A fusion of VGG-16 and ViT models for improving bone tumor classification in computed tomography.

Background and Objective: Bone tumors present significant challenges in orthopedic medicine due to variations in clinical treatment approaches for different tumor types, which includes benign, malignant, and intermediate cases. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) have emerged as prominent models for tumor classification. However, their limited perception ability hinders the acquisition of global structural information, potentially affecting classification accuracy. To address this limitation, we propose an optimized deep learning algorithm for precise classification of diverse bone tumors. Materials and Methods: Our dataset comprises 786 computed tomography (CT) images of bone tumors, featuring sections from two distinct bone species, namely the tibia and femur. Sourced from The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, the dataset was meticulously preprocessed with noise reduction techniques. We introduce a novel fusion model, VGG16-ViT, leveraging the advantages of the VGG-16 network and the Vision Transformer (ViT) model. Specifically, we select 27 features from the third layer of VGG-16 and input them into the Vision Transformer encoder for comprehensive training. Furthermore, we evaluate the impact of secondary migration using CT images from Xiangya Hospital for validation. Results: The proposed fusion model demonstrates notable improvements in classification performance. It effectively reduces the training time while achieving an impressive classification accuracy rate of 97.6%, marking a significant enhancement of 8% in sensitivity and specificity optimization. Furthermore, the investigation into secondary migration's effects on experimental outcomes across the three models reveals its potential to enhance system performance. Conclusion: Our novel VGG-16 and Vision Transformer joint network exhibits robust classification performance on bone tumor datasets. The integration of these models enables precise and efficient classification, accommodating the diverse characteristics of different bone tumor types. This advancement holds great significance for the early detection and prognosis of bone tumor patients in the future.

Mathematical Assessment of Machine Learning Models Used for Brain Tumor Diagnosis.

The brain is an intrinsic and complicated component of human anatomy. It is a collection of connective tissues and nerve cells that regulate the principal actions of the entire body. Brain tumor cancer is a serious mortality factor and a highly intractable disease. Even though brain tumors are not considered a fundamental cause of cancer deaths worldwide, about 40% of other cancer types are metastasized to the brain and transform into brain tumors. Computer-aided devices for diagnosis through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have remained the gold standard for the diagnosis of brain tumors, but this conventional method has been greatly challenged with inefficiencies and drawbacks related to the late detection of brain tumors, high risk in biopsy procedures, and low specificity. To circumvent these underlying hurdles, machine learning models have recently been developed to enhance computer-aided diagnosis tools for advanced, precise, and automatic early detection of brain tumors. This study takes a novel approach to evaluate machine learning models (support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), gradient-boosting model (GBM), convolutional neural network (CNN), K-nearest neighbor (KNN), AlexNet, GoogLeNet, CNN VGG19, and CapsNet) used for the early detection and classification of brain tumors by deploying the multicriteria decision-making method called fuzzy preference ranking organization method for enrichment evaluations (PROMETHEE), based on selected parameters, in this study: prediction accuracy, precision, specificity, recall, processing time, and sensitivity. To validate the results of our proposed approach, we performed a sensitivity analysis and cross-checking analysis with the PROMETHEE model. The CNN model, with an outranking net flow of 0.0251, is considered the most favorable model for the early detection of brain tumors. The KNN model, with a net flow of -0.0154, is the least appealing option. The findings of this study support the applicability of the proposed approach for making optimal choices regarding the selection of machine learning models. The decision maker is thus afforded the opportunity to expand the range of considerations which they must rely on in selecting the preferred models for early detection of brain tumors.

Treatment of Patients Diagnosed with Giant Cell Tumor of Bone: Experience of a Philanthropic Hospital in the State of Piauí, Brazil.

