A new method of stabilizing the chest wall following major chest wall resection

Summary Prosthetic materials, such as metals, marlex mesh and methyl methacrylate have been used for stabilization of the chest wall after resection of large areas of rib cage. Such materials are contraindicated in an infected area. A new method of providing a stable chest wall using autogenous tissue is presented.     

An unusual case of chest wall desmoid tumor

Desmoid tumor of the chest wall are uncommon fibromatous tumors characterized by their local invasion and frequent recurrences. Extra-abdominal sites are mainly the shoulder girdle, the pelvic girdle and distal ends of the lower limbs. The chest wall represents 8–10% of cases and the tumor is exceptionally intrathoracic. We present here a rare case of a large desmoid tumor of left antero-lateral chest wall. In the presented case, wide excision of the tumor and chest wall reconstruction was done. There was no recurrence in 3 years of follow up.     

An unusual case of giant cavernous hemangioma presenting as a lytic lesion in manubrium sterni

Primary tumors of the chest wall are uncommon. Cavernous hemangioma is rare. A presternal giant cavernous hemangioma is presented.     

放射性胸部溃疡胸骨骨髓炎的外科治疗

目的：探讨放射性胸骨骨髓炎并胸部难治性溃疡的手术治疗方法。方法：7例胸腺瘤或乳腺癌术后术区放疗病人，于放疗后8－32个月出现前胸放疗区溃疡，胸骨感染外露，长期换药治疗不愈，经术后准备后行病灶胸骨，肋软骨及瘢痕组织切除，胸大肌肌瓣和腹直肌肌瓣充填缺损，局部皮瓣覆盖创面，1例部分创面尚需辅以皮片覆盖，术后加压包扎。结果：术后肌瓣成活良好，皮瓣无坏死，6例治愈；1例术后术区感染，伤口恶化，4个月后死于腐蚀性大出血。结论：放射性胸部感染胸骨骨髓炎时应尽早手术治疗，彻底切除炎症坏死的胸骨组织及受累的肋软骨，尽可能地切除放射性瘢痕，以带蒂肌瓣充填创面，皮瓣或加皮片覆盖创面是较好的治疗方法。     

Long-term complications associated with breast-conservation surgery and radiotherapy

Background Breast-conservation surgery plus radiotherapy has become the standard of care for early-stage breast cancer; we evaluated its long-term complications. Methods We selected patients treated with surgery and radiotherapy between January 1990 and December 1992 (an era in which standard radiation dosages were used) with follow-up for at least 1 year. Patients were prospectively monitored for treatment-related complications. Median follow-up time was 89 months. Results A total of 294 patients met the selection criteria. Grade 2 or higher late complications were identified in 29 patients and included arm edema in 13 patients, breast skin fibrosis in 12, decreased range of motion in 4, pneumonitis in 2, neuropathy in 2, fat necrosis in 1, and rib fracture in 1. Arm edema was more common after lumpectomy plus axillary node dissection than after lumpectomy alone. Arm edema occurred in 18% of patients who underwent surgery plus irradiation of the lymph nodes and 10% who underwent surgery without nodal irradiation. Conclusions Breast-conservation surgery plus radiotherapy was associated with grade 2 or higher complications in only 9.9% of patients. Half of these complications were attributable to axillary dissection, it is hoped that lower complication rates can be achieved with sentinel lymph node biopsy.     

胸三角皮瓣修复乳癌术后复发病灶及放射性溃疡

目的 探讨乳癌根治术后复发病灶及放射性溃疡的胸壁大块深度缺损修复方法.方法 采用对侧以第2、3肋间前胸穿支为血管蒂的岛状皮瓣修复乳癌根治术后局部复发病灶清除后缺损创面4例及放射性溃疡8例.结果 12例皮瓣全部成活,其中l例皮瓣远端表皮坏死经换药后痊愈.随访6个月～4年,伤口愈合稳定,外形恢复满意.结论 以第2、3肋间前胸穿支为血管蒂的岛状皮瓣是一期修复乳癌根治术后局部复发病灶的清除缺损创面及放射性溃疡简便易行的理想方法.     

Radiotherapy of Bone Metastasis in Breast Cancer Patients - Current Approaches

Bone metastases (BM) represent the most frequent indication for palliative radiotherapy in patients with breast cancer. BM increase the risk of skeletal-related events defined as pathological fractures, spinal cord compression, and, most frequently, bone pain. The therapeutic goals of palliative radiotherapy for BM are pain relief, recalcification, and stabilization, reducing spinal cord compression and minimizing the risk of paraplegia. In advanced tumor stages radiotherapy may also be used to alleviate symptoms of generalized bone metastasis. This requires an individual approach including factors, such as life expectancy and tumor progression at different sites. Side effects of radiation therapy of the middle and lower spine may include nausea and emesis requiring adequate antiemetic prophylaxis. Irradiation of large bone marrow areas may cause myelotoxicity making monitoring of blood cell counts mandatory. Radiotherapy is an effective tool in palliation treatment of BM and is part of an interdisciplinary approach. Preferred technique, targeting, and different dose schedules are described in the guidelines of the German Society for Radiooncology (DEGRO) which are also integrated in 2012 recommendations of the Working Group Gynecologic Oncology (AGO).     

Teratoma presenting as a cystic lesion on the chest wall

A 28-year-old woman presented with a rare case of chest-wall teratoma. Computed tomography of a cystic lesion located in the anterior chest wall revealed a hyperdense object with the appearance of a tooth. The cystic mass was totally excised via a chest-wall incision without thoracotomy. Pathologic examination showed a benign teratoma containing an immature tooth.     

