Synchronous Pulmonary Metastases Research Articles

Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with a portal vein tumor thrombus and pulmonary metastases of rectal cancer with microsatellite stability using atezolizumab plus bevacizumab.

Herein, we report the successful treatment using atezolizumab plus bevacizumab of a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with a portal vein tumor thrombus and multiple pulmonary metastases from rectal cancer with microsatellite stability. This patient developed rectal cancer with synchronous pulmonary metastases and HCC. After resecting the primary lesion of the rectal cancer, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization was performed for the HCC. Drug therapy was planned for multiple pulmonary metastases of rectal cancer; however, the early development of recurrent HCC with portal vein tumor thrombus had to be highly prioritized, and atezolizumab plus bevacizumab was introduced. Following the disappearance of the recurrent HCC lesion, the metastatic pulmonary nodules shrunk into scar-like spots. The treatment for both HCC and pulmonary metastases of rectal cancer were considered to result in clinical complete response.

A nomogram model to individually predict prognosis for esophageal cancer with synchronous pulmonary metastasis.

Esophageal cancer (EC) is a life-threatening disease worldwide. The prognosis of EC patients with synchronous pulmonary metastasis (PM) is unfavorable, but few tools are available to predict the clinical outcomes and prognosis of these patients. This study aimed to construct a nomogram model for the prognosis of EC patients with synchronous PM. From the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, we selected 431 EC patients diagnosed with synchronous PM. These cases were randomized into a training cohort (303 patients) and a validation cohort (128 patients). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses, along with the Kaplan-Meier method, were used to estimate the prognosis and cancer-specific survival (CSS) among two cohorts. Relative factors of prognosis in the training cohort were selected to develop a nomogram model which was verified on both cohorts by plotting the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves as well as the calibration curves. A risk classification assessment was completed to evaluate the CSS of different groups using the Kaplan-Meier method. The nomogram model contained four risk factors, including T stage, bone metastasis, liver metastasis, and chemotherapy. The 6-, 12- and 18-month CSS were 55.1%, 26.7%, and 5.9% and the areas under the ROC curve (AUC) were 0.818, 0.781, and 0.762 in the training cohort. Likewise, the AUC values were 0.731, 0.764, and 0.746 in the validation cohort. The calibration curves showed excellent agreement both in the training and validation cohorts. There was a substantial difference in the CSS between the high-risk and low-risk groups (P<0.01). The nomogram model serves as a predictive tool for EC patients with synchronous PM, which would be utilized to estimate the individualized CSS and guide therapeutic decisions.

Contemporary Outcomes for the Curative Treatment of Colorectal Cancer Pulmonary Metastases.

Treatment of pulmonary metastases (PM) from colorectal cancer (CRC) is the standard of care by several guidelines from Europe and the USA, but the validity of this strategy has been recently questioned, and the available evidence supporting this strategy is weak. We report the outcomes of a curative intent strategy in a very recent and homogenous series of patients. We did a retrospective review of all curative intent surgical or ablative treatment of PM from CRC performed consecutively in 3 French institutions from January 2015 to December 2019. Demographics, clinicopathological, and molecular characteristics were evaluated. Cox regression models were used to identify prognostic factors related to local recurrence and disease-free survival. Records from 152 patients were reviewed. One-hundred thirty-five patients (88%) had surgical metastasectomy. Median age was 67years. Most of the patients had a single lesion (66%), and 16% had synchronous PM. Eighty-one patients (53%) experienced recurrence, and the thorax was the most common site of recurrence. Median disease-free survival and overall survival were 35months and 78months after PM treatment. At the end of the study, only 17% of the patients died. Pulmonary tumor burden was correlated with disease-free survival in univariate analysis, but multivariate analysis did not find any prognostic factor independently associated with local recurrence or survival. Our finds corroborate existing recommendation for the invasive treatment of PM from CRC in selected patients.