Objective To evaluate the treatment of patients with giant cell tumors of bone treated from 2009 to 2019 in a philanthropic hospital, as well as to try and determine the regional clinical and epidemiological profile, aiming to enrich the Brazilian data set and compare our findings with those of the literature. Methods An analytical, observational, and cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection and a quantitative approach, analyzing medical records of patients with giant cell tumors treated at a philanthropic hospital from 2009 to 2019. Results We evaluated 49 medical records; 55.1% of the patients were women, 53.1% were aged between 20 and 40 years, 69.4% of the cases were Campanacci grade III, and 30.6% affected the proximal end of the tibia. The rate of pathological fractures secondary to the tumor and pulmonary metastasis was low. More than 69% of the patients underwent intralesional surgery. Recurrence occurred in 16.3% of the cases. Conclusion The criteria used for the diagnosis, classification, and treatment at our service followed the standards established by the literature, and they can guide further research and improve local prognosis in the future.

Treatment of Patients Diagnosed with Giant Cell Tumor of Bone: Experience of a Philanthropic Hospital in the State of Piauí, Brazil / Tratamento de pacientes com diagnóstico de tumor ósseo de células gigantes: Experiência de um hospital filantrópico no Piauí, Brasil

Abstract Objective To evaluate the treatment of patients with giant cell tumors of bone treated from 2009 to 2019 in a philanthropic hospital, as well as to try and determine the regional clinical and epidemiological profile, aiming to enrich the Brazilian data set and compare our findings with those of the literature. Methods An analytical, observational, and cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection and a quantitative approach, analyzing medical records of patients with giant cell tumors treated at a philanthropic hospital from 2009 to 2019. Results We evaluated 49 medical records; 55.1% of the patients were women, 53.1% were aged between 20 and 40 years, 69.4% of the cases were Campanacci grade III, and 30.6% affected the proximal end of the tibia. The rate of pathological fractures secondary to the tumor and pulmonary metastasis was low. More than 69% of the patients underwent intralesional surgery. Recurrence occurred in 16.3% of the cases. Conclusion The criteria used for the diagnosis, classification, and treatment at our service followed the standards established by the literature, and they can guide further research and improve local prognosis in the future.

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar o tratamento fornecido a pacientes com diagnóstico de tumor de células gigantes ósseo atendidos no período de 2009 a 2019 em um hospital filantrópico, bem como determinar o perfil clínico e epidemiológico regional, visando enriquecer os dados nacionais e comparar os achados com a literatura existente. Métodos Estudo analítico, observacional e transversal, com coleta retrospectiva e abordagem quantitativa, com análise de prontuários de pacientes diagnosticados com tumor de células gigantes atendidos em um hospital filantrópico no período de 2009 a 2019. Resultados Foram avaliados 49 prontuários, sendo que 55,1% eram de mulheres, com 53,1% dos casos na faixa etária de 20 a 40 anos, 69,4% de casos de grau III de Campanacci, e 30,6% acometendo a extremidade proximal da tíbia. Observou-se baixo índice de fratura patológica secundária ao tumor e de metástase pulmonar. A cirurgia intralesional foi realizada em 69,5% dos pacientes. Houve recidiva em 16,3% dos casos. Conclusão Os critérios usados para diagnóstico, classificação e tratamento em nosso serviço seguiram os padrões estabelecidos pela literatura, e podem orientar novas pesquisas e melhorar o prognóstico local futuramente.

