Taichiro Goto

Percutaneous cryoablation for the treatment of medically inoperable stage I non-small cell lung cancer.

Background To evaluate the midterm results of percutaneous cryoablation for medically inoperable stage I non-small cell lung cancer. Methodology/Principal Findings Between January 2004 and June 2010, 160 patients underwent computer tomography guided percutaneous cryoablation for lung tumors at our institution. Of these patients, histologically proven stage I lung cancer patients with more than one year of follow-up, were retrospectively reviewed. All of these patients were considered to be medically inoperable with Charlson comorbidity index of 3 or greater. Follow-up was based primarily on computed tomography. There were 22 patients with 34 tumors who underwent 25 sessions of cryoablation treatment. Complications were pneumothoraces in 7 treatments (28%, chest tube required in one treatment), and pleural effusions in 8 treatments (31%). The observation period ranged from 12–68 months, average 29±19 months, median 23 months. Local tumor progression was observed in one tumor (3%). Mean local tumor progression-free interval was 69±2 months. One patient died of lung cancer progression at 68 months. Two patients died of acute exacerbations of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis which were not considered to be directly associated with cryoablation, at 12 and 18 months, respectively. The overall 2- and 3-year survivals were 88% and 88%, respectively. Mean overall survival was 62±4 months. Median overall survival was 68 months. The disease-free 2- and 3-year survivals were 78% and 67%, respectively. Mean disease-free survival was 46±6 months. Pulmonary function tests were done in 16 patients (18 treatments) before and after cryoablation. Percentage of predicted vital capacity, and percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second, did not differ significantly before and after cryoablation (93±23 versus 90±21, and 70±11 versus 70±12, respectively). Conclusions/Significance Although further accumulation of data is necessary regarding efficacy, cryoablation may be a feasible option in medically inoperable stage I lung cancer patients.

Video-assisted thoracic surgery for pneumothorax: republication of a systematic review and a proposal by the guideline committee of the Japanese Association for Chest Surgery 2014

ObjectiveThe purpose of this consensus conference was to determine whether video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) improves clinical outcomes compared with conventional thoracotomy in patients undergoing surgery for pneumothorax, and to outline evidence-based recommendations for the use of VATS.MethodsBefore the consensus conference, the best available evidence was reviewed, with systematic reviews, randomized trials, and nonrandomized trials all taken into consideration in descending order of validity and importance. At the consensus conference, evidence-based interpretative statements were created, and consensus processes were used to determine the ensuing recommendations. The Medical Information Network Distribution Service in Japan (Minds) system was used to label the levels of evidence for the references and the classes of recommendations.Results and recommendationsThe consensus panel agreed upon the following statements and recommendations for patients with pneumothorax undergoing surgery: 1.VATS is broadly indicated as surgery for pneumothorax.2.VATS is judged to be less invasive, as it results in minimal postoperative pain, the periods of chest tube placement and hospitalization are short, and it shows a trend toward early realization of social integration.3.There is no difference in terms of safety and complications between VATS and open thoracotomy.4.As it is anticipated that VATS will result in a higher recurrence rate than open thoracotomy, it may be desirable to add a supplemental procedure during surgery.In summary, VATS can be recommended as pneumothorax surgery (Recommendation grade: Level B).

Solitary pulmonary metastasis from prostate sarcomatoid cancer

BackgroundPulmonary metastasis from prostate cancer is considered to be a late event, and patients can be treated with chemotherapy or hormonal manipulation. However, there has been only a few reports on surgical resection for pulmonary metastasis from prostate cancer.Case PresentationWe present a surgical case of solitary pulmonary metastasis from prostate cancer. A 73-year-old man underwent pelvic evisceration for prostate cancer. Histopathological examination revealed a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with a sarcomatoid carcinoma component. During postoperative follow-up, chest computed tomography showed a nodular shadow in the lung, and thoracoscopic wedge resection of the lung was performed. Histopathological examination revealed a histological appearance similar to that of the prostate sarcomatoid carcinoma. This is the first reported case of solitary pulmonary metastasis from prostate sarcomatoid cancer.ConclusionIsolated pulmonary metastasis from prostate sarcomatoid cancer is extremely rare, but surgery could be the treatment of choice.