SJLA_2024_A8: Clinical and Survival Patterns of Pulmonary Metastases in Colorectal Cancer Patients

Background: Pulmonary metastasis (PM) from colorectal cancer (CRC) is a rare and incompletely understood entity which affects 10% of CRC patients. The 5-year overall survival (OS) of Stage IV CRC is 11.3% and in pulmonary metastatectomy range from 40% to 69.7%. This study aims to evaluate the overall 5-year survival of PM from CRC and identify potential independent risk factors affecting the OS. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary care center (Royal Hospital). The study included all patients diagnosed with Stage IV CRC with PM aged &gt;18 years between 2008 and 2015. Patients with no follow-up and missed data were excluded. Data were retrieved from the electronic record system (Al-Shifaa) and analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The prevalence of PM in the overall CRC cases was 15.2% (84/554 patients). Seventy-one patients were included in this study after the application of exclusion criteria with the mean age of patients was 60.35 ± 16.4 years; majority male gender 64.8% (46) and most of them with no comorbidities 57.7% (42). The most common location of primary tumor is sigmoid 31% (22) and diagnosed with T3 40.8% (29) status and N2 32.4% (23) status with high CEA &gt; 5 at presentation and diagnosis. The majority of cases presented with synchronous PM 74.6% (53) and following metastasis features bilateral lung side 69.0% (49), =&gt;10 nodules 42.3% (30), &lt;1 cm size 66.2% (47), and no lymph involvement 57.7% (41). Five-year OS rate is 15.3%, and the median OS time is 15 months. There was a statistically significant difference in the OS distribution between those who received surgery and those who did not receive surgery (Log-rank test, P = 0.004) and 5-year OS rate in the surgical group is 55.6% versus 8.3% in nonsurgical. Median survival time was 71 months versus 13 months, respectively. Several factors were found to be associated with a favorable OS, which include the middle age group (P = 0.007), absence of perineural invasion (P = 0.015), and isolated PM (P = 0.003). In addition, multivariate Cox regression showed OS relatively poor in females (P0.001), metachronous (0.003), T4 (0.005), and normal CEA at diagnosis (0.011). Conclusion: The present study showed 5-year OS rate is 15.3%, and the median OS time is 15 months for Stage IV CRC with pulmonary metastasis. Surgical management, middle age group (40–59 years), absence of perineural invasion, and isolated pulmonary metastasis at diagnosis may be associated with improved survival. Female gender, tumor status T4, Carcinoembryonic &lt;=5 at diagnosis, and metachronous lung mts were associated with poorer survival outcomes. Despite the study’s limitations of retrospective design with a small sample size, the results can be considered as part of MDT-based decision-making. These findings will require future large multicenter studies.

Surgical Strategy for Primary Colorectal Carcinoma and Synchronous Pulmonary Metastasis Resection.

BackgroundThe surgical strategy for single-stage resection of primary colorectal cancer (CRC) and synchronous pulmonary metastases remains a matter of debate.MethodsPerioperative data of patients who underwent single-stage resection of primary CRC and synchronous pulmonary metastases were compared to those of patients who underwent 2-stage resections. The demographic data, number of metastases, type of pulmonary and colorectal resections, operation time, blood loss, postoperative complications, morbidities, mortality, medical costs, and length of hospital stay were analyzed.ResultsTwenty-two patients underwent single-stage resection of primary CRC and pulmonary metastases, while 27 patients underwent 2-stage resection. Tumor size and the number of pulmonary metastases were not significantly different between the 2 groups. The extent of pulmonary metastasectomy and abdominal procedures were similar in both groups, as was the thoracic surgical approach (video-assisted thoracic surgery vs. thoracotomy). However, open laparotomy was performed more frequently in the 2-stage group than in the single-stage group (p=0.045), which also had a longer total anesthetic time (p=0.013). The operation time, medical costs, estimated blood loss, complication rates, and severity were similar in both groups, but the length of hospital stay was shorter in the single-stage group (p<0.001).ConclusionSingle-stage colorectal and pulmonary resection shortened the overall hospital stay, with no significant changes in operation time, medical costs, hospital mortality, and morbidity. Therefore, single-stage resection could be a good surgical strategy in selected patients.