68Ga-DOTATATE Radioisotope scan to detect neuroendocrine tumors; A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJEVTIVES: Neuroendocrine tumors are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms that arise from the peptide-producing cells of the neuroendocrine system. Different functional imaging methods have been suggested to diagnose NETs. There is still not enough evidence to recommend 68Ga-DOTATATE as a standard diagnostic tool in NETs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the value of 68Ga-DOTATATE scan in detecting NETs. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. All patients with a pathologically confirmed NET tumor referred to Masih Daneshvari Hospital affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences entered the study. Patients underwent a 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT. All statistical analysis were performed by SPSS software version 18. RESULTS: Forty patients with a mean age of 48.1±15.80 years entered the study. Twenty-one (52.5%) were male and 19 (47.5%) female. In the studied patients, neuroendocrine tumor was present in 19 cases (47.5%) in pancreas and gastrointestinal tract, 9 (22.5%) in lung, 3 (7.5%) in mediastinum and adrenal gland, 6 cases (5%) in liver and 3 other sites. There was no significant association between mean age and gender with primary location of the tumor. The mean SUVmax was 11.62±20.02 and the the mean tumor size was 38.25±31.35 mm. The mean size of the metastasis was 40.55±24.53 mm. The mean percentage of ki-67 was 12.54±18.40. There was no significant correlation between SUVmax of the lesion and age (r=0.063, P=0.701), tumor size (r=-0.63, P=0.067) or Ki-67 (r=0.011, P=0.960). In 20 cases, metastases were reported, of which 14 were (70%) in the liver, 3 in the lungs (15%), 2 in the gastrointestinal and cervical lymph nodes, and 1 in the bones and pancreas(%5). CONCLUSION: 68Ga-DOTA-peptide PET/CT could find the primary or metastasis sites of NETs with good quality images. In general, this modality can enhance the management in patients with NETs.

Tumor carcinoide de duodeno: un raro e interesante hallazgo incidental / Carcinoid tumor of the duodenum: a rare and interesting incidental finding

RESUMEN Fundamento: el tumor carcinoide de localización duodenal es poco frecuente, representa 2 % de los tumores neuroendocrinos gastrointestinales. Por lo cual se presenta un caso de este, recientemente diagnosticado en el Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Joaquín Albarrán de La Habana. Objetivo: realizar la comunicación de un caso de tumor carcinoide del duodeno y revisar la literatura con énfasis en el diagnóstico histopatológico. Presentación del caso: paciente masculino de 86 años de edad que fallece al quinto día de su ingreso. En la autopsia, durante el examen macroscópico de los intestinos, se revela a nivel de la primera porción del duodeno, una lesión que por su histopatología se correspondió con tumor carcinoide de duodeno. Conclusiones: el carcinoide duodenal es un tumor raro cuyo diagnóstico endoscópico o histológico se realiza en la gran mayoría de los casos de forma incidental; se asocia por lo general con una progresión benigna, aunque se recomienda la extracción endoscópica de tumores menores de 1 cm sin localización periampular o evidencia de invasión de la capa de propia muscular, evaluada mediante histología o ecografía endoscópica.

ABSTRACT Background: duodenal carcinoid tumor is rare; it represents 2 % of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors. Therefore, a case of this is presented, recently diagnosed at the Joaquín Albarrán Clinical Surgical Hospital in Havana. Objective: to report a case of carcinoid tumor of the duodenum and review the literature with emphasis on the histopathological diagnosis. Clinical case: 86-year-old male patient who died on the fifth day after admission. At autopsy, during the macroscopic examination of the intestines, a lesion was revealed at the level of the first portion of the duodenum which, due to its histopathology, corresponded to a carcinoid tumor of the duodenum. Conclusions: duodenal carcinoid is a rare tumor whose endoscopic or histological diagnosis is made incidentally in the vast majority of cases; it is generally associated with a benign progression, although endoscopic removal of tumors smaller than 1 cm without periampullary location or evidence of invasion of the muscular layer is recommended, evaluated by histology or endoscopic ultrasound.

Tumor del estroma gastrointestinal: presentación de caso / Gastrointestinal stromal tumor: case report

RESUMEN Fundamento: los tumores del estroma gastrointestinal, conocidos en inglés como gastrointestinal stromal tumors, son tumores mesenquimales que aparecen en cualquier sitio del tracto gastrointestinal. Muchos de los cuales suelen ser pediculados y de difícil diagnóstico preoperatorio. Objetivo: exponer un caso de un tumor del estroma gastrointestinal de localización poco frecuente en duodeno, más raro aún su ubicación en yeyuno. Caso clínico: paciente masculino de 77 años de edad que presenta un tumor del estroma gastrointestinal de localización en yeyuno fue atendido en el Hospital Universitario Amalia Simoni, por el servicio de urgencia en el periodo 2016-2017. Conclusiones: los tumores mesenquimales son pocos frecuentes y los del estroma gastrointestinal lo son aún más, donde la localización yeyunal los menos encontrados y en su mayoría el diagnóstico se realiza durante el acto quirúrgico.

