Lijie Tan

Tumour infiltrating lymphocytes correlate with improved survival in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

We undertook a study of tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in a large and relatively homogeneous group of patients with completely resected esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Hematoxylin and eosin–stained sections of 235 ESCC tumours were evaluated for density of TILs in intratumoural (iTIL) and stromal compartments (sTIL). Foxp3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells in tumoural and stromal areas were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Of the 235 tumours, high sTIL (>10%), and iTIL (>10%) were observed in 101 (43.0%) and 98 (41.7%), respectively. The median follow-up period was 36.0 months (95% CI 29.929–42.071). Univariate analysis revealed that sTIL (>10%), iTIL (>20%), vessels involvement, lymph node metastasis, and clinical stage were significantly associated with postoperative outcome. In multivariate analysis, high sTIL (HR: 0.664, Pu2009=u20090.019 for Disease free survival; HR: 0.608, Pu2009=u20090.005 for Overall survival) was identified as independent better prognostic factor. Further analysis, sTIL was identified as independently prognostic factor in Stage III-IVa disease, which was not found in Stage I-II disease. Our study demonstrated that sTIL was associated with better ESCC patients’ survival, especially in Stage III-IVa disease. Assessment of sTIL could be useful to discriminate biological behavior for ESCC patients.

Uniportal video assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy: primary experience from an Eastern center

BACKGROUNDnUniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy is an emerging technique for the surgical resection of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Besides its wide debates on safety and efficacy throughout the world, there were few report on uniportal VATS from the Eastern countries. In this article, we summarized our primary experience on uniportal VATS lobectomy in an Eastern center.nnnMETHODSnFrom October 2013 till February 2014, 54 consecutive uniportal VATS lobectomy were performed in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University. Patients clinical features and operative details were recorded. Post-operatively, the morbidity and mortality were recorded to analyze the safety and efficacy of uniportal VATS lobectomy for NSCLCs.nnnRESULTSnAmong the 54 planned uniportal VATS lobectomy, there was one conversion to mini-thoracotomy due to lymph node sticking. Extra ports were required in two patients. The uniportal VATS lobectomy was achieved in 51 out of 54 patients (94.4%). The average operation duration was 122.2±37.5 min (90-160 min). The average volume of estimated blood loss during the operation was 88.8±47.1 mL (50-200 mL). The mean chest tube duration and hospital stay were 3.2±1.9 days and 4.6±2.0 days, respectively. There was no postoperative mortality in this study. Two patients suffered from prolonged air leakage (5 and 7 days), and one atrial fibrillation was observed in this cohort.nnnCONCLUSIONSnBased on our primary experience, uniportal VATS lobectomy is a safe and effective procedure for the surgical resection of NSCLCs. The surgical refinements and instrumental improvements would facilitate the technique. Further studies based on larger population are required to determine its benefits towards patients with NSCLCs.

Management of Thymic Tumors - Consensus Based on the Chinese Alliance for Research in Thymomas Multi-institutional Retrospective Studies

Thymic tumors are relatively rare malignancies comparing to other solid tumors in the chest (1). Its incidence is estimated to be at 3.93 per 1,000,000, which is about 1/00 of lung cancer and 1/25 of esophageal cancer in China. And it appears to be higher than that reported from North America, which is only 2.14 per 1,000,000 according to the SEER database. However, in the SEER database, the incidence rate was much higher in Asians (3.74 per 1,000,000) than in Caucasians (1.89 per 1,000,000) and close to the data from China. This implicates that there might be some ethnical and generic difference in thymic tumors. In the meantime, both these two registrations record only ‘malignant tumors’ that are clinically advanced diseases. A large part of early stage, low grade lesions are considered ‘benign tumors’ and thus, not registered. Therefore, the actual incidence of thymic tumors is much under-estimated. With the increasing use of screening for other malignancies such as lung cancer, it can be expected that more early stage thymic tumors would be discovered.

Comparison of the Masaoka-Koga staging and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer/the International Thymic Malignancies Interest Group proposal for the TNM staging systems based on the Chinese Alliance for Research in Thymomas retrospective database.

