Detection of late lung cancer metastases]

The authors report the data on lung cancer metastases in abdominal and retroperitoneal space organs in 174 patients died due to postoperative complications during 2 months following resection of the lung. Distant metastases were recognized in 32 cases (18.3%). 29 of 49 metastases (58%) were detected in abdominal organs. In stages I-II remote metastases were found in 2 of 32 cases, in stage III--in 29 of 142 cases, i.e. 35 times as frequently. Laparoscopy and laparotomy, performed if indicated, are conclusive surgical methods of establishing the precise diagnosis of the tumor spread, and these allow the elaboration of a rational plan of treatment in lung cancer patients.     

Lymph node excision with laparotomy and chemo-radiation therapy for a hepatocellular carcinoma patient with multiple lymph node metastases]

We reported a case of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with multiple lymph node metastases. The patient was a 67-year-old male with C type liver cirrhosis. He underwent microwave coagulation therapy (MCT) for HCC (5 cm and 1.5 cm) 1.5 years before admission. Abdominal CT scan revealed a well-enhanced tumor (2 cm) in caudate lobe of the liver and excessive lymph node metastases, locating in the inferior phrenic, periportal and para-aortic area. The preoperative serum AFP and AFP-L3 levels were 41.9 ng/ml and 93.1%, respectively. At laparotomy, systematic dissection of the enlarged lymph nodes and MCT of the hepatic tumor was performed. After operation, residual inferior phrenic lymph node was treated with irradiation therapy (total 50.4 Gy). The lymph node showed complete response (CR) for about a year and the AFP-L3 level returned to the normal range. After 9 months, a supra-clavicular lymph node was detected on abdominal CT scan. Irradiation therapy (total 45 Gy) in combination with CDDP (100 mg) and 5-FU (4,000 mg) was applied. The lymph node had been assessed as partial response for 6 months. The patient lived quite well after these therapies, but died of hepatic failure 32 months after the initial operation. In conclusion, we recommend this therapeutic strategy using operative excision and chemo-radiation therapy for HCC with multiple lymph node metastases.     

The potentialities and prospects for surgical methods of diagnosis of cancer of the lung

Surgical methods of diagnosis make it possible to determine in patients with lung cancer the actual local extension of tumour and its metastatic foci. The diagnostic thoracotomy plays an important role in the complex diagnosis of lung cancer. Diagnostic thoracotomy has been performed in 109 out of 1215 patients with lung cancer and other lung lesions suspicious for cancer. Primary lung cancer, mostly at early stage, was detected in 50 out of 109 patients. Among 308 patients who had been subjected to Daniels operation, metastases were revealed in 130 cases (42.2%); prescalene lymph nodes were found inpalpable in 12.4% and palpable in 64.4% of cases. Mediastinoscopy carried out in 262 patients revealed metastases in 36.2% of cases. Parasternal mediastinotomy allowed definition of the degree of tumor extension in 49.5% of cases. Application of laparoscopy and laparotomy revealed metastases in the organs of the abdominal cavity and retroperitoneal space in 13.5% of patients. Results of studies show a definite relationship between the frequency of metastases development in the lymph nodes and distant organs and tumor site as well as clinico-anatomical forms and morphological structure of tumor. Application of surgical diagnostic methods should be done according to strict indications.     

A case of long survival after resection and treatment with imatinib mesylate against metachronous liver metastases and a lung metastasis of a small intestine gastrointestinal stromal tumor

A 68-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of an abdominal tumor. Computed tomography(CT)showed a 6 cm tumor in the abdominal cavity. Surgery was performed. Upon laparotomy, a 6 cm tumor was found at the small intestine (210 cm)on the anal side from the Treitz ligament. A partial resection of the small intestine was performed. Immunohistochemistry showed positive staining for c-kit, and the diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor was confirmed. Multiple liver metastases and a lung metastasis were observed over the next 2 years. We started chemotherapy with imatinib mesylate at a dose of 400mg/day. The size of the tumors was unchanged, and no new lesion was observed. The patient has been alive and well as of 6 years after the initial operation.     

