Radical video-assisted mediastinoscopic lymphadenectomy (VAMLA)--technique and first results.

Exact pretherapeutic lymph node staging of lung cancer is of special importance for selecting patients for neoadjuvant therapy or for video-assisted thoracoscopic resection. Staging is usually performed by computerized tomography scan and mediastinoscopy. However, these methods do not reach the accuracy of open nodal dissection. Therefore, we developed a technique of radical video-assisted mediastinoscopic lymphadenectomy (VAMLA). In a prospective study, all VAMLA procedures were documented. Lymph nodes were counted and compared to open lymphadenectomy. In 40/46 patients, radical paratracheal and subcarinal dissection was achieved by VAMLA. An average number of 20.7 (5-60, SD 11.1) nodes was gained. This is comparable to our data from open lymphadenectomy.     

Improved staging using intraoperative ultrasound for mediastinal lymphadenectomy in non-small lung cancer surgery

BackgroundExtent of lymph node involvement in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the cornerstone of staging and influences both multimodality treatment and final outcome. The aim of this study was to investigate accuracy and characteristics of intraoperative ultrasound guided systematic mediastinal nodal dissection in patients with resected NSCLC.MethodsFrom January 2008 to June 2013, 244 patients undergoing intraoperative surgical staging after radical surgery for NSCLC were included in prospective study. The patients were divided in two groups according to systematic mediastinal nodal dissection: 124 patients in intraoperative ultrasound nodal dissection guided group and 120 in standard nodal dissection group. The lymph nodes were mapped by their number and station and histopathologic evaluation was performed.ResultsOperating time was prolonged for 10 min in patients with ultrasound guided mediastinal nodal dissection, but number and stations of evaluated lymph nodes were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the same group. Skip nodal metastases were found in 24% of patients without N1 nodal involvement. Twelve (10%) patients were upstaged using US guided mediastinal lymphadenectomy. In US guided group 5-year survival rate was 59% and in the group of standard systematic mediastinal lymphadenectomy 43% (p = 0.001) Standard staging system seemed to be improved in ultrasound guided mediastinal lymphadenectomy patients. Complication rate showed no difference between analyzed groups.ConclusionHigher number and location of analyzed mediastinal nodal stations in patients with resected NSCLC using ultrasound is suggested to be of great oncological significance. Our results indicate that intraoperative ultrasound may have important staging implications.     

Does endoesophageal ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration replace mediastinoscopy in mediastinal staging of thoracic malignancies?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of endoesophageal ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) on management of thoracic malignancies. METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients referred for invasive diagnostic and resection of thoracic malignancies were studied prospectively. Negative and inconclusive EUS-FNA findings were assessed by video-assisted mediastinoscopic lymphadenectomy (VAMLA) or open lymphadenectomy. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty patients, aged 64.1 years (range 38-85) underwent 120 EUS-FNA, 53 video-assisted mediastinoscopic and 48 open lymphadenectomies for diagnosis and treatment of 99 lung carcinoma, six lung metastases, five mesothelioma, three lymphoma, and eight other conditions. EUS-FNA showed T4 in 15/120 and adrenal or hepatic metastases in 9/120 cases. Prevalence of mediastinal lymph node metastases was 51.7%. EUS-FNA false-negative rate was 25.3%. EUS-FNA sensitivity was 91.7%, 78.1% and 43.8% for bulky disease, enlarged mediastinal nodes or normal nodes on CT scan, 50% and 96.6% for right- and left-sided tumours, and 80.6%, 78.9%, 23.8% and 25.0% for the lymph node stations 7, 5/6, 4R, and 4L. A 38.3% respectively 100% cut-down of mediastinoscopies leads in 7.5% respectively 20.8% to incorrect treatment decisions. CONCLUSIONS: EUS-FNA sensitivity depends on the localisation of the primary tumour, and extent and location of mediastinal disease. For left-sided tumours, EUS-FNA improves mediastinal staging by assessing stations 5 and 6 inaccessible to conventional mediastinoscopy. For extended mediastinal disease, mediastinoscopy can be avoided or spared for restaging after neoadjuvant therapy. Exclusion of mediastinal involvement requires mediastinoscopy or open lymphadenectomy. Beyond mediastinal nodal staging, EUS-FNA may detect T4 and M1 situations. Thus, EUS-FNA is a useful supplement to and not the replacement of mediastinoscopy.     