BACKGROUNDnTo compare the predictive effect of the Masaoka-Koga staging system and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC)/the International Thymic Malignancies Interest Group (ITMIG) proposal for the new TNM staging on prognosis of thymic malignancies using the Chinese Alliance for Research in Thymomas (ChART) retrospective database.nnnMETHODSnFrom 1992 to 2012, 2,370 patients in ChART database were retrospectively reviewed. Of these, 1,198 patients with complete information on TNM stage, Masaoka-Koga stage, and survival were used for analysis. Cumulative incidence of recurrence (CIR) was assessed in R0 patients. Overall survival (OS) was evaluated both in an R0 resected cohort, as well as in all patients (any R status). CIR and OS were first analyzed according to the Masaoka-Koga staging system. Then, they were compared using the new TNM staging proposal.nnnRESULTSnBased on Masaoka-Koga staging system, significant difference was detected in CIR among all stages. However, no survival difference was revealed between stage I and II, or between stage II and III. Stage IV carried the highest risk of recurrence and worst survival. According to the new TNM staging proposal, CIR in T1a was significantly lower comparing to all other T categories (P<0.05) and there is a significant difference in OS between T1a and T1b (P=0.004). T4 had the worst OS comparing to all other T categories. CIR and OS were significantly worse in N (+) than in N0 patients. Significant difference in CIR and OS was detected between M0 and M1b, but not between M0 and M1a. OS was almost always statistically different when comparison was made between stages I-IIIa and stages IIIb-IVb. However, no statistical difference could be detected among stages IIIb to IVb.nnnCONCLUSIONSnCompared with Masaoka-Koga staging, the IASLC/ITMIG TNM staging proposal not only describes the extent of tumor invasion but also provides information on lymphatic involvement and tumor dissemination. Further study using prospectively recorded information on the proposed TNM categories would be helpful to better grouping thymic tumors for predicting prognosis and guiding clinical management.

A novel method for lymphadenectomy along the left laryngeal recurrent nerve during thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma

BACKGROUNDnDue to limited space in the left upper mediastinum, complete dissection of lymph nodes (LN) along left recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is difficult. We herein present a novel method for lymphadenectomy along the left RLN during thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the semi-prone position for esophageal carcinoma. The method, suspension the esophagus and push aside trachea, allows en bloc lymphadenectomy along the left RLN from the below aortic arch to the thoracic inlet.nnnMETHODSnBetween September 2014 and September 2015, a total of 110 consecutive patients with esophageal carcinoma were treated with thoraco-laparoscopic esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis in the semi-prone position. Outcomes between those who received surgery with the novel method and conventional surgery were compared.nnnRESULTSnFifty patients underwent the novel method and sixty received conventional surgery. The operative field around the left RLN was easier to explore with the novel method. The estimated blood loss was less (23.7±8.2 vs. 34.2±10.3 g, P=0.001), and the number of harvested LNs along the left RLN was greater (6.4±3.2 vs. 4.1±2.8 min, P=0.028) in the novel method group, while the duration of lymphadenectomy along left RLN was longer in the novel method group (28.2±3.9 vs. 20.3±2.8 min, P=0.005). The rate of hoarseness in the novel and conventional groups was 10% and 16.7%, respectively. No significant difference in postoperative morbidity related to the left RLN was noted between the groups.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe novel method during semi-prone esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma is associated with better surgeon ergonomics and operative exposure.

Lymph node metastases in thymic malignancies: a Chinese Alliance for Research in Thymomas retrospective database analysis

