Pleural Recurrence Research Articles

Risk factors for pleural effusion recurrence in patients with malignancy.

The main purpose of treatment in patients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is symptom palliation. Currently, patients undergo repeat thoracenteses prior to receiving a definitive procedure as clinicians are not aware of the risk factors associated with fluid recurrence. The primary objective of this study was to identify risk factors associated with recurrent symptomatic MPE. Retrospective multicentre cohort study of patients who underwent first thoracentesis was performed. The primary outcome was time to fluid recurrence requiring intervention in patients with evidence of metastatic disease. We used a cause-specific hazard model to identify risk factors associated with fluid recurrence. We also developed a predictive model, utilizing Fine-Gray subdistribution hazard model, and externally validated the model. A total of 988 patients with diagnosed metastatic disease were included. Cumulative incidence of recurrence was high with 30% of patients recurring by day 15. On multivariate analysis, size of the effusion on chest X-ray (up to the top of the cardiac silhouette (hazard ratio (HR): 1.84, 95% CI: 1.21-2.80, P = 0.004) and above the cardiac silhouette (HR: 2.22, 95% CI: 1.43-3.46, P = 0.0004)), larger amount of pleural fluid drained (HR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.04-1.07, P < 0.0001) and higher pleural fluid LDH (HR: 1.008, 95% CI: 1.004-1.011, P < 0.0001) were associated with increased hazard of recurrence. Negative cytology (HR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.43-0.64, P < 0.0001) was associated with decreased hazard of recurrence. The model had low prediction accuracy. Pleural effusion size, amount of pleural fluid drained, LDH and pleural fluid cytology were found to be risk factors for recurrence.

Risk of pleural recurrence after percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy in stage I non-small-cell lung cancer.

To determine whether percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) increased the risk of pleural recurrence in stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this retrospective study, we reviewed 830 consecutive patients with stage I NSCLC who underwent curative resection between 2004 and 2010. Cox regression analyses with propensity score matching were performed to identify risk factors for pleural recurrence. Of 830 patients, 540 (65.1%) underwent PTNB before surgery, while 290 (34.9%) underwent preoperative bronchoscopic biopsy or intraoperative wedge resection for a pathological diagnosis. Concomitant pleural recurrence occurred in 42 patients (5.1% [95% CI, 3.8-6.8]; 34 [6.3%] PTNB patients and eight [2.8%] non-PTNB patients) and isolated pleural recurrence took place in 26 patients (3.1% [95% CI, 2.1-4.6]; 20 [3.7%] PTNB patients and 6 [2.1%] non-PTNB patients). On multivariate analysis after matching, only visceral pleural invasion was associated with concomitant pleural recurrence (hazard ratio [HR]=3.367; 95% CI, 1.262-8.986; p=0.015) and isolated pleural recurrence (HR=3.216; 95% CI, 1.037-9.978; p=0.043), while PTNB was associated with neither concomitant nor isolated pleural recurrence (p=0.605 and p=0.963, respectively). Among 540 patients undergoing PTNB, the transfissural approach did not have a significant association with pleural recurrence (p=0.539 and p=0.313, respectively); instead, visceral pleural invasion and microscopic lymphatic invasion were significantly associated with concomitant pleural recurrence, and microscopic lymphatic invasion was associated with isolated pleural recurrence (p<0.05). PTNB did not significantly increase the risk of pleural recurrence in stage I NSCLC, whereas visceral pleural invasion was responsible for pleural recurrence. • PTNB did not significantly increase the risk of pleural recurrence in stage I NSCLC, whereas visceral pleural invasion was responsible for pleural recurrence. • The transfissural approach in PTNB did not increase the risk of pleural recurrence. • PTNB can be performed for the confirmatory diagnosis of peripheral stage I lung cancer without concern for the risk of pleural recurrence.

Current outcomes of postrecurrence survival in patients after resection of non-small cell lung cancer.

