Gustavo Lyons

The IASLC Lung Cancer Staging Project: Proposals for the Revisions of the T Descriptors in the Forthcoming Eighth Edition of the TNM Classification for Lung Cancer

Purpose: To analyze all nonlymphatic metastatic components (T4 and M1) of the current TNM system of lung cancer, with the objective of providing suggestions for the next edition of the TNM classification for lung cancer. Material and Methods: Data on 100,809 patients were submitted to the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer International Database. Of these, 5592 selected T4M0 and M1 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria for the analysis. Specific categories of clinically staged T4 (lesions not continuous with the primary tumor) and M1 cases were compared with respect to overall survival using Kaplan–Meier survival estimates and comparisons via Cox regression analysis. Relevant findings were validated internally by geographic area and type of database and were validated externally by the North American Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Registries. Results: Median survival for cT4M0 with malignant pleural effusion was significantly worse than that of other cT4M0 patients (8 months versus 13 months) and was more comparable with M1 cases with metastases to the contralateral lung only (10 months). M1 cases with metastases outside the lung/pleura had a significantly poorer prognosis than those with metastases confined to the lung, with a median survival of 6 months. Conclusions: Revisions to the TNM classification system for lung cancer should include grouping cases with malignant pleural effusions and cases with nodules in the contralateral lung in the M1a category, and cases with distant metastases should be designated M1b. In addition, cases with nodule(s) in the ipsilateral lung (nonprimary lobe), currently staged M1, should be reclassified as T4M0, in accordance with the recommendations of the T descriptor subcommittee of the IASLC international staging committee.

VATS debridement versus thoracotomy in the treatment of loculated postpneumonia empyema

BACKGROUND There are approximately 60,000 new cases of postpneumonic empyema every day in the United States. Usually the fibrinopurulent stage of this complication has been treated by either tube thoracostomy or thoracotomy and debridement. According to the literature, thoracoscopic treatment has not been used often for this disease. METHODS Sixty-four cases of postpneumonic fibrinopurulent empyema were operated on at our institution: 33 cases (group I) by means of a formal thoracotomy and 31 cases (group II) by thoracoscopy. In the thoracoscopic subset the data were collected prospectively since 1992. These results were compared with those of a historical series treated by thoracotomy between 1985 and 1991. Both populations were similar in terms of age (mean, 49 years), number of cases (33/31), sex (2.1 male/female), and comorbid status. RESULTS Mean preoperative length of the medical management (11.5 versus 17 days) (p = 0.03) and chest tube removal (4.3 versus 6.1 days) were shorter in group II than in group I (p = 0.02). Morbidity and mortality were identical: one death and five complications in each group. Mean operative time was similar in both groups, and hospital stay was shorter in the video-assisted thoracic surgery group (6.8 versus 11.2 days) (p = not significant). Three patients from group II needed utilitary thoracotomies for debridement completeness (10% conversion rate). CONCLUSIONS We conclude that video-assisted thoracic surgical treatment has the same rate of success as open thoracotomy but offers substantial advantages over thoracotomy in terms of resolution of the disease, hospital stay, and cosmesis. A prospective and randomized study is needed to confirm the findings of this nonrandomized initial experience.

The IASLC Lung Cancer Staging Project: Proposals for Coding T Categories for Subsolid Nodules and Assessment of Tumor Size in Part-Solid Tumors in the Forthcoming Eighth Edition of the TNM Classification of Lung Cancer