Long-term outcomes and prognostic factors affecting survival after pulmonary metastasectomy in solid tumors of childhood: A single center experience

Introduction:This study assessed the long-term survival and the prognostic variables affecting survival following pulmonary metastasectomy (PM) secondary to childhood solid tumors.Materials and Methods:A retrospective analysis was done on 22 children who underwent PM for solid tumors between January 2007 and February 2020. The overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) at the end of the study period were noted. Tumor histology, completeness of resection, disease-free interval, laterality, location, number, and size of lung nodules were assessed for their significance in contributing to survival.Results:High-grade osteosarcoma (54.5%), followed by Wilms’ tumor (18.2%), was the most common histological types. Unilateral nodules (59.1%) situated in a peripheral, sub-pleural location (91%) were the most common presentation. Pleural extension was noted in 12 (54.5%) patients. Synchronous pulmonary metastases were noted in 12 (54.5%) patients. Two developed metastases while undergoing chemotherapy and eight after the completion of therapy. The EFS and OS were both 31.8% at a median follow-up of 15.5 months (range 3–129 months). The median time required for an event to occur was 4 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4, 6.6 months) and median post-PM survival interval was 17 months (95% CI: 6.6, 27.4 months). Significant association was noted between preoperative tumor response to chemotherapy (P = 0.002) and survival.Conclusion:PM can improve survival in a select group of children with metastatic solid tumors. Favorable tumor response to chemotherapy was found to be a significant prognostic factors influencing survival.

CT-guided palladium-103 seed brachytherapy for metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma: a retrospective study to assess initial safety and effectiveness of percutaneous CT fluoroscopy-guided permanent seed brachytherapy.

PurposeMultiple pulmonary metastases present treatment difficulties in available treatment techniques, which are inconvenient or may damage sufficient pulmonary tissue to cause pulmonary crippling. This retrospective study of a single-community practice evaluated responses to computed tomography (CT)-guided 103Pd permanent seed brachytherapy (CTGPSB) in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) synchronous pulmonary metastases. The purpose of the current study was to document that metastatic pulmonary ACC lesions can be controlled with CTGPSB.Material and methodsTwenty-nine discrete lesions in 14 patients were evaluated with serial CT scans. All were treated with CTGPSB. Lesions were tracked over serial CT scans and volumes measured. Primary endpoint was a reduction in tumor volume on subsequent CT scan. Secondary endpoint was occurrence of CTCAE grades 2-5.ResultsThere was a 100% measured reduction in tumor volume (n = 29) at follow-up. Follow-up was a mean of 3.13 years. Baseline tumor volume was a mean of 1.85 ml (range, 0.69-9.15 ml). There were two grade 1 and one grade 2 adverse events, which did not require hospitalization.ConclusionsCTGPSB for the treatment of multiple ACC pulmonary metastases is effective, with minimal acute complications, as shown in small cohort of subjects of the present study. Further studies evaluating specific dosimetry parameters in this free-hand technique are needed to specify minimal and maximal dose constraints.