Despite complete resection, patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) sometimes experience recurrence in various sites, generally with an unfavorable prognosis. Receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have produced a dramatic response in patients with advanced NSCLC harboring sensitive mutations. We retrospectively investigated 281 patients with recurrence who underwent complete resection of their NSCLC between January 2005 and December 2013 with tumors in which the status of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation, KRAS mutation, and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement was confirmed. Clinicopathological factors, including mode of recurrence, oncogenic status, and postrecurrence survival (PRS), were reviewed. We aimed to investigate the prognostic factors of PRS by univariate and multivariate analyses. Among the 281 patients, 135 patients (48.0%) with EGFR mutation, 33 (11.7%) with KRAS mutation, 13 (4.7%) with ALK rearrangement, and 100 (35.6%) with triple negative (TN) mutation were identified. Median survival time after recurrence was 26.1 months. In multivariate analysis, the presence of EGFR mutation, pStage I, the presence of both local and systemic therapies for recurrence, and longer time to recurrence (TTR) were significant favorable factors for PRS. With regard to the initial site of recurrence, the presence of pleural and/or bone recurrence reduced PRS significantly. The presence of pulmonary recurrence increased PRS, especially in patients with EGFR- or ALK-mutated tumors. This study documented the current outcomes of PRS. EGFR mutated status, pStage I, longer TTR and presence of multimodal therapy for recurrence were favorable factors for PRS.

Wet M1a non-small cell lung cancer: is it possible to predict recurrence of pleural effusion?

The propose was to recognize risk factors of malignant pleural effusion (MPE) recurrence in patients with symptomatic M1a non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). All patients with NSCLC and MPE submitted to pleural palliative procedures were enrolled in a prospective study. Group I contained patients who had pleural recurrence, and Group II with no pleural recurrence. Prognostic factors for pleural recurrence were identified by univariable analysis, using Fisher's exact test for categorical variables and Student's t test for quantitative variables. Afterwards the significant variables were entered into a multivariable logistic regression analysis (with P<0.05 considered significant). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis determined the cutoff points for continuous variables. A total of 82 patients were included in the analysis. There were 15 patients (18.3%) in Group I and 67 patients (81.7%) in Group II. Univariable analysis regarding factors affecting postoperative recurrence was: adenosine deaminase concentration in pleural fluid <16 mg/dL (P=0.04), albumin concentration in pleural fluid <2.4 mg/dL (P=0.03), administration of second-line palliative chemotherapy (P=0.018) and type of procedure [therapeutic pleural aspiration (TPA)] (P=0.023). At the multivariable analysis, only the type of procedure (TPA) (P=0.031) was identified as independent predictor of recurrence. The identification of this factor may assist the choice of the optimal palliative technique; at the first episode of MPE in NSCLC patients and definitive procedure as pleurodesis or indwelling pleural catheter are recommended.

Role of Surgery in the Treatment of Masaoka Stage IVa Thymoma.

To analyze the role of surgery in patients with Masaoka stage IVa thymoma treated with multimodality therapy. Of 191 patients undergoing surgery for thymoma in our department between January 2002 and December 2015, 39 (20.4%) had Masaoka stage IVa. Histopathological tumor type, myasthenic status of the Osserman-Genkins score, Masaoka stage at the first surgery, neoadjuvant treatment, number and type of surgeries, and survival rates were recorded. Thymoma B2 was the most common histopathological tumor type (n = 16, 41%). Twenty-six (66.7%) patients underwent primary surgeries for Masaoka stage IVa thymoma, whereas nine (23.1%) underwent secondary surgeries and four (10.3%) underwent tertiary surgeries for pleural or pericardial recurrences. Median survival was 132 ± 25 (82-181; 95% confidence interval [CI]) months. Overall 3-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates were 93%, 93%, and 56%, respectively. Surgical treatment should be considered as a completion modality to oncological therapy and has the potential to provide long-term survival of Masaoka stage IVa in patients with thymoma. The type of surgery should be determined based on the invasiveness of the lesion.

P3.13-019 Preoperative Needle Biopsy Does Not Increase the Risk of Pleural Recurrence in ≤3cm Lung Adenocarcinoma

P3.13-019 Preoperative Needle Biopsy Does Not Increase the Risk of Pleural Recurrence in ≤3cm Lung Adenocarcinoma

Ipsilateral pleural recurrence after diagnostic transthoracic needle biopsy in pathological stage I lung cancer patients who underwent curative resection