ABSTRACT Background: the gastrointestinal stromal tumors, are mesenchymal tumors that appear in any place of gastrointestinal tract. Many of them can be pediculate and difficult pre-operatory diagnosis. Objective: to explain a case of gastrointestinal stromal tumor of difficult localization in duodenum but it is even stranger to find it in jejune. Clinical case: a 77-year-old male patient who presents a gastrointestinal stromal tumor located in jejune, he was attended in Amalia Simoni University Hospital, by the emergency services, in the period of 2016-2017. Conclusions: the mesenchymal tumors are not frequent and those of gastrointestinal stroma are even rarer but, being the localization jejunal less found and in its majority the diagnosis is made during the surgical act.

Identification of RPL5 and RPL10 as novel diagnostic biomarkers of Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors.

BACKGROUND: Rhabdoid tumors (RTs) are aggressive tumors that occur most frequently in children under 2 years old, which often invade kidney (KRTs) and Center Nervous System, named Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RTs). RTs often progress fast and lead to a high lethality. RTs have a low incidence, we can hardly accumulate enough samples to elicit the diagnosis. More importantly, histologically, RTs present a host of neural, epithelial, mesenchymal, or ependymal patterns, which makes them rather variable and difficult to diagnose. Molecularly, RTs are diagnosed mainly on the lack of SMARCB1/INI1 protein expression, which, on the one hand, accounts for 75% of RTs, on the other hand, loss of expression of SMARCB1 is not exclusive to RTs. So, there is a need to find more accurate diagnose markers of RTs. METHODS: In this study, we analyzed 109 samples including AT/RT, KRT and corresponding normal samples downloaded form NCBI GEO database. First, we identified the differentially expressed lncRNAs and PCGs in AT/RT, KRT and corresponding normal samples. Second, we evaluated the co-expression relationship between lncRNA and PCG, and defined four types of the dysregulated PCG-lncRNA pairs. Third, we compared the differentially expressed genes, the dysregulated PCG-lncRNA pairs and commonly known cancer genes, we get potential diagnostic markers. Then, the potential diagnostic markers were subjected to Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to assess the diagnostic accuracy. Importantly, differential expression of the marker genes in different tumors was shown to distinguish AT/RT and KRT from other pediatric tumors specifically. RESULTS: We compared the expression profiles between 47 AT/RTs, 31 KRTs, 8 normal brain samples, and 23 normal kidney samples. After applying a stringent set of criteria on the gene expression profiles, we identified 3667 PCGs and 81 lncRNAs differentially expressed in AT/RT, 3809 PCGs and 34 lncRNAs differentially expressed in KRT tissues. Next, we compared the three sets(AT/RT versus control brain samples, KRT versus control kidney samples, and AT/RT versus KRT) of differentially expressed lncRNAs and PCGs, 491 PCGs and 2 lncRNAs appeared in all three sets. We examined the correlation of the expression levels of these genes in the 'three-set overlap' group and identified four types of dysregulated lncRNAs and PCGs. By compared these genes to the well-known cancer driver genes, 19 PCGs were selected as potential candidates of diagnostic markers. Filtered with the number of the corresponding co-expressed lncRNA (namely "degree"), eight PCGs with more than five lncRNAs in the 'three-set overlap' group were selected as candidate diagnostic markers. Among them, RPL5 and RPL10 exhibited high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosis of AT/RT and KRT. However, when these two genes were used to distinguish AT/RT and KRT from other pediatric tumors, only AT/RT can be distinguished from medulloblastoma. CONCLUSIONS: Our study mined existing GEO datasets for novel diagnostic markers associated with Rhabdoid tumors, and identified RPL5 and RPL10 as potential diagnostic markers for AT/RT. These two biomarkers may be used as supplementary biomarkers to canonical diagnostic tools such as biopsy and immunohistochemistry.

