Late adrenal metastasis in operable non-small-cell lung carcinoma

Treatment of early-stage (I, II, and some IIIA) non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is curative resection. Simultaneous isolated adrenal metastasis represents a dilemma. Although many studies addressing the management of adrenal metastasis diagnosed simultaneously with NSCLC have been published, only very few reports of late adrenal metastasis can be found in the literature. Our purpose is to discuss the management of solitary late (metachronous) adrenal metastasis from operable NSCLC based on published experience. We describe a patient with a solitary metachronous adrenal metastasis diagnosed 3 years after resection of NSCLC. Adrenalectomy was done, followed by combination chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin. MEDLINE literature on similar cases was reviewed and updated. Only 18 cases have been reported from 1965 to 2000. The median interval between the diagnosis of NSCLC and development of adrenal metastasis was 11.5 months. All patients were male. Unilateral adrenal metastases were reported in 15 patients, whereas 3 had bilateral metastases. Five patients were treated with adrenalectomy, and eight patients were treated with adrenalectomy and postoperative adjunctive chemotherapy. Chemotherapy alone was used in two patients and two patients underwent palliative radiation therapy. One patient was treated with intraarterial chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy. Solitary metachronous adrenal metastases are rare. There are no standard treatment guidelines for this group of patients. Review of the literature showed that median survival after treatment was 19 months for the group treated with adrenalectomy followed by chemotherapy; 15 months for the chemotherapy group; 14 months for the adrenalectomy group; and 8 months for the group treated with palliative radiation.     

Adrenalectomy for solitary adrenal metastasis from colorectal cancer

A 77-year-old man had sigmoidectomy for sigmoid colon cancer. Two years later, a right hepatectomy for a liver metastasis was performed. Two years thereafter, abdominal computed tomography scanning and FDG-PET showed the right adrenal mass. Right adrenalectomy was performed with a diagnosis of solitary adrenal metastasis from sigmoid colon cancer. On pathology, adrenal metastasis was confirmed. The patient underwent adjuvant chemotherapy (IRIS). There have been no signs of recurrence for 6 months after the operation. We conclude that patients with solitary adrenal metastasis from colorectal cancer may benefit from surgical resection.     

Adrenalectomy for solitary adrenal metastasis from colorectal carcinoma

A 60-year-old man underwent anterior resection for advanced rectal carcinoma. Seven years and 2 months later, right lower pneumonectomy was performed for a metastatic lung tumor. Two years and 2 months thereafter, left adrenalectomy was performed for solitary adrenal metastasis. The patient remained disease-free for 10 months postoperatively, until multiple lung metastases appeared. The patient is alive and well, under mild chemotherapy with oral doxifluridine, 3 years and 5 months after left adrenalectomy. We conclude that patients with solitary adrenal metastasis may benefit from surgical resection and that resection could be considered as a therapy for solitary adrenal metastasis from colorectal carcinoma.     

Adrenalectomy for solitary adrenal metastases from non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND: The treatment of patients with adrenal metastases from lung cancer (non-small cell lung cancer, NSCLC) remains controversial. Several studies of adrenalectomy in cases of isolated adrenal metastases from NSCLC suggest that these patients could have improved survival. Our aim is to define the history of patients after resection of solitary metastases to the adrenal gland and to identify characteristics of patients who achieved prolonged survival. METHODS: Between January 1997 and July 2000, 11 patients underwent curative resection for metastatic NSCLC of the adrenal gland in our institution. In all patients who were accepted for curative adrenalectomy, the primary NSCLC had been treated by complete resection. RESULTS: Eleven patients (seven men and four women) with unilateral adrenal metastases of NSCLC entered the study. Median age was 59 years (range 47-67 years). There was no perioperative death. The overall median survival after metastasectomy was 12.6 months (CI: 9.2-16.1 months). Patients with curative resection and metachronous disease (n=6) had a median survival of 30.9 months and tended to do better than patients with synchronous adrenal metastases (n=5) (median survival: 10.3 months). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that adrenalectomy for clinically solitary, resectable metastases can be performed safely. It appears reasonable that such selected patients should be considered surgical candidates.     