ObjectivesThe relationship between transthoracic needle biopsy (TTNB) and pleural recurrence of cancer after curative lung resection remains unclear. We aimed to assess whether TTNB increases the ipsilateral pleural recurrence (IPR) rate and identify other potential risk factors for pleural recurrence after surgery. Materials and methodsThis retrospective study included 392 patients with p-stage I non-small cell lung cancer with solid or part-solid nodules after curative lung resection in 2009–2010. Imbalances among the characteristics were adjusted using an inverse probability-weighted method based on propensity scoring. Multivariate Cox’s regression analysis and the Kaplan-Meier method were used to determine independent risk factors for IPR. ResultsA total of 243 (62%) patients received TTNB, while 149 (38%) underwent an alternate, or no, diagnostic technique. IPR was significantly more frequent in the TTNB group (p=0.004), while total recurrence was similar between the groups (p=0.098). After applying the weighted model, diagnostic TTNB (hazard ratio [HR], 5.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.49–18.69; p=0.010), microscopic visceral pleural invasion (HR, 2.76; 95% CI, 1.08–7.01; p=0.033) and microscopic lymphatic invasion (HR, 3.25; 95% CI, 1.30–8.10; p=0.012) were associated with an increased frequency of IPR. Among patients who received TTNB, microscopic lymphatic invasion was a risk factor for IPR (HR, 2.74; 95% CI, 1.10–6.79; p=0.030). ConclusionsThe diagnostic TTNB procedure is associated with pleural recurrence but may be unrelated to overall recurrence-free survival in early lung cancer. Moreover, microscopic lymphatic invasion could be a risk factor for pleural recurrence. TTNB should be carefully considered before lung resection and close follow-up to detect if pleural recurrence is needed.

Prognostic factors of mortality and recurrence of malignant pleural effusion in high-risk tumors according to the LENT Score.

e21666 Background: The aim of this study was to identify predictors of overall survival (OS) and recurrence after palliative pleural procedures in patients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE) and high-risk tumors according to the LENT Score. Methods: Data was collected from our database between January 2013 and December 2015 of patients with MPE and high-risk tumors according to the LENT Score. All patients were followed-up for at least 30 days after the pleural procedure. We evaluated radiological aspects, biochemical and hematologic parameters as well as clinical features. For OS analysis, patients were divided into two groups. Group I included OS &lt; 30 days and group II included OS &gt; 30 days. Prognostic factors for pleural recurrence and OS were identified by univariate analysis, using Fisher's exact and Student's t-test. Subsequently, significant variables were entered into a multivariate logistic regression analysis ( p &lt; 0.05). Results: A total of 134 patients were included. Median follow-up time for surviving patients was 56 (range: 2-623) days. High-risk primary tumors included lung (66.4%), gastrointestinal (24.6%) , sarcoma (3.7%), urologic (3.7%) and others (1.5%). Forty-four patients in Group I had OS &lt; 30 days while 22 patients had MPE recurrence. Factors affecting OS in univariate analysis were: type of procedure, ECOG, albumin, leukocytes, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio( NRL) and hemoglobin. Factors affecting recurrence were: type of procedure, chemotherapy line (CT), albumin and platelets. In multivariate analysis for Group I, type of procedure (therapeutic pleural aspiration – TPA) ( p= 0.011), ECOG 3/4 ( p= 0.004), NLR &gt; 5 ( p= 0.037) and leukocytes &gt; 8000 ( p= 0.042) were identified as independent predictors of OS. In terms of recurrence, only CT beyond first line ( p = 0.042) was identified as an independent prognostic factor. Conclusions: Patients with MPE who underwent TPA, had ECOG 3/4, leukocytes &gt; 8000, and NLR &gt; 5 were significantly associated with shorter OS,. CT beyond first line was associated with recurrence. The identification of these prognostic factors may assist physicians in choosing the optimal palliative technique.

Intra-Thoracic Chemo-Hyperthermia for pleural recurrence of thymoma

BackgroundPleural recurrences are a hallmark of thymomas, and represent a challenge for multidisciplinary management. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and the results in terms of morbidity, mortality and survival rates, of Intra-Thoracic Chemo-Hyperthermia (ITCH) for the treatment of pleural recurrences of thymomas. MethodsRetrospective analysis of 19 consecutives patients between 1997 and 2015 treated by surgical cytoreduction (pleurectomy) followed by ITCH with 25mg/m2 of mitomycin, and 50mg/m2 of Cisplatin. ResultsThere were 8 men and 11 women with a median age of 44 years. ITCH was combined with pleurectomy alone in 4 (22%) patients, pleurectomy and wedge resections in 14 (74%) patients; 1 (5%) patient had a pleuropneumonectomy. There were no perioperative deaths, and 5 patients (26%) presented with postoperative complication, including 3 (16%) cases related to chemotherapy (one case of reversible grade 2 bone marrow aplasia, and 2 cases of reversible, acute kidney failure). The median length of stay in intensive care unit and hospital were 1day and 10days, respectively. After a median follow-up period of 39 months (range 10–127 months), median disease-free survival was 42 months. Five patients (26%) died during follow-up. ConclusionsOur data indicate that ITCH is a feasible option for selected patients with pleural recurrence of thymomas. ITCH clearly provides long local control, without major safety issues, and prolonged survival may be achieved in selected patients. This therapeutic option should be discussed at a multidisciplinary tumor board.