Intrapancreatic accessory spleen / Baço acessório intrapancreático

ABSTRACT An asymptomatic 79-year-old woman, with incidental finding on abdominal ultrasound of a solid nodule in the tail of the pancreas. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a 12mm solid tumor. The suggested diagnosis was pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. The pathological examination showed an intrapancreatic splenic tissue. This is a rare ectopic location of spleen tissue and it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic solid tumors.

RESUMO Mulher de 79 anos, com achado incidental em ultrassonografia de abdome de lesão sólida em cauda de pâncreas. Em ressonância magnética, foi confirmada lesão de 12mm. Foi aventada a hipótese diagnóstica de tumor neuroendócrino não secretor, sendo realizada pancreatectomia distal laparoscópica. Em estudo anatomopatológico, diagnosticou-se tecido esplênico, configurando baço acessório intrapancreático. Este tipo de manifestação topográfica de baço é rara, mas deve fazer parte dos diagnósticos diferenciais em tumores sólidos do pâncreas.

Development of radioimmunoconjugate for diagnosis and management of head-and-neck subclinical cancer and colorectal carcinoma

ABSTRACT Scientific innovations in diagnostic methods are important drivers of cancer control and prevention. Noninvasive imaging of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in head-and-neck squamous, cell carcinoma and colorectal cancer could be valuable to select patients for EGFR-targeted therapy, as well as to monitor the efficacy and occurrence of resistance to immunotherapy. In order to develop the first Brazilian radioimmunoconjugate for diagnosis, Cetuximab has been conjugated to p-SCN-Bn-DTPA chelator and radiolabeled with Indium-111. The conjugation methodology was optimized using different mAb:DTPA molar ratios, time was then reduced for immunoconjugate preparation, besides the protein recovery' percentage increased after purification (m = 83.8 ± 0.91 %). The stability of Cetuximab-DTPA at - 20 oC was evaluated for six months, and its integrity was greater than 90% (m =93.9 ± 1.5%, N = 24). The radioimmunoconjugate with specific activity of 185 MBq/mg showed radiochemical purity above 95% (m=96.8 ± 1.31 %, N = 15). We conclude that the radioimmunoconjugate 111In-DTPA-cetuximab is stable and may be applied to the diagnosis of EGFR-positive tumors.

Giant-cell tumor: analysis on the importance of early diagnosis and the epidemiological profile.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to ascertain the relationship between early diagnosis of giant-cell tumors (GCT) and their prognosis, by correlating the time of symptom onset with the staging of the injury (through the Campanacci classification at the time of diagnosis), and with the type of treatment. The secondary objective of the study was to outline the epidemiological profile of patients with GCT in the region where the data were gathered, and to compare them with data in the literature. METHODS: The authors present an evaluation on 61 patients diagnosed with bone GCT, with regard to the site of involvement, age, initial symptoms, time of symptom onset, classification and type of treatment, among patients attended between May 1994 and August 2009. RESULTS: The threshold indicated as the limit for Campanacci stage I tumors to be the commonest diagnosis, with a 98.2% chance that the treatment would be non-aggressive, was 2 months after symptom onset. This finding was statistically significant (p = 0.017). Every additional month increased the chance that a patient would be diagnosed with an advanced-stage tumor by 10.94%, in relation to the chances of having the other two stages of the tumor. CONCLUSION: The study result not only suggests that the alternative hypothesis that the earlier the diagnosis of GCT is, the less severe the lesion will be, has been confirmed; but also especially predicts the relationship between the time of symptom appearance and the severity of the tumor.