The clinical outcome of mFOLFOX6 treatment for colorectal cancer patients who underwent resection of liver metastasis -comparison between synchronous and metachronous liver metastasis

Only a few reports have suggested the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy including oxaliplatin based regimens following surgical resection of liver metastases from colorectal cancer. Since an administration of mFOLFOX6 was approved to medical insurance for advanced colorectal cancer as adjuvant chemotherapy, we applied mFOLFOX6 treatment (6 to 12 courses) to the patients who underwent curative resection of colorectal liver metastasis. The subjects were 14 patients who underwent curative resection for synchronous or metachronous colorectal liver metastasis and received mFOLFOX6 treatment postoperatively from January 2006 to January 2011. We retrospectively analyzed the patient's characteristics, relapse free survival, overall survival, and adverse events in these patients. Synchronous liver metastasis was found in 5 patients, while metachronous liver metastasis was observed in 9 patients. There were no significant differences between these patients in terms of clinical characteristics, the relapse free survival and overall survival. All patients had some adverse events including bone-marrow suppression and diarrhea. Especially, grade 3 or higher bone-marrow suppression were recognized in 6 patients (42.8%). Neurologic toxicity (≤ grade 2) was observed in 10 patients (71.4%). Adjuvant chemotherapy with mFOLFOX6 treatment following surgical resection of synchronous or metachronous liver metastasis was safely administered. We will further examine the benefit of mFOLFOX6 treatment for the patients who undergo a surgical resection of liver metastasis in the future.     

Surgical management of adrenal metastasis from bronchogenic carcinoma

Surgical treatment for metastatic lesions from lung cancer is seldom performed. We have treated three patients with a unilateral adrenal metastasis with adrenalectomy. Simultaneous resection of primary lung cancer and adrenal metastasis was performed in two cases. This is the first report of such surgical management. Adrenalectomy after lung resection was done in the third case. Two of the patients are alive and well more than 5 years after adrenalectomy. These cases are presented, and the literature is reviewed. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Prospective evaluation of unilateral adrenal masses in patients with operable non-small-cell lung cancer.

Although adrenal metastases are frequently noted with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at autopsy, their incidence in patients with operable NSCLC is unclear. We prospectively assessed consecutive patients with otherwise operable NSCLC for the incidence and histology of unilateral adrenal masses. Assessment included blood chemistries, lung function tests, bronchoscopy, chest x-ray, bone scan, and computed tomography (CT) of the head, chest, and upper abdomen. Of 246 patients with otherwise operable NSCLC, 10 (4.1%) had a unilateral adrenal mass. Unilateral adrenal masses were needle-aspirated under CT control. If cytology was nondiagnostic, adrenalectomy was performed. Four (40%) of 10 patients had adrenal metastases proven by needle aspiration. Of the six (60%) patients with benign unilateral adrenal masses, one was demonstrated by needle aspiration. In the other five patients, a nondiagnostic needle aspiration led to adrenalectomy, which yielded two adenomas, two hyperplastic nodules, and one hemorrhagic cyst. There was no significant difference between the patients with benign and metastatic unilateral adrenal masses with respect to patient age or stage and size of adrenal mass. Patients with benign unilateral adrenal masses underwent curative resection of their NSCLC and had significantly prolonged survival compared with patients with metastatic unilateral adrenal masses treated with chemotherapy (P = .037). Median survival of patients with benign and metastatic unilateral adrenal masses was greater than 30 months and 9 months, respectively. In conclusion, the presence of unilateral adrenal masses in patients with otherwise operable NSCLC should not preclude thoracotomy without pathologic proof of metastatic disease.     