Extent of visceral pleural invasion and the prognosis of surgically resected node-negative non-small cell lung cancer.

BackgroundVisceral pleural invasion (VPI) is generally considered a poor prognostic factor in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). VPI is defined as penetration beyond the elastic layer of visceral pleura (PL1), including the visceral pleural surface without the involvement of adjacent structures (PL2) by cancer cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the extent of VPI on NSCLC prognosis.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of 90 patients with resected node‐negative NSCLC with VPI. The overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) rates were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Multivariate analysis for prognostic factors was performed using a Cox proportional hazards regression model. The pattern of recurrence was also compared between PL1 and PL2 groups.ResultsSeventy‐three patients had PL1. The three‐year OS rates for the PL1 and PL2 groups were 97.4% and 82.4%, respectively (P = 0.004). The two‐year DFS rates for PL1 and PL2 groups were 81.0% and 76.5%, respectively (P = 0.419). According to the multivariate analysis, PL2 was not a significant prognostic factor for survival outcome in node‐negative NSCLC with VPI compared to PL1 (hazard ratio for DFS 1.753, 95% confidence interval 0.582–5.284; P = 0.319). In this study, six patients in the PL1 and one in PL2 group developed ipsilateral pleural recurrence (P = 1.000).Conclusion VPI extent may not influence survival outcomes in patients with surgically resected node‐negative NSCLC with VPI.

Intrathoracic Desmoid Tumor Arising at Thoracotomy Site Mimicking Lung Cancer Pleural Recurrence

Intrathoracic Desmoid Tumor Arising at Thoracotomy Site Mimicking Lung Cancer Pleural Recurrence

Risk of Pleural Recurrence in Early Stage Lung Cancer Patients after Percutaneous Transthoracic Needle Biopsy: A Meta-analysis

Percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsies (PTNB) are widely used for the diagnosis of a peripheral pulmonary nodules, but the risk of pleural recurrence in lung cancer patients remains undetermined. Our meta-analysis aims to answer the question whether PTNB strategy increases the risk of recurrence. PubMed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were searched from inception to January 9, 2016. A total of 1242 patients from 5 studies were included. The results showed that PTNB does not increase risk of total recurrence (Odds Ratio,0.78; 95% CI, 0.53 to 1.15) or pleural recurrence (Odds Ratio,1.58; 95% CI, 0.41 to 6.12) compared with non-PTNB strategies in early stage lung cancer patients. Subgroup analysis showed that PTNB was associated with increased pleural recurrence (Odds Ratio, 10.76; 95% CI, 2.92 to 39.70) in patients with sub-pleural lesions but not in patients without sub-pleural lesions (Odds Ratio, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.24 to 3.89). In conclusion, PTNB should not be recommended in lung cancer patients with sub-pleural lesions. However, PTNB is recommendable to use in other patients without sub-pleural lesions to whom pathological diagnosis is necessary, especially in patients with relevant comorbidities.

OA21.05 Wet M1a Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Is It Possible to Predict Recurrence of Pleural Effusion?