OBJETIVO: Presumir a relação entre o diagnóstico precoce do tumor de células gigantes (TCG) e o seu prognóstico, relacionar o tempo de surgimento dos sintomas com o estadiamento da lesão, por meio da classificação de Campanacci no momento do diagnóstico, e com tipo de tratamento. O objetivo secundário do estudo é traçar o perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes com TCG da região onde foram colhidos os dados e compará-lo com dados da literatura. MÉTODOS: Avaliação de 61 pacientes diagnosticados com tumor de células gigantes ósseo quanto ao local de acometimento, idade, sintomatologia inicial, tempo do surgimento dos sintomas, classificação e tipo de tratamento em pacientes atendidos entre maio de 1994 e agosto de 2009. RESULTADO: Aponta o marco de dois meses após o início da sintomatologia como data limite, quando seria mais comum o diagnóstico de tumor estágio I de Campanacci e com 98,2% de chance de ser tratado de modo não agressivo, dados com relevância estatística (p = 0,017). A cada aumento de um mês a chance de um paciente ser diagnosticado com tumor em estágio avançado é 10,94% maior do que em relação aos outros dois estágios do tumor. CONCLUSÃO: O resultado do estudo sugere não somente a confirmação da hipótese opcional de que quanto mais precoce o diagnóstico de TCG, menos grave é a lesão, mas, principalmente, prediz a relação do tempo de surgimento do sintoma com a gravidade do tumor.

Giant-cell tumor: analysis on the importance of early diagnosis and the epidemiological profile / Tumor de células gigantes: análise sobre importância do diagnóstico precoce e perfil epidemiológico

This study aimed to ascertain the relationship between early diagnosis of giant-cell tumors (GCT) and their prognosis, by correlating the time of symptom onset with the staging of the injury (through the Campanacci classification at the time of diagnosis), and with the type of treatment. The secondary objective of the study was to outline the epidemiological profile of patients with GCT in the region where the data were gathered, and to compare them with data in the literature. METHODS: The authors present an evaluation on 61 patients diagnosed with bone GCT, with regard to the site of involvement, age, initial symptoms, time of symptom onset, classification and type of treatment, among patients attended between May 1994 and August 2009. RESULTS: The threshold indicated as the limit for Campanacci stage I tumors to be the commonest diagnosis, with a 98.2% chance that the treatment would be non-aggressive, was 2 months after symptom onset. This finding was statistically significant (p = 0.017). Every additional month increased the chance that a patient would be diagnosed with an advanced-stage tumor by 10.94%, in relation to the chances of having the other two stages of the tumor. CONCLUSION: The study result not only suggests that the alternative hypothesis that the earlier the diagnosis of GCT is, the less severe the lesion will be, has been confirmed; but also especially predicts the relationship between the time of symptom appearance and the severity of the tumor.

Presumir a relação entre o diagnóstico precoce do tumor de células gigantes (TCG) e o seu prognóstico, relacionar o tempo de surgimento dos sintomas com o estadiamento da lesão, por meio da classificação de Campanacci no momento do diagnóstico, e com tipo de tratamento. O objetivo secundário do estudo é traçar o perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes com TCG da região onde foram colhidos os dados e compará-lo com dados da literatura. MÉTODOS: Avaliação de 61 pacientes diagnosticados com tumor de células gigantes ósseo quanto ao local de acometimento, idade, sintomatologia inicial, tempo do surgimento dos sintomas, classificação e tipo de tratamento em pacientes atendidos entre maio de 1994 e agosto de 2009. RESULTADO: Aponta o marco de dois meses após o início da sintomatologia como data limite, quando seria mais comum o diagnóstico de tumor estágio I de Campanacci e com 98,2% de chance de ser tratado de modo não agressivo, dados com relevância estatística (p = 0,017). A cada aumento de um mês a chance de um paciente ser diagnosticado com tumor em estágio avançado é 10,94% maior do que em relação aos outros dois estágios do tumor. CONCLUSÃO: O resultado do estudo sugere não somente a confirmação da hipótese opcional de que quanto mais precoce o diagnóstico de TCG, menos grave é a lesão, mas, principalmente, prediz a relação do tempo de surgimento do sintoma com a gravidade do tumor.