A 66-year-old woman with newly diagnosed oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer

A 66-year-old woman presented with newly diagnosed stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and a large adrenal metastasis. She initially had flu-like symptoms and dyspnea and was found to have a right upper lobe (RUL) lung nodule. Chest CT showed a 1.4-cm spiculated RUL lung nodule, peripheral right lung nodule, right perihilar mass, and 10.9-cm left adrenal mass. PET/CT showed enhancement of the RUL nodule, hilar mass, and left adrenal mass. She presented for evaluation of treatment options. This case was thought to represent an instance of oligometastatic stage IV NSCLC. Literature suggests that a select patient population with otherwise resectable disease may benefit from surgical resection of a lung primary and the isolated metastasis with improved survival. This seems to be most effective in patients who have undergone a complete staging evaluation with PET scan; CT of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis; and a brain MRI revealing T1-2, N0-1, M-oligo disease. This radical approach should be reserved for patients with potentially curative disease based on the staging evaluation and who are otherwise good surgical candidates.     

Preoperative evaluation of adrenal lesions based on imaging studies and laparoscopic adrenalectomy in patients with otherwise operable lung cancer

PURPOSE: An unsuspected adrenal mass (AM) could be discovered in patients with operable non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), but it is difficult to determine the nature of AM. The purpose of the study is to answer the question as to which decision should be made when assessing AM in patients with NSCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1997 to 2005, 40 patients (31 male; mean age: 63 years) were identified to have both NSCLC and AM. We tried to determine the nature of AM based on imaging studies with or without laparoscopic adrenalectomy. When AM was considered benign on CT or PET-CT, surgical resection of NSCLC was performed (group 1, n=25). When AM was considered indeterminate on CT or PET-CT, we performed MRI to determine the operability. In eight patients, surgical resection of NSCLC was performed, because AM was considered benign on MRI (group 2). In seven patients, adrenalectomy was performed to confirm AM pathologically, because all imaging studies were indeterminate (group 3). RESULTS: Follow-up was complete for all patients with a mean duration of 33.1 months (3-104.5). In group 1, no patients showed adrenal metastases, except one who died of adrenal metastasis. In group 2, three patients revealed that they had had adrenal metastases when staging and two died of adrenal metastasis. In group 3, one patient had an adrenal metastasis and the others had benign lesions. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that when AM is considered benign on CT or PET-CT, surgical resection of NSCLC is indicated. However, when AM is indeterminate on CT or PET-CT, histopathologic confirmation is needed to determine the nature of AM.     

肺癌肾上腺转移30例分析

目的 探讨肺癌肾上腺转移的综合治疗效果。方法 回顾性分析1995年2月-2001年4月间收治的30例肺癌肾上腺转移患者资料，其中小细胞肺癌14例，非小细胞肺癌16例，患者均采用化疗和（或）放疗，18例化疗 放疗综合治疗，12例单纯化疗。结果 全组患者中位生存期8个月，12例单纯化疗者中部分缓解3例，有效率为25.0%；18例化疗 放疗综合治疗者中完全缓解1例，部分缓解7例，有效率为44.4%，有疼痛症状者放疗后疼痛明显缓解。结论 肺癌肾上腺转移的化疗 放疗的综合治疗比单一化疗效果更好。     

Kidney cancer metastasis to the adrenal gland. Role of adrenalectomy

We analysed case records of 2507 patients with renal cell carcinoma treated in the department of onco-urology of Cancer Research Center (Moscow). 1939 of them underwent nephrectomy between 1971 and 1999. The overall incidence of adrenal metastases according to CT and histological findings was 4.7%. Synchronous metastases occurred in 90 and metachronous ones in 30 patients. Radical nephrectomy with adrenalectomy was performed in 18 out of 90 patients with synchronous metastases, palliative nephrectomy in 20 and 52 patients were not considered for surgery. Among 18 patients who underwent complete surgical resection, 12(66%) had either lymph node involvement or distant metastases. A microscopic metastasis was found on histological examination only in 1 patient with normal CT scan and macroscopically intact adrenal on intraoperative assessment. Mean survival after radical nephrectomy with adrenalectomy in 6 patients with solitary lesions was 57 months compared to the longest survival of 31 months in patients with widespread disease. Solitary metachronous ipsilateral and contralateral adrenal involvement was present in 7 patients. The average interval between nephrectomy and appearance of adrenal metastasis in this group was 73 months. One patient was lost for follow-up and one died of adrenal deficiency 4.3 months after adrenalectomy. One patient underwent a consecutive removal of brain and lung metastases 33 and 38 months following adrenalectomy while the remaining 4 were alive in 15, 16, 26 and 34 months with no evidence of the disease. Thus, ipsilateral adrenalectomy is obligatory only in patients with severe disease as shown by CT scan or at nephrectomy. About one-third of the patients will benefit from the surgery. Adrenalectomy should be performed in case of obvious adrenal involvement. The aggressive surgical approach is justified in solitary metachronous adrenal involvement because of long-term survival expected in some of such patients.     

