Bilateral resection and reconstruction of internal jugular vein for thyroid carcinoma

Two patients with thyroid carcinoma infiltrating bilateral internal jugular veins were treated. In reconstruction of the internal jugular vein by implantation of an autogenous venous segment or Gore-Tex artificial vessel, the repaired area soon became obstructed. The repaired area with the Impra-Flex artificial vessel became obstructed again one month after the implantation. In the reconstruction by ipsilateral end-to-end anastomosis between the internal and external jugular veins, good circulation was apparent even 2 years after the operation. The internal-external jugular vein anastomosis is expected to increase the safety of single-stage bilateral excision of the internal jugular vein, as an adjunct to total thyroidectomy, in the surgical treatment of thyroid carcinoma.     

Insular carcinoma of the thyroid in a 10-year-old child

Thyroid carcinomas are relatively infrequent in the pediatric age group, the majority of which are papillary carcinomas. Poorly differentiated carcinomas are very rare in this age group. Insular carcinoma is a unique subset of poorly differentiated carcinoma of thyroid, which occurs predominantly in adults older than 50 years. In terms of prognosis, insular carcinoma of thyroid occupies a place in between that of well-differentiated papillary/follicular carcinoma and anaplastic carcinoma. The authors describe a case of insular carcinoma of thyroid in a 10-year-old girl who underwent hemithyroidectomy based on a preoperative diagnosis (by fine-needle aspiration cytology) of colloid goiter, and after histopathologic diagnosis of the specimen, a completion thyroidectomy was performed with block dissection of the neck. The authors believe this to be the youngest case of insular carcinoma of thyroid to be reported.     

Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma with sternal invasion. A case report and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Surgical resection of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma with direct invasion of the sternum has not been previously reported. Only 4 cases of concomitant thyroidectomy and sternal resection and reconstruction for sternal metastases have been published.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 66-year-old female with a poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma and direct sternal invasion underwent total thyroidectomy and resection of the manubrium and both clavicular heads, and chest wall reconstruction with polypropylene mesh and bilateral myocutaneous pectoralis major muscle flaps. Postoperatively, the patient received radioactive iodine ablation. She developed a local recurrence, requiring additional ablation with radioactive iodine and external beam radiation therapy. Although there was no clinical or radiographic evidence of recurrent disease 5-years postoperatively, a possible local recurrence was discovered 4 months later.

DISCUSSION

In previous case reports the sternal metastases were not in continuity with the thyroid tumor. In our patient, however, there was evidence of direct extension between the thyroid tumor and the sternal mass that were connected together with cords of tumor.

CONCLUSION

In our patient with poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma invading the sternum, total thyroidectomy and resection of the manubrium with sternal reconstruction, combined with adjuvant radioactive iodine ablation and external beam radiation therapy was associated with prolonged survival after 5 years despite a small local recurrence.     

Resection of hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus in the major vasculature. A European case-control series

Tumor thrombus in major vasculature is a frequent finding with a poor long-term prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The utility of surgical resection is still controversial. This study compared morbidity and survival after resection for HCC with and without tumor thrombus. Data of 108 patients who underwent major hepatic resection for HCC were prospectively recorded. Patients were divided into two groups. The venous thrombectomy (VT) group included 26 patients who had HCC with tumor thrombus in the portal or hepatic veins. The matched control group included 82 patients who had HCC without tumor thrombus. Surgical technique, early outcome, and late survival were analyzed in each group. Multivariate analysis was performed to assess the prognostic value of this feature. Surgical technique was comparable in the VT and control group with regard to extent of hepatectomy, procedure duration, and transfusion requirements. Early postoperative outcome was also comparable. Actuarial survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 38%, 20%, and 13%, respectively, in the VT group (median: 9 months) versus 74%, 56%, and 33%, respectively, in the control group (median: 41 months). In the subgroup of patients with tumor thrombus limited to the portal vein, actuarial survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 50%, 26%, and 17%, respectively, (median: 12 months) and two patients lived longer than 5 years. Multivariate analysis showed that incomplete resection, alphafetoprotein level greater than 100 N, more than two tumor nodules, and tumor thrombus in major vasculature were independent factors of poor prognosis. Survival after resection for HCC with tumor thrombus in the major vasculature is poorer than after resection for HCC without tumor thrombus. However, an aggressive surgical strategy can provide significant survival with comparable morbidity in selected cases, that is, tumor thrombus located in the portal vein only and expected complete resection of the lesions.     