Analysis of tumor-derived DNA in plasma and bone marrow fluid in lung cancer patients

Liquid biopsies such as circulating tumor DNA in plasma and disseminated tumor cells in the bone marrow are currently available. However, it is unclear which types of samples are appropriate for detecting tumor DNA in these biopsies. Here, we collected primary tumors, pulmonary venous blood, peripheral blood, and rib bone marrow fluid from 10 lung cancer patients. Targeted deep sequencing was performed to identify mutations across 70 specimens. As a result, a total of 43 mutations were identified in the primary tumors. The mutation in the tumors was also identified in circulating tumor DNA in the pulmonary venous and peripheral blood in two patients. These patients showed poor prognosis, as compared to the other patients. However, no mutation was identified in the bone marrow in any of the patients. These results demonstrated that circulating tumor DNA in plasma is more sensitive and clinically useful as a biomarker as compared to DNA in bone marrow fluid.

Simplified Rat Lung Transplantation Using a New Cuff Technique

We introduce a new procedure for orthotopic left lung transplantation in rats. First, cuffs are attached to vessels or bronchi in both donors and recipients. Next, the cuffs are anastomosed by interposing pieces of the donors descending aorta. Anastomosis time is markedly reduced to approximately 10 minutes. Transplantations were completed in 8 rats without technical errors. This rat lung transplantation technique is a straightforward method any surgeon can perform.

Prognostic Factors Based on Clinicopathological Data Among the Patients with Resected Peripheral Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Lung

Introduction: Although the incidence of peripheral squamous cell carcinomas (p-SqCCs) of the lung has increased over recent years, clinicopathological factors influencing prognosis of resected p-SqCCs remain unclear. Methods: We examined 280 patients who underwent complete resection of SqCCs and analyzed the clinicopathological features in relation to their overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) according to the primary location. Results: Multivariate analysis of all stages of p-SqCCs patients revealed that high serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) level (OS; p < 0.01, RFS; p < 0.01), vascular invasion (OS; p < 0.01, RFS; p < 0.01), pleural invasion (OS; p = 0.03, RFS; p = 0.01), nodal metastasis (OS; p = 0.02) and complication with lung disease (OS; p < 0.01) were independently unfavorable prognostic factors. Among stage I p-SqCCs patients, high serum SCC level (OS; p < 0.01, RFS; p < 0.01), vascular invasion (RFS; p < 0.01) and pleural invasion (RFS; p = 0.01) were also strongly correlated with poor prognosis independently. When we reevaluated the survival rate, T1 p-SqCCs with high serum SCC level or vascular invasion can be upgraded to T2a. Patients with stage IB had a significantly poorer prognosis than stage IA (5-year RFS; 61.4 % versus 76.6 %, p < 0.05). Conclusion: High serum SCC level, pleural and vascular invasions were independent poor prognostic factors for completely resected p-SqCCs. T1 p-SqCCs with high serum SCC level or vascular invasion should be upgraded to T2a, which accurately reflect survival status among patients with p-SqCCs.

Dissection of lung parenchyma using electrocautery is a safe and acceptable method for anatomical sublobar resection

BackgroundAnatomic sublobar resection is being assessed as a substitute to lobectomy for primary lung cancers. However, persistent air leak after anatomic sublobar resection is prevalent and increasing surgical morbidity and costs. The use of electrocautery is being popularized recently in anatomic sublobar resection. We have retrospectively evaluated the safety and efficacy of intersegmental plane dissection using electrocautery.MethodsBetween April 2009 to September 2010, 47 patients were treated with segmentectomy for clinical T1N0M0 non-small cell lung cancers. The intersegmental plane was dissected using electrocautery alone or in combination with staplers. We evaluated the methods of dividing intersegmental plane (electrocautery alone or combination with electrocautery and staplers), intraoperative blood loss, duration of chest tube placement, duration of surgery, preoperative FEV1.0 %, incidence of prolonged air leak, length of postoperative hospital stay, postoperative pulmonary function at 6 months after surgery and the cost for sealing intersegmental plane.ResultsAmong the 47 patients, 22 patients underwent intersegmental plane dissection with electrocautery alone and 25 patients did in combination with electrocautery and staplers. The mean number of stapler cartridges used was only 1.3 in electrocautery and staplers group. Mean age, gender, number of patients whose FEV1% < 70 % were similar between two groups. There was no statistical difference between electrocautery alone and combination with electrocautery and staplers group in duration of surgery (282 vs. 290 minutes), intraoperative blood loss (203 vs.151 ml), duration of chest tube placement (3.2 vs. 3.1 days), postoperative hospital stay (11.0 vs.10.0 days), postoperative loss of FEV1.0 (13 vs.8 %), loss of FVC (11 vs. 6 %) or incidence of minor postoperative complications [9 % (2/22) vs. 16 % (4/25), p = 0.30)]. However, incidence of prolonged air leak was higher in electrocautery alone group than in combination with electrocautery and staplers group [14 % (3/22) vs. 4 % (1/25), p = 0.025)]. The cost of materials for sealing air leaks amounted to €964 per patient in the electrocautery alone group and €1594 per patient in combination with electrocautery and staplers group.ConclusionsThe number of patients with prolonged air leak was higher in the electrocautery alone group. The use of staplers in addition to electrocautery may lead to reduced prolonged air leak. However, the use of electrocautery for intersegmental plane dissection appeared to be safe with acceptable postoperative complications and effective in reducing costs.