Videomediastinoskopie und videoassistierte mediastinoskopische Lymphadenektomie

Background

Mediastinal lymphadenectomy is a prerequisite for accurate nodal staging and has an impact on survival. It is usually performed during thoracotomy together with lung resection. All available pretherapy options of mediastinal staging, e.g., videomediastinoscopy, fine needle aspiration techniques, and PET-CT, are far less accurate.

Methods

VAMLA (video-assisted mediastinoscopic lymphadenectomy) dissection is guided by anatomical landmarks. It includes en bloc resection of the right (3, 2+4R) and central (7, 8) compartments, and dissection and lymphadenectomy of the left-sided compartment (2+4L) of the middle mediastinum. In addition, intraoperative mediastinoscopic ultrasound (MUS) is applied to cT4 tumors.

Results

During VAMLA, significantly more mediastinal lymph nodes are harvested than during open lymphadenectomy (p<0.001). Mean duration was 54 min, the complication rate 4.6%, conversion rate and mortality 0%, sensitivity 93.8%, specificity 100%, and the false negative rate 0.9%. Of the 24 cT4 tumors, 16 were correctly predicted to be resectable. For minimally invasive oncological lung resections, combined VATS + VAMLA harvested significantly (p<0.05) more lymph nodes than VATS alone without impact on operation time or complication rate.

Conclusion

VAMLA is a well–tolerated, minimally invasive method for accurate mediastinal staging and radical mediastinal dissection. VAMLA can be carried out independent of tumor resection. Based on well-documented clinical studies and experience with VAMLA, we suggest its application together with neoadjuvant strategies, trials, VATS lobectomy, and radiation therapy with curative intent. In addition, MUS can help identify resectable cT4 cases and offer curative treatment.     

Oncological issues in staging mediastinal lymph node metastasis for left lung cancer

ObjectiveWe aimed to discuss the underlying oncological issues in staging of mediastinal lymph node metastasis in patients with left lung cancer who underwent extended radical lymphadenectomy (ERL).MethodsThis multi-institutional retrospective study analyzed 116 patients with left non-small-cell lung cancer who underwent bilateral paratracheal lymph node dissection (ERL) via median sternotomy. The clinicopathological records of patients with mediastinal lymph node metastasis were examined for prognostic factors, including age, sex, histology, tumor size, cN number, preoperative data, metastatic stations (number and distribution), pT, and adjuvant chemotherapy.ResultsMediastinal lymph node metastases were found in 43 patients, and right paratracheal lymph node metastases (pN3) were found in 13 patients. The 5-year overall survival rate was 25.2% in patients with pN3 tumors (n = 13) and 23.1% in patients with pN2 tumors (n = 30). The prognosis did not differ between patients with pN3 and pN2. Univariate analyses showed that histology, cN, and adjuvant chemotherapy were significant prognostic factors in patients with mediastinal lymph node metastasis. In these 43 patients, cN and adjuvant chemotherapy were significant independent prognostic factors in multivariate analysis.ConclusionsThe prognostic factors for left lung cancer with mediastinal lymph node metastasis were cN status and adjuvant chemotherapy, and not pN status (pN2 or pN3). We hope that the study results, which suggest that there may be no difference in prognosis between pN2 and pN3, would broaden the discussion of oncological issues in the staging of mediastinal lymph node metastasis of left lung cancer.     

Easier node dissection after chemoradiotherapy for lung cancer with collagen insertion at mediastinoscopy

