Propensity score matching analysis of adjuvant external-beam radiotherapy for the treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma with other organ invasions.

PURPOSE: The role of adjuvant external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT) in the treatment of locally advanced papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) remains controversial due to the lack of prospective data and the conflicting retrospective data. This study aimed to determine the benefits of adjuvant EBRT in patients with PTC and other organ invasions using propensity score matching to reduce the heterogeneity of the patient population. METHODS: Data from patients with PTC with other organ invasions but no distant metastases who underwent surgery and adjuvant radioactive iodine (RAI) alone (Non-EBRT group) or adjuvant EBRT plus RAI (EBRT group) were retrospectively reviewed. Propensity matching was used to reduce heterogeneity. Survival outcomes and toxicities associated with EBRT were evaluated. RESULTS: Between January 2005 and December 2019, 102 patients in the Non-EBRT group and 26 patients in the EBRT group were evaluated. In the 48 propensity score-matched patients, no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the Non-EBRT and EBRT groups were detected. The locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRRFS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were significantly higher in the EBRT group compared with the rates in the Non-EBRT group (5y-LRRFS: 100% vs. 74%, p = 0.003, 5y-RFS: 91% vs. 74%, p = 0.035). EBRT was well-tolerated, with no grade ≥ 3 toxicity, and all patients completed the therapy as planned. CONCLUSION: Adjuvant EBRT plus RAI exhibited acceptable toxicity and improved LRRFS and RFS in patients with PTC with other organ invasions compared with RAI alone.

Long-term clinical outcomes and prognostic factors for patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma with other organ invasions after adjuvant radioactive iodine.

PURPOSE: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with other organ invasions is directly related to patient prognosis and quality of life; however, studies on the clinical outcomes of adjuvant radioactive iodine (RAI) for PTC with other organ invasions are limited. This study aimed to clarify the clinical outcomes and prognostic factors for patients with PTC with other organ invasions after adjuvant RAI. METHODS: Patients with PTC with other organ invasions without distant metastases who underwent surgery and adjuvant RAI were retrospectively reviewed. We evaluated the initial responses based on the American Thyroid Association guidelines and survival rates. Prognostic factors for locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRRFS) were analyzed. RESULTS: Between January 2005 and December 2019, 102 patients were included in the study. Their median age was 55 years. The median follow-up duration was 92 months (range; 30-231 months). The excellent response rate after RAI was 42%. The 7-year overall survival, LRRFS, and recurrence-free survival rates were 100%, 75%, and 75%, respectively. Metastatic lymph node size, resection margin status, and post-RAI suppressed thyroglobulin level were the independent prognostic factors for LRRFS. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that 75% of patients with PTC with other organ invasions could achieve long-term survival without recurrence after adjuvant RAI. Future development of effective treatment strategies for large metastatic lymph nodes, gross residual tumors, and high serum thyroglobulin levels is warranted.

Melanin-producing medullary thyroid carcinoma with transformation to melanoma: A case report.

Only one case of melanoma arising from melanin-producing medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) has been reported previously. In the present study, a second such case was reported and compared with the previous one. The patient was an 86-year-old male who presented with a right anterior neck mass. Ultrasound revealed a nodule measuring 49x48x40 mm in the right lobe of the thyroid. The levels of serum calcitonin (2,298 pg/ml) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA; 27.0 ng/ml) were markedly elevated. Aspiration cytology revealed suspected malignant anaplastic thyroid carcinoma and total thyroidectomy without neck nodal dissection was performed. On gross observation, the nodule was well encapsulated, soft, solid and black. Light microscopy indicated that the nodule was composed mainly of large, occasionally huge, pleomorphic cells with a solid or alveolar growth pattern. On immunohistochemistry, these cells were positive for melan-A and S-100 protein, and negative for thyroid transcription factor 1, calcitonin, chromogranin A and CEA. In the subcapsular area, melanin-producing MTC was intimately intermingled with the pleomorphic cells. No primary site of the melanoma was detectable in other organs. At three years after surgery, the patient died due to metastasis of the melanoma to the brain. The previously reported case had no detectable recurrence or distant metastasis up to 11 years after surgery. In comparison with that case, the present case had a similar morphology but the outcome was poorer. Thus, the prognosis of melanoma that transforms from MTC appears to remain uncertain.