OBJECTIVESnLymphatic involvement is believed to be relatively rare in thymic epithelial tumours. The incidence and prognostic significance of nodal metastases are still unclear. The goal of this study was to define the incidence and prognostic relevance of nodal metastasis in patients with thymic epithelial tumours, using a nationwide retrospective database of the Chinese Alliance for Research in Thymomas.nnnMETHODSnPatients who underwent upfront surgical resection without preoperative therapy were enrolled for the study. The International Thymic Malignancies Interest Group proposal of a new staging system for thymic epithelial tumours was used to redefine the pathological stage. The incidence of nodal metastasis and its relationship with clinicopathological characteristics and its impact on survival were examined accordingly.nnnRESULTSnA total of 1617 patients were enrolled in this study. Lymph node metastasis was identified in 35 patients (2.2%). No nodal involvement was found in type A, AB or B1 thymomas. The incidence of nodal metastasis in thymoma (B2/B3) and thymic carcinoma was 1.3% and 7.9%, respectively, and it was most commonly seen in patients with neuroendocrine thymic tumours (16.7%, Pu2009<u20090.001). According to the primary tumour invasion stage, incidences of nodal metastasis were 0.2% in T1, 6.9% in T2, 8.5% in T3 and 7.4% in T4 tumours (Pu2009<u20090.001). Gender, pleural or distant metastasis and resection status were also correlated with nodal metastasis (Pu2009<u20090.05) in univariable analysis. Multivariable analysis revealed that patients with non-thymoma histological characteristics (Pu2009<u20090.001) and tumours in non-T1 stage (Pu2009<u20090.001) had significantly greater risk of developing nodal metastasis. The overall survival of patients without nodal metastasis was significantly higher than that of patients with nodal involvement (Pu2009<u20090.001). Disease-free survival of patients after R0 resection without nodal metastasis was also significantly higher than those with nodal metastasis (Pu2009<u20090.001). On multivariable analysis, overall survival was significantly associated with histology of the tumour (Pu2009=u20090.019) and complete resection (Pu2009=u20090.047), and there was a trend towards significance (Pu2009=u20090.052) in the association between overall survival and nodal involvement.nnnCONCLUSIONSnLymph node metastasis in low-grade, early stage thymic tumours is a rare phenomenon. However, it is not uncommon in tumours with a higher stage or a higher histological grade, especially in neuroendocrine thymic tumours. Nodal involvement as well as tumour invasion and histological grade may denote worse prognosis. Lymph node dissection may be warranted in selected high-risk patients.

Laparoscopic repair of Morgagni hernia by artificial pericardium patch in an adult obese patient

BACKGROUNDnMorgagni hernia is a kind of rare congenital diaphragmatic hernia. We reported a case of Morgagni hernia repaired successfully with artificial pericardium patch via the laparoscopic approach.nnnMETHODSnThe patient was admitted with a 3-month history of postprandial nausea and vomiting, and accompanied by epigastric pain. Computed tomography (CT) scans showed a large anteromedial diaphragmatic hernia. The hernial contents were reduced back into the abdominal cavity and the diaphragmatic defect was repaired with artificial pericardium patch by laparoscopic intracorporeal suture.nnnRESULTSnWe achieved satisfactory intracorporeal repair of this large diaphragmatic defect. The patient had excellent recovery and started on oral diet on the first postoperative day, and then was discharged just two days after operation.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe minimally invasive advantage of laparoscopic approach offers a secure, reliable and satisfactory way to confirm the diagnosis and achieve the repair of non-complicated Morgagni hernia.

Lymph node metastasis in thymic malignancies: A Chinese multicenter prospective observational study

Objectives To study the incidence and pattern of lymph node metastases in thymic malignancies. Methods This multicenter prospective observational trial with intentional lymph node dissection was carried out by the Chinese Alliance for Research in Thymomas (ChART). Data on patients with thymic tumors without pretreatment were collected prospectively. Results from this prospective study were then compared with those from a previously reported ChART retrospective study. Results Among 275 patients, metastasis was detected in 41 nodes (3.04%) in 15 patients (5.5%). The rate of lymph node metastasis was 2.1% (5/238) in patients with thymomas, 25% (6/24) in those with thymic carcinomas, and 50% (4/8) in those with neuroendocrine tumors (P < .001). The rate of lymph node metastasis in category T1 to T4 tumors was 2.7% (6/222) in T1, 7.7% (1/13) in T2, 18.4% (7/38) in T3, and 50% (1/2) in T4 (P < .001). Nodal involvement was significantly higher compared with the ChART retrospective study (5.5% vs 2.2%; P = .002), although the 2 groups were comparable in terms of tumor stage and histology. Metastasis was found in N1 nodes in 13 patients (86.7%) and in N2 nodes in 8 patients (53.3%); 6 patients (40%) had simultaneous N1/N2 diseases and 6 (40%) had multistation involvement. Based on World Health Organization histological classification and Union for International Cancer Control T category, patients were divided into a low‐risk group (1/192; 0.5%) with T1‐2 and type A‐B2 diseases and a high‐risk group (14/83; 16.9%) of category T3 and above or histology B3 and above tumors for nodal metastasis (P < .001). On multivariate analysis, type B3/thymic carcinoma/neuroendocrine tumors, category T3 or above, and N2 dissection predicted a greater likelihood of finding nodal metastasis. Conclusions Lymph node involvement in thymic malignancies is more common than previously recognized, especially in tumors with aggressive histology and advanced T category. Intentional lymph node dissection increases the detection of nodal involvement and improves accuracy of staging. In selected high‐risk patients, systemic dissection of both N1and N2 nodes should be considered for accurate tumor staging.