Objective: Induction chemoradiotherapy followed by anatomical resection is a current therapeutic strategy for non-small-cell lung cancer with mediastinal node involvement. Dense peritracheal fibrosis and sclerosis after chemoradiotherapy cause difficult mediastinal node dissection. We evaluated a novel technique to make the mediastinal node dissection easier after induction therapy. Methods: At the end of mediastinoscopic node biopsy for staging of lung cancer, cotton-type collagen was inserted anterior and lateral to the trachea in patients with pathologically confirmed mediastinal node involve-ment (n=45). The induction therapy consisted of concurrent use of platinum-based chemotherapy and hyperfractionated radiotherapy. After the chemoradiotherapy all patients underwent a pulmonary resection with complete mediastinal node dissection 7–12 weeks after the collagen insertion. Surgical findings of the mediastinum and the time for node dissection were compared with those without collagen insertion at mediastinoscopy after chemoradiotherapy (n=5). Results: All five patients without collagen insertion showed sclerotic and fibrotic change of mediastinal nodes with severe adhesion to the trachea. In 42 of 45 patients with collagen insertion (93.3%) the collagen remained unabsorbed and separated the mediastinal nodes from the trachea. Mediastinal node dissection was easily accomplished by removing mediastinal tissues lateral and anterior to the collagen. The rate of mediastinal node separation was significantly higher with collagen insertion than without (p< 0.0001). The times for node dissection in patients with and without collagen insertion showed no significant difference. Conclusion: Cotton-type collagen insertion at staging mediastinoscopy for lung cancer separates the mediastinal nodes from the trachea and makes the node dissection easier after induction chemoradiotherapy.     

Complete mediastinal lymphadenectomy: the core component of the multidisciplinary therapy in resectable non-small cell lung cancer.

There is a great deal of concern about metastasis of lung cancer to regional lymph nodes, due partly to the work of groups of thoracic surgeons in Japan and North America beginning in the 1970s. The classification of regional lymph node stations for lung cancer staging published by Mountain and Dresler has been widely adopted for more than ten years. Anatomic landmarks for 14 levels of intrapulmonary, hilar, and mediastinal lymph nodes stations are designated. Skip transfer and occult lymph node metastasis, confirmed by studies regarding the mode of spread of intrathoracic lymphatic metastasis, are two theoretical bases for complete mediastinal lymphadenectomy of lung cancer. However, whether or not the degree of the dissection influences prognosis, the role of systematic nodal dissection (SND) vs mediastinal lymph node sampling (MLD) in resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial. A systematic literature search was performed to identify relevant reports, making full use of the 'Cited by,' 'Related Records,' 'References,' and 'Author Index' functions in the PubMed and ISI Web of Science databases. This paper presents a review of the role of mediastinal lymph node distribution and methods of determining suitability for hilar and mediastinal lymphadenectomy based on the four subsets of stage IIIA-N2, balancing the cost vs effect of mediastinal lymph node dissection in resectable NSCLC, focusing on the stage migration bias in clinical trials comparing SND and MLS, recommending a reasonable node dissection sequence, improving the prospects for the perioperative anti-tumor therapy based on mediastinal lymphadenectomy, and evaluating the various preoperative staging techniques. Finally, we believe that, besides the role of complete resection and accurate staging, the complete mediastinal lymphadenectomy is the core component of the lung cancer multidisciplinary therapy, and suggest that the values of lymphadenectomy should be further assessed using decision-tree analysis based on large-scale prospective randomized trials and pooled analysis to evaluate the costs vs effects.     

肺癌手术中淋巴结清扫的现状与进展

淋巴结转移是肺癌主要而常见的转移途径,也是术后癌残留而导致复发和转移的主要因素,肺癌手术中纵隔、肺门淋巴结清扫至关重要。但目前淋巴结的清扫方式尚不统一,有系统淋巴结清扫术（CMLND）、根治性淋巴结清扫术、淋巴结采样、系统淋巴结采样以及前哨淋巴结技术导航切除,并且随着微创外科的发展,胸腔镜下淋巴结清扫也日趋成熟。而寻求一个更规范、更完善的淋巴结清扫方式甚有必要。现就目前肺癌手术中纵隔、肺门淋巴结清扫的临床意义、清扫方式、清扫范围以及胸腔镜下淋巴结清扫的现状以及展望进行综述。     

Easier node dissection after chemoradiotherapy for lung cancer with collagen insertion at mediastinoscopy

