Resection Of Pancoast Tumors Research Articles

Anatomic evaluation of Pancoast tumors using three-dimensional models for surgical strategy development.

Pancoast tumor resection planning requires precise interpretation of 2-dimensional images. We hypothesized that patient-specific 3-dimensional reconstructions, providing intuitive views of anatomy, would enable superior anatomic assessment. Cross-sectional images from 9 patients with representative Pancoast tumors, selected from an institutional database, were randomly assigned to presentation as 2-dimensional images, 3-dimensional virtual reconstruction, or 3-dimensional physical reconstruction. Thoracic surgeons (n=15) completed questionnaires on the tumor extent and a zone-based algorithmic surgical approach for each patient. Responses were compared with surgical pathology, documented surgical approach, and the optimal "zone-specific" approach. A 5-point Likert scale assessed participants' opinions regarding data presentation and potential benefits of patient-specific 3-dimensional models. Identification of tumor invasion of segmented neurovascular structures was more accurate with 3-dimensional physical reconstruction (2-dimensional 65.56%, 3-dimensional virtual reconstruction 58.52%, 3-dimensional physical reconstruction 87.50%, P<.001); there was no difference for unsegmented structures. Classification of assessed zonal invasion was better with 3-dimensional physical reconstruction (2-dimensional 67.41%, 3-dimensional virtual reconstruction 77.04%, 3-dimensional physical reconstruction 86.67%; P=.001). However, selected surgical approaches were often discordant from documented (2-dimensional 23.81%, 3-dimensional virtual reconstruction 42.86%, 3-dimensional physical reconstruction 45.24%, P=.084) and "zone-specific" approaches (2-dimensional 33.33%, 3-dimensional virtual reconstruction 42.86%, 3-dimensional physical reconstruction 45.24%, P=.501). All surgeons agreed that 3-dimensional virtual reconstruction and 3-dimensional physical reconstruction benefit surgical planning. Most surgeons (14/15) agreed that 3-dimensional virtual reconstruction and 3-dimensional physical reconstruction would facilitate patient and interdisciplinary communication. Finally, most surgeons (14/15) agreed that 3-dimensional virtual reconstruction and 3-dimensional physical reconstruction's benefits outweighed potential delays in care for model construction. Although a consistent effect on surgical strategy was not identified, patient-specific 3-dimensional Pancoast tumor models provided accurate and user-friendly overviews of critical thoracic structures with perceived benefits for surgeons' clinical practices.

SC20.01 Muscle-Sparing Thoracotomy: Can It Still Be Considered a Standard?

Muscle sparing thoracotomy has been a standard approach in thoracic surgery for a long time. Minimal invasive approaches have gained a widespread acceptance recently and were included in the treatment guidelines for early stage NSCLC by several societies. Prospective randomized trials comparing minimal invasive approaches versus muscle sparing thoracotomy in stage I NSCLC have already been performed more than twenty years ago and demonstrated equal morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless it took until 2013 that the American College of Chest Physician guidelines recommended a VATS approach for clinical stage I NSCLC over a thoracotomy in experienced centers.1 No recommendation is made for more advanced stages. When analyzing national registry data still a high percentage of procedures in performed in an open way. This means that in current practice thoracotomy is still used as a standard approach by many surgeons. Minimal invasive approaches – both videothoracoscopic and robotic – are not different operations but different approaches towards performing an operation. It has been proven in several studies that in early stage lung cancer minimal invasive approaches in its various form lead at least to equivalent or even better oncologic outcome compared to an open approach. Nevertheless in more advanced stages this proof is lacking. Experienced centers reported individual series of minimal invasive approaches towards advanced procedures such as sleeve resection, pneumonectomy, chest wall resection and Pancoast tumor resection. While this is technically feasible no data on long-term outcome of larger patient cohorts are available and an open approach is considered standard in these cases. Thus for tumors with invasion of hilar structures or sleeve resection a muscle sparing thoracotomy currently remains a standard approach. Perceived advantages of minimal invasive approaches – VATS as well as RATS – include less pain, fewer complications, shorter length of stay, faster return to normal activity and higher rate of adjuvant chemotherapy compliance. There are a few single center studies challenging these assumptions2,3 as well as a recent analysis of Danish national data,4 however the majority of studies are in favor of minimal invasive approaches. In summary muscle sparing thoracotomy remains a standard approach for advanced stage tumors, whereas early stage lung cancer should be treated minimally invasive in experienced centers. 1. Detterbeck FC1, Lewis SZ, Diekemper R, Addrizzo-Harris D, Alberts WM. Executive Summary: Diagnosis and management of lung cancer, 3rd ed: American College of Chest Physicians evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Chest. 2013 May;143(5 Suppl):7S-37S. 2. Rizk NP, Ghanie A, Hsu M, Bains MS, Downey RJ, Sarkaria IS, Finley DJ, Adusumilli PS, Huang J, Sima CS, Burkhalter JE, Park BJ, Rusch VW. A prospective trial comparing pain and quality of life measures after anatomic lung resection using thoracoscopy or thoracotomy. Ann Thorac Surg. 2014 Oct;98(4):1160-6. 3. Kuritzky AM, Aswad BI, Jones RN, Ng T. Lobectomy by Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery vs Muscle-Sparing Thoracotomy for Stage I Lung Cancer: A Critical Evaluation of Short- and Long-Term Outcomes. J Am Coll Surg. 2015 Jun;220(6):1044-53 4. Licht PB, Schytte T, Jakobsen E. Adjuvant chemotherapy compliance is not superior after thoracoscopic lobectomy. Ann Thorac Surg. 2014 Aug;98(2):411-5.