Vascular chest wall lesion mimicking a breast tumor on screening mammograms: Report of a case

Vascular lesions in the chest wall muscles are extremely rare and can cause diagnostic difficulties on screening mammograms. We describe a case of venous malformation of the pectoralis muscle, diagnosed during routine screening, in a 60‐year‐old woman. The mammograms showed a mass over the chest wall, projecting in the breast parenchyma. The ultrasound was not diagnostic. The definite diagnosis was made using MRI, and to our knowledge, only 1 similar case has been reported so far, but this is the only asymptomatic case depicted during screening services.     

Reconstruction of the chest wall following extended interscapulothoracic amputation and chest wall resection

Summary Extended interscapulothoracic amputation is a major operative procedure indicated in the treatment of malignant primary bony and soft tissue tumors involving the shoulder girdle and chest wall. The technique of chest wall resection and its reconstruction is described in two patients with recurrent malignant fibrous histiocytoma following extended interscapulothoracic amputation some months earlier. The stability of the chest wall was restored by using marlex mesh as a sandwich of two layers of mesh with methylmethacrylate interposed. Because of damage of the tissue around the chest wall resection by previous radiation therapy, free myocutaneous flaps were used for closure of the defects. Using this technique for reconstruction of large areas of the chest wall, it is feasible to restore sufficient pulmonary function and to obtain closure under unfavorable conditions. This operative technique can be used as a curative or palliative treatment following interscapulothoracic amputation of recurrent musculoskeletal tumors.     

Treatment and outcome of patients with chest wall recurrence after mastectomy and breast reconstruction

BACKGROUND: Chest wall recurrence (CWR) in the setting of previous mastectomy and breast reconstruction can pose complex management dilemmas for clinicians. We examined the impact of breast reconstruction on the treatment and outcomes of patients who subsequently developed a CWR. METHODS: Between 1988 and 1998, 155 breast cancer patients with CWR after mastectomy were evaluated at our center. Of these patients, 27 had previously undergone breast reconstruction (immediate in 20; delayed in 7). Clinicopathologic features, treatment decisions, and outcomes were compared between the patients with and without previous breast reconstruction. Nonparametric statistics were used to analyse the data. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the reconstruction and no-reconstruction groups in time to CWR, size of the CWR, number of nodules, ulceration, erythema, and association of CWR with nodal metastases. In patients with previous breast reconstruction, surgical resection of the CWR and repair of the resulting defect tended to be more complex and was more likely to require chest wall reconstruction by the plastic surgery team rather than simple excision or resection with primary closure (26% [7 of 27] versus 8% [10 of 128], P = 0.013). Risk of a second CWR, risk of distant metastases, median overall survival after CWR, and distant-metastasis-free survival after CWR did not differ significantly between patients with and without previous breast reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Breast reconstruction after mastectomy does not influence the clinical presentation or prognosis of women who subsequently develop a CWR. Collaboration with a plastic surgery team may be beneficial in the surgical management of these patients.     

Malignant melanoma of the chest wall with an unknown primary lesion

We report herein the case of a 66-year-old man who underwent resection and reconstruction of the chest wall due to the presence of a malignant melanoma without a detectable primary lesion. The patient was discharged in good condition after receiving chemotherapy but eventually died of multiple bone metastases 2 years after surgery. Throughout the postoperative course, there were no specific symptoms or findings suggesting the presence of a primary lesion. It was considered likely that the primary tumor was resolved by spontaneous regression after chest wall metastasis had been established.     

Forearm fillet flap for defect closure after chest wall resection in a breast cancer patient after forequarter amputation

Summary BACKGROUND: Widespread local recurrence of breast cancer and extension to the chest wall and other nearby structures in patients after radio- and chemotherapy is not rare. Recurrence might be associated with ulceration and severe pain after radiation therapy. Paralysis of the arm might result from compression of the brachial plexus. METHODS: We report here on a breast cancer patient in whom chest wall resection to deal with tumor invasion was followed by reconstruction undertaken with a flap raised from the forearm of the amputated upper extremity which had been paralysed by tumor extension. RESULTS: The patient was reintegrated into family life, thus saving her from social isolation and psychological suffering caused by her stinking ulcer. In addition, her extreme physical suffering was ameliorated to a great degree despite accompanying mutilation. CONCLUSIONS: Palliative forequarter amputation, chest wall resection, and subsequent chest wall reconstruction might be considered in patients without detectable metastases for improving the patients quality of life, even though it may not be curative and chances of long-term survival may be poor. The patient, however, must find the price of severe mutilation acceptable.     

An unusual case of gigantomasty

The authors report an unusual case of gigantomasty, of such proportions that it is believed to be the most striking published case, when the ratio of breast weight/body weight is taken into account (24%). The outstanding breast volume and the aggressive and pronounced growth potential of the breast tissue presented unusual problems which required special solutions. The case is presented from its beginning, when the patient was 12 years old up to the completion of treatment with the patient at adult age.     

医用生物蛋白胶在预防乳腺癌术后并发症中的应用价值

目的探讨医用生物蛋白胶在预防乳腺癌术后皮下积液、皮瓣坏死等中的临床应用价值。方法94例乳腺癌患者随机分成两组,实验组47例,对照组47例。实验组标本切除后给予止血、引流、创面喷洒医用生物蛋白胶并加压包扎。对照组切除标本后常规止血、引流、加压包扎,创面不喷洒医用生物蛋白胶。结果实验组第1、2、3天引流量及总引流量均较对照组减少,术后皮瓣坏死发生率较对照组低,拔管时间及住院时间较对照组明显减少。结论乳腺癌根治术中应用医用生物蛋白胶能有效减少创面渗液量,降低皮下积液及皮瓣坏死发生率,缩短拔管时间和住院天数。