ABSTRACT This article proposes codes for the primary tumor categories of adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) and a uniform way to measure tumor size in part‐solid tumors for the eighth edition of the tumor, node, and metastasis classification of lung cancer. In 2011, new entities of AIS, MIA, and lepidic predominant adenocarcinoma were defined, and they were later incorporated into the 2015 World Health Organization classification of lung cancer. To fit these entities into the T component of the staging system, the Tis category is proposed for AIS, with Tis (AIS) specified if it is to be distinguished from squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCIS), which is to be designated Tis (SCIS). We also propose that MIA be classified as T1mi. Furthermore, the use of the invasive size for T descriptor size follows a recommendation made in three editions of the Union for International Cancer Control tumor, node, and metastasis supplement since 2003. For tumor size, the greatest dimension should be reported both clinically and pathologically. In nonmucinous lung adenocarcinomas, the computed tomography (CT) findings of ground glass versus solid opacities tend to correspond respectively to lepidic versus invasive patterns seen pathologically. However, this correlation is not absolute; so when CT features suggest nonmucinous AIS, MIA, and lepidic predominant adenocarcinoma, the suspected diagnosis and clinical staging should be regarded as a preliminary assessment that is subject to revision after pathologic evaluation of resected specimens. The ability to predict invasive versus noninvasive size on the basis of solid versus ground glass components is not applicable to mucinous AIS, MIA, or invasive mucinous adenocarcinomas because they generally show solid nodules or consolidation on CT.

Early and long-term results after completion pneumonectomy

From January 1, 1978 to December 31, 1992, 37 patients underwent a completion pneumonectomy after a previous lobectomy (36 men and 1 woman; mean age, 60 years; range, 41 to 77 years). These account for 4.8% of 758 pneumonectomies. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the operative results of completion pneumonectomy and long-term survival in patients with bronchogenic cancer. The initial lung resection had been performed for primary bronchogenic cancer in 23, metastatic thyroid adenocarcinoma in 1, and benign diseases in 13 (tuberculosis in 11, aspergilloma in 1, and bronchiectasis in 1). Completion pneumonectomy was required for bronchogenic cancer in 32 (15 stage I, 6 stage II, 11 stage III). One patient had relapsing metastatic thyroid carcinoma, 2 had bronchiectasis, and 2 had a venous infarction after lobectomy. Four patients (10.8%) died perioperatively of the following causes: 1 fatal intraoperative bleeding, 1 fatal postoperative bleeding, 1 pneumonia, and 1 malignant hypercalcemia. Median operative blood loss was 1,000 mL, and 19 patients experienced bleeding exceeding 1,000 mL (51%). Six patients had intraoperative vascular injury. Nonfatal surgical complications occurred in 9 patients (24%), including 5 clotted hemothoraces, 3 empyemas, and 1 bronchopleural fistula. Four patients had medical complications (2 pulmonary edemas, 1 sinus tachycardia, and 1 unexplained fever). Twenty-three had an uneventful straightforward recovery (62%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The ITMIG/IASLC thymic epithelial tumors staging project: A proposed lymph node map for thymic epithelial tumors in the forthcoming 8th edition of the TNM classification of malignant tumors

Although the presence of nodal disease is prognostic in thymic malignancy, the significance of the extent of nodal disease has yet to be defined. Lymph node dissection has not been routinely performed, and there is currently no node map defined for thymic malignancy. To establish a universal language for reporting as well as characterize the staging of this disease more accurately, an empiric node map is proposed here. This was developed using prior classification systems, series reporting specifics of nodal involvement, anatomical studies of lymphatic drainage, and preexisting node maps of the chest as defined by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer and the neck as defined by the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery and the American Society for Head and Neck Surgery. The development of this node map was a joint effort by the International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group and the Thymic Domain of the IASLC Staging and Prognostic Factors Committee. It was reviewed and subsequently approved by the members of ITMIG. This map will be used as an adjunct to define node staging as part of a universal stage classification for thymic malignancy. As more data are gathered using definitions set forth by this node map, a revision may be undertaken in the future.

Surgical Treatment of Postpneumonic Empyema

Abstract. Postpneumonic empyema complicates 5% of all pneumonia cases. The loculated fibrinopurulent stage cannot be resolved by drainage tube insertion alone; it requires a débriding limited thoracotomy. Recent reports of series seem to indicate that video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) can replace thoracotomy advantageously. Eighty-six cases of postpneumonic empyema were operated on in our institution during the last 12 years: 33 cases (group I) using limited thoracotomy (1985–1991) and 53 by VATS (1992–1996). Data were collected prospectively for group II and retrospectively for the first group. The two populations were comparable in age, gender, stage of disease, and co-morbid status. There were no significant differences between the groups. VATS débridement for loculated fibrinopurulent postpneumonic empyema offers better results than thoracotomy in terms of resolution of the disease and length of stay in hospital. It also seems to be more advantageous, resulting in fewer surgical sequelae, lower cost, less labor impediment, and better cosmesis.

