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Endoscopic mucosal resection for advanced non-polypoid colorectal adenoma and early stage carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) techniques were evaluated in the treatment of flat and sessile colorectal neoplasm. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-seven patients (32 female, 25 male) with non-polypoid colorectal lesions (n = 71, size >or= 10 mm) were included in the study. Tumor location, shape, size, and depth (in malignant lesions) were determined by endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound. EMR was performed using snare resection, endoscopic aspiration mucosectomy, or EMR using a cap-fitted endoscope. RESULTS: Lesion size ranged from 10 to 50 mm. Complete resection was achieved in 59 of 61 benign and 6 of 8 malignant tumors. Thirty-five tumors were excised in one segment and 34 tumors in piecemeal technique. Pathological examination of neoplasm treated by EMR showed adenoma in 61 and early-stage carcinoma in 8 cases. Because of the non-lifting sign, 2 of 71 tumors were not treated endoscopically and referred to surgical resection revealing a T2 adenocarcinoma in both cases. Resection was incomplete in 2 of 61 adenomas with histological positive resection margin. Complications occurred in 2 patients, with 1 bleeding treated endoscopically and 1 perforation treated by surgery. Local recurrence was observed in 2 of 59 completely resected adenomas and in none of 6 early-stage carcinomas during a mean follow-up of 18 months (range 6 to 30 months). CONCLUSION: Advanced non-polypoid colorectal adenomas and early-stage carcinomas can be safely and effectively resected by endoscopic mucosal resection.

Adenoma↗

Experience with laparoscopic gastric resection: results and outcomes for 37 cases.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to review the authors' technique, results, and outcomes for laparoscopic gastric wedge and segmental resections in patients with benign gastric diseases. METHODS: A retrospective clinical chart review was performed for all the patients who underwent laparoscopic gastric resection at the Washington University Medical Center from 1997 through March 2004. The surgical approach, operative results, complications, and subsequent clinical course were analyzed. Data are expressed as mean +/- standard deviation. RESULTS: Laparoscopic gastric resection was attempted in 37 cases involving 21 women and 16 men with a mean age of 61 +/- 13 years. The indications for surgery included suspected gastric stromal tumor (GIST) or carcinoid (n = 22), other benign gastric lesions (n = 6), benign gastric outlet obstruction (n = 4), and nonhealing peptic ulcer (n = 5). Segmental resection using gastroenteric anastomosis, with or without vagotomy, was performed in 14 patients, wedge resection in 22 patients, and laparoscopic enucleation in 1 patient. Resection was totally laparoscopic in 25 cases and laparoscopically assisted (with an accessory incision) in 12 cases. The mean operative time was 165 +/- 58 min, and the blood loss was 84 +/- 77 ml. Two patients (5.4%) underwent conversion to open resection. Intraoperative gastroscopy was performed in 16 cases (44%) as an aid to the resection. Regular diet was resumed at a mean of 3.0 +/- 1.7 days, and the mean length of hospital stay was 3.9 +/- 2.1 days. Four patients (10.8%) experienced major complications including subphrenic abscess (n = 1), pneumonia with respiratory failure (n = 1), splenic vein injury requiring splenectomy (n = 1), and gastric outlet obstruction (n = 1) that required reoperation 1 year later. Minor complications included intraabdominal fluid collection (n = 1), postoperative gastroparesis (n = 1), urinary retention (n = 1), and incisional hernia (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic gastric resections can be performed safely in patients with a variety of benign gastric disorders. The use of an accessory incision for reanastomosis and specimen extraction facilitates the procedure in difficult cases.

Female↗

Endoscopic resection for submucosally invasive colorectal cancer: is it feasible?