VsN, a Reliability-index of Shear-wave Measurement in Sonoelastography, Is Useful for the Diagnosis of Thyroid Tumor Malignancy.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Shear wave measurement (SWM) is a new elastography modality that quantifies the shear wave velocity (Vs) and the percentage of the net effective shear wave velocity (VsN). This study examined whether these parameters could be used to differentiate between malignant and benign thyroid tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study of SWM enrolled 111 patients (133 nodules) who underwent thyroid surgery. Overall, 61 nodules were diagnosed as benign and 72 as malignant, of which 68 nodules were diagnosed as papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and 4 as follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC). RESULTS: A preoperative SWM revealed that Vs was significantly higher and VsN significantly lower in the PTC compared to the benign nodules. The VsN of FTC was significantly lower than that of follicular adenoma. Multivariate analysis revealed that VsN significantly correlated with nodule malignancy. CONCLUSION: SWM parameters, especially VsN, can potentially differentiate between benign and malignant thyroid nodules non-invasively.

Clinical Utility of Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Trachea with Thyroid Invasion: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the trachea (ACCT) is a rare cancer; ACCT with thyroid invasion is particularly rare. We first suspected anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) but diagnosed ACC after performing fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). Tracheal origin was confirmed postoperatively. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 77-year-old woman presented to our hospital with acute inspiratory dyspnea requiring emergency tracheotomy. Physical examination revealed swelling of the right anterior neck and a hard, immobile mass. Computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography (US) showed tumor extension to the right thyroid lobe and between the first and third tracheal rings, which caused severe stenosis of the lumen. We performed FNAC. Clinical findings were highly suggestive of ACCT with thyroid invasion. She underwent total laryngectomy, cervical esophagectomy, and thyroidectomy with bilateral selective neck dissection at another hospital. The tumor was located in the right posterior wall of the trachea and extended into the right thyroid gland. Pathological examination showed infiltrative carcinomatous proliferation with tubular and cribriform patterns. The tumor was classified as pT4N1. A definite diagnosis was made after histopathological analysis of the surgical specimen confirmed ACCT. The tumor was positive for FABP7, a putative prognostic marker of ACC, and metastasized to the lungs 3 years after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: ACCT with thyroid invasion is an extremely rare malignant neoplasm. FNAC was useful for differentiating ACCT from other diagnoses and enabled appropriate surgical treatment.

Solitary Splenic Metastasis of Lung Cancer Presenting as Benign Cystic Disease.

Solitary splenic metastasis from primary lung cancer is extremely rare. Here, we demonstrated a solitary splenic metastasis of primary lung cancer that was difficult to distinguish from benign cystic disease. A 69-year-old-female was diagnosed as middle lobe lung cancer. Although preoperative abdominal computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a low-density splenic nodule, fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) revealed no fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in the splenic nodule. Therefore, the nodule was diagnosed as benign cystic disease and middle lobe lobectomy was performed. Postoperative pathologic examination demonstrated papillary-predominant adenocarcinoma with mucin, and the tumor was diagnosed as primary lung cancer. However, the splenic nodule continued to increase postoperatively. Splenectomy was undergone 30 months after the pulmonary resection and the splenic tumor was diagnosed as the splenic metastasis of lung cancer. In the 24 months since the splenectomy, no recurrence has been observed in the absence of treatment. Splenectomy was an effective treatment for solitary splenic metastasis of lung cancer in this case. FDG uptake in the splenic tumor was not evident due to marked mucus production.

Iatrogenic bronchial injury findings during video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

Iatrogenic tracheobronchial injury detected during cardiothoracic surgery should be repaired intraoperatively to ensure safe of postoperative management and stable respiratory conditions. We report herein a patient with lung cancer who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery right lower lobectomy. During surgery, pneumomediastinum and air leakage from mediastinal fatty tissue were detected. Furthermore, bronchial injury to the membranous part of the left main bronchus was incidentally detected. Hence, we switched from video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery to posterolateral thoracotomy and repaired this bronchial injury using a continuous suture technique under right femoral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. The intraoperative findings could offer a clue for early detection and development of therapeutic strategy for iatrogenic tracheobronchial injury.

Case report of thoracoscopic resection for broncholithiasis with severe obstructive pneumonia.