实时三维超声在诊断恶性肿瘤腹腔转移中的应用价值

背景与目的：常规血液生化、腹水检查和以往的影像学检查诊断恶性肿瘤腹腔转移的敏感性低,剖腹探查术又不适用于终末期患者。实时三维超声技术是近年发展起来的诊断腹腔疾病的新技术。本研究旨在探讨实时三维超声在恶性肿瘤腹腔转移诊断中的应用价值。方法：本文对28例临床诊断为恶性肿瘤需要开腹手术患者术前分别应用二维及实时三维超声检查腹腔情况,并将检查结果与手术及病理结果相对照。以检出腹腔包块、腹腔淋巴结肿大、腹膜增厚、腹腔脏器及腹膜表面结节等任一征象即可诊断为腹腔转移。结果：28例恶性肿瘤患者,经手术证实,实际发生腹腔转移25例,二维及实时三维超声诊断正确率为42．86％、92．86％,灵敏度为37．5％、95．83％,特异度为75．0％、75．0％。二维及实时三维超声方法对腹腔转移结节的检出率分别为16％、96％。对恶性肿瘤腹腔转移,两种方法差异有显著性（P〈0．001）。结论：实时三维超声在恶性肿瘤腹腔转移诊断中具有重要的临床意义,对腹腔转移结节的检出结果证实,实时三维超声在诊断恶性肿瘤腹腔转移方面具有明显的优势,值得临床医生重视及应用。     

纵隔神经鞘瘤31例临床分析

目的探讨纵隔神经鞘瘤的临床特点、诊断和治疗方法。方法回顾性分析1995年7月至2008年2月外科治疗的31例纵隔神经鞘瘤的临床资料。结果28例为良性神经鞘瘤（90.3%）,3例为恶性。肿瘤完整切除29例（93.5%）,姑息切除2例。无手术死亡者。术后出现喉返神经损伤1例,上肢深静脉血栓1例。3例恶性神经鞘瘤患者术后生存5～19个月。结论手术是治疗纵隔神经鞘瘤的主要方法,恶性预后不良。     

Ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor (androblastoma) with retiform pattern. A clinicopathologic study

The clinicopathologic findings in nine patients with ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor with retiform pattern are described. The patients ranged in age from 11 months to 23 years; and seven patients were 12 years of age or younger. The most frequent presenting sign was the finding of an abdominal mass. This was associated with pain in five patients. In three patients the pain was severe due to torsion, causing an acute abdominal emergency. Slight virilization was observed in one patient only. Two patients had elevated serum alphafetoprotein (AFP), which correlated well with disease activity. The remaining patients had normal serum AFP. All the tumors were unilateral. At laparotomy the tumor was intact in six patients and ruptured in three. The tumors ranged from 8 to 22 cm, were round or oval, and cystic or solid and cystic. Eight tumors were in FIGO Stage I, and one was associated with abdominal metastases and was Stage III. Histologically, the retiform component varied from moderate to predominant in eight of the nine cases. In two tumors a heterologous component composed of striated muscle was also present. Three patients developed metastases. Two of the patients died 11 months and 2 years after diagnosis and the third patient was lost to follow-up with evidence of disease 2 years after diagnosis. The remaining six patients were well and disease-free for periods of 8 months to 6 years. The majority of these tumors were misinterpreted as serous papillary cystadenocarcinoma or endodermal sinus tumor, which are more malignant neoplasms requiring different therapy. This further underlines the importance of recognizing this histopathologic entity.     

Critical reassessment of second-look exploratory laparotomy for epithelial ovarian carcinoma. Minimal diagnostic and therapeutic value in patients with persistent cancer.

From 1979 to 1984, 88 women with epithelial ovarian cancer were treated with surgery and chemotherapy, achieved a clinical complete response, and then had "second-look" exploratory laparotomy to assess the pathologic status of their disease. Persistent cancer was found in 50 (57%) patients: 34 of 50 (68%) had gross tumor, which was larger than 2 cm in 12 (24%) and smaller than 2 cm in 22 (44%), and 16 (32%) had microscopic disease. Salvage therapy was as follows for these patients: whole abdominal irradiation, 29 (58%); chemotherapy, 17 (34%); intraperitoneal chromic phosphate, 1 (2%); and no further therapy, 3 (6%). With a follow-up time of 4 to 8 years, 7 (14%) patients are alive without evidence of cancer, 7 (14%) are alive with disease, 35 (70%) are dead of disease, and 1 (2%) has died of treatment complications. At 5 years, the relapse-free rate was 18% and the survival rate was 25%. Seventy-two parameters of suspected prognostic significance and 64 potential sites of tumor involvement were correlated with survival in a univariate analysis. The factors favorably affecting survival included the following: lower grade; microscopic tumor versus gross disease at second-look laparotomy; removal of the uterus; removal of the omentum; pelvic and paraaortic lymph node biopsy; negative results of a right diaphragm biopsy; and radiation therapy at Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California. There was no survival advantage for whole abdomen irradiation compared with chemotherapy or for the patients who had their disease successfully debulked at second-look laparotomy. The above factors and others were evaluated by multivariate regression. The best model (P = 0.000004) for predicting survival included largest tumor mass (P = 0.0002), operative blood loss (P = 0.002), perioperative blood transfusion (P = 0.003), and grade (P = 0.004). The detection of persistent ovarian cancer by second-look exploratory laparotomy should identify a subgroup of patients whose conditions can be salvaged by a second-line therapy. Unfortunately, that subgroup is small (8%) and an effective salvage therapy remains to be identified.     