Objective: Induction chemoradiotherapy followed by anatomical resection is a current therapeutic strategy for non-small-cell lung cancer with mediastinal node involvement. Dense peritracheal fibrosis and sclerosis after chemoradiotherapy cause difficult mediastinal node dissection. We evaluated a novel technique to make the mediastinal node dissection easier after induction therapy. Methods: At the end of mediastinoscopic node biopsy for staging of lung cancer, cotton-type collagen was inserted anterior and lateral to the trachea in patients with pathologically confirmed mediastinal node involve-ment (n=45). The induction therapy consisted of concurrent use of platinum-based chemotherapy and hyperfractionated radiotherapy. After the chemoradiotherapy all patients underwent a pulmonary resection with complete mediastinal node dissection 7–12 weeks after the collagen insertion. Surgical findings of the mediastinum and the time for node dissection were compared with those without collagen insertion at mediastinoscopy after chemoradiotherapy (n=5). Results: All five patients without collagen insertion showed sclerotic and fibrotic change of mediastinal nodes with severe adhesion to the trachea. In 42 of 45 patients with collagen insertion (93.3%) the collagen remained unabsorbed and separated the mediastinal nodes from the trachea. Mediastinal node dissection was easily accomplished by removing mediastinal tissues lateral and anterior to the collagen. The rate of mediastinal node separation was significantly higher with collagen insertion than without (p< 0.0001). The times for node dissection in patients with and without collagen insertion showed no significant difference. Conclusion: Cotton-type collagen insertion at staging mediastinoscopy for lung cancer separates the mediastinal nodes from the trachea and makes the node dissection easier after induction chemoradiotherapy.     

Thoracoscopic mediastinal lymph node dissection for lung cancer

Mediastinal lymph node staging is an important component of the assessment and management of patients with operable non-small cell lung cancer and is necessary to achieve complete resection. During minimally invasive surgery, performance of an equivalent oncologic resection, including adequate lymph node dissection similar in extent to open thoracotomy, is absolutely necessary. We describe our techniques for video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and Robot-assisted VATS (R-VATS) mediastinal lymph node dissection when performing thoracoscopic lobectomy for lung cancer. Between 2008 and 2011, 200 consecutive patients who underwent VATS or R-VATS lobectomies for early stage lung cancer were analyzed. In our series, we removed about 25 lymph nodes per case in both complete VATS and R-VATS. A thorough lymph node dissection in lung cancer is possible with either VATS or R-VATS technique without oncological compromise.     

An assessment of the separation of mediastinal lymph nodes by preoperative mediastinoscopic examination as a dissecting measure in the surgical treatment of lung cancer]

The availability of the separation of mediastinal lymph nodes by preoperative mediastinoscopic examination as a dissecting measure was analyzed according to prognosis retrospectively because mediastinal lymph nodes dissection is made with ease and certainty after the examination. The separation by mediastinoscopic examination did not have an impact on the mediastinal lymph nodes dissection for carcinoma of the left lung and superior mediastinal lymph nodes metastases (# 1-4), but an influence on the dissection for carcinoma of the right lung and middle and lower mediastinal lymph nodes metastases (# 5-9). This result showed the existence of occult metastases and the good effects caused by the separation of mediastinal lymph nodes. In the histological type, the effects were present in squamous cell carcinoma and p-N0 adenocarcinoma, but it was concluded that the prognosis in adenocarcinoma was associated with other factors rather than lymph node metastasis. Therefore, it can be seen that the separation of mediastinal lymph nodes by preoperative mediastinoscopic examination is available as a dissecting measure.     

直径≤3cm的周围型非小细胞肺癌纵隔淋巴结转移规律的初步研究

目的探讨直径≤3cm的周围型非小细胞肺癌(non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC)纵隔淋巴结转移的情况,分析早期周围型NSCLC纵隔淋巴结转移的规律。方法 2000年1月1日～2008年12月31日治疗直径≤3cm的周围型NSCLC161例,男89例,女72例,年龄(63.4±10.7)岁,行肺叶切除或肺局限性切除加系统性纵隔淋巴结清扫术,分析其临床特征、病理特点及纵隔淋巴结转移规律。结果全组手术顺利,无死亡及严重并发症发生。肺叶切除153例,肺楔形切除7例,肺段切除1例。全组共清扫淋巴结2456枚,平均每例4.5±1.6组、13.1±7.3枚。术后病理:腺癌99例,鳞癌30例,肺泡细胞癌19例,其他类型肺癌13例。术后TNM分期:ⅠA期50例,ⅠB期62例,ⅡA期6例,ⅡB期10例,ⅢA期33例。N1组淋巴结转移率为23.6%(38/161),N2组转移率为20.5%(33/161),其中隆突下淋巴结转移率为8.1%(13/161),跳跃式纵隔转移率为6.8%(11/161),全组未发现下纵隔淋巴结转移。肺泡细胞癌及直径≤2cm的鳞癌、直径≤1cm的腺癌均无pN2转移。上肺癌发生pN2转移时上纵隔100%(19/19)受累,其中21.1%(4/19)同时伴有隆突下淋巴结转移;下肺癌则除主要转移至隆突下外(64.3%,9/14),还常直接单独转移至上纵隔(35.7%,5/14)。转移的纵隔淋巴结左肺癌主要分布在第5、6、7组,右肺癌主要分布在第3、4、7组。结论对于直径≤3cm的周围型NSCLC,肿瘤直径越大,其纵隔淋巴结转移率越高,肺泡细胞癌、直径≤2cm的鳞癌和≤1cm的腺癌其纵隔淋巴结转移率相对较低;上肺癌主要转移在上纵隔,下肺癌则隆突下及上纵隔均可转移;第5、6、7组淋巴结是左肺癌主要转移的位置,第3、4、7组是右肺癌主要转移的位置,术中应重点清扫。     