Pleural and oncological treatment options for malignant pleural effusion (MPE) are increasing and hence, more accurate prognosis at presentation may help to identify patients with the higher risk of pleural recurrence, in order to individualize more intensive treatment strategies. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of malignant pleural effusion recurrence in patients with M1a non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). All patients with NSCLC and MPE submitted to pleural palliative procedures including simple pleural drainage, videothoracoscopic pleural drainage, pleurodesis and indwelling pleural catheter were enrolled in a prospective study between 2014 and 2015, and divided into two groups. Group I included patients who had pleural recurrence, and Group II with no pleural recurrence after the palliative procedures. Prognostic factors for pleural recurrence were identified by univariate analysis, using Fisher's exact test for the analysis of categorical variables and Student’s t test for quantitative variables. Subsequently the significant variables were entered into a multivariate logistic regression analysis (with p< 0.05 considered significant). The cutoff points for any significant continuous variables were determined by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. A total of 82 patients were included in the analysis. Median follow-up time for surviving patients was 81 days (range 1 to 1070 days). There were 15 patients (18.3%) in Group I and 67 patients (81.7%) in Group II. Univariate analysis of factors affecting postoperative recurrence were: adenosine deaminase concentration in pleural fluid < 16 mg/dl (p=0.04), albumin concentration in pleural fluid < 2.4 mg/dl (p= 0.03), administration of second-line palliative chemotherapy (p= 0.018) and type of procedure (simple pleural drainage vs. videothoracoscopic pleural drainage, pleurodesis and indwelling pleural catheter) (p= 0.023). At the multivariate analysis, only the type of procedure (simple pleural drainage)(p= 0.031) was identified as independent predictor of recurrence. In our cohort of NSCLC patients with MPE submitted to pleural palliative procedures, simple pleural drainage was the only significantly factor associated with recurrence of MPE. The identification of this factor may assist the choice of the optimal palliative technique, at the first episode of MPE in NSCLC patients. Definitive procedure as pleurodesis is recommended, the indwelling pleural catheter or videothoracoscopic drainage are options for patients whom lung are trapped.

Use of indwelling pleural catheters for the definitive treatment of malignant pleural effusion.

ABSTRACTObjective: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of the use of indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs) in patients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE). Methods: We prospectively collected data from patients with MPE undergoing IPC placement between January of 2014 and July of 2015. All patients submitted to IPC placement had a life expectancy > 30 days, in accordance with the MPE treatment guidelines established by the British Thoracic Society. The data collected included gender, age, body mass index, primary cancer site, duration of IPC drainage, IPC-related complications, length of hospital stay, pleural effusion recurrence, and occurrence of spontaneous pleurodesis. Results: A total of 19 patients underwent IPC placement during the study period. Median overall survival after IPC insertion was 145 days. The median follow-up among the surviving patients was 125 days (range, 53-485 days), and the median time between catheter insertion and removal was 31 days (range, 2-126 days). There were IPC-related complications in 5 patients (26.2%), and spontaneous pleurodesis was achieved in 8 (42.0%). Among those 8 patients, the IPC was removed between days 30 and 126 in 4, and spontaneous pleurodesis occurred within the first 30 days in 4. Conclusions: The use of IPCs seems to be feasible and safe in patients with MPE.

P1.08-032 Impact of the Oncogenic Status on the Mode of Recurrence in Resected Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Surgical resection is employed in patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Despite complete resection, recurrence is sometimes observed. Oncogenic mutations promote initiation and progression of lung cancer, and mutation status predicts treatment outcome of advanced NSCLC; however, their impact on the recurrence patterns remain poorly understood. We retrospectively studied 401 patients showing recurrence after complete resection of NSCLC. Clinicopathological factors were reviewed for time to recurrence (TTR), and recurrence patterns were compared according to oncogenic status and examined according to EGFR mutational subtype. Among 401 patients, 185 with EGFR mutation, 46 with KRAS mutation, 15 with ALK rearrangement, and 155 with triple negative mutation (TN) were identified. Multivariate analysis following univariate analyses showed that younger age, well–moderately differentiated histology, earlier pathologic stage, and presence of EGFR or ALK mutation were favorable prognostic factors for TTR. Locoregional recurrence was observed in 53.3% of ALK-positive patients, being significantly common in these patients than in EGFR- and KRAS-positive patients. EGFR-positive patients mostly experienced pleural recurrence, the incidence of which was significantly higher in TN patients. Adrenal recurrence was observed in 7.2% of TN patients, but it was rarely identified in EGFR-positive patients. (Figure) Among EGFR-positive patients, the incidence of brain metastases was significantly higher in L858R cohort than in Del Ex19 cohort. In resected NSCLC, younger age, well–moderately differentiated histology, earlier pathologic stage, and presence of EGFR or ALK mutation were favorable factors for TTR, and distinct recurrence patterns were revealed according to oncogenic mutation status and mutational EGFR subtype. Our results may provide suggestions for developing a strategy for follow-up and adjuvant therapies after resection.