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in colonoscopy have resulted in an increasing number of endoscopic resections of colorectal neoplasms. However, endoscopic resection of submucosal invasive cancer remains a controversial issue. METHODS: The subjects for this study were the surgically treated patients with submucosal invasive colorectal cancer. These patients were classified into two groups: those with versus those without preoperative endoscopic resection. Clinicopathologic features and prognosis were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: Fifty patients underwent surgery for submucosally invasive colorectal cancer. Numbers of patients with and without preoperative endoscopic resection were 22 and 28, respectively. In 36.4% of the patients, endoscopic resections were incomplete. Two patients in whom the preoperative endoscopic resections had revealed a positive cancer margin, had nodal metastasis. One of these patients also developed hepatic metastasis. Endoscopic findings such as diameter and shape were not indicative of either lymphatic or vascular invasion. There were no morbidities or mortalities associated with endoscopic resection or surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative endoscopic resection for colorectal submucosal cancer is feasible, provided the resection is complete. The indications for surgical treatment should be determined after pathologic examination.

Case-Control Studies↗

Clinicopathological features and outcome of hepatic resection for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in Japan.

As a result of an increasing number of studies on the surgical treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), knowledge of its biological characteristics has been accumulating. We analyzed the clinicopathological features and outcome of 36 of 48 surgical patients with histologically proven ICC (75.0%) who underwent hepatic resection between March 1979 and July 1998. According to tumor location, 12 patients had the central type and 24, the peripheral type. The incidence of portal vein tumor thrombus and lymph node metastasis was higher in the central type than in the peripheral type. All 12 patients with the central type had stage IV disease, and none of them underwent complete resection, whereas 12 of the 24 patients with peripheral type tumors had stage IV disease; complete resection was achieved in 12 of the 24 patients with peripheral type tumors (50%). Outcome after resection was significantly poorer in the patients with the central type. The macroscopic type of lesion in the resected specimens was the mass-forming type in 15 patients (41.7%), the mass-forming + periductal-infiltrating type in 15 patients (41.7%), the periductal-infiltrating type in 3 patients (8.3%) and the intraductal growth type in 3 patients (8.3%). The macroscopic tumor type was associated with mode of tumor spread and outcome. All 3 patients with the intraductal growth type are alive without tumor recurrence 26-138 months after surgery. The survival rate was much higher in the patients with the mass-forming type than in those with the mass-forming + periductal-infiltrating type. Importantly, the outcome in the 17 patients who underwent resection for stage IV-B disease and who accounted for 47.2% of patients with resection in the present series was very poor, almost the same as that in the 12 patients who did not undergo resection. By selecting patients based on the biological characteristics of the tumor and taking into account patients' quality of life, complete surgical resection can be performed safely and is associated with long-term survival.

Aged↗

Surgical resection deteriorates gemcitabine-induced leukopenia in pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Gemcitabine hydrochloride (GEM) is one of the most effective chemotherapeutic agents for pancreatic cancer; however, factors affecting GEM-induced leukopenia have not been clarified yet. In the present study, we analyzed the relationship between patients backgrounds and GEM-induced leukopenia. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with pancreatic cancer were analyzed for correlation between the dose of GEM and the blood leukocyte number. Moreover, we compared leukopenia in resected and non-resected patients. RESULTS: The incidence of grade 3 or 4 leukopenia was 25% in the non-resected patients, whereas equivalent leukopenia was observed in 57% of the resected patients ( P = 0.048 by the chi(2) test). The relative decrease in blood leukocytes induced by GEM administration was more severe in resected patients (41.3 +/- 9.9%), as compared to non-resected patients (52.6 +/- 16.0%; P = 0.023 by t-test). CONCLUSION: In the present study, we found that the administration of GEM to patients after surgical resection caused more severe leukopenia, as compared to findings in non-resected patients. These data suggested that more frequent monitoring of the leukocyte count and prolonged intervals between GEM administrations are necessary for resected patients with pancreatic cancer.Gemcitabine hydrochloride (GEM) is one of the most effective chemotherapeutic agents for pancreatic cancer; however, factors affecting GEM-induced leukopenia have not been clarified yet. In the present study, we analyzed the relationship between patients' backgrounds and GEM-induced leukopenia.