The usefulness of pelvic lymphadenectomy in bladder cancer

ObjetiveTo assess the usefulness of pelvic lymphadenectomy in bladder cancer.Methods and ResultsWith the followings key words: “bladder cancer, lymphadenectomy, lymph node metastasis” we search in Medline/PubMed database for papers published during the last ten years. Thirty three papers fulfilling the search criteria were selected.ConclusionsIt does not exist any randomized prospective study comparing different pelvic lymphadenectomy techniques. Nodal metastasis in bladder cancer after radical cystectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy ranged between 18% and 28%. Standard lymphadenectomy could improve tumor staging and probably survival in selected patients. It is advisable to remove, as a quality parameter, at least 10 to 14 nodes in a pelvic lymphadenectomy. Lymph node density seems to predict survival better than TNM staging system. It is advisable to perform separate lymph node dissection rather than en-bloc.     

The use of 18F-FDG positron emission tomography to detect mediastinal lymph nodes in metastatic breast cancer

BackgroundTo assess the predictive value of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography (FDG–PET/CT) in detecting mediastinal lymph node metastasis with histopathologic verification in breast cancer (BC) patients.Materials and methodsBetween February 2012 and October 2019, 37 BC patients who underwent histopathological verification for FDG-PET positive mediastinal lymph nodes were retrospectively analyzed. Nine patients (24%) were screened before beginning treatment, while 27 (76%) were screened at the time of disease progression, an average of 39 months after completion of initial treatment.ResultsThe histopathologic diagnosis revealed lymph node metastasis from BC in 15 patients (40%) and benign disease in 22 patients (60%). The standardized uptake value (SUV_max) of mediastinal lymph nodes was significantly higher in patients with lymph node metastasis compared to those with benign histology (9.0 ± 3.5 vs. 5.9 ± 2.4; P = 0.007). The cut-off value of SUV_max after the ROC curve analysis for pathological lymph node metastasis was 6.4. Two of the 15 patients with mediastinal SUV_max ≤ 6.4 and 13 of the 22 patients with SUV_max > 6.4 had lymph node metastasis. Age and pathological findings were prognostic factors for overall survival in univariate analysis. The treatment decision was changed in 19 patients (51%) after mediastinoscopic evaluation of the entire cohort.ConclusionsThis is the first study to support the need for pathologic confirmation of a positive PET/CT result following evaluation of mediastinal lymph nodes for staging BC, either at initial diagnosis or at the time of progression. Treatment decisions were consequently altered for nearly half of the patients.     