A case of recurrent sigmoid colon cancer with adrenal and para-aortic lymph node metastasis successfully treated by operation and chemotherapy

We report a case of 57-year-old woman suffering from advanced sigmoid colon cancer with adrenal and para-aortic lymph node recurrence. Sigmoidectomy was performed for sigmoid colon cancer in January 2002. Pathological staging was Stage II (pT3, pN0, pM0, Cur A). She received a UFT + CPT-11 regimen as preoperative chemotherapy for liver metastasis (S2, S7) from December 2002. A partial liver resection (S2, S7) was performed for liver metastasis in July 2003, and the UFT + CPT-11 was introduced as adjuvant chemotherapy. However, adrenal and para-aortic lymph node recurrence was detected in February 2007, and mFOLFOX6 was performed as preoperative chemotherapy. Right adrenalectomy and para-aortic lymph node dissection was performed in July 2007. mFOLFOX6 as postoperative chemotherapy was done, mFOLFOX6 + bevacizumab was started because of CEA increase. The chemotherapy was performed for 23 courses and temporarily stopped due to adverse reactions, such as peripheral neuropathy (grade 2), general fatigue (grade 1), and nausea (grade 1). She had no recurrence for almost 3 years after a resection of adrenal and para-aortic lymph node metastasis.     

Evolving role of surgical treatment in limited-disease small cell lung carcinoma

The diagnostic role of surgical procedures in small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) is well established. The therapeutic role of surgery has changed over the years. At present, curative resection is the treatment of choice in peripheral T1-2 N0M0 SCLC, and adjuvant chemotherapy may be beneficial. Surgery is also indicated in SCLC patients diagnosed by a limited pathologic sample in whom the clinical course suggests nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). The resection may reveal either a mixed tumor or an alternate diagnosis and may be potentially curative. Surgery, at the time of maximal response to chemotherapy in T3N0M0 SCLC, may be curative and reveal the presence of NSCLC elements. The best survival is in patients found to be tumor-free at surgery, and the worst survival is in N2 patients.     

198例结直肠癌肝转移患者外科治疗的疗效分析

背景与目的:肝脏是结直肠癌常见的转移部位,35%的患者在确诊时已发生肝转移,肝转移患者的预后较差。尽管手术切除、化疗、射频消融术、介入治疗等手段应用于临床,但治疗效果不同。本研究探讨结直肠癌肝转移外科治疗的临床疗效。方法:对我院5年间经病理检查证实的198例结直肠癌肝转移患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。根据治疗方法的不同进行分组:根治性切除组46例(23.2%)、姑息性切除组43例(21.7%)、手术探查组或最佳支持治疗组29例(14.6%)、肝动脉置泵化疗组41例(20.7%),全身化疗组39例(19.7%);对其生存期进行比较和统计学分析。结果:根治性切除组中位生存期37.1个月,5年生存率为31.2%;姑息性切除组的中位生存期14.3个月,5年生存率为0;肝动脉置泵化疗组的中位生存期21.3个月,5年生存期为7.5%;全身性化疗和探查组或最佳支持治疗组的中位生存期分别为18.7个月、6.3个月,均无5年生存者。根治性切除组与其他组比较,中位生存期有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论:根治性切除是提高结直肠癌肝转移患者生存率的重要手段;姑息性切除治疗效果并不优于辅助性治疗,对于不能根治性切除的病例可采用肝动脉置泵化疗。     