Broncholithiasis is a rare disease characterized by bronchial erosion or distortion due to hilar or parenchymatous calcification. When a broncholith has no mobility and there is a risk of major bleeding if removal is attempted, surgical intervention is required. Most operations for broncholithiasis are performed via a thoracotomy, and bronchial lithotripsy under complete video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery has been reported only rarely. We have experienced a case of broncholithiasis with severe obstructive pneumonia that was treated successfully by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Thoracoscopic surgery is an effective treatment for broncholithiasis because it is minimally invasive and aids smooth recovery after surgery. When the adhesion between the pulmonary artery and the bronchus is highly advanced, it is advocated to cut them together using an endostapler.

Video-assisted neck surgery (VANS) using a gasless lifting procedure for thyroid and parathyroid diseases: "The VANS method from A to Z".

PURPOSE: To describe and evaluate our video-assisted neck surgery (VANS) method for thyroid and parathyroid diseases. METHODS: We describe in detail the VANS method for enucleation, lobectomy, total (nearly total) thyroidectomy, and lymph node dissection for malignancy and Graves' disease. In collaboration with the Japan Society of Endoscopic Surgery (JSES), we evaluated several aspects of this method. The JSES evaluated the method for working-space formation and surgical complications, whereas we examined the learning curve of the surgeons, and the cosmetic satisfaction of the patients and the degree of numbness and pain they experienced. We also asked patients who underwent conventional surgery whether they would have selected VANS had it been available. RESULTS: The working space for 81.5% of the procedures in Japan was created using the gasless lifting method. The learning curve, considering both blood loss and operating time, decreased after 30 cases. Both factors improved for tumors smaller than 5 cm in diameter. Over 60% of the patients who underwent conventional surgery stated that they would have selected VANS, had it been available. Postoperative pain was worse after conventional surgery than after VANS, but neck numbness after VANS was more frequent than expected. CONCLUSIONS: The VANS method is a feasible, safe, and cost-effective procedure with clear cosmetic advantages over conventional surgery.

[Synchronous Multicentric Thymoma].

A 76-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of an abnormal shadow on chest X-ray. His physical exams and laboratory data were not notable. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed 2 nodular lesions with clear margin in anterior mediastinum. The nodule at the left inferior pole of the thymus was 9 cm in diameter, and another one at the right inferior pole was 3.5 cm in diameter. We performed thymo-thymectomy by median sternotomy. Histological study revealed that the left tumor was type B2 thymoma and the other one was type A thymoma. Both were completely encapsulated without invasion, which means stage Ⅰ by Masaoka's classification. The patient has showed no evidence of recurrence for 11 years following the surgery. This is the 1st case in Japan that reported synchronous multicentric thymoma with apparently different histology of type A and B2.

Preoperative Smoking Cessation Period Is Not Related to Postoperative Respiratory Complications in Patients Undergoing Lung Cancer Surgery.

PURPOSE: Smoking is reported to be a risk factor for postoperative complications. However, there is no consensus regarding the length of time for which patients need to give up smoking. Therefore, we examined the relationship between preoperative smoking status and postoperative complications in patients who underwent lobectomy for treatment of lung cancer. METHODS: Between January 2009 and December 2014, 1380 patients underwent lobectomy for lung cancer at our institution. After excluding patients who had undergone induction therapy, 1248 patients were enrolled in this study. We examined the relationship between postoperative complications and preoperative smoking habitation. RESULTS: Among the enrolled patients, 1210 (97%) underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy and 38 (3%) underwent lobectomy via open thoracotomy. The incidence of postoperative complications was higher in smokers than in nonsmokers, and the frequency of respiratory-related complications increased along with the number of pack-years. However, there was no relationship between the length of the preoperative smoking cessation period and the frequency of postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: The risk of postoperative complications does not increase even if smoking is continued within 2 weeks before surgery. It seems unnecessary to delay the timing of surgery to allow patients to cease smoking, especially those scheduled for thoracoscopic surgery.

Nodule around the staple line after pulmonary resection: benign granuloma or cancer recurrence?