Tumor neuroendócrino primário do fígado: descrição de caso e revisão da literatura / Primary hepatic carcinoid tumor: case report and literature review

Tumores carcinoides primários do fígado são neoplasias derivadas de células neuroendócrinas produtoras de hormônios, extremamente raras e de difícil diagnóstico antes da biópsia, ressecção cirúrgica ou mesmo da necrópsia. Em recente publicação, descreveram-se apenas 94 casos dessa afecção. É uma doença sem predileção por sexo e que, aparentemente, não tem associação com cirrose, nem com doença hepática preexistente. O tratamento que se demonstra mais eficaz é a hepatectomia, cuja extensão da ressecção é determinada pelo tamanho e pela localização das lesões.

Primary hepatic carcinoid tumors are extremely rare neoplasms derived from hormone-producing neuroendocrine cells. It is difficult to make their diagnosis before biopsy, surgical resection or necropsy. A recent publication described only 94 cases of these tumors. There is no sex predilection and apparently it has no association with cirrhosis or preexisting hepatic disease. The most effective treatment is hepatectomy, and resection is determined by size and location of the lesions.

Primary high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of the heart.

We report the successful resection of a solitary, apparently primary, high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of the heart, in a 70-year-old man who had presented with progressive dyspnea. The tumor occupied the right atrium and almost completely obstructed the superior and inferior venae cavae; it also involved the aortic root and the interatrial septum. To postpone the patient's impending cardiac failure, we resected the gross tumor except in the region of the aortic root and the trigone, which we debulked. We completely reconstructed the right atrium with pericardium and the interatrial septum with a pericardial patch. The patient recovered uneventfully; 18 months postoperatively, he had experienced only local recurrence in the tumor bed. This case shows that the palliative resection of large neuroendocrine tumors of the heart can yield good outcomes and prolong patient survival. To our knowledge, ours is the only report of a high-grade neuroendocrine cardiac tumor of apparently primary origin to have been resected with good palliative results.

Thoracic primitive neuroectodermal tumor / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective To enhance the understanding of chest primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) and improve the results of management. Methods The results of 10 cases of chest PNET, which had been surgically treated and pathologically confirmed from 1999 to 2004 were retrospectively analyzed. Results There were 6 intrathoracic tumors, 2 in the chest wall, 1 in the pericardium, and 1 in the posterior mediastinum. Two intrathoracic tumors were completely resected, 2 partially resected, tumor and the involved lung were removed in 2 cases. Two had tumor with the affected ribs removed and the chest wall reconstructed. Tumor and the invaded pericardium were removed in 1 case. The PNET in the posterior mediastinum, invading into spinal canal as a bell tumor, was excised by the thoracic surgeon cooperating with neurosurgeon. There was no hospitalization death. All the specimens demonstrated positive reaction to CD99 and negative to LCA. 4 cases received postoperatively adjuvant chemotherapy, 4 radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the other 2 cases had none adjuvant therapy. 7 patients died during 6 years of follow-up, with 9 to 27 months survival. 3 patients are alive and have over 12 months survival so far. Conclusion PNET is an aggressive and invasive malignant tumor with poor prognosis. Difficulties exist in diagnosis. Besides common microscopic examination, pathological histology and immunochemistry, even electron microscopic examination may be required in differential diagnosis. Complete removal of tumor and involved tissue plays an important role, postoperative adjuvant therapy, including radiotherapy or combination with chemotherapy, may prolong survival. Modalities that are more effective should be developed to improve the treatment results.