P3.03-027 Growth Factor and Inflammatory Signaling Pathway Interactions Influence Outcomes Following Multimodality Therapy for Mesothelioma: Topic: Mesothelioma Transitional

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and external beam radiotherapy (RT) have been used as adjuvant therapies directed at increasing local control in patients undergoing surgical resection for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). In patients with MPM treated with a surgically-based multimodality treatment program that involves intraoperative PDT and postoperative RT for MPM, we have previously demonstrated that expression/activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/STAT3 signaling correlates with increased pleural recurrence rates and decreased overall survival. We assessed if activation of STAT3 through EGFR pathway activation mediates resistance of lung cancer cells to either PDT or ionizing RT. Tumor samples from patients with MPM undergoing lung-sparing surgery/intraoperative PDT and postoperative RT were analyzed for expression of growth factor and inflammatory signaling pathways using both IHC and Nanostring techniques. For in vivo assays, Balbc mice with syngeneic Ab12 MPM tumors were treated with partial surgical resection followed by PDT. In vitro studies involved human MPM cell lines derived from subjects enrolled on tissue acquisition with a pTRIPZ expression vector designed to allow doxycycline-induced STAT3 or EGFR shRNA expression. Ninety-three consecutive patients were assessed. Patients undergoing surgery/PDT and RT with median time to local recurrence of <12 months demonstrated elevated EGFR/STAT3 expression levels and increased plasma IL-6 after tumor resection as compared to patients with a median time to local recurrence of > 12 months. In vivo studies in Balbc mice undergoing incomplete surgical resection of Ab12 MPM flank tumors demonstrated activation of STAT3 and EGFR signaling as well as increased plasma IL-6. Moreover, this activation was associated with decreased efficacy of postoperative PDT as compared to mice bearing equivalent sized tumors undergoing PDT without surgery and the effects of surgery on PDT were abolished by pretreating animals with the Cox-2 inhibitor celecoxib. Finally, using a novel 3D in vitro MPM cell culture system, we found that activation of EGFR/STAT3/Cox-2 signaling pathways significantly decreased PDT and RT mediated cellular cytotoxicity. Conversely, inhibition of these pathways enhanced PDT and RT efficacy. Both EGFR and STAT3 are activated in the wound healing/inflammatory response to surgical injury, and EGFR/STAT3 activation leads to increased cox-2 expression. Taken with the above results, this suggests that surgically mediated activation of these pathways, possibly through STAT3-mediated growth factor/inflammatory signaling pathways, impairs the potential efficacy of intraoperative/post-operative PDT and RT and that inhibition of this response to surgery might enhance clinical outcomes in patients with MPM.

The Role of Laparoscopic Necrosectomy in the Era of Minimally Invasive Treatment for Necrotizing Pancreatitis: A Case Series and Review of the Literature

Purpose: Despite the recent increasing application of minimally invasive techniques to treat necrotizing pancreatitis, few reports on laparoscopic necrosectomy have appeared. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role played by laparoscopic necrosectomy in treatment of necrotizing pancreatitis. We review our own experience and the relevant literature. Methods: All patients undergoing laparoscopic necrosectomy at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital from March 2005 to January 2016 were included in the study. Data on patient demographics, CT severity index score, American Society of Anesthesiologists’ score, preoperative procedures, operative methods, operation time, estimated blood loss, postoperative complications, and length of hospital stay were retrospectively analyzed. We also performed an up-to-date review of the relevant literature. Results: Laparoscopic necrosectomy was performed on four patients with infective pancreatic necrosis that was inadequately treated by percutaneous drainage. A transgastrocolic, transmesocolic, or retrocolic approach was used. The median time from diagnosis to operation was 57 days (range, 34~109 days) and the median operation time 203 min (range, 180~255 min). There was no operative mortality. The necrotic tissue was successfully removed in a single operation in three of the four patients. Three patients experienced postoperative complications, including pleural effusion and recurrence of necrosis. The median postoperative hospital stay was 39 days (range, 16~99 days). Conclusion: Laparoscopic necrosectomy is safe and effective when used to treat necrotizing pancreatitis. Such treatment is especially useful for patients with solid, necrotic pancreatic components that are not removed by percutaneous or endoscopic drainage.