Clinical outcome of different modes of resection in papillary thyroid carcinomas with laryngotracheal invasion

Aim The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcome of different modes of resection in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with laryngotracheal invasion.Materials and methods Sixty-four primary PTCs with laryngotracheal invasion between 1964 and 2003 were retrospectively analyzed (17 men and 47 women; mean age, 61.6 years; mean follow-up, 92.3 months). Thirteen curative resections included six pharyngolaryngoesophagectomies, two total laryngectomies, and five circumferential resections (complete surgery). Eighteen patients who were candidates for curative resection refused to undergo complete surgery to avoid functional impairment, especially laryngeal function (incomplete surgery). Thirty-three patients with minimal invasion underwent shave or partial resection (conservative surgery). Clinical outcomes were compared between the three groups. The influence of different types of surgery and invasion was also evaluated by Cox proportional hazard analysis.Results Three (23.1%) complete, 17 (94.4%) incomplete, and 4 (13.8%) conservative surgery patients died of disease (P < 0.0001). The 10-year disease-specific survival (Kaplan–Meier) in complete, incomplete, and conservative surgery patients were 62.9, 11.1, and 87.7%, respectively (log rank test, P < 0.0001). Incomplete surgery related to worse prognosis [p < 0.0001; hazard ratio (HR), 12.9) than complete or conservative surgery. Tracheal deep invasion (p = 0.0019, HR 7.6) and larynx invasion (p < 0.0001, HR 9.9) related to worse prognosis than minimal invasion.Conclusion Curative resection improves clinical outcomes in PTCs with laryngotracheal invasion. Conservative resection for minimal invasion also can achieve favorable prognosis. The degree of tumor invasion is significantly related to survival.     

Intravascular extension of papillary thyroid carcinoma to the internal jugular vein: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common thyroid malignancy and usually spreads via lymphatic system. PTC can sometimes show microscopic vascular invasion, but rarely causes tumour thrombus in the internal jugular vein (IJV) or other great veins of the neck.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

We report a case of a 62-year-old female presented with symptomatic central neck mass. Clinical examination revealed a hard solitary right-sided thyroid nodule with ipsilateral cervical lymphadenopathy. Ultrasonography (US) confirmed the clinical diagnosis and visualised a dilated ipsilateral IJV. Fine-needle aspiration cytology revealed PTC cells so total thyroidectomy with right neck dissection was done. A tumour thrombus was discovered in the distended right IJV and was cleared successfully. The patient recovered well after the operation with no local or distant metastasis detected.

DISCUSSION

Tumour vascular spread is observed in tumours with angio-invasive features including follicular carcinoma of the thyroid gland where great cervical veins can be affected. PTC commonly spreads to the lymph nodes and vascular spread via direct intravascular extension is extremely rare. Neck US has an important role in the diagnosis, and operators should attempt to detect signs of tumour thrombi in all patients with thyroid masses. Aggressive surgical treatment with vascular repair is recommended whenever possible to minimise the risk of potentially fatal complications of the intraluminal masses.

CONCLUSION

Intravascular tumour extension of PTC is rare but with serious consequences. Diagnosis with neck US is possible but some cases are only discovered intraoperatively. Thrombectomy with vascular repair or reconstruction is usually possible.     

Insular carcinoma of the thyroid. An uncommon but aggressive neoplasm

Insular carcinoma of the thyroid is an infrequent entity, named in 1984 by Carcangiu when he described its characteristic histology. Clinically and morphologically it is considered to be in an intermediate position between well-differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid (papillary or follicular) and undifferentiated or anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid. However, most authors believe it to be an independent entity. The prognosis of this tumor is worse than that of classic carcinoma of the thyroid, and most authors advise aggressive therapy, which in some cases can achieved prolonged survival. We describe 2 patients who experienced recurrence after treatment for the primary tumor. The recurrences were treated but the clinical courses differed.     