Outcomes of surgical resection for pulmonary metastasis from ovarian cancer

BackgroundDue to its rarity, information on pulmonary metastasectomy for pulmonary metastasis from ovarian cancer is limited.MethodsCases of pulmonary metastasectomy for ovarian cancer were collected in a multi-institutional setting and the outcomes were analyzed.ResultsAmong 1508 cases in which pulmonary resection was performed to treat pulmonary metastasis from tumors of various organs, 6 cases (0.4%) involved pulmonary metastasis from ovarian cancer. The mean age was 61 years (range, 39–75 years). The histological types were undifferentiated carcinoma in 2 patients, and clear cell adenocarcinoma, serous papillary cystadenocarcinoma, serous adenocarcinoma, and endometroid adenocarcinoma in 1 patient each. One patient (17%) had a history of liver metastasis at the time of pulmonary resection. The median disease-free interval was 22 months (range, 0 [synchronous]-188 months). The tumor was solitary in 5 patients (83%). The mean tumor size was 15 mm (range, 5–23 mm). All 6 patients underwent complete resection. The type of resection was wide wedge resection in 3 patients, segmentectomy in 2 patients, and lobectomy in 1 patient. Four patients (67%) received postoperative chemotherapy. Thus far, 4 patients (67%) have experienced recurrence after pulmonary resection. In terms of outcomes, 1 patient who had synchronous pulmonary metastasis with the primary tumor died in the early period after pulmonary resection, 1 patient is alive without recurrence after a short follow-up period (5 months), 3 patients have achieved mid- to long-term survival and are alive with disease (38–61 months), and 1 patient achieved long-term (61 months) disease-free survival.ConclusionsPatients with pulmonary metastasis from ovarian cancer who fulfill the eligibility criteria for pulmonary metastasectomy are rare. Pulmonary metastasectomy for ovarian cancer can provide favorable outcomes in highly selected patients. Patients with synchronous pulmonary metastasis from ovarian cancer are not good candidates for pulmonary metastasectomy.

Four lines of immunochemotherapy combinations in a young patient with an aggressive metastatic colorectal cancer

We report on a 42-year-old woman with colorectal cancer of the sigmoid colon with synchronous pulmonary metastases being treated since June of 2016. With a poorly differentiated, KRAS, NRAS and BRAF wildtype cancer and an advanced stage of the disease we look back to almost four years of treatment and a sequence consisting of four lines of polychemotherapy. Dynamic treatment without achieving relevant treatment-free periods resulted in a satisfying quality of life and prolonged overall survival. Exceptional cases in young and very fit patients support the benefit of a more aggressive treatment strategy.

Significance of RAS mutations in pulmonary metastases of patients with colorectal cancer.

RAS/BRAF mutations of colorectal cancer (CRC) play a crucial role in carcinogenesis and cancer progression and need to be considered for the therapeutic strategy choice. We used next-generation-sequencing (NGS) technology to assess RAS/BRAF mutation differences between primary CRC and corresponding pulmonary metastases (PMs). We examined the mutation statuses of the KRAS 12/13/61/146, NRAS 12/13/61/146, and BRAF 600 codons in genomic DNA from fresh-frozen or formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues derived from 34 primary lesions and 52 corresponding PMs from 36 patients with CRC. We found RAS mutations in 76% (26/34) of primary CRC lesions and in 86% (31/36) of PMs. While 27% (7/26) of the primary CRC RAS mutations were heterogeneous, all the RAS mutations in PMs were homogeneous. Of the mutations in PMs, 71% (22/31) were KRAS G>A transitions, of which 82% (18/22) were KRAS G12D or G13D. The RAS mutation discordance between primary tumors and PMs was 12.1% (4/33). RAS mutations with the same genotyping were detected in all synchronous and metachronous PMs from 9 patients. We found no BRAF mutations in either primary or pulmonary tissues. Our NGS analysis suggests that RAS mutations of PM of patients with CRC are more common than initially thought. The presence of KRAS mutations in CRC specimens, especially G12D or G13D mutations, seems to promote PM formation.

Pulmonary metastasectomy of colorectal cancer origin: Evaluating process and outcomes.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of change in policy of computed tomography (CT) scan of the thorax in staging and follow-up of colorectal cancer (CRC). Another objective was to review the outcomes following pulmonary metastasectomies (Pmets) and to determine the prognostic factors affecting outcomes. This is a retrospective analysis from a prospective cohort database of patients, who underwent Pmet for CRC origin from August 2004 to February 2016. The outcome measures were number of Pmets per year, overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and prognostic factors affecting survival. Of 71 patients, 38% (n = 27) underwent Pmet before 2013 and 62% ( n = 44) had surgery after 2013. The 2-year DFS after Pmet was 49.3% and estimated 5-year OS was 51.4% at a median follow-up of 28 months. There was a significant increase in number of Pmets/year ( P = 0.0015), increased detection of synchronous pulmonary metastasis (PM) ( P = 0.005), increased diagnosis of extra-pulmonary metastases (EPM) ( P = 0.005), and improved OS ( P = 0.026) after introduction of CT scan as staging tool. Site of primary tumor (colon) ( P = 0.045), primary nodal stage ( P = 0.009), and the presence of EPM ( P = 0.01) were independent important prognostic factors affecting survival. The CT scan of thorax as a baseline tool for staging and follow-up in CRC increases referral for pulmonary metastasectomy. Surgery achieves excellent prognosis and long-term survival outcomes in CRC with isolated PM and carefully selected patients with solitary liver metastasis.