右肺PN2非小细胞肺癌术后无复发转移及预后因素探讨

 目的分析影响右肺PN2非小细胞肺癌术后无复发转移及预后的因素,探讨最佳治疗方案。方法分析1999年9月～2002年3月24例术后病理确诊的右肺PN2非小细胞肺癌,随机分为辅助化疗组(术前或术后)与直接手术组,手术均为完全性切除,采用右肺叶或右全肺+系统性纵隔淋巴结清扫术。术后标本采用免疫组化法行抑癌基因p53,癌基因HER2,表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)等基因表达检测。分析病理分型,手术方式,术前辅助治疗,基因表达,淋巴结转移区域,肺门淋巴结转移,最高纵隔淋巴结转移等因素对预后的影响。结果24例患者2年生存率46%。辅助化疗,EGFR为影响术后无复发转移的重要因素。KaplanMeier生存分析显示辅助化疗与生存有影响,多变量COX回归分析未发现影响预后的独立因素。结论以手术为主的综合治疗是右肺PN2非小细胞肺癌较好的治疗模式。EGFR高表达与术后复发转移有关,对此类患者术后是否应加用靶点治疗需进一步的研究。     

Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy Combined with Chemotherapy for Local Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer in a Patient with a History of Breast Cancer: A Case Report

Durvalumab consolidation therapy is the standard treatment after concurrent chemoradiotherapy for patients with surgically unresectable stage IIIA (N2) non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgery could reduce locoregional and distant recurrence and improve the survival rate for surgically resectable NSCLC. However, the value of neoadjuvant therapy in locally advanced potentially resectable NSCLC remains controversial. Herein, we report a locally advanced potentially resectable NSCLC case with a history of breast cancer who achieved a pathologic complete response (pCR) after preoperative treatment with pembrolizumab and chemotherapy. A 50-year-old woman developed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (left lower lobe of the lung, stage IIIA-N2) after two years of chemotherapy and anti-HER2 therapy following a diagnosis of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer. Surgical resection was attempted despite an MDT classification as unamenable to curative surgical resection. After two cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with anti-PD1 immunotherapy, the tumor significantly shrank, then the patient underwent a left lower lobectomy. Complete resection with negative margins (R0 resection) was achieved in the patient. The patient experienced grade 1–2 adverse effects and no grade 3 or worse adverse effects occurred. Cardiotoxicity did not occur in the patient despite prior anti-HER2 treatment for breast cancer. Our case study contributes to the existing evidence on the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy in locally advanced unresectable NSCLC. Furthermore, future studies are needed to determine which patients can benefit from immunoadjuvant therapy and the duration and course of preoperative and postoperative immunotherapy.     

肾上腺转移癌21例临床分析

背景与目的:近年来肾上腺转移癌的发生率在临床上呈逐年上升趋势,但早期诊断、鉴别诊断有时仍比较困难。肾上腺转移癌是否需要手术切除、何时切除及怎样切除仍然存有争议。本研究旨在探讨肾上腺转移癌手术指征及腹腔镜下肾上腺切除的价值。方法:回顾性分析中山大学附属第一医院1997年3月至2004年3月收治的21例肾上腺转移癌的临床资料及复习有关肾上腺转移癌诊断与治疗方面的文献。结果:本组患者经B超和CT检查,对肾上腺肿物的诊断率分别为70.0%(7/10)与84.6%(11/13)。10例行肾上腺转移癌手术切除,其中4例患者于术后1个月至5年间行腹腔镜肾上腺转移癌切除,切缘均无癌细胞。患者生存1～67个月,中位生存时间18个月,其中1例患者行肾上腺转移癌切除术后67个月仍生存,2例失访。未手术组共11例,生存5～28个月,中位生存时间13个月,1例失访。两组生存率的差异无统计学意义(P=0.346)。结论:B超及CT是诊断肾上腺转移癌的重要检查方法。对转移癌局限在肾上腺包膜内、无局部淋巴结肿大、肾上腺外无转移的应尽可能的行手术治疗。而腹腔镜下肾上腺切除也是安全的、有效的。     