Can cure in patients with osteosarcoma be achieved exclusively with chemotherapy and abrogation of surgery?

BACKGROUND: Contemporary therapy for osteosarcoma is comprised of initial treatment with chemotherapy and surgical extirpation of the primary tumor in the affected bone. In view of the major advances forged by chemotherapy in the treatment of the primary tumor, an attempt was made to destroy the tumor exclusively with this therapeutic modality and abrogate surgery. METHODS: Thirty-one consecutive patients were treated. All had localized disease (absence of metastases) at the time of diagnosis. Initial treatment with chemotherapy was comprised of high-dose methotrexate and leucovorin rescue (MTX-LF) in 3 patients and intraarterial cisplatin in 28 patients. Clinical, radiologic, angiographic, radionuclide, and histologic investigations were utilized to assess the efficacy of treatment. After a response at 3 months, entry into the study was permitted and treatment was maintained for a total of 18-21 months with a combination of agents comprised of MTX-LF, intraarterial cisplatin, and doxorubicin. Patients were monitored closely for disease recurrence with the investigations outlined earlier. Two informed consents were required: one at the time of diagnosis and another at 3 months after the initial response had been attained. RESULTS: Only 3 of 31 patients were cured with the administration of chemotherapy alone. Local recurrence and pulmonary metastases were not reported to develop in these 3 patients during a follow-up period of 204+ to 225+ months. Four other patients also possibly were cured with chemotherapy alone. At their request, several months after the cessation of chemotherapy, they underwent surgical extirpation of the tumor. No evidence of viable tumor was found. These patients remained free of disease for 192+ to 216+ months. Thus, only seven patients did not develop local recurrence and/or pulmonary metastases. Among the remaining 24 patients, 9 developed local recurrences without pulmonary metastases 14-74 months (median, 30 months) after the initial response. Eight of the nine patients were rendered tumor free by extirpation of the local recurrence. Two of these eight patients subsequently died, one of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the other of varicella septicemia. The ninth patient refused amputation and died of metabolic complications. Three other patients developed local recurrences 20-69 months and pulmonary metastases 10-98 months after achievement of the initial response. These patients were rendered tumor free by extirpation of the local recurrence and metastasectomy. One of these patients also later died of AIDS. In the remaining 12 patients, local recurrences developed 5-29 months (median, 14 months) after the initial response was achieved. The patients also developed pulmonary metastases 11-60 months after the initial response. In eight patients the local recurrences were extirpated and metastasectomy was performed; however, these patients later died of recurrent pulmonary metastases. The remaining four patients refused to undergo extirpation of the local recurrence. The pulmonary metastases were not resected. They failed to respond to alternate therapy. Thus, the tumor-free survival rate was 23% (7 of 31 patients): 3 patients who were treated with chemotherapy only and 4 patients who were treated with chemotherapy plus surgery. The overall survival rate (patients who remained free of disease and those who underwent resection for local recurrence and metastasectomy) was 48% (15 of 31 patients). Prior to the deaths from AIDS and varicella septicemia, the overall survival was 58% (18 of 31 patients). CONCLUSIONS: Utilizing the regimen employed in the current study, only 3 of 31 patients with osteosarcoma (10%) were cured exclusively with chemotherapy. Four additional patients who underwent extirpation of the primary tumor without disease recurrence and in whom no viable tumor was found in the resected specimens possibly could increase the number of patients who potentially were cured with chemotherapy to 7 (23%). With an overall expected cure rate of 50-65% with "conventional" sin whom no viable tumor was found in the resected specimens possibly could increase the number of patients who potentially were cured with chemotherapy to 7 (23%). With an overall expected cure rate of 50-65% with "conventional" strategies, the results of the current study do not justify the adoption of current forms of chemotherapy as exclusive treatments for osteosarcoma.     