Resection of the First Rib With Preservation of the T1 Nerve Root in Pancoast Tumors of the Lung.

Surgical outcomes for Pancoast (superior sulcus) tumors of the lung have significantly changed during the last few decades and have improved with use of curative-intent surgery by utilizing en bloc complete resections. A retrospective analysis was conducted of 11 selected patients treated at Moffitt Cancer Center from 2007 to 2016. Data from patient records were collected and analyzed. All 11 patients with a Pancoast tumor involving the first rib had their T1 root preserved at surgery. In 10 patients (90.9%), the tumor was removed en bloc. Clear margins of resection were documented in 4 cases (36.0%). No patient developed postoperative hand weakness, but 3 patients (27.3%) had minor postoperative complications, including air leak, chylothorax, and pericardial effusion. One iatrogenic injury to the subclavian artery was reported during surgery; the injury was subsequently repaired. No operative mortality was reported. Radical resection of Pancoast tumors is considered to be safe, and preserving the T1 nerve root provides more favorable, functional outcomes.

Video-assisted pulmonary lobectomy combined with transmanubrial approach for anterior Pancoast tumor resection: case report

BackgroundThe mini-ivasive approach to superior sulcus tumors is an uncommon procedure that is still far from standardization. We describe a hybrid surgical technique to approach “en block” chest resection and pulmonary lobectomy for anterior superior sulcus tumors.Case PresentationA patient affected by right anterior Pancoast tumor surgically staged as cT4N0M0 (suspected anonymous vein invasion) underwent chemo-radiation induction therapy with satisfactory tumor reduction. The surgical operation comprised an initial VATS approach to the hilar structures followed by a limited C-shaped anterior contra-incision; finally, the right upper lobe “en block” with the anterior part of the first and second rib was removed. The whole procedure was conducted with the patient in the supine position; no rib retractors were used. The definitive stage was ypT0N0M0. The patient had an uneventful hospital stay and at the 9 months follow-up she was free from disease and post-thoracotomy syndrome.ConclusionsIn our opinion such hybrid VATS procedure has several advantages: starting with thoracoscopy it is possibleto exclude previously undetected pleural dissemination and to precisely define the tumor location as well as limits of the thoracic wall resection; time could be spared maintaining the patients in the supine position for both surgical times; postoperative pain and post-thoracotomy syndrome could be minimized avoiding the use of any rib retractor.

The "cut-in patch-out" technique for Pancoast tumor resections results in postoperative pain reduction: a case control study

BackgroundSince 2001 we have utilized a novel surgical approach for Pancoast tumors in which lobectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection are performed directly though the chest wall defect. The defect is then patched at the completion of the procedure ("cut-in patch-out") thereby avoiding a separate thoracotomy with rib spreading. We undertook a study to compare outcomes of this novel "cut-in patch-out" technique with traditional thoracotomy for patients with Pancoast tumors.MethodsWe retrospectively identified 41 patients undergoing surgical resection of Pancoast tumors requiring en-bloc removal of at least 3 ribs at our institution from 1999 to 2012. Surgery was accomplished by either a "cut-in patch-out" technique (n = 25) or traditional posterolateral thoracotomy and separate chest wall resection (n = 16). Multiple variables including patient demographics, neoadjuvant therapy, extent of resection, and pathology were analyzed with respect to outcomes from morbidity, narcotic use, and oncologic perspectives.ResultsBaseline demographics, neoadjuvant therapy, and perioperative factors including extent of surgery, complete resections (R0), nodal status and lymph node number, morbidity, and mortality were similar between the two groups. The mean duration of out-patient narcotic use was significantly lower in the "cut-in patch-out" group compared to the thoracotomy group (80.6 days ± 62.4 vs. 158.2 days ± 119.2, p < 0.01). Using multivariate regression analysis, the traditional thoracotomy technique (OR 7.72; p = 0.01) was independently associated with prolonged oral narcotic requirements (>100 days). Additionally, five year survival for the "cut-in patch-out" group was 48% versus the traditional group at 12.5% (p = 0.04).ConclusionsCompared with a traditional thoracotomy and separate chest wall resection approach for P-NSCLC, a "cut-in patch-out" technique offers an alternative approach that appears to have at least oncologic equivalence while decreasing pain. We have more recently adapted this technique to select patients with pulmonary neoplasms involving chest wall invasion and believe further investigation is warranted.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13019-014-0163-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Versatility of a Mini-Trapdoor Incision in Upper Mediastinal Exposure