Repeated resections for originally unresectable liver metastasis from colorectal cancer after multiagent chemotherapy

We describe the case of a 74-year-old man with liver resection for originally unresectable liver metastasis from colorectal cancer after multiagent chemotherapy. Eleven bilobar liver metastases appeared four months after curative resection for double cancer of sigmoid colon and upper rectum. After 6 courses of multiagent chemotherapy (mFOLFOX 6 with bevacizumab), the number of liver metastasis decreased from 11 to 5. The patient underwent curative resection for liver metastasis. A new lesion of 7 mm in the segment 6 appeared 8 months after an initial liver resection. After 3 months' observation, two more liver metastases appeared. All liver metastases were resected. Solitary lung metastasis appeared 10 months after the second liver resection. The lung metastasis was also resected. The patient was alive with no evidence of disease in 33 months after the initial liver resection. We experienced the case with repeated liver resections after multiagent chemotherapy for originally unresectable bilobar liver metastasis. The therapeutic strategy which combines surgical resection with cytotoxic chemotherapy will be important more than ever.     

Solitary Adrenal Metastasis in a Patient with Sigmoid Colon Cancer; Report of a Case

A 73-year-old man had sigmoidectomy for sigmoid colon cancer in December 2001. Although he was followed regularly with chemotherapy, his serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) increased on August 2002. Abdominal computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a right adrenal mass and no other abnormality. The preoperative diagnosis was a solitary adrenal metastasis from sigmoid colon cancer; the lesion was removed in September 2002. On pathology, adrenal metastasis was confirmed. Although the patient’s serum CEA normalized soon thereafter, 12 months after adrenalectomy, the CEA again increased; the patient had local recurrence of the resected adrenal lesion and liver metastasis. Therefore, the patient was given systemic chemotherapy, but his condition deteriorated, and he died 38 months after adrenalectomy. Adrenal metastasis from colorectal cancer is not unusual; however, a solitary metastasis is rarely found and resected surgically. As surgical treatment of the metastatic lesion could improve patients’ prognosis to some extent if it is detected early, the possibility of adrenal metastasis should be kept in mind when colorectal cancer patients are followed.     

Prognostic Factors for Lymph Node Negative Stage I and IIA Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: Multicenter Experiences

Background: Surgery is the only curative treatment for operable non-small lung cancer (NSCLC) and theimportance of adjuvant chemotherapy for stage IB patients is unclear. Herein, we evaluated prognostic factorsfor survival and factors related with adjuvant treatment decisions for stage I and IIA NSCLC patients withoutlymph node metastasis. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 302 patients who had undergonecurative surgery for prognostic factors regarding survival and clinicopathological factors related to adjuvantchemotherapy. Results: Nearly 90% of the patients underwent lobectomy or pneumonectomy with mediastinallymph node resection. For the others, wedge resection were performed. The patients were diagnosed as stageIA in 35%, IB in 49% and IIA in 17%. Histopathological type (p=0.02), tumor diameter (p=0.01) and stage(p<0.001) were found to be related to adjuvant chemotherapy decisions, while operation type, lypmhovascularinvasion (LVI), grade and the presence of recurrence were important factors in predicting overall survival (OS),and operation type, tumor size greater than 4 cm, T stage, LVI, and visceral pleural invasion were related withdisease free survival (DFS). Multivariate analysis showed operation type (p<0.001, hazard ratio (HR):1.91) andthe presence of recurrence (p<0.001, HR:0.007) were independent prognostic factors for OS, as well visceralpleural invasion (p=0.01, HR:0.57) and LVI (p=0.004, HR:0.57) for DFS. Conclusions: Although adjuvantchemotherapy is standard for early stage lymph node positive NSCLC, it has less clear importance in stage Iand IIA patients without lymph node metastasis.