The application of postoperative chemotherapy in thymic tumors and its prognostic effect

BACKGROUNDnTo study the role of postoperative chemotherapy and its prognostic effect in Masaoka-Koga stage III and IV thymic tumors.nnnMETHODSnBetween 1994 and 2012, 1,700 patients with thymic tumors who underwent surgery without neoadjuvant therapy were enrolled for the study. Among them, 665 patients in Masaoka-Koga stage III and IV were further analyzed to evaluate the clinical value of postoperative chemotherapy. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to obtain the survival curve of the patients divided into different subgroups, and the Cox regression analysis was used to make multivariate analysis on the factors affecting prognosis. A Propensity-Matched Study was used to evaluate the clinical value of chemotherapy.nnnRESULTSnTwo-hundred and twenty-one patients were treated with postoperative chemotherapy, while the rest 444 cases were not. The two groups showed significant differences (P<0.05) regarding the incidence of myasthenia gravis, World Health Organization (WHO) histological subtypes, pathological staging, resection status and the use of postoperative radiotherapy. WHO type C tumors, incomplete resection, and postoperative radiotherapy were significantly related to increased recurrence and worse survival (P<0.05). Five-year and 10-year disease free survivals (DFS) and recurrence rates in patients who underwent surgery followed by postoperative chemotherapy were 51% and 30%, 46% and 68%, comparing with 73% and 58%, 26% and 40% in patients who had no adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery (P=0.001, P=0.001, respectively). In propensity-matched study, 158 pairs of patients with or without postoperative chemotherapy (316 patients in total) were selected and compared accordingly. Similar 5-year survival rates were detected between the two groups (P=0.332).nnnCONCLUSIONSnPathologically higher grade histology, incomplete resection, and postoperative radiotherapy were found to be associated with worse outcomes in advanced stage thymic tumors. At present, there is no evidence to show that postoperative chemotherapy may help improve prognosis in patients with Masaoka-Koga stage III and IV thymic tumors.

Cervical triangulating stapled anastomosis: technique and initial experience

OBJECTIVEnTo explore the safety and efficacy of modified cervical triangulating stapled anastomosis (TSA) for gastroesophageal anastomosis (GEA) in minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE).nnnMETHODSnFrom January 2013 to November 2013, eighty-four patients who underwent three-stage MIE was enrolled. During the cervical stage, either circular stapled (CS) or triangulating stapled (TS) anastomosis was applied for GEA. Clinical features were collected and compared to identify the differences between the two groups.nnnRESULTSnA total of 84 patients were included in this study. The clinical characteristics were close between the two groups. Intra-operatively, the duration of GEA was close between the two groups (18±3.4 vs. 17±2.7 min, P=0.139). Post-operatively, Cervical anastomotic leakage occurred in one (3.0%) of the 33 TS patients, but in six (11.8%) of the 51 CS patients (P=0.312). The incidence of anastomotic stenosis was 0.0% and 13.7% in the TS and CS groups, respectively (P=0.069). The overall incidence of postoperative complications was significantly lower in TS than that in CS (15.2% vs. 35.3%, P=0.043). There was no difference in the median length of hospital stay or perioperative mortality rate between the two groups.nnnCONCLUSIONSnTSA is a safe and effective alternative for GEA, which would probably lower the incidence of leakage and stenosis following MIE. Further studies based on larger volumes are required to confirm these findings.