N0-1 SS NSCLC received two cycles of cisplatin and etoposide concurrently with radiation (45 Gy). Patients with stable or responding disease underwent thoracotomy. All patients received two more cycles of chemotherapy. Survival was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and prognostic factors were assessed by Cox regression analysis.

Results

From April 1995 to November 1999, 110 eligible patients (76 men, 34 women) were entered onto the study (78 T3, 32 T4 tumors). Induction therapy was completed by 104 (95%) patients. Of 95 patients eligible for surgery, 88 (80%) underwent thoracotomy, two (1.8%) died postoperatively, and 83 (76%) had complete resection. Pathologic complete response (CR) or minimal microscopic disease was seen in 61 (56%) resection specimens. Five-year survival was 44% for all patients and 54% after complete resection, with no difference between T3 and T4 tumors. Pathologic CR led to better survival than when any residual disease was present (P = .02). Disease progression occurred mainly in distant sites.

Conclusion

This combined-modality approach is feasible and is associated with high rates of complete resection and pathologic CR in both T3 and T4 tumors. Local control and overall survival seem markedly improved relative to previous studies of radiation plus resection.

Traitement des tumeurs de l'apex: un modèle de stratégie multimodale dans les cancers bronchiques localement évolués

Superior sulcus tumors have been individualized among other non-small cell lung cancers because of their characteristic clinical presentation in connection with their local extension to the chest wall and the brachial plexus. For a long time considered as marginally resectable, superior sulcus tumors have been treated since the early 1960's, with a combined approach including preoperative radiotherapy and curative-intent surgery. Surgical resection includes both thoracic, cervical and neurosurgical approach, and aims at obtaining complete resection, which has been identified as a determining prognostic factor in most reported series. Two recent phase II trials showed the benefit, both regarding resectability and local control rates, and survival of combined therapeutic strategies including induction platinum-based chemoradiation, extensive surgical resection, and adjuvant chemotherapy. Adjuvant radiotherapy is not recommended at the time, but needs to be re-evaluated regarding its recent technical optimisation. Similarly to other locally advanced non-small cell lung cancers, exclusive chemoradiation is the standard treatment of unresectable superior sulcus tumors. In this way, radiotherapy has shown to offer a prolonged analgesia in more than 75% of cases, and is associated with concurrent or sequential chemotherapy, with comparable results to those observed in stage III lung cancer. These developments make superior sulcus tumors a therapeutic model for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer, whereby the benefit of combined multimodal strategies including induction chemoradiation and surgical resection are currently evaluated in phase III trials.