Aged↗

Hepatic resection for metastasis from colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Liver metastases from colorectal cancer are treatable and potentially curable when hepatic resection is applied. This paper is to illustrate surgical treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer in China. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1993 and December 2002, 485 patients with colorectal liver metastases from 6 institutes in China were reviewed. Among them were 340 males and 145 females with average ages of 55.6 years (23-81). Surgical intervention includes primary colorectal cancer resection, hepatic resection, hepatic arterial chemoembolisation and portal vein catheterisation, and systemic chemotherapy. RESULTS: Among 485 cases, data were not complete in 76, and their 3-year survival rate was 35.7%, while from 409 patients who underwent surgical intervention, 11 cases only underwent colorectal cancer resection (group A); 89 with hepatic resection (group B); 204 with hepatic arterial intervention or portal vein catheterisation chemotherapy (group C); 21 with regional ablation by radiofrequency or microwave thermal coagulation (group D); and 84 with systemic chemotherapy (group E). The cumulative 3- and 5-year survival rates were 0% in groups A and E, 43.5% and 32.1% in group B, 27.1% and 0% in group C, and 42.9% and 19.2% in group D. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery can offer long-term survival and resection should be considered when liver metastases can be totally resected with clear margins and when there is no nonresectable extrahepatic disease. The choice between anatomical or wedge resection depends on the number and the location of the metastases. Special multifunctional operative device limit blood loss and increase resectability.

Adult↗

Long-term survival after laparoscopic colon resection for cancer: complete five-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: The role of laparoscopic surgery in the cure of colorectal cancer is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term survival after curative, laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer. Specifically, we wanted to review those patients who now had complete five-year follow-up. METHODS: One hundred two consecutive patients (March 1991 to March 1996) underwent laparoscopic colon resections for cancer at one institution and now have complete five-year survival data. Charts were retrospectively reviewed and results compared with conventional surgery, i.e., open colectomy at our institution, and with the National Cancer Data Base during a similar time period. RESULTS: Fifty-nine male and 43 female patients with an average age of 70 (range, 34-92) years made up the study. Complications occurred in 23 percent of patients, and one patient died (1 percent). Forty-four laparoscopic right colectomies, 2 transverse colectomies, 36 laparoscopic left or sigmoid colectomies, 15 laparoscopic low anterior resections, and 5 laparoscopic abdominoperineal resections were performed. The average number of lymph nodes harvested was 6.6 +/- 0.61 (range, 0-22). Eight cases (7.8 percent) were "converted to open"; i.e., the typical 6-cm extraction site was lengthened to complete mobilization, devascularization, resection, or anastomosis, or a separate incision was required to complete the procedure. There was one extraction-site recurrence and one port-site recurrence; both occurred before the routine use of plastic-sleeve wound protection. The mean follow-up for laparoscopic colon resection patients was 64.4 +/- 2.8 (range, 1-111) months. According to the TNM classification system, 27 patients had Stage I cancer, 37 had Stage II, 23 had Stage III, and 15 had Stage IV. Similar five-year survival rates for laparoscopic and conventional surgery for cancer were noted. The five-year relative survival rates in the laparoscopic colon resection group were 73 percent for Stage I, 61 percent for Stage II, 55 percent for Stage III, and 0 percent for Stage IV. The five-year relative survival rates for the open colectomy and National Cancer Data Base groups were 75 and 70 percent, respectively, for Stage I, 65 and 60 percent for Stage II, 46 and 44 percent for Stage III, and 11 and 7 percent for Stage IV. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic colon resection for cancer is safe and feasible in a private setting. Our data suggest that long-term survival after laparoscopic colon resection for cancer is similar to survival after conventional surgery. Prospective, randomized trials presently under way will likely confirm these results.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Indicators for surgical resection and intraoperative radiation therapy for pelvic recurrence of colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: We retrospectively analyzed prognostic factors for surgical resection and intraoperative radiation therapy to identify indicators for this treatment strategy. METHODS: Thirty-nine consecutive patients with locally recurrent colorectal cancer who underwent surgical resection with intraoperative radiation therapy from January 1, 1987, to June 30, 1999, were analyzed. The mean electron energy was 10.5 MeV and the mean intraoperative radiation dose was 22.6 Gy. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were obtained for the 37 patients who recovered postoperatively. Prognostic factors were analyzed univariately by log-rank test and multivariately by Cox's proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Three-year cumulative survival was 44 percent (standard error = 11) for 26 patients free of unresectable distant metastasis who underwent surgical resection and intraoperative radiation therapy for pelvic recurrence of colorectal cancer, but none of the 11 patients with unresectable distant metastasis survived 3 years. Preoperative prognostic factors which were significant on univariate and multivariate analysis were unresectable distant metastasis (P = 0.001) and elevated preoperative serum CA 19-9 (P = 0.02). Patients with synchronous resection of local recurrence and distant metastasis had a significant survival advantage over those without resection of metastases (P = 0.02). Univariate analysis in a subgroup of 26 patients without unresectable distant metastasis revealed pain (P = 0.0003) to be a useful preoperative prognostic indicator, whereas tumor fixation (P = 0.01) and amount of residual tumor after surgical resection (P = 0.01) were significant intraoperative and postoperative factors, respectively. Fluorouracil-based postoperative systemic chemotherapy produced a significant survival benefit (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with unresectable distant metastasis are not suitable candidates for surgical resection and intraoperative radiation therapy, whereas those with resectable metastasis are potential candidates. Intraoperative radiation therapy may be less useful for patients with pain, elevated preoperative CA19-9, fixed tumors, or gross residual tumor after surgical resection. Multimodal treatment strategies combining preoperative and/or postoperative external beam radiation therapy and intraoperative radiation therapy with fluorouracil-based systemic chemotherapy are recommended for patients with these indicators.

