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Evison M, Robinson SD, Sharman A, Datta S, Rammohan K, Duerden R, Montero-Fernandez MA, Gilligan D. Making an accurate diagnosis of anterior mediastinal lesions: a proposal for a new diagnostic algorithm from the BTOG Thymic Malignancies Special Interest Group. Clin Radiol 2024; 79:404-412. [PMID: 38565483 DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2024.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Due to the rising demand in cross-sectional thoracic imaging, anterior mediastinal lesions are being identified with increasing frequency. Following iterative and multidisciplinary discussions, the BTOG Thymic Malignancies Special Interest Group have developed an algorithm to standardise the diagnostic approach for these relatively uncommon but important conditions which span from benign (thymic remnant, thymic hyperplasia and thymic cysts) to suspected localised thymomas to suspected more aggressive malignancy (thymic carcinoma, lymphoma and germ cell tumours). For each condition, we provide a brief description, an overview of the key radiological findings and a description of the proposed algorithm including the rationale behind the recommendations. We also highlight the role of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for the characterisation of anterior mediastinal masses in specific indications when the necessary local resources and expertise exist. In addition, we hope this provides the rationale for service development in MR of the anterior mediastinum where current resource and expertise requires development. Through this standardised pathway, we hope to drive improvements in patient care by rationalising surveillance schedules, avoiding unnecessary resections of benign entities with their associated morbidity and optimising the diagnostic work-up prior to the appropriate treatment of anterior mediastinal malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Evison
- Lung Cancer & Thoracic Surgery Directorate, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK; Manchester Academic Health Science Centre (MAHSC), Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| | - S D Robinson
- Sussex Cancer Centre, Royal Sussex County Hospital, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, Brighton, UK; Department of Biochemistry and Biomedicine, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, UK.
| | - A Sharman
- Manchester Thoracic Oncology Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - S Datta
- Department of Radiology, Royal Alexandra Hospital, NHS Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - K Rammohan
- Lung Cancer & Thoracic Surgery Directorate, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - R Duerden
- Department of Radiology, Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, Stockport, UK
| | - M A Montero-Fernandez
- Department of Histopathology, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - D Gilligan
- Department of Oncology, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
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Ambrogi MC, Aprile V, Lenzini A, Bacchin D, Mastromarino MG, Korasidis S, Lucchi M. TNM Staging System in Thymoma: A Critical Appraisal? J Clin Med 2024; 13:610. [PMID: 38276116 PMCID: PMC10817025 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13020610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Thymomas are rare tumors of the anterior mediastinum with peculiar clinical and pathological features. They have been deeply analyzed by pioneer authors, who strictly linked their name to the main pathological and staging classifications. Before the latest edition of the WHO classification of thymic epithelial tumors, the history of thymoma pathological classification inherited the name of the pathologists who systematically addressed the issue, from Levine-Rosai to Muller-Hermelink. Similarly, the thymoma staging system is intimately related to the name of two surgeons, Masaoka and Koga, who historically dealt with this disease. More recently, the traditional tumor-nodes-metastasis (TNM) system has been developed for the staging of this condition, in a rational attempt to put thymomas in conformity with the other solid tumors. The efforts of the International Thymic Malignancies Interest Group (ITMIG) and the Thymic Domain of the Staging and Prognostic Factors Committee (TD-SPFC) of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) resulted in the TNM classification of thymic tumors, which have been included in the eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer's (AJCC) Cancer Staging Manual. Herein, we report a narrative review of the evolution of the thymic epithelial tumors (TET) staging system and present a critical appraisal of the actual TNM classification compared with the historical Masaoka-Koga classification, with special focus on the proposal for the ninth edition of the TNM, expected in 2024.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Carlo Ambrogi
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Department, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (M.C.A.); (A.L.); (D.B.); (M.G.M.); (S.K.); (M.L.)
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Vittorio Aprile
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Department, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (M.C.A.); (A.L.); (D.B.); (M.G.M.); (S.K.); (M.L.)