Analysis of Survival in 400 Surgically Resected Non-small Cell Lung Carcinomas: Towards a Redefinition of the T Factor

Introduction: The tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) system has been recognized internationally as the standard for staging disease extension, but despite the improvements of the 1997/2002 international staging system, there may be marked differences in postoperative 5-year survival rates within each stage. There is controversy about the impact of tumor size itself as a variable unrelated to stage. The objective of this study was to analyze the influence of tumor size on the survival in patients with surgically resected non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Methods: Between August 1985 and January 2006, 400 patients underwent pulmonary resection with a curative intention for non-small cell lung carcinoma. Patients were excluded if they had received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The clinicopathological records of each patient were examined for prognostic factors such as age, sex, right or left side cancer, histology, tumor location, tumor size, clinical nodal stage number, and distribution of metastatic nodes. Results: Operative mortality was 2.2% for lobectomy and 18% for pneumonectomy (p < 0.05). Adenocarcinoma was the most common type (n = 245, 61.2%). Surgery was considered a complete resection in 341 patients (85.2%). When only patients without neoplastic hilar or mediastinal metastases (pN0) were included, the difference in survival was significantly different in terms of tumor size (log rank 28.46, p < 0.0001). Univariate analysis for the group of pN0 patients showed survival was not significantly affected by age, sex, side, or adenocarcinoma histology. In the multivariate analysis, tumor size and the T factor were found to have maintained its independent prognostic effects on overall survival. Among patients with pN0 tumors smaller that 15 mm in diameter, 5-year survival was 95% whereas patients with tumors bigger than 16 mm in diameter had a 5-year survival of 65% (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: In conclusion, our data suggest that tumors over 15 mm are associated with shorter 5-year survival in all TNM stages. Current TNM categories are not sufficiently discriminatory and the T factor requires to be reevaluated in further revisions of the TNM classification.

Clinical impact of the use of the revised International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer staging system to operable non-small-cell lung cancers.

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study, therefore, was to evaluate the impact of the use of the present classification IASLC staging system (TNM7) on the categorization of patients and survival after resection. METHODS Between August 1985 and January 2007, 414 consecutive patients underwent pulmonary resection with a curative intention for NSCLC at the British Hospital in Buenos Aires were included in this study only if they were pathologically staged as N0-M0. Preoperative staging was performed according to the TNM classification system of the International Union Against Cancer (173 men, 58 women). RESULTS 231 tumours were identified as pathological N0. Mean age was 61.4 years. 173 patients (74.9%) were men. When the TNM7 was applied, 28 patients (12.1%) changed their T factor staging (14 were moved towards a higher T and 14 were moved to a lower T) and 41 patients (17.7%) changed their pathological staging by applying the TNM7: 14 patients were downstaged (6.1%) and 27 (11.7%) were upstaged. With the present T definition among 103 patients in stage IB 27 were upstaged (18 to IIA and 9 to IIB) and in the group of stage IIIB (n=14) all of them were downstaged (5 to IIB and 9 to IIA). The current T definition showed a statistically significant difference between the two T1 subgroups (93% versus 70% 5 year survival between T1a and T1b, p=0.027). CONCLUSION This study shows that the clinical impact of the using the IASLC proposed staging system would be modest but relevant, identifying a subgroup with a better prognosis (T1a).

Entirely thoracoscopic resection of a giant emphysematous bulla

A 38-year-old man with longilinear shape, smoker (38 packs/year) and no other relevant medical history was referred to our department due to the finding of left pulmonary hyperlucency on a chest x-ray. A computed tomography (CT) was performed and a giant emphysematous bulla with thin-walled partitions inside was shown that replaced almost the entire left upper lobe, The patient underwent an exploratory thoracoscopy. Intraoperatively a giant bulla was seen that initially impressed to replace the entire upper lobe. Despite the large size we decided to attempt thoracoscopic resection preserving the remaining healthy parenchyma. Bullectomy was done using linear endoscopic stapling devices. To our knowledge this is the only case with such a large bulla resected entirely by VATS.