Successful resection of a slow-growing synchronous pulmonary metastasis from distal cholangiocarcinoma resected 3.5\xa0years after initial surgery: a case report

BackgroundA few reports have described the effectiveness of resection for recurrent cholangiocarcinoma. However, none have described resection of synchronous pulmonary metastasis from distal cholangiocarcinoma. We report the first case, to the best of our knowledge, of a slow-growing synchronous pulmonary metastasis from distal cholangiocarcinoma resected 3.5 years after the initial surgery.Case presentationA 67-year-old Japanese man with a diagnosis of distal cholangiocarcinoma was referred to our hospital. Thickening of the distal bile duct and an air-space pattern in the upper lobe of the left lung were detected by preoperative computed tomography. He underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for the distal cholangiocarcinoma. Follow-up chest computed tomography demonstrated that the air-space pattern in the left lung had gradually enlarged. Thoracoscopic left S6 segmentectomy with lymph node dissection was performed 3.5 years after the initial surgery. Histopathology of the resected specimen revealed a solitary metastasis from distal cholangiocarcinoma with lepidic growth. We diagnosed the patient with a solitary synchronous pulmonary metastasis from distal cholangiocarcinoma.ConclusionsSurgical resection might offer better long-term survival to patients with synchronous pulmonary metastasis from distant cholangiocarcinoma than nonsurgical treatments. Pulmonary metastasis from distal cholangiocarcinoma may exhibit a lepidic pattern. Therefore, because of the possibility of synchronous pulmonary metastasis, pulmonary resection should be considered for patients with lepidic lesions who have been diagnosed with distal cholangiocarcinoma.

What is the role of routine follow-up for localised limb soft tissue sarcomas? A retrospective analysis of 174 patients.

Background:There are neither prospective data nor agreement on the optimal routine follow-up procedures in patients treated for soft tissue sarcoma of the limb.Methods:Data on 174 consecutive patients with a soft tissue sarcoma of the limb undergoing follow-up by oncologists at a single centre from 2003 to 2009 were included in this analysis. The rate and site of recurrence and mode of detection were analysed. Outcome of the patients was assessed.Results:Eighty-two patients (47%) experienced relapse of any type. Isolated local recurrence occurred in 26 patients and local relapse with synchronous pulmonary metastases in five patients. Local recurrences were detected clinically in 30 of these 31 patients; magnetic resonance imaging identified only one local recurrence. Twenty-eight patients developed isolated lung metastases; in nine patients these were amenable to resections, seven of whom are currently free of disease after treatment. Lung metastases were detected by chest x-ray (CXR) in 19 patients, computed tomography scanning in 3 patients, and clinically in 11 patients. Twenty-three patients developed non-pulmonary metastases. More than 80% of relapses occurred in the first 2 years of follow-up; however, later recurrences were also observed.Conclusions:Routine follow-up CXR can detect lung metastases suitable for surgical resection, although the optimal interval of imaging has yet to be defined. Local relapse is almost always detected by patients or physicians, and routine scanning of the primary site is of doubtful benefit. Patient and physician education to detect local relapse may be helpful. Prospective evaluation of follow-up is recommended.

