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Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of superior mediastinal lymph node metastases (sMLNM) in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Methods: This retrospective analysis enrolled the patients who were treated for sMLNM of MTC in our hospital from May 2012 to January 2021. All patients were suspected of sMLNM due to preoperative imaging. According to the pathological results, the patients were divided into two groups named sMLNM group and the negative superior-mediastinal-lymph-node group. We collected and analyzed the clinical features, pathological features, pre- and post-operative calcitonin (Ctn), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels of the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze risk factors, and receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn to determine the optimal cut-off values of preoperative Ctn and preoperative CEA for predicting sMLNM. Results: Among the 94 patients, 69 cases were in the sMLNM group and 25 cases were in the non-SMLNM group. Preoperative Ctn level (P=0.003), preoperative CEA level (P=0.010), distant metastasis (P=0.022), extracapsular lymph node invasion (P=0.013), the number of central lymph node metastases (P=0.002) were related to sMLNM, but the multivariate analysis did not find any independent risk factors. The optimal threshold for predicting sMLNM by pre-operative Ctn is 1500 pg/ml and AUC is 0.759 (95% CI: 0.646, 0.872). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of diagnosis are 61.2%, 77.3%, 89.1%, 39.5%, respectively. In patients who underwent mediastinal lymph node dissection through transsternal approach, the metastatic possibility of different levels from high to low were level 2R (82.3%, 28/34), level 2L (58.8%, 20/34), level 4R (58.8%, 20/34), level 3 (23.5%, 8/34), level 4L (11.8%, 4/34). Postoperative complications occurred in 41 cases (43.6%), and there was no perioperative death in all cases. 14.8% (12/81) of the patients achieved biochemical complete response (Ctn≤12 pg/ml) one month after surgery, 5 of these patients were in sMLNM group. Conclusions: For patients who have highly suspicious sMLNM through imaging, combining with preoperative Ctn diagnosis can improve the accuracy of diagnosis, especially for patients with preoperative Ctn over 1 500 pg/ml. The superior mediastinal lymph node dissection for the primary sternotomy should include at least the superior mediastinal levels 2-4 to avoid residual lesions. The strategy of surgery needs to be cautiously performed. Although the probability of biochemical cure in sMLNM cases is low, nearly 40% of patients can still benefit from the operation at the biochemical level.
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Humans , Carcinoembryonic Antigen , Lymphatic Metastasis/pathology , Retrospective Studies , Lymph Nodes/pathology , Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology , Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine/pathology , Lymph Node Excision/methodsABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of 125I radioactive seed implantation in the treatment of mediastinal lymph node metastasis. Methods: Records of 53 patients enrolled in Shaanxi Provincial Tumor Hospital from June 2014 to June 2018 with me-diastinal lymph node metastasis treated by computed tomography (CT)-guided 125I seed implantation were analyzed retrospectively. The preoperative treatment planning system was validated after the surgery. Intraoperative and post-operative complications were re-corded. The improvement in quality of life was observed. Chest CT follow-up was conducted 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after treatment. The local focus control was evaluated. The median survival and total survival were recorded, and the survival prognosis and causes of death were analyzed. Results: The median survival time was 254 days (8.5 months), one-year survival rate was 48.67%, and complete and partial response rate was 83.02% (44/53). Multivariate Cox model analysis showed that the survival progno-sis was related to the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score, distant metastasis at the time of implantation, concurrent chemotherapy after implantation, and secondary seed implantation (P<0.05). The rates of developing pneumothorax and hemoptysis during and after the surgery were 20.75% (11/55) and 13.20% (7/55), respectively. No patients died. After implantation, the remission rate of cough, shortness of breath, pain, hoarseness, and superior vena cava syndrome was 60.00%-82.61%. Conclusions: CT-guid-ed 125I seed implantation in the treatment of mediastinal lymph node metastasis has the advantages of minimal trauma, remarkable cu-rative effect, safety, and feasibility. It has important application value and is worthy of further clinical application.
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Objective To compare the planned radiation dose and the actual dose received after 125I radioactive seeds implantation supported by coplanar template (CPT) in lung cancer patients with mediastinal node metastases 4R,and to evaluate the clinical efficacy.Methods Totally 32 patients with lung cancer with mediastinal lymph node metastases 4R who had been diagnosed via cellular pathology studies were selected from January 2008 to December 2014.The mediastinal lymph node metastases were treated by CPT-assisted 125I radioactive seed implantation.Digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) data were acquired by chest CT scan before implantation,brachytherapy radiation treatment planning system (BTPS) was introduced to carry out the plan,and the prescribed dose(PD) was 120 Gy.CPT was used to control the precision of needle penetration and implantation of radioactive seeds.Computer tomography (CT) was used to ensure the correct position of needles and radioactive seeds.Dose evaluation was performed immediately after implantation and was compared with planned dose using paired t-test.The 6-months postoperative chest CT was conducted to evaluate treatment efficacy according to response evaluation criteria in solid tumors(RECIST Version 1.1).Results All patients went through implantation procedure successfully.Dose evaluation after implantation was as followed.The average dose received (231.9 ±29.6)Gy,the dose received by 90％ of the target(D90) (150.8 ± 16.6) Gy,the dose received by 100％ of the target(D100) (100.4 ± 12.6)Gy,the volume of 100％PD covering the target(V100)(94.1 ± 2.6) ％,the volume of 200％ PD covering the target(V200) (33.0 ± 5.7) ％,the conformal index (CI) 0.75 ±0.06,the external index(EI) (22.7 ± 5.8)％,the average dose received by the superior vena cava (19.3 ± 7.2)Gy,and the average dose received by aorta (12.1 ± 5.1)Gy.Efficacy was followed for 6 months after implantation and the effective rate was 84.37％.There was no serious complications (such as radioactive lung injury,major vascular injury,bleeding,and et al.) occurred in follow-up period.Conclusions CPT assisted CT guided 125I radioactive seed imnplantation in treating mediastinal node metastases 4R can achieve preoperative BTPS,minimize major vascular or organ injury.It is an accurate,effective and safe treatment approach and may be of great value to standardize the procedure of radioactive seed implantation in mediastinal metastases.