支气管内超声引导针吸活检术在非小细胞肺癌术前分期中的临床应用

目的探讨支气管内超声引导针吸活检术(EBUS-TBNA)在非小细胞肺癌纵隔淋巴结分期中的应用价值。 方法2010年9月至2012年9月,北京大学人民医院利用EBUS-TBNA对术前确诊或CT扫描高度怀疑非小细胞肺癌且伴有纵隔淋巴结肿大(N₂站淋巴结短径≥1.0cm,或N₁站淋巴结短径≥1.0cm且N₂多站短径≥0.5cm者),有手术切除可能,术前无放、化疗史的126例患者进行纵隔淋巴结分期。最终入组82例非小细胞肺癌患者。 结果该组82例患者,经EBUS-TBNA检查证实纵隔淋巴结转移(阳性)者54例,未见纵隔淋巴结转移(阴性)者28例。EBUS-TBNA在该组肺癌术前纵隔淋巴结分期中的敏感度、特异度和准确性分别为94.7%(54/57)、100.0%(25/25)和96.3%(79/82),阳性预测值及阴性预测值分别为100.0%(54/54)和89.3%(25/28)。而CT对于本组患者纵隔淋巴结分期中的敏感度、特异度和准确性分别为98.2%(55/56)、38.5%(10/26)和79.3%(65/82),阳性预测值及阴性预测值分别为77.5%(55/71)和90.9%(10/11)。CT在术前纵隔淋巴结分期中的假阳性率为22.5%(16/71)。全组中,16例(19.5%)肺癌患者因EBUS-TBNA病理结果改变了治疗策略。 结论EBUS-TBNA用于非小细胞肺癌纵隔淋巴结分期的敏感性、特异性和准确性较高。EBUS-TBNA可以作为非小细胞肺癌术前分期、指导治疗策略的检查手段。     

Video-assisted mediastinoscopic lymphadenectomy (VAMLA)--a method for systematic mediastinal lymphnode dissection.

OBJECTIVE: Video-assisted mediastinal lymphadenectomy (VAMLA) increases quality of mediastinal lymph node staging in bronchial carcinoma. The video-mediastinoscope allows systematic lymphadenectomy by bimanual preparation. Complete bilateral resection of lymph nodes in stations 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 (Naruke) can safely be done after visualization of limiting structures (trachea, main bronchi, oesophagus, pericardium, pulmonary artery, aorta, upper vena cava and azygos vein). In this initial study, we compared histopathological findings from VAMLA with final lymph node staging from subsequent thoracotomy. METHODS: Between January 2001 and December 2001, 25 patients were operated by VAMLA (among 162 mediastinoscopies), two patients for diagnostic purposes and 23 for staging of bronchial carcinoma. Eighteen patients underwent subsequent thoracotomy for tumor resection and systematic lymphadenectomy. Pathological findings were reviewed. RESULTS: In VAMLA, lymph node dissection of station 2R, 2L and 4R was achieved in 96, 28 and 92%, respectively, whereas resection of lymph nodes in station 7 and 4L was performed in 100%. Other locations were dissected in 44%. A mean of 8.6 lymph nodes were removed in each patient. No residual lymph node tissue was found in the subcarinal compartment at open surgery. When comparing histopathological staging from VAMLA with final pathology, there were no false negative results. Seventeen patients who had N0 disease at VAMLA proved to be N0 or N1 at thoracotomy, one patient diagnosed as N2 at mediastinoscopy had N2 disease at final pathology. The only complication observed in VAMLA was a blood loss of >100 ml in 12% of patients without need for transfusion or surgical intervention. CONCLUSION: Mediastinal lymph node staging is improved by VAMLA. A systematic lymphadenectomy is performed bimanually through the video mediastinoscope. The number of lymph nodes removed is doubled compared to standard mediastinoscopy. There were no false negative results at final pathology. This new technique presents the basis for video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy because complete resection of the mediastinal lymph nodes can be achieved by VAMLA. Potential complications of VAMLA such as injury of major mediastinal vessels, airways, pneumothorax or recurrent laryngeal nerve injury indicate the need for a full thoracic surgical infrastructure.     

D2 lymph node dissection improves staging in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma

Debate continues over the recommended extent of routine lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer. Although evidence of improved locoregional control with extended dissection accumulates, understaging and stage migration continue to confound the issue. Our objective was to determine whether D2 lymph node dissection improves staging compared with D1 in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma. We performed a retrospective study of 79 consecutive patients who underwent resection of gastric adenocarcinoma at a single institution. The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 7th edition (2010) was used for TNM staging. Twenty-seven patients (34%) underwent D2 lymphadenectomy; 52 underwent D1 lymphadenectomy. There was no significant difference in age, gender, or operation. Significantly more lymph nodes were removed with a D2 than a D1 lymphadenectomy (mean, 26 vs 9; P < 0.0001). Significantly more patients had at least 15 nodes removed in the D2 cohort (85 vs 17%, P < 0.001). Within the D2 cohort, nine patients (39%) demonstrated additional lymph node metastases on extended dissection. This altered nodal status in five patients (20%) and altered TNM stage in four patients (16%). There was no significant difference in perioperative morbidity. D2 lymphadenectomy significantly increases node retrieval and AJCC compliance for gastric adenocarcinoma, resulting in improved staging.     