Preoperative Percutaneous Transthoracic Needle Biopsy Increased the Risk of Pleural Recurrence in Pathological Stage I Lung Cancer Patients With Sub-pleural Pure Solid Nodules

ABSTRACTWe retrospectively evaluated whether preoperative percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) affected the incidence of pleural recurrence in pathological stage I lung cancer patients. Pleural recurrence occurred in pure solid nodule (PSN) cases but not in ground-glass nodule cases, as evaluated using thin-section computed tomographic imaging. When the cases were restricted to sub-pleural PSN, the incidence of recurrence tended to be higher in a PTNB group (63 patients diagnosed by PTNB) than in a non-PTNB group (86 patients diagnosed by transbronchial biopsy or intraoperative diagnosis) (25% vs. 4%, p =.050). PTNB should not be performed in patients with a sub-pleural PSN.

Prognostic Value of Pleural Lavage Cytology in Patients with Lung Cancer Resection: An Updated Meta-Analysis.

ObjectivePleural lavage cytology (PLC) is considered as a possible tool for assessing prognosis of lung cancer patients. We aimed to comprehensively review the prognosis value of PLC in patients undergoing surgical resection.MethodsWe searched 4 electronic databases for relevant studies comparing positive PLC and negative PLC. The primary outcomes included survival rate and recurrence rate at maximum follow-up.ResultsThe meta-analysis included 28 studies, with a total of 20,714 patients. For the overall survival rate of all stages, the results demonstrated that positive pre-resection, post-resection and pooled PLC were associated with unfavorable survival: hazard ratio (HR) 2.89 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.48–3.37), 2.70 (1.90–3.83), and 2.89 (2.52–3.31), respectively. For the stage I survival rate, the combined results also suggested that positive pre-resection, post-resection and pooled PLC were associated with unfavorable survival: HR 3.29 (95% CI 2.55–4.25), 4.85 (2.31–10.20), and 3.16 (2.53–3.94), respectively. Furthermore, a meta-analysis of 14 studies included 14,279 patients showed that positive pre-resection, post-resection and pooled PLC were associated with an increased risk of overall recurrence: risk ratio (RR) 2.45 (95% CI 1.91–3.15), 2.37 (1.11–5.09), and 2.37 (95% CI 2.00–2.80), respectively. Positive PLC was also associated with a high pleural recurrence (RR 4.77; 95% CI 3.13–7.26) or distant recurrence (RR 2.33; 95% CI 1.65–3.29).ConclusionsBoth positive pre- resection and post-resection PLC are associated with not only higher tumor recurrence but also unfavorable survival outcomes in patients with lung cancer resection. This technique can therefore act as a strong prognostic factor for tumor recurrence and adverse survival rates.

Impact of the oncogenic status on the mode of recurrence in resected non-small cell lung cancer.

Surgical resection is employed in patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer. Despite complete resection, recurrence is sometimes observed. Oncogenic mutations promote initiation and progression of lung cancer, and mutation status predicts treatment outcome of advanced non-small cell lung cancer; however, their impact on the recurrence patterns remains poorly understood. We retrospectively studied 401 patients showing recurrence after complete resection of non-small cell lung cancer. Clinicopathological factors were reviewed for time to recurrence, and recurrence patterns were compared according to oncogenic status and examined according to EGFR mutational subtype. Among 401 patients, 185 with EGFR mutation, 46 with KRAS mutation, 15 with ALK rearrangement and 155 with triple-negative mutation were identified. Multivariate analysis following univariate analyses showed that younger age, well-moderately-differentiated histology, earlier pathologic stage and presence of EGFR or ALK mutation were favorable prognostic factors for time to recurrence. Locoregional recurrence was observed in 53.3% of ALK-positive patients, being significantly common in these patients than in EGFR- and KRAS-positive patients. EGFR-positive patients mostly experienced pleural recurrence, the incidence of which was significantly higher in triple-negative mutation patients. Adrenal recurrence was observed in 7.2% of triple-negative mutation patients, but it was rarely identified in EGFR-positive patients. Among EGFR-positive patients, the incidence of brain metastases was significantly higher in L858R cohort than in Del Ex19 cohort. In resected non-small cell lung cancer, younger age, well-moderately-differentiated histology, earlier pathologic stage and presence of EGFR or ALK mutation were favorable factors for TTR, and distinct recurrence patterns were revealed according to oncogenic mutation status and mutational EGFR subtype. Our results may provide suggestions for developing a strategy for follow-up and adjuvant therapies after resection.