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Objective To discuss the technical method,safety and clinical efficacy of CT-guided 125I radioactive seed implantation for the treatment of mediastinal lymph node metastases.Methods CT-guided 125I radioactive seed implantation was carried out in 11 patients with mediastinal lymph node metastases.Before 125I seed implantation,the interstitial brachytherapy treatment planning system (TPS) was employed to formulate a treatment plan.The particles with radioactivity of (1.11-2.96) × 107Bq (0.3-0.8 mCi) were used for the implantation.Postoperative complications were recorded.The local lesion control rate and the effective rate of pain relief were evaluated at one,3,6 and 12 months after 125I seed implantation.Results After 125I seed implantation,pneumothorax occurred in 3 patients,tracheal fistula in one patient,and pulmonary infection in one patient.The local lesion control rates at one,3,6 and 12 months were 81.8％,90.9％,72.7％ and 72.7％ respectively;the effective rate of pain relief at one week,one,3,6 and 12 months were 100％,90.9％,90.9％,81.8％ and 72.7％ respectively.Conclusion For the treatment of mediastinal lymph node metastases,CT-guided radioactive 125I seed implantation is less-invasive with less complications,and it carries reliable local lesion control rate.Therefore,this technique is a safe therapeutic means.
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Objective To explore the surgical technique for mediastinal lymph node metastasis of thyroid cancer.Methods We retrospectively reviewed clinical records of 46 patients with metastatic thyroid cancer in mediastinal lymph nodes and having received surgical treatment in Department of Head Neck Surgery and Thoracic Surgery of Sichuan Cancer Hospital from Feb.2004 to Apr.2015.We analyzed the diagnosis,surgical treatment methods,operative approach,and postoperative complications of these patients.Results The main metastatic region was superior mediastinum especially level 2 (2R/2L,lower parathymic lymph nodes) according to AJCC-UICC standard in 31 patients (67.39％);16 patients (34.78％) had level 3 and level 4 (4R/4L lower parathymic) lymph node netastasis and 4 patients (8.696％) had level 5 (subaortic lymph node) and level 6 (para-aortic lymph node) metastasis.39 patients were pathologically diagnosed with papillary carcinoma,6 patients were diagnosed with medullary carcinoma,and 1 patient was diagnosed with follicular carcinoma.There were 14 patients with stage Ⅰ disease,5 patients with stage Ⅱ disease,3 patients with stage Ⅲ disease,22 patients with stage Ⅳa disease,and 2 patients with stage Ⅳc disease.The most common complications were hoarseness,chylous fistula,hypocalcaemia,and airway obstruction.Patients were followed-up from 1 to 8 years.During the follow-up period,4 cases were lost to follow-up and 2 patients died.Conclusions The main treatment approach for mediastinal lymph node metastasis of thyroid cancer is surgical operation.Pre-operative CT or MRI is needed to evaluate the metastatic region of the lymph nodes and to choose appropriate operative approach.
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To evaluate multi-slice computer tomography (MSCT) in mediastinal lymph node metastasis of T1 and T2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods:A total of 32 patients with T1 and T2 NSCLC from February 2004 to October 2012 were selected. Preoperative MSCT assessment of mediastinal lymph nodes was performed on basis of the pathological results. Results:Lymph nodes with diameters of≥10 mm were evaluated, and the sensitivity and specificity of the MSCT mediastinal lymph node me-tastases were 82.4%and 92.4%, respectively. Lymph node size, primary tumor location, and visceral pleural invasion showed statistical significance in forecasting mediastinal lymph node metastases (P<0.05). Conclusion:MSCT can be used for the effective evaluation of mediastinal lymph node metastasis, lymph node size, and position of primary tumor. and visceral pleural invasion of the tumor had a higher risk of mediastinal lymph node metastasis.
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PURPOSE: In case of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma, a mediastinal lymph node metastasis is extremely rare, but can be life threatening due to its proximity to the vital organs. The consequence of radical extirpation must be balanced against the issues of tumor control, survival outcomes, functional morbidity, and the sequelae of an excessive surgical resection. The aim of this study was to clarify the clinicopathological characteristics, treatment and outcomes of patients with mediastinal lymph node metastasis in differentiated thyroid carcinoma. METHODS: Nineteen consecutive differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients with a mediastinal lymph node metastasis between June 1998 and Feb. 2004 were included in this study. All the patients underwent a trans-sternal mediastinal lymph node dissection in addition to thyroid cancer surgery. The median follow-up was 40.7 months (range, 18~97). RESULTS: The mean age was 49 years (range 31~72 years) with a male-to-female ratio of 8: 11. The surgical treatment included 11 cases of an upper mediastinal lymph nodes dissection via a partial sternotomy and 7 cases of a whole mediastinal lymph nodes dissection via a total longitudinal sternotomy. In 6 cases, the combined resection of the involved organ was added. Major postoperative complications occurred in two patients, one with leakage from a tracheoesophageal fistula and the other with a pulmonary embolism. During the follow-up period, local recurrences in the lateral cervical nodes were observed in 5 cases. The 5 year overall survival and 5 year disease-free survival were 90.5% and 63.6%, respectively. There was only one surgical mortality. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the prognosis for mediastinal lymph node metastasis in differentiated thyroid carcinoma can be improved by an aggressive mediastinal node dissection and the appropriate thyroid cancer surgery.