PURPOSE: When a mass develops around the staple line after lung cancer surgery, differential diagnosis between lung cancer recurrence and benign granuloma can be clinically problematic. Therefore, we investigated the clinical characteristics of benign granuloma and cancer recurrence around the staple line to determine clinical factors that can distinguish staple line granuloma and cancer recurrence. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated the clinical records of 25 patients who developed a nodule around the staple line after pulmonary resection for lung cancer and conducted a comparative study of staple line granuloma and cancer recurrence. RESULTS: Among 25 patients, the nodule was diagnosed as benign granuloma in 9, recurrence of primary lung cancer in 8, and recurrence of metastatic lung cancer in 8. Among these three groups, there were no significant differences in age, maximum standardized uptake value of fluoro-deoxyglucose, laboratory data, or radiological findings. However, in comparison with the cancer recurrence cases, the proportion of patients who had undergone segmentectomy as initial surgery was significantly higher in the granuloma group. Moreover, in five patients in the granuloma group, mycobacterium was detected. CONCLUSION: It seemed difficult to differentiate between cancer recurrence and granuloma on the basis of radiological examination and laboratory findings. However, if a mass shadow around the staple line appeared after segmentectomy, the mass is likely to be a granuloma. Mycobacterial infection may be an important factor for development of granuloma on the staple line.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for lung cancer after induction therapy.

Background Although thoracoscopic surgery is widely performed for early-stage lung cancer, only a few small studies have evaluated the role of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in patients with locally advanced lung cancer who had received preoperative chemotherapy. Methods Among 1655 patients who underwent anatomical lung resection for lung cancer between January 2009 and December 2014 in our institution, we retrospectively examined the short- and long-term outcomes of 110 (6.6%) who had undergone induction therapy. Thoracoscopic surgery was performed in 79 of these patients and thoracotomy in 31. Results In the thoracoscopic group, conversion to a thoracotomy was required in 4 patients. More combined resections were included in the thoracotomy group, and combined resection of large vessels or the carina was carried out only via a thoracotomy. Postoperative complications of grade 3 or above were found in 15 (13.6%) patients, and there was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the 2 groups. The 3- and 5-year survival rates for the patients overall were 58.6% and 50.3%, respectively. Although there was no significant difference in overall outcome between the 2 groups, the patients with postoperative ypN2 status in the thoracoscopic group had a significantly better outcome than those in the thoracotomy group. Conclusion Although video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was not suitable for central advanced lung cancer requiring angioplasty or carinal resection, it seems to be useful for patients with locally advanced lung cancer who had undergone induction therapy, especially patients with peripheral lung cancer and mediastinal lymph node metastasis.

The outcomes of anatomical lung resection for nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease.

BACKGROUND: The number of cases of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease has been increasing in recent years, and the efficacy of surgical treatment has been recognized. We investigated the clinical characteristics and behavior of NTM lung disease and analyzed the outcomes of surgery. METHODS: The data of 25 patients who underwent anatomical resection for NTM lung disease in our institution between January 2004 and December 2014 were retrospectively examined. RESULTS: The patients included 10 men and 15 women (mean age, 63.1 years). Twenty patients had Mycobacterium avium, and 5 had Mycobacterium intracellular. The indications for lung resection in 20 definitively diagnosed patients included a remaining or worsening lesion despite medical treatment (n=16), massive hemoptysis or bloody sputum (n=5), and prolonged smear positivity (n=1); multiple reasons were allowed. In five cases without a definitive diagnosis, surgery was performed due to the suspicion of lung cancer. The surgical procedures included pneumonectomy, n=4; lobectomy, n=13; and segmentectomy, n=8. Complete resection was achieved in 10 cases (40.0%). Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) was performed in 17 cases (68.0%), especially in 6 of 8 cases (75.0%) that underwent segmentectomy and in 10 of 11 cases (90.9%) that received simple lobectomy. There was one case of hospital mortality. Among the 22 patients who were followed at our institution, relapse occurred in 4 patients, and new infection occurred in 1 patient. NTM lung disease was controlled in 17 patients (77.3%). In the four cases that relapsed, the median relapse-free interval was 29.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical resection was a feasible treatment for NTM lung disease and was associated with favorable outcomes, although there was 1 case of hospital mortality. VATS procedures were considered adequate for the treatment of NTM lung disease; however, the surgical indications must be carefully considered.

Significance of Body Mass Index for Postoperative Outcomes after Lung Cancer Surgery in Elderly Patients.