A case analysis of rectal cancer with synchronous hepatic and pulmonary metastases with individualized therapy

A case analysis of rectal cancer with synchronous hepatic and pulmonary metastases with individualized therapy

Synchronous Pulmonary Metastases from Renal Cell Carcinoma — A Whole Nation Study on Prevalence and Potential Resectability

At the time of diagnosis, almost one third of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have metastasis. We studied the prevalence, survival, and potential resectability of synchronous pulmonary metastases (SPMs) in a well-defined cohort of RCC patients. A retrospective whole nation study including RCC patients with SPM diagnosed 1970-2005 in Iceland. Imaging studies and histology were reviewed, the TNM system used for staging the primary tumors, and disease-specific survival estimated. Eligibility for SPM removal was evaluated using different criteria from the literature on surgical management of SPM, including solitary SPM and SPMs confined to one lung. Altogether, 154 patients (16.9%) had SPMs. In 55 of these patients (35.7%) the lungs were the only site, with detailed information available in 46 cases. Of these 46 patients with SPMs, 15 were unilateral, and of those 11 were solitary. All of these 11 patients were in good physical condition and were deemed eligible for surgical resection; however, only one of them was operated with metastasectomy. Disease-specific survival at five years for patients with solitary SPM was 27.2%, as compared to 12.7%, 7.1%, and 12.0% for patients with unilateral SPMs, all patients with SPMs, and patients with extrapulmonal metastases, respectively (p = 0.33). At the time of diagnosis, 16.9% of RCC patients had SPM. In one in three of these SPM patients metastases were confined to the lungs, while one in five had solitary pulmonary metastases. Although the benefit of pulmonary metastasectomy in RCC is still debated and criteria for resection are not well defined, it appears that many RCC patients with SPM are potentially eligible for pulmonary metastasectomy.

Kurativer chirurgischer Therapieansatz bei solitär pulmonal metastasierten nicht-kleinzelligen Lungenkarzinomen (NSCLC)

The treatment of synchronous solitary lung metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial. Satellite lesions in the same lobe are now classified as T3 which may result in stage IIB (T3N0M0). In contrast, ipsilateral lesions in different lobes are associated with a worse prognosis and classified as T4 tumors (stage IIIA), but operation is usually withheld from these patients. Contralateral lung metastases have been classified more recently as M1a which usually results in a conservative therapy. We analysed survival data of all patients with primary lung tumour and synchronous pulmonary metastasis outside of the tumour-bearing lobe, who underwent surgery. Between 1997 - 2007 we operated on 57 patients with NSCLC and simultaneous second (solitary) malignant lesions of the lung, outside of the tumour-bearing lobe, after informed consent. Survival was documented and analysed by Kaplan-Meier statistics (log-rank). The primary tumour was treated in 67 % of cases by lobectomy, in 9 % by pneumonectomy, by bilobectomy in 2 % and in 22 % by segment or wedge resection. The second malignant lesion, and thus potential solitary metastasis, was treated in 83 % by segment or wedge resection. The overall survival of all patients (n = 57) was a median of 82 months (75 - 89 95%CI). In the synchronous second primaries (n = 7) the median survival was 76 months (0.1 to 151 95%CI) and in the synchronous metastases (n = 50) 82 months (95 % CI 75 - 88). This results in a 5-year survival rate of 56 % and 77 %, respectively. The median survival of patients with solitary metastasis, ipsilateral (T4 after UICC7) was 79 months (76 - 82 95 %CI) and with contralateral metastasis (M1a according UICC7) 84 months (60 - 107 95 %CI, p = 0.634). This analysis shows that patients with solitary pulmonary metastasis (outside of the tumour-bearing lobe) and otherwise operable NSCLC may profit from surgical intervention comprising resection of the primary tumour, lymphadenectomy, and resection of the solitary pulmonary metastasis. Long-term survival can be achieved independent of the localisation of lung metastases (ipsilateral vs. contralateral lung).