Laparoscopy in oncologic diseases]

Among 160 laparoscopies 58 were performed in oncological patients. The diagnosis of abdominal tumor was supported in 18 patients, the diagnosis was rejected - in 13, pinpointed further - in 15, primarily established- in 12 patients. Of 58 examined patients distal metastases were detected in 21, that made it possible to obviate an unnecessary laparotomy. No complications relative to the use of laparotomy and biopsy were noted.     

Preoperative short-term radiotherapy in rectal carcinoma. A preliminary report of a prospective randomized study

Between 1980 and 1983, 373 patients with clinically resectable rectal adenocarcinoma entered a prospective randomized study aimed to evaluate the effect of short-term preoperative radiotherapy. Protocol violations were identified in 21 instances. Of the remaining 352 patients, 182 were randomized to surgical treatment only (S-group). Immediately, before surgery, 170 patients were irradiated to the pelvic region with 25 Gy (2500 rad) during a 5-day period (RT-group). Of these patients, 59% underwent abdominoperineal excision, 38% anterior resection, and 3% laparotomy only. At surgery distant metastases were discovered in 32 patients (9%). There were no significant differences between the groups in the distribution of age, sex, operative methods, and tumor stage according to the original Dukes' classification. During the follow-up time, ranging between 6 months and 3 years, tumor recurrence occurred in 35 patients, 19 in the S-group and 16 in the RT-group. Fifteen patients in the S-group had pelvic recurrence compared to 10 patients in the RT-group. Distant metastases occurred in six and eight patients, respectively. Two patients in each group had both pelvic and distant recurrence. There was no correlation between tumor recurrence and type of operation. Median time interval from diagnosis to pelvic recurrence was 10 months in the S-group and 16 months in the RT-group. Postoperative complications in the form of wound sepsis were slightly more common in the RT-group. In summary, the applied treatment regimen, is well-tolerated and apparently does not affect the Dukes' stage of the tumor. Although there is no statistically significant difference, there is a trend of less pelvic recurrence in patients receiving preoperative radiotherapy.     

Consolidation radiation therapy following cytoreductive surgery, chemotherapy and second-look laparotomy for epithelial ovarian carcinoma: long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: From 1979-1987, 139 stage IC-IV ovarian cancer patients who had undergone cytoreductive surgery received 6-11 cycles of cisplatin and adriamycin. STUDY DESIGN: Eighty-four clinically complete responders underwent second-look laparotomy, and 60 of them received consolidation abdominal irradiation. The patients were then followed for a median follow-up of 39 months. RESULTS: Five- and 10-year actuarial survival for all patients was 43% and 24%, for no residuum at primary surgery, 80% and 35%, for residual tumor <2 cm, 45% and 35%, and for residual tumor >2 cm, 20% and 4%. Median survival for stage III-IV patients negative at second-look laparotomy was 72 months in irradiated compared to 25 months in non-irradiated patients (P = 0.14) and 77 months in irradiated patients with microscopic disease at second-look laparotomy. Median survival in patients with macroscopic disease at second-look laparotomy was 23.5 months if irradiated compared to 18 months if not (P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Consolidation whole abdominal irradiation in advanced stages of ovarian cancer may be of value in patients with negative or microscopic disease at second-look laparotomy. Unfortunately, despite the initial survival advantage observed in irradiated patients, owing to late recurrences there was no significant difference in their long-term survival probability.     

Supraclavicular metastases of stomach cancer

To precisely determine the process spread in gastric cancer, in 90 patients left prescalene biopsy was performed simultaneously with the operative procedure on the stomach. In 20% of the patients the histological examination of serial sections showed gastric cancer metastases in non-enlarged supraclavicular lymph nodes. In vast majority of the observations a supraclavicular metastasis diagnosed only histologically was a manifestation of the tumor process spread. In these patients only explorative laparotomy or palliative resection was performed, followed by lethal issue (but one case) in the early postoperative period. The rationale of incuding prescalene biopsy in the scheme of examination for gastric cancer is discussed.     