Adult↗

Survival after resection of multiple hepatic colorectal metastases.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic resection is potentially curative in selected patients with colorectal metastases. It is a widely held practice that multiple colorectal hepatic metastases are not resected, although outcome after removal of four or more metastases is not well defined. METHODS: Patients with four or more colorectal hepatic metastases who submitted to resection were identified from a prospective database. Number of metastases was determined by serial sectioning of the gross specimen at the time of resection. Demographic data, tumor characteristics, complications, and survival were analyzed. RESULTS: From August 1985 to September 1998, 155 patients with four or more metastatic tumors (range 4-20) underwent potentially curative resection by extended hepatectomy (39%), lobectomy (42%), or multiple segmental resections (19%). Operative morbidity and mortality were 26% and 1%, respectively. Actuarial 5-year survival was 23% for the entire group (median = 32 months) and there were 12 actual 5-year survivors. On multivariate analysis, only number of hepatic tumors (P = .005) and the presence of a positive margin (P = .003) were independent predictors of poor survival. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic resection in patients with four or more colorectal metastases can achieve long-term survival although the results are less favorable as the number of tumors increases. Number of hepatic metastases alone should not be used as a sole contraindication to resection, but it is clear that the majority of patients will not be cured after resection of multiple lesions.

Adult↗

Comparison of the usefulness of the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and subendocardial resection in patients with sustained ventricular arrhythmias and poor regional wall motion associated with coronary artery disease.

The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and subendocardial resection are effective forms of therapy for sustained ventricular arrhythmias associated with coronary artery disease in selected patients. The relative efficacy of these 2 treatments in equivalently matched patients is not known. A regional wall motion score has been shown to be a powerful predictor of long-term outcome after both ICD implantation and subendocardial resection. This study retrospectively analyzed the long-term outcome of patients with coronary artery disease and ventricular arrhythmias treated during the same period with an ICD (n = 53) or by subendocardial resection (n = 65). Treatment outcomes were compared in subgroups determined by preoperative regional wall motion scores of either < or = 16 or > 16%. The 3-year cardiac mortality of the 2 therapies was not significantly different among patients with a wall motion score of > 16% (0% ICD vs 11% endocardial resection) or of < or = 16% (41% ICD vs 35% endocardial resection). Similarly, the 3-year sudden cardiac death mortality was similar among patients with a score of > 16% (0% for both ICD and endocardial resection) or of < or = 16% (9% ICD vs 14% endocardial resection, p = NS). At 24 months after hospital discharge, the percentage of patients who were in New York Heart Association functional class I or II was similar among patients with a wall motion score of > 16% (75% ICD vs 86% endocardial resection, p = NS) or with a wall motion score of < or = 16% (26% ICD vs 45% endocardial resection, p = NS).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cause of Death↗

Sexual function after resection for rectal cancer.