Mediastinal lymph nodes: Ignore? Sample? Dissect? The role of mediastinal node dissection in the surgical management of primary lung cancer

The role of mediastinal lymph node dissection (MLND) during the resection of non-small-cell lung cancer is still unclear although most surgeons agree that a minimum of hilar and mediastinal nodes must be examined for appropriate pathological staging. Current surgical practices vary from visual inspection of the mediastinum with biopsy of only abnormal looking nodes to systematic mediastinal node sampling which is to the biopsy of lymph nodes from multiple levels whether they appear abnormal or not to MLND which involves the systematic removal of all lymph node bearing tissue from multiple sites unilaterally or bilaterally within the mediastinum. This review article looks at the evidence and arguments in favour of lymphadenectomy, including improved pathological staging, better locoregional control, and ultimately longer disease-free survival and those against which are longer operating time, increased operative morbidity, and lack of evidence for survival benefit.     

Prognostic significance of lymph node metastasis found during pulmonary metastasectomy for extrapulmonary carcinoma

BACKGROUND: The prognostic significance of lymph node metastasis in cancer patients is well documented. Pulmonary metastasectomy in selected patients is associated with improved survival. Little is known about the prognostic significance of lymph node metastases found during pulmonary metastasectomy for extrapulmonary carcinoma metastatic to the lung. METHODS: The records of all patients who underwent pulmonary metastasectomy and complete mediastinal lymph node dissection for extrapulmonary carcinomas at our institution from November 1985 through July 1999 were reviewed. RESULTS: Eight hundred eighty-three patients underwent pulmonary metastasectomy. Of these, 70 patients (7.9%) (44 men, 26 women) had concomitant complete lymphadenectomy. Median age was 64 years (range, 33 to 83 years). Median time interval between primary tumor resection and metastasectomy was 34 months (range, 0 to 188 months). Wedge excision was performed in 46 patients, lobectomy in 16, both in 7, and pneumonectomy in 1. Lymph node metastases were found in 20 patients (28.6%) and were classified as intrapulmonary or hilar (N1) in 9, mediastinal (N2) in 8, and both in 3. There were no operative deaths. Median follow-up was 6.6 years (range, 1.1 to 14.6 years). Three-year survival for patients with negative lymph nodes was 69% as compared with only 38% for those with positive lymph nodes (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of lymph node metastases at the time of pulmonary metastasectomy for extrapulmonary carcinoma has an adverse effect on prognosis. Complete mediastinal lymph node dissection should be considered at the time of pulmonary metastasectomy for carcinoma to improve staging and guide treatment.     

Does the extent of lymph node dissection influence outcome in patients with stage I non-small-cell lung cancer?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the therapeutic effect of the extent of lymph node dissection performed in patients with a stage pI non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: We analysed data on 465 patients with stage I NSCLC who were treated with surgical resection and some form of lymph node sampling. The median number of lymph node sampled was 10 and the median number of ipsilateral mediastinal lymph node stations sampled was two. We chose to define a procedure that harvested 10 or more lymph nodes and sampled two or more ipsilateral mediastinal stations as a lymphadenectomy, by contrast with sampling when one or both criteria were not satisfied. The effect of the surgical techniques: lymph node sampling (LS; n=207) vs. lymphadenectomy (LA; n=258) on 30-day mortality and overall survival were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 6244 lymph nodes was examined, including 4306 mediastinal lymph nodes. The mean (+/-SD) numbers of removed lymph nodes were 7+/-6.1 per patient following LS vs.18.6+/-9.3 following LA (P=0.001). An average mean of 1+/-0.90 mediastinal lymph node station per patient was sampled following LS vs. 2.7+/-0.8 following LA (P<10(-6)). Overall 30-day mortality rates were 2.4 and 3.1%, respectively. LA was disclosed as a favourable prognosticator at multivariate analysis (Hazard Risk: 1.43; 95% Confidence Interval: 1.00-2.04; P=0.048), together with younger patient age, absence of blood vessels invasion, and smaller tumour size. CONCLUSIONS: Importance of lymph node dissection affects patients outcome, while it does not enhance the operative mortality. A minimum of 10 lymph nodes assessed, and two mediastinal stations sampled are suggested as possible pragmatic markers of the quality of lymphadenectomy.