Staging laparotomy in Hodgkin's disease: a community hospital experience

Between 1977 and 1984, 50 patients with Hodgkin's disease underwent a staging laparotomy performed by nine surgeons in a community hospital. Adequate procedures were performed in 80% of cases compared to staging laparotomies done between 1969 and 1976 when only 40% were properly performed. Abdominal lymphangiogram had a false-negative rate of 0 but a false positive rate of 70%. Clinical stage III disease was significantly downstaged at laparotomy (65% of cases). Postoperative complication rate was 4% and there were no operative deaths. A subset of patients not requiring laparotomy have been identified. Because the quality of staging laparotomy and lymphangiography was variable, we encourage all centres treating patients with Hodgkin's disease to review their own experience with these techniques before making individual patient treatment decisions.     

Hepatic cryotherapy and regional chemotherapy with or without resection for liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma: how many are too many?

BACKGROUND: The number of hepatic metastases for which resection or ablation is appropriate remains controversial. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of prospectively collected data from patients with liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma who underwent hepatic cryotherapy and hepatic arterial chemotherapy (HAC) with or without undergoing resection. Patients routinely had preoperative bone scans, chest computed tomography (CT) scans, and abdominal angio-CT scans. Positron emission tomography scans were unavailable. All patients were followed until June 2002 or until death occurred. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods were used to evaluate the impact of 17 potentially prognostic factors on survival. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-two patients who underwent hepatic cryotherapy and HAC with or without undergoing liver resection for in situ eradication of metastases formed the basis of this report. One patient (0.6%) died postoperatively from myocardial infarction. The morbidity rate was 27.9%. The median survival was 28 months (range, 0-98 months). The factors age < or = 50 years, well-differentiated or moderately differentiated primary tumor, small cryolesions (<3.5 cm), complete eradication of extrahepatic metastases at cryotherapy, and low preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were associated independently with a favorable outcome. In addition, a univariate analysis showed that the absence of untreated extrahepatic disease at laparotomy, postoperative CEA normalization, and a large decline in CEA levels were significant statistically. The number of lesions was not prognostic. One hundred forty-six patients (84.9%) who underwent a complete operation had 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, 4-year, and 5-year survival rates of 89%, 65%, 41%, 24%, and 19%, respectively. The median survival of patients with 1 metastasis, 2 metastases, 3 metastases, 4 metastases, 5 metastases, 6 or 7 metastases, and 8-12 metastases were 32 months, 29 months, 30 months, 31 months, 27 months, 37 months, and 21 months, respectively (P=0.7859). Twenty-five patients had 6 or 7 lesions, and their 5-year survival rate was 25%. CONCLUSIONS: When all colorectal hepatic lesions were eradicated, the numbers of hepatic metastases were not prognostic of survival in patients with liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma.     

The continuing problem of carcinoma of the pancreas

The courses of 208 patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas were reviewed. The lesion was located in the head of the pancreas in 142 patient, (68%) and of these, in 22 patients the diagnosis was confirmed histologically at postmortem examination; 21 patients underwent laparotomy and biopsy with a 33% operative mortality and a 3.4-month average survival; 89 patients underwent biliary and/or gastric bypass with a 24% mortality and 4.8-month average survival; 10 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with a 20% mortality and 14.6-month average survival. The lesion was located in the body or tail of the pancreas in 77 patients (32%); and, of these, 15 patients had histologic confirmation of clinical diagnoses at postmortem examination; 19 patients underwent biopsy of extra-abdominal metastases and survived an average of 1.4 months; 27 patients underwent laparotomy and biopsy with a 26% operative mortality and 3.5-month average survival; 4 patients underwent gastric and/or biliary bypass with a 50% mortality and 4.5-month average survival; one patient underwent noncurative distal pancreatectomy and survived 1 month postoperatively. No patient was cured of his disease. Of the 55 operative survivors of biliary bypass alone for carcinoma of the head of the pancreas, 5 (9%) required subsequent gastroenterostomy for duodenal obstruction.     