Prognostic Impact of Preoperative Tumor Marker Levels and Lymphovascular Invasion in Pathological Stage I Adenocarcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lung

Introduction: Some unfavorable prognostic factors for stage I non–small-cell lung cancers have been reported; however, they are not reflected in the current Tumor–Node–Metastasis classification. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 629 patients who underwent complete resection of pathological stage I adenocarcinomas (ADs) or squamous cell carcinomas (SQs) at two institutes between 1996 and 2011. The correlation between clinicopathological characteristics and survival rates was analyzed to identify prognostic factors. Results: Multivariate analysis indicated that among ADs, high serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels (p = 0.04 for overall survival [OS]; p < 0.01 for recurrence-free survival [RFS]; p = 0.02 for disease-specific survival [DSS]), lymphatic permeation (p < 0.01 for RFS and DSS), and vascular invasion (p < 0.01 for OS and RFS; p = 0.03 for DSS) were independent prognostic factors. Among SQs, high squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) (p < 0.05 for OS), and vascular invasion (p < 0.05 for RFS and DSS) were independently prognostic. We suggest that among completely resected tumors less than or equal to 5 cm without lymph node metastasis, the current stages IA and IB AD with high serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels, lymphatic permeation, or vascular invasion should be upgraded to stage IB and IIA, respectively. The current stage IA SQ with high SCC antigen levels or vascular invasion should be upgraded to stage IB. These reclassifications accurately reflect survival status (p < 0.04 in all comparisons). Conclusions: Some important differences in prognostic factors were observed between AD and SQ. High preoperative serum tumor marker levels and lymphovascular invasion should be included as additional criteria in the forthcoming Tumor–Node–Metastasis staging.

Surgery for recurrent inflammatory pseudotumor of the lung

BackgroundCases of recurrent inflammatory pseudotumor have only rarely been reported. The treatment for recurrent pseudotumor is surgery. Patients not eligible for surgery require different treatment, and the optimal type of the treatment is controversial.Case PresentationA 54-year-old woman was noted to have an abnormal shadow in the right middle lung field on chest X-ray. Computed tomography of the chest revealed an infiltrative lesion in the right segment 4 and a nodule in the right segment 8. She underwent right middle lobectomy and partial resection of the right segment 8. Histopathology revealed non-atypical lymphocytes and plasma cells infiltrates, leading to the diagnosis of the lymphoplasmacytic type of inflammatory pseudotumor. During postoperative follow-up, chest computed tomography revealed a nodular lesion in the left segment 3 and an infiltrative lesion in the right segment 2. Left segment 3 segmentectomy and right segment 2 wedge resection were performed. The histopathological findings were similar to those of the first surgical specimen, leading to the diagnosis of recurrent lymphoplasmacytic type of inflammatory pseudotumor.ConclusionSurgical cases of recurrent inflammatory pseudotumor of the lung have been reported only very rarely. We believe that surgery is the best treatment for recurrent inflammatory pseudotumor of the lung when patients are eligible.

Percutaneous Cryoablation as a Salvage Therapy for Local Recurrence of Lung Cancer

A 66-year-old male was diagnosed with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer, and underwent chemoradiotherapy, to which he achieved a partial response. During subsequent follow-up, positron emission tomography showed a fluorodeoxyglucose uptake lesion within the primary tumor, without evidence of metastatic foci elsewhere in the body. As local disease progression was most suspected, cryoablation was performed for the lesion with high fluorodeoxyglucose uptake. After treatment, there has been no evidence of recurrence for 12 months. Herein, we present a case of percutaneous cryoablation as a salvage therapy for recurrent lung cancer after chemoradiotherapy.