Major rectal operation, that is, abdominoperineal or anterior resection, for cancer frequently damages the autonomic pelvic nerve supply with resultant sexual dysfunction. The anatomic characteristics and function of the autonomic nervous system in the pelvis has been reviewed. Sexual function after rectal excision for cancer was studied in 25 male patients who were less than 60 years of age and exhibited normal sexual activity preoperatively. Of nine patients who had abdominoperineal resection, four were impotent and two reported no ejaculation with normal potency postoperatively. Of 4 patients who had high anterior resection, only 1 reported no ejaculation, whereas of 12 patients with low anterior resection, 4 were impotent and 3 reported no ejaculation. A higher incidence of sexual dysfunction was noted after abdominoperineal resection compared with after anterior resection (66 percent and 50 percent, respectively). However, the incidence after low and very low anterior resection was comparable with that after abdominoperineal resection (58 percent and 66 percent, respectively). Advanced patient age and very low resection were the two main factors effecting sexual dysfunction after major rectal operation. Although we believe that careful operative technique might reduce the incidence of sexual disturbances attributable to sympathetic fiber damage, avoidance of parasympathetic damage during operation cannot be accomplished because the most likely site of injury, namely the periprostatic plexus, is usually within the operative field, the exception being cases in which the tumor is small, thus allowing preservation of the rectoprostatic fascia.

Autonomic Nervous System↗

Indocyanine green clearance as a predictor of successful hepatic resection in cirrhotic patients.

Twenty-two cirrhotic patients who underwent hepatic resection from July 1989 to March 1991 at Vancouver General Hospital were analyzed prospectively in order to determine whether there was any preoperative evaluation of liver function that would help identify those patients who would not survive hepatic resection. Patients were analyzed on the basis of age, type of resection, and a variety of so-called standard liver function tests. In addition, all patients were evaluated preoperatively with an indocyanine green (ICG) clearance test, a relatively new test that we attempted to evaluate in terms of its role in hepatic resection in cirrhotic patients. Parametric statistical evaluation used included Student's t-test and multivariate regression, as well as discriminate analysis. The nonparametric evaluation used was the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Overall, the 30-day mortality rate was 18%, with those patients who did not survive resection having a significantly lower ICG clearance than those who underwent successful resection (p less than 0.0001). No other liver function test was useful in determining the outcome of resection. Similarly, neither age nor type of resection appeared to influence outcome. Use of discriminate analysis (p = 0.0029) allowed the identification of a cutoff point for ICG clearance below which hepatic resection should not be attempted.

Hepatectomy↗

Extended resection of the left atrium, great vessels, or both for lung cancer.

One hundred one patients with locally advanced lung cancer underwent combined resection of the lung and the left atrium with or without the great vessels. A single additional organ was resected in 92 patients, two organs in 8 patients, and three organs in 1 patient. The left atrium was resected in 44 patients, the superior vena cava in 32, the adventitia of the aorta in 21, the aorta in 7, and the pulmonary artery in 7. The most important factors affecting survival defined by multivariate analysis were postoperative pneumonia, complete resection, postoperative bleeding, and lymph node metastasis (p < 0.05). Thirteen patients survived 3 years or more and 10 of the 13 survived 5 years or more. The 5-year survival rate for all patients, including 8 with operative death, was 13%, and the median survival time was 9.2 months. The 5-year survival and median survival time were 19% and 13.8 months after complete resection and 0% and 6.5 months after incomplete resection (p < 0.01). The 5-year survival and median survival time for patients with pathologic stage IIIA, IIIB, and IV were 16.8% and 16.8 months; 18.3% and 9.8 months; and 0% and 5.4 months, respectively. There was a significant difference between stages IIIA plus IIIB and stage IV (p < 0.05). The 5-year survival after left atrium resection was 22%. Extended resection was worthwhile for the patients undergoing complete resection and without postoperative complications.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Pulmonary resection for metastatic breast cancer.