Selective portal vein clamping for radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein invasion

Surgical resection provides potential cure for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Unfortunately, resection is suitable in only about 10-37% of patients because of the limited hepatic functional reserve from the underlying chronic liver disease in the majority of patients. Survival of patients with unresectable diseases, especially those with portal vein tumor invasion, remains very poor. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a form of locoregional therapy that allows a selected group of previously inoperable patients to be treated. However, problems with RFA leading to induced portal vein thrombosis have been reported in the literature. Nevertheless, patients with portal vein tumor invasion may be considered for radiofrequency tumor ablation to improve survival. We report the case of a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma with left portal vein invasion. Complete tumor ablation was achieved after RFA with left portal vein clamping. He remained disease free both radiologically and biochemically 6 months after the operation. Supported by a grant from Sun C.Y. Research Foundation for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery of the University of Hong Kong.     

肝癌侵犯右膈肌的外科处理

目的 探讨肝癌合并右膈肌部分切除的适应证、手术方法、术中应注意的问题,总结肝癌侵犯右膈肌的外科处理经验.方法 对广东省东莞市人民医院1998年9月至2008年9月收治的27例肝癌合并右膈肌部分切除患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析.结果 全部病例手术均获得成功.切除肿瘤直径5.0～15.0(平均8.5)cm,合并切除右膈肌面积9.0～50(平均28.5)cm2,手术时间110～250(平均165)min,失血量450～2600(平均870)ml.术后病理证实膈肌侵犯者9例(33.3％).术后全部病例均见少量右胸积液.其他并发症包括慢性肝功能不全4例及术后早期出血、上消化道出血、胆汁瘘、膈下感染各1例.所有患者经相应处理后均康复出院,无围手术期死亡病例.术后19例接受综合治疗,6例拒治,2例失访.术后6个月、1年、2年、3年生存率分别为92.6％、81.5％、51.9％、33.3％.结论 右膈肌侵犯不是肝癌切除禁忌证.合并右膈肌部分切除安全可行,而且远期疗效比较满意.     

Anatomic versus non-anatomic resection of hepatocellular carcinoma with microvascular invasion: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The efficacy of anatomical resection (AR) and non-anatomical resection (NR) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with microvascular invasion (MVI) remains unknown. This study compared the safety and outcomes of these surgical procedures. A systematic literature search was conducted. The main outcomes were overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS). Overall hazard ratio (HR) was calculated from Kaplan–Meier plots and outcomes using random-effects models. There was no significant difference in postoperative complications between the AR and NR groups (risk ratio [RR]: 0.92, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.72–1.17, p = 0.496). OS was higher with AR at 1 year (RR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.45–0.98, p = 0.037), 3 years (RR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.50–0.82, p = 0.000), and 5 years (RR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.65–0.89, p = 0.001). AR was associated with a higher OS rate (HR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.47–0.82, p = 0.001). AR was associated with improved DFS at 1 year (RR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.52 to 0.82, p = 0.000), 3 years (RR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.66 to 0.86, p = 0.000), and 5 years (95% CI: 0.75 to 0.94, p = 0.002). Compared with NR, AR had significant advantages on overall HR of DFS (HR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.45 to 0.91, p = 0.012). In conclusion, AR was associated with higher rates of OS and DFS in HCC patients with MVI. Thus, for well-presented liver function HCC patients which are predicted to have positive MVI, AR is recommended.     

原发性甲状腺功能亢进症合并甲状腺癌临床分析

目的 探讨原发性甲状腺功能亢进症(甲亢)合并甲状腺癌(甲癌)的诊治方法。方法 对1993年7月至2002年3月11例原发性甲亢合并甲癌临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果 发病率1．6％。术前术中甲癌漏诊率81．8％。2例首次手术为甲状腺—侧腺叶全切加峡部切除加对侧腺叶次全切除，9例首次手术为甲状腺次全切除术。术后病理均为原发性甲亢合并甲癌，滤泡状腺癌5例，乳头状腺癌4例，混合癌2例，无颈淋巴结转移。7例行二次手术，3例有甲状腺残癌，残癌率42．9％。所有病例术后均长期给予甲状腺素片治疗。10例生存良好，1例死亡。结论 原发性甲亢合并甲癌易漏诊，发现甲状腺结节应警惕合并甲癌可能性。合理的手术治疗，术后服用甲状腺素片，疗效较好。     

Thyroid cancer with massive invasion into the neck and mediastinal great veins

Papillary thyroid carcinoma with massive invasion into the great veins of the neck and mediastinum has rarely been reported and is thought to have a poor prognosis. Here we report successful management of a case of papillary thyroid carcinoma with extensive invasion into the left internal jugular vein, left brachiocephalic vein, and superior vena cava, followed by reconstruction of the superior vena cava using an artificial graft. The operation was conducted to prevent sudden death due to complete obstruction of venous flow, improve the patient's quality of life, and prolong survival. The patient has survived for more than two years after surgery, with good general condition.     