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Lenzini
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Department, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (M.C.A.); (A.L.); (D.B.); (M.G.M.); (S.K.); (M.L.)
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Diana Bacchin
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Department, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (M.C.A.); (A.L.); (D.B.); (M.G.M.); (S.K.); (M.L.)
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Giovanna Mastromarino
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Department, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (M.C.A.); (A.L.); (D.B.); (M.G.M.); (S.K.); (M.L.)
| | - Stylianos Korasidis
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Department, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (M.C.A.); (A.L.); (D.B.); (M.G.M.); (S.K.); (M.L.)
| | - Marco Lucchi
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Department, University of Pisa, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (M.C.A.); (A.L.); (D.B.); (M.G.M.); (S.K.); (M.L.)
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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Marom EM, Fang W, Ruffini E, Detterbeck F, Ahmad U, Appel S, Bille A, Boubia S, Brambilla C, Cilento V, Cangir AK, Falkson C, Filosso PL, Giaccone G, Girard N, Goren E, Guerrera F, Huang J, Infante M, Kim DK, Lucchi M, Marino M, Nicholson AG, Okumura M, Rami-Porta R, Rimner A, Simone CB, Asamura H. The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer Thymic Epithelial Tumor Staging Project: A Re-Assessment of the International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group/International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer Lymph Node Map for Thymic Epithelial Tumors for the Forthcoming Ninth Edition of the TNM Classification of Malignant Tumors. J Thorac Oncol 2023; 18:1672-1688. [PMID: 37689390 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2023.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A lymph node map is the pillar on which accurate assignment and documentation of nodal classification stands. The International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group created the first map for thymic epithelial malignancies in conjunction with the eighth edition of the TNM classification, representing the first official TNM classification of thymic epithelial malignancies. The map was based on clinical experience and published studies, but it was largely empirical because of limited available data. Dissemination of the map and implementation of a standard thymic stage classification across the world in 2017 have provided more consistent and granular data. METHODS More than twice as many cases of node involvement are available for analysis in the current database compared with that of the eighth edition database, allowing validation of many aspects of the eighth edition map. This article details the process and considerations for refinement of the thymic map for the ninth TNM used by the Thymic Domain of the Staging and Prognostic Factors Committee of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. The committee evaluated a large international collaborative data set, published anatomical and clinical studies pertaining to lymph node spread from thymic epithelial tumors, in conjunction with the analysis underlying refinements of the TNM components for the ninth edition TNM classification. RESULTS The node map boundaries of the N1 and N2 categories remain unchanged. Visual clarifications have been added to the nomenclature of nodal stations within these regions. CONCLUSIONS On the basis of the recommendation to keep the N component unchanged for the ninth edition TNM classification, the lymph node map remains unchanged as well; however, clarifications have been added to facilitate clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edith M Marom
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Wentao Fang
- Shanghai Chest Hospital, Jiaotong University Medical School, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | | | | | - Usman Ahmad
- Thoracic Surgery in the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | | | | | | | - Cecilia Brambilla
- Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Hospitals, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vanessa Cilento
- Cancer Research And Biostatistics (CRAB), Seattle, Washington
| | | | | | | | | | - Nicolas Girard
- Institut Curie, Thorax Institute Curie Montsouris, Paris, France; Paris Saclay University, UVSQ, Versailles, France
| | - Emily Goren
- Cancer Research And Biostatistics (CRAB), Seattle, Washington
| | | | - James Huang
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | | | - Dong-Kwan Kim
- Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Marco Lucchi
- Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mirella Marino
- IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrew G Nicholson
- Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Hospitals, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Meinoshin Okumura
- National Hospital Organization Osaka Toneyama Medical Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ramon Rami-Porta
- Hospital Universitari Mutua Terrassa, Terrassa, Spain, and Network of Centers for Biomedical Research in Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES) Lung Cancer Group, Terrassa, Spain
| | - Andreas Rimner
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
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