Inhibitory effects of alprazolam on the enhancement of lung metastases induced by operative stress in rats

Experiments were performed in order to evaluate the effects of alprazolam (I mg/kg s.c.), a central benzodiazepine agonist anxiolytic, on the development of lung metastases in rats subjected to laparotomy and injected (i.v.) with 10(4) Walker 256 (W-256) carcinosarcoma cells. The number of metastatic nodules on the surface of the lungs, as well as the percentage-area of metastases in the frontal section through pulmonary hilus were increased in rats subjected to sham-surgery or laparotomy. Treatment with alprazolam partially reversed those adverse effects of surgery, but the difference was clearer when it was administered before surgery was performed. Survival periods were also assessed and alprazolam was found to decrease the lethality of rats exposed to surgery. Pretreatment with Ro 15-1788, a central benzodiazepine antagonist, suppressed the inhibitory effects of alprazolam on tumor growth.     

Palliative and curative surgical therapy of malignant stenoses of the esophagus and cardia

Between January 1967 and July 1986, 171 patients with malignant stenosis of the esophagus and cardia were subjected to curative or palliative surgical treatment. Specifically, there were 84 primary esophageal carcinomas, 5 cases of malignant esophageal stenosis caused by an extra-esophageal malignant tumor (inter alia bronchial carcinoma), and 82 primary carcinomas of the cardia. The average age of the patients as a whole was 63.7 years, and the sex ratio (male:female) was 4.0:1. In 18 esophageal carcinoma patients and 21 patients with carcinoma of the cardia curative resection was possible, but in 132 patients merely palliative surgery was performed, most frequently esophageal intubation and gastrostomy. The specific operations with a curative objective performed upon the esophageal carcinoma patients were abdominothoracic esophageal resection with upward displacement of the stomach (n = 16) or interposition of a colonic segment (n = 2), whereas in the patients with carcinoma of the cardia, proximal resection was performed in 13 cases, either subtotally or as a cardiofundectomy, and total gastrectomy in 8 cases. For the subsequent reconstruction of the passage the interposition of a jejunal segment was most frequently used. The clinical mortality for the curative resections was 33% for the 18 esophageal carcinoma patients and 9.5% for the 20 patients with carcinoma of the cardia. The long-term survival rates are depressing: of the patients who underwent curative resection 47.6% were still alive after one year, 28.6% after 2 years and 14.3% after 5 years. Of the patients treated only palliatively on account of an already advanced stage of the tumor, 91.5% died within the first year; only 4.9% of patients from this group were still alive after 2 years.     

Expansion of the indications for surgery in neglected rectal cancer

Radical surgery was performed in 971 (86.0%) cases of rectal cancer, while palliative resection or extirpation of the rectum--in 158 (14.0%). The postoperative lethality rates were 5.8 and 11.4%, respectively. Sixty-seven patients aged 60 and more underwent palliative resection or extirpation, with eight (11.9%) fatalities occurring shortly after treatment. The postoperative lethality rate was 8.8% in cases of exploratory laparotomy and symptomatic surgery, reaching 15.3% in a group of patients aged 60 years and more. It is inferred that palliative resection, extirpation and palliative combined surgery are justified in treatment advanced rectal cancer whatever patient's age.     

Simultaneous repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm and resection of unexpected, associated abdominal malignancies

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The management of unexpected intra-abdominal malignancy, discovered at laparotomy for elective treatment of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), is controversial. It is still unclear whether both conditions should be treated simultaneously or a staged approach is to be preferred. To contribute in improving treatment guidelines, we retrospectively reviewed the records of patients undergoing laparotomy for elective AAA repair. METHODS: From January 1994 to March 2003, 253 patients underwent elective, trans-peritoneal repair of an AAA. In four patients (1.6%), an associated, unexpected neoplasm was detected at abdominal exploration, consisting of one renal, one gastric, one ileal carcinoid, and one ascending colon tumor. All of them were treated at the same operation, after aortic repair and careful isolation of the prosthetic graft. RESULTS: The whole series' operative mortality was 3.6%. None of the patients simultaneously treated for AAA and tumor resection died in the postoperative period. No graft-related infections were observed. Simultaneous treatment of AAA and tumor did not prolong significantly the mean length of stay in the hospital, compared to standard treatment of AAA alone. CONCLUSIONS: Except for malignancies of organs requiring major surgical resections, simultaneous AAA repair and resection of an associated, unexpected abdominal neoplasm can be safely performed, in most of the patients, sparing the need for a second procedure. Endovascular grafting of the AAA can be a valuable tool in simplifying simultaneous treatment, or in staging the procedures with a very short delay.