Thyroid cancer with massive invasion into the neck and mediastinal great veins

Papillary thyroid carcinoma with massive invasion into the great veins of the neck and mediastinum has rarely been reported and is thought to have a poor prognosis. Here we report successful management of a case of papillary thyroid carcinoma with extensive invasion into the left internal jugular vein, left brachiocephalic vein, and superior vena cava, followed by reconstruction of the superior vena cava using an artificial graft. The operation was conducted to prevent sudden death due to complete obstruction of venous flow, improve the patient's quality of life, and prolong survival. The patient has survived for more than two years after surgery, with good general condition.     

Predictors of microvascular invasion in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who are candidates for orthotopic liver transplantation

Microvascular invasion affects survival after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We sought to identify preoperative predictors of microvascular invasion in patients with HCC who were candidates for OLT. A cohort of 245 patients who underwent resection for HCC and fulfilled the criteria for OLT (i.e., single tumors ≤5 cm or no more than three tumors S3 cm) were identified from a multi-institutional database. Thirty-three percent of the patients had pathologic evidence of microvascular invasion. Thirty percent of patients with single tumors and 47% with multiple tumors had microvascular invasion (P = 0.04). Only 25% of patients with tumors smaller than ≤2 cm had microvascular invasion, compared to 31% and 50% with tumors greater than 2 to 4 cm or larger than 4 cm, respectively (P = 0.01). Tumor grade was highly correlated with microvascular invasion: 12% of patients with well-differentiated tumors had microvascular invasion, compared to 29% and 50% with moderately or poorly differentiated tumors, respectively (P < 0.001). The independent predictors of microvascular invasion were tumor size greater than 4 cm (odds ratio [OR], 3.0, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2 to 7.1), and high tumor grade (OR, 6.3; 95% CI, 2.0 to 19.9). Tumor size and grade are strong predictors of microvascular invasion. A tumor biopsy with pathologic grading at the time of pretransplantation ablative therapy could improve selection of patients with HCC for OLT. Presented at the Forty-Second Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, Atlanta, Georgia, May 20–23, 2001. Supported by a T-32 Surgical Oncology Training Grant from the National Institutes of Health (N.F.E).     

青少年甲状腺癌的诊断与治疗

目的讨论青少年甲状腺癌的临床表现、诊断、治疗及预后。方法收集我院1990年至2000年青少年甲状腺癌56例,均行手术治疗,术后行内分泌辅助治疗,少数加用^131I内照射。结果全组乳头状癌44例（78．6％）,滤泡状癌8例（14．3％）,乳头滤泡状癌2例（3．6％）,髓样癌2例（3．6％）。颈部淋巴结转移40例（71．4％）,其中双侧甲状腺癌并双侧颈部淋巴结转移者8例（14．2％）。术后复发9例（16．1％）。本组颈部淋巴结转移率、双侧甲状腺受侵犯伴双颈淋巴结转移率均明显高于成年人,5年生存率92．9％（52／56）。结论青少年甲状腺癌颈部胂块临床表现大多数无特异性,常以颈部肿大淋巴结或甲状腺孤立结节就诊,不易早发现易误诊,应引起我们的高度重视。治疗以手术为主,预后良好,疗效满意。     

Prognosis of upper-third gastric carcinoma patients with invasion of the lower esophagus

Background and aims  Epidemiological studies show a continuing rise in the prevalence of upper-third gastric carcinoma. We compared the clinicopathologic features and prognosis in these patients, with and without lower esophageal invasion. Patients and methods  We reviewed the hospital records of 42 patients with lower esophageal invasion seen between 1986 and 2000. Results  Borrmann type IV gastric carcinoma was more frequently found in patients with esophageal invasion (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that curability, the extent of lymph node dissection, and lymph node metastases were significant prognostic factors. When the patients with esophageal invasion were divided into those with or without curative resection, the 5-year survival rates were 37.3% and 0%, respectively (P < 0.001). In patients with lymph node dissection above the D2 lymph node, the 5-year survival rate was higher than that of patients with dissection below the D2 node level (34.4% vs 0%, P < 0.001). Conclusion  According to our results, curative resection and extensive lymph node dissection were the determining factors in improving survival.