Between 1982 and 1992, 60 consecutive female patients underwent pulmonary resection for metastatic breast carcinoma. Median age was 58 years (range, 21 to 81 years). The median tumor-free interval after primary breast cancer operation was 2.2 years (range, 7 days to 20.6 years). Thirty-one patients (51.6%) had solitary pulmonary metastases. Forty patients (66.7%) had complete pulmonary resection, which consisted of wedge excision in 33, lobectomy in 6, and pneumonectomy in 1. The remaining 20 patients had incomplete resection, which consisted of wedge excision in all. Altogether, 8 patients (13.3%) had development of postoperative complications, which included pneumothorax, prolonged air leak, pulmonary embolism, retained secretions requiring bronchoscopy, atrial fibrillation, and chest tube site infection. There was one operative death (1.7%). Follow-up was complete in all patients and ranged from 23 days to 10.7 years (median, 3.5 years). Recurrence developed in 32 of the 39 survivors (82.1%) who had complete resection. Median disease-free interval after lung resection was 1.6 years (range, 23 days to 9.3 years). Overall 5-year survival was 37.8% (95% confidence interval, 25.1% to 50.5%). The 40 patients who had complete resection had a 5-year survival of 35.6% (95% confidence interval, 20.4% to 50.8%) as compared with 42.1% (95% confidence interval, 19.0% to 65.3%) for the 20 patients with incomplete resection (p = not significant). Although pulmonary resection is safe, we could not demonstrate improved survival after complete pulmonary resection of metastatic breast carcinoma in this highly selected group of patients.

Adult↗

Restenosis after directional coronary atherectomy: differences between primary atheromatous and restenosis lesions and influence of subintimal tissue resection.

Rates of restenosis were evaluated in 70 patients (74 lesions) after successful directional coronary atherectomy. The extent of vascular tissue resection was correlated with restenosis rates for coronary (n = 59) and vein bypass graft (n = 15) lesions. After 6 months, the overall restenosis rate was 50% (37 of 74 lesions); it was 42% (15 of 36 lesions) when intima alone was resected, 50% (7 of 14 lesions) when media was resected and 63% (15 of 24 lesions) when adventitia was resected. Subintimal tissue resection increased the restenosis rate for vein grafts (43% with intimal resection versus 100% with subintimal resection, p = 0.01) but not for coronary arteries (50% versus 48%). There was no overall difference in restenosis rates after atherectomy between primary lesions and restenosis lesions that occurred after balloon angioplasty (46% versus 54%). Among postballoon angioplasty restenosis lesions, a higher rate of restenosis after atherectomy was found with subintimal than with intimal resection (78% versus 32%, p = 0.01). Tissues from patients undergoing a second atherectomy for restenosis after initial atherectomy (n = 8) demonstrated neointimal hyperplasia that appeared histologically identical to restenotic tissue developing after balloon angioplasty (n = 37). These data suggest that the cellular response to directional coronary atherectomy is characterized by neointimal proliferation similar to that which may develop after balloon angioplasty. The extent of fibrous hyperplasia appears to be related to the depth of tissue resection in vein graft lesions and coronary artery restenosis lesions that occur after balloon angioplasty but not in primary atheromatous coronary artery lesions.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

Does ND-YAG laser extend the indications for resection of pulmonary metastases?