Surgical outcomes for liposarcoma of the lower limbs with synchronous pulmonary metastases

Surgical resection of pulmonary metastases from soft tissues sarcomas has typically yielded disparate results, owing to the histologic heterogeneity of various series and the presentation times relative to primary tumor discovery. It was our hypothesis that with expeditious, curative surgical resection of both, primary and metastatic disease, patients with liposarcoma of the lower limb and synchronous, resectable, pulmonary metastases might achieve satisfactory outcomes. A consecutive sample clinical study, with a mean follow-up duration of 30 months. Twenty-two patients (mean age, 50 years), each presenting with a liposarcoma of the lower limb and synchronous, resectable, pulmonary metastases, underwent curative resection of both the primary mass and all pulmonary metastases within a mean of 18 days from presentation (range 9-32 days). Mean overall survival was 28 months, disease-related survival (SE) was 9% at 5 years (±9.7%), and disease-free survival was 9% at 5 years (±7.6%). Expeditious, curative resection of both--primary and metastatic lesions--yields acceptable near-term results, with potential for long-term survival, in patients with liposarcoma of the lower limb and synchronous pulmonary metastases.

A retrospective survival analysis of with pulmonary metastasis from colorectal cancer

To evaluate the survival rate after pulmonary resection for metastatic colorectal cancer(CRC). Clinical data of 77 patients with pulmonary metastasis from CRC between January 2005 and October 2008 in the Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University were retrospectively analyzed. There were 38 patients with synchronous pulmonary metastasis, of whom 2 underwent resection for pulmonary metastasis. The median survival time of two groups was 25 months and 18 months, which was not significantly different (P=0.33). There were 39 cases of metachronous pulmonary metastasis, of whom 28 received pulmonary metastasis resection. The 1-year and 3-year survival rates of 2 groups were 93.3% and 58.5%, and 38.8% and 19.1%, respectively. The median survival time of two groups was 26.7 months and 8 months, and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.004). Surgical resection can improve the survival rate in patients with pulmonary metastasis from colorectal cancer.

Preoperative Staging with Chest CT in Patients with Colorectal Carcinoma: Not as a Routine Procedure

BackgroundPreoperative staging of patients with colorectal carcinoma (CRC) has the potential benefit of altering treatment options when metastases are present. The clinical value of chest computed tomography (CT) in staging remains unclear.Materials and MethodsAll patients who undergo colorectal surgery in our hospital are prospectively registered, including patient, treatment, and histopathological characteristics; outcome; and follow-up. Since January 2007, routine preoperative staging CT of chest and abdomen for patients with CRC has been performed as part of our regional guidelines. In this observational cohort study, an analysis on outcome was done after inclusion of 200 consecutive patients.ResultsSynchronous metastases were present in 60 patients (30%). Staging chest CT revealed pulmonary metastases in 6 patients, with 1 false positive finding. In 50 patients indeterminate lesions were seen on chest CT (25%). These were diagnosed during follow-up as true metastases (n = 8), bronchus carcinoma (n = 2), benign lesions (n = 25), and remaining unknown (n = 15). Ultimately, synchronous pulmonary metastases were diagnosed in 13 patients (7%), in 6 patients confined to the lung (3%). In none of the patients the treatment plan for the primary tumor was changed based on the staging chest CT.ConclusionThe low incidence of pulmonary metastases and minimal consequences for the treatment plan limits the clinical value of routine staging chest CT before operation. It has several disadvantages such as costs, radiation exposure, and prolonged uncertainty because of the frequent finding of indeterminate lesions. Based on this study, a routine staging chest CT in CRC patients is not advocated.

Giant cell tumor of the bone: a clinicopathological study of fourteen cases

IntroductionGiant cell tumors of the bone have specific morphologic features and a progressive course pattern but they lack accurate prognostic criteria.Patients and methodWe report a retrospective study of fourteen cases of giant cell tumor of the bone diagnosed in the pathology department of the Farhat-Hached hospital, Sousse city, between 1990 and 2007. The radiological and histological images were reviewed and compared with the clinical and therapeutic data from the patients’ follow-up.ResultsOur results were as follows: five patients out of seven with grade I tumour had a local recurrence; one patient out of seven with a grade II tumour had a local recurrence with synchronous pulmonary metastases; eight patients had a favourable outcome without any recurrence or metastasis.ConclusionThe histological parameters only may not predict the propensity for a giant cell tumor to induce recurrence or metastasis; the clinical, radiological and biological features must be always taken in consideration.