[Resection concepts for early stage neuroendocrine tumors of the lungs and bronchi]. / Resektionskonzepte bei frühen neuroendokrinen Tumoren der Lunge und Bronchien.

BACKGROUND: Neuroendocrine tumors of the lungs are a very inhomogeneous group of malignancies. The surgical treatment should be adapted to the anatomical localization and histological subtype and individualized according to the functional reserve. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a selective review of current literature, which was supplemented by personal experiences. RESULTS: The currently available outcome data are very inhomogeneous and depend on the histological subtype of neuroendocrine pulmonary tumors. A radical R0 resection is the key for an improvement in long-term overall and disease-free survival. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of carcinoid tumors is the current standard therapy. Sleeve resection should be performed, whenever possible. More aggressive tumors, such as large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and small cell lung cancer should be treated in a multimodal concept.

[Pulmonary metastasectomy: an analysis of technical and oncological outcomes in 301 patients with a focus on laser resection]. / Pulmonale Metastasektomie: Analyse technischer und onkologischer Ergebnisse bei 301 Patienten mit Fokus auf die Laserresektion.

BACKGROUND: Resection of lung metastasis is an important component in the therapy of patients with metastatic solid tumours. The aim of this analysis was to compare the technical and oncological outcomes of laser-assisted pulmonary metastasectomy with those of standard resection techniques such as electrocautery and stapling. PATIENTS/MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed all patients who had undergone curative intended pulmonary metastasectomy in our department between January 2005 and June 2010. Follow-up was accomplished by visits in the outpatient department of our medical centre or by questionnaires of the primary physicians. RESULTS: 301 patients were identified. In 62 patients (20.6 %) the Nd-YAG laser was used for resection. Despite a significantly higher number of resected lesions in the laser-assisted resection group in comparison to the group with wedge and anatomic resections (median: 7.0 vs. 2.0; p < 0.01), there was no significant difference in surgical and overall morbidity except for a higher rate of pneumonia (11.3 vs. 2.9 %; p < 0.01). Follow-up was completed for 85.4 % of the patients. After a median follow-up of 27.2 months (range: 2.3 to 60.6 months) 42.5 % of the patients suffered from recurrence and 29.2 % had died. Mean disease-free interval was 12.9 months (range: 0 to 60.6 months). Although a higher number of metastases was resected in the laser group, we did not see a significant correlation between surgical technique and long-term survival (p < 0.8). Regression analysis confirmed the number of metastases to be a significant factor influencing survival (p < 0.02), but subgroup analysis of laser-assisted resections no longer showed significance in respect to the number of metastases. CONCLUSION: The number of metastases has an influence on prognosis but seems to be of secondary importance, particularly if complete technical resectability with the aid of the laser is given.

Neuroendocrine tumour, mucinous adenocarcinoma and signet-ring cell carcinoma of the appendix: three cases and review of literature.

Appendiceal neoplasms are relatively common tumours. Although these tumours are often associated with signs and symptoms of acute appendicitis, most appendiceal neoplasms are clinically silent. Appendiceal neoplasms are found in 0.7 to 1.4 per cent of all appendectomy specimens. The classification of these tumours is still confusing and precise treatment methods for these neoplasms remain unclear. First choice therapy of these neoplasms is still a surgical treatment and the type of operative procedure is determined by histology and metatstatic risk. Here, we report three cases of appendiceal neoplasms and make a short review of literature.

[Pulmonary metastasectomy: indication and technique]. / Lungenmetastasenchirurgie: Indikationen und Technik.

Distant metastases of solid tumours are most frequently located in the lung. Most patients with lung metastases suffer from multiple pulmonary lesions or metastases in other organs, which makes these patients unsuitable for surgical treatment. However, several studies suggest a survival benefit if complete resection of all pulmonary metastases is possible. In some patients pulmonary metastasectomy may even be the only curative treatment option. If pulmonary metastases are suspected contrast-enhanced computed tomography is the diagnostic procedure of first choice. Generally accepted rules for intended curative pulmonary metastasectomy are control of the primary tumour, technically completely resectable metastases, the exclusion of extrapulmonary metastases except for potentially completely resectable hepatic metastases and a functional operability. The most important prognostic factors are complete resection, the exact entity of the tumour, disease-free interval and, to a limited extent, also the number of metastases. In bilateral disease sternotomy and sequentially staged or one-stage thoracotomy are the standard surgical approaches to be considered, whereby thoracotomy is more advantageous in cases of centrally located lesions and left lower lobe metastases. In unilateral disease, video-assisted resection may be considered under certain circumstances. Primary aim must be R0 resection. Tissue-sparing pulmonary dissection techniques are proposed besides anatomic resections. In particular in cases of centrally located or multiple lesions an extensive expertise in thoracic surgery is necessary to preserve as much functional lung parenchyma as possible. Secondary mediastinal lymph node involvement is associated with an adverse prognosis and should therefore be ruled out preoperatively.

[Malignant pleural mesothelioma]. / Das maligne Mesotheliom der Pleura.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MMP) is a highly aggressive tumor arising of the pleural mesothelium. Asbestos exposure is the main factor involved in the pathogenesis of MMP and according to the late ban of this agent in 2005 the peak incidence in Europe is expected in the next twenty years. The highly aggressive behaviour of this tumor results in a poor prognosis with a mean overall survival between 7 and 9 months. Despite the progress made in diagnosis and therapy of this entity the optimal treatment remains a subject of debate. In this article we review the current state of treatment and diagnosis.