Surgery forms part of a combined oncological concept in the management of pulmonary metastases. The following questions are relevant for its role: Does survival depend on the type of primary tumor? Are there any prognostic factors? What are the limits on radical resection? We analyzed retrospectively 657 patients who had undergone 759 resections of pulmonary metastases between 1973 and 1990. After conducting in vitro and in vivo experiments with the non-contact neodymium aluminum garnet (Nd-YAG) laser with a generating and delivery power of 10-120 W at the site of operation for 0.1-9.9 s, we have treated 65 patients by laser resection and/or vaporization since January 1990. Our preferred surgical approach was median or transverse thoracotomy. The 5-year survival of all resected patients was 30%, ranging from 21% (soft tissue sarcoma) to 60% (testicular carcinoma). Statistically significant differences in prognosis were seen related to the type of primary tumor, the disease-free interval, the caval or portal type of metastatic spread, the number of metastases and the potential degree of radical resection. The potential degree of conventional radical resections (wedge, anatomical sub-/segmental) was negatively influenced by the number of metastases (n > 9: 79% "radical" surgery = 38% 5-year survival). Laser treatment allowed parenchyma-preserving resection in cases of metastases of more than 0.5 cm in diameter, and vaporization in smaller ones. Resection with the intention of achieving complete remission was possible in up to 72 unilateral metastases. The complication rate was comparable to conventional resections.

Female↗

Bronchovascular versus bronchial sleeve resection for central lung tumors.

BACKGROUND: Pneumonectomy has traditionally been the treatment of choice for central lung tumors. Bronchial sleeve resections are increasingly considered as a reasonable alternative. For tumor involvement of both central airways and pulmonary artery, bronchovascular sleeve resections are possible, but considered to be technically demanding and associated with a higher perioperative risk. In addition, their role as adequate oncologic treatment for lung cancer is unclear. We have compared the early and long-term results of bronchovascular sleeve resection with those of bronchial sleeve resection and pneumonectomy. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed all patients who underwent bronchial sleeve resection (group I, n = 104), bronchovascular sleeve resection (group II, n = 67), and pneumonectomy (group III, n = 63) for central lung cancer in our institution. RESULTS: The groups were comparable regarding demographics and tumor, node, and metastasis (TNM) stage. Early mortality was 1.9% in group I, 1.5% in group II, and 6.3% in group III (p = 0.19). The rate of bronchial complications was 0.96% in group I, 0% in group II, and 7.9% in group III (p = 0.006). Five-year survival was 46.1% in group I, 42.9% in group II, and 30.4% in group III (p = 0.16). Freedom from local recurrence of disease (5 years) was 83.8% in group I, 84.2% in group II, and 88.7% in group III (p = 0.56). CONCLUSIONS: Bronchovascular sleeve resections are as safe as bronchial sleeve resections for the treatment of central lung cancer. Both procedures have comparable early and long-term results, which are similar to those of pneumonectomy. It appears reasonable to apply bronchovascular sleeve resections more liberally.

Adult↗

Lung cancer invading the chest wall: a plea for en-bloc resection but the need for new treatment strategies.

BACKGROUND: Factors influencing survival of patients with a nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) invading the parietal pleura or the chest wall are still controversial. The aim of this study was to assess prognostic factors in completely resected pT3 chest wall NSCLC patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a three-center experience between 1984 and 2002 with 309 patients. RESULTS: There were 269 male and 40 female patients. Pulmonary resections consisted of 13 wedge resections or segmentectomies, 211 lobectomies, 6 bilobectomies, and 79 pneumonectomies. One hundred patients underwent extrapleural mobilization, and 209, en-bloc resection. Tumors were staged as stages IIB (n = 212) and IIIA (n = 97). Overall 5-year survival rates were 40% and 12% for stage IIB and IIIA, respectively (p < 10(4)). Multivariate analysis shows male sex and bigger tumor size as independent indicators of poor prognosis in stage IIB patients. In stage IIB patients with a chest wall invasion limited to the parietal pleura, en-bloc resections provided higher 5-year survival rates when compared with extrapleural resections (60.3% versus 39.1%; p = 0.03). In stage IIIA patients, multivariate analysis disclosed two independent prognostic factors: the number of resected ribs and adjuvant parietal and mediastinal radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of lymph node metastases has a disastrous impact on survival in this subset of patients. En-bloc resection is strongly suggested to be the standard of surgical care, and adjuvant radiotherapy does not seem to be necessary in N0 patients when a complete R0 resection has been achieved. For huge tumors (larger than 6 cm), this report suggests that the role of perioperative chemotherapy needs further evaluation.

Aged↗