BACKGROUND: Although the frequency of elderly patients undergoing surgery for lung cancer has been increasing, indications for surgery in elderly patients are still controversial. Low body mass index is a significant predictor of poor prognosis in elderly patients with various medical conditions. Then, we examined the long-term outcome of elderly patients who had undergone thoracic surgery for lung cancer, focusing especially on body mass index. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2004 and March 2011, 1673 patients with lung cancer underwent surgical resection at our institution. Among these patients, we retrospectively examined 158 patients aged 80 years or older. RESULTS: Perioperative morbidity and mortality rates were 41.8 and 1.3%, respectively. Among 149 patients who were completely followed up, 80 patients (53.7%) died. The overall postoperative survival rates at 3 and 5 years were 66.9 and 49.9%, respectively. Univariate analysis demonstrated that sex (female), smoking index (pack-years <20), histology (non-squamous cell carcinoma), pathological stage (stage I) and BMI (within normal BMI) were statistically significant factors associated with better outcome. Multivariate analysis revealed that patients with a low (<18.5 kg/m2) or high (≥25 kg/m2) body mass index had a significantly and poorer prognosis than patients with a normal body mass index. CONCLUSION: Body mass index is a more useful prognostic factor than other clinical factors including pathological stage in elderly patients. Because elderly patients with low and high body mass index have a significant poor prognosis, surgeons and pulmonologist should take this into account when consider surgical indication for such elderly patients.

Phrenic Nerve Reconstruction and Bilateral Diaphragm Plication After Lobectomy.

A 49-year-old man with left phrenic nerve paralysis caused by mediastinal tumor resection 28 years earlier was found to have a nodule in the right upper lobe. The right phrenic nerve was severed during right upper lobectomy but was reconstructed along with bilateral plication of the diaphragm. The patient was weaned from the ventilator during the daytime on postoperative day 13 and was discharged home on postoperative day 48. Three months postoperatively, chest fluoroscopic imaging showed recovery of movement of the right diaphragm. Nerve conduction studies showed improvement of function of the reconstructed right phrenic nerve.

Living-Donor Lung Transplantation After Bone Marrow Transplantation for Chediak-Higashi Syndrome.

An 8-year-old girl with Chediak-Higashi syndrome (CHS) had pulmonary complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and eventually underwent single living-donor lobar lung transplantation (LDLLT). Electron micrographic findings showed vagus nerve tissue in extracted lung having granular inclusions, which are pathognomonic for CHS. Because her mother was the donor for both hematopoietic stem cell and lung transplantations, she was weaned from immunosuppression and is doing well 3 years after lung transplantation. Furthermore, an induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell line was established from her skin fibroblasts for investigation and potential future treatment for CHS.

Gastric motility and emptying assessment by magnetic resonance imaging after lung transplantation: correlation with gastric emptying scintigraphy.

PURPOSE: Gastroparesis is a frequent gastrointestinal complication after lung transplantation. Although gastric emptying scintigraphy (GES) is the standard technique to evaluate gastroparesis, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can also assess gastric motility and emptying. This study compared the results obtained by these two modalities. METHODS: Twenty-two lung transplant recipients underwent MRI and GES after ingesting a small pancake as a test meal. Parameters assessed on MRI included antral peristaltic wave velocity and frequency, and the ratios of gastric content volume at 15 and 35 min. GES parameters included retention rates (RR) in the stomach at 30, 60, and 120 min (RR30, RR60, and RR120) and half-time of emptying (T1/2) calculated by exponential curve fitting. Correlations between MRI and GES results were evaluated. RESULTS: Peristaltic wave velocity showed significant moderate negative correlations with RR120 (r = - 0.58, p < 0.05) and T1/2 (r = - 0.60, p < 0.05), indicating an association between reduced velocity and prolonged gastric emptying. Gastric content volume ratios on MRI showed significant moderate positive correlations with RR30 (r = 0.46, p < 0.05), RR60 (r = 0.60, p < 0.01), and T1/2 (r = 0.60, p < 0.01). There were no significant correlations between peristaltic wave frequency and GES parameters. MRI and GES parameters did not differ significantly between the six patients with and the 16 without upper gastrointestinal symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: MRI-based determinations of gastric motility and gastric emptying correlate with GES-based gastric emptying in lung transplant recipients, suggesting that MRI is useful for evaluating patients with gastroparesis.