Exposure of the upper mediastinum and thoracic outlet can pose major surgical challenges. We report our application of a previously described mini-trapdoor incision to a variety of surgical problems involving the upper mediastinum and thoracic outlet, including subclavian vein thrombosis, penetrating subclavian artery injury, debridement of subjacent chest wall infection, lymph node excision, and Pancoast tumor resection. This versatile approach provides excellent structural visualization while obviating clavicular resection or sternoclavicular joint disruption, or both.

Tension pneumocephalus complicating Pancoast tumor resection

A case of tension pneumocephalus following Pancoast tumor resection is presented. Conservative management was successful. The presenting symptoms and signs, diagnostic methods and options for treatment are discussed and reviewed.

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.

Pancoast tumor resection with preservation of brachial plexus and hand function

Pancoast tumors are aggressive bronchogenic lesions of the lung apex that are rapidly fatal if untreated. Modern treatment includes induction chemotherapy and radiotherapy prior to resection, but many authors also resect the T-1 nerve root (with or without the C-8 nerve root and the lower trunk of the brachial plexus) as part of the therapy, causing significant loss of hand function in many patients. The current authors determined whether a different approach allowing preservation of the brachial plexus and hand function could be adopted without compromising patient survival. An extensive historical review of Pancoast tumors is presented as a baseline for clinical comparison. Five patients harboring Pancoast tumors with brachial plexus involvement underwent surgery performed by both a neurosurgeon and thoracic surgeon. In all cases the tumor was resected from the brachial plexus using neurolysis while preserving the C-8 and T-1 nerve roots and lower trunk of the brachial plexus. One patient died 3 years posttreatment; the other four patients remain alive and well 2 to 5 years postoperatively. Hand function improved or remained normal in all four survivors, with postoperative intrinsic hand muscle function being Louisiana State University Medical Center Grade 5 in each patient. These results (2-year survival rate of 100%) compare favorably with the Southwest Oncology Group Data (overall 2-year survival rate of 55%; 70% in patients who had undergone complete resection). With a minimum 2-year follow-up, 80% of patients remained alive and well, with normal hand function. Although this patient series is small, the findings are extremely encouraging and suggest that the described treatment paradigm preserves survival as well as hand function in patients with Pancoast tumors.

Anterior approach for Pancoast tumor resection

Tumors arising anteriorly in the apex of the chest were long considered unresectable because of early invasion of vascular structures limiting radical resection through the conventional Paulson approach. These tumors became operable in 1993 when Dartevelle popularized the cervico-thoracic transclavicular technique for resecting these neoplasms. Since then several different surgical approaches to anterior Pancoast tumors have been proposed, drastically improving the rate of radical resections of these tumors. However, there is no consensus on which anterior surgical approach provides the best access to all of the apical non-small cell lung cancers of the thoracic inlet. Moreover, it is still unclear if integrated neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatments can improve the rates of complete resection, local recurrence and long-term survival.

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

We sought to study the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients treated with a surgery-inclusive multimodality approach for Pancoast tumors. Clinical records of patients with Pancoast lung cancer who were enrolled for multimodality treatment between 1993 and 2003 at our institution were reviewed retrospectively. Thirty-six patients completed neodjuvant chemoradiation followed by en bloc surgical resection, whereas one patient received high-dose radiation alone followed by surgical intervention. There were 22 men and 15 women. Thirty-four lobectomies and 3 pneumonectomies were performed. Pretreatment non-small cell lung cancer stages were IIB, IIIA, IIIB, and IV (presenting with solitary brain metastasis) in 18, 8, 6, and 5 cases, respectively. R0 resection was achieved in 36 (97.3%) patients. Operative mortality was 2.7% (n = 1). High-dose radiotherapy was successfully tolerated in all but 1 patient. Mean total radiation dose was 56.9 Gy. Pathologic complete response was found in 40.5% (n = 15) of patients. Recurrences were found in 50% (n = 18) of patients. Brain metastasis was the most common recurrence (n = 9), followed by other distant recurrences (n = 4) and local recurrences (n = 5). Median survival time for the group is 2.6 years, and median survival time (pathologic complete response) is 7.8 years. It is noteworthy that median survival time of patients with positive pretreatment lymph nodes (12 patients) was not reached. Surgical resection of Pancoast tumors after neoadjuvant high-dose radiation and chemotherapy can be safely performed. High-dose radiation in trimodality treatment is well tolerated and might be beneficial. Similar to other studies, late central nervous system relapse is problematic and indicates a need for assessing the role of prophylactic cranial irradiation in this disease.