Video-assisted mediastinal lymph node dissection assessed in an experimental setting

Background: Feasibility, completeness, and morbidity of videoscopic-assisted mediastinal lymph node dissection (VATS MLND) were compared to the standard surgical technique in an experimental study. Methods: Right upper MLND—together with upper lobectomy in half of the cases—was performed in ten large white pigs. Six animals were operated using VATS (group 1), four using conventional open techniques (group 2). After 1 week, the animals were sacrificed and the mediastinum was assessed for remaining lymph nodes. Results: All animals survived without intra- or post-operative complications. There was no significant difference in the operation time between the two groups (3.2±0.8 vs 3.2±0.2 h). The number of mediastinal lymph nodes harvested was 9.5±2.7 in group 1 and 11.5±0.5 in group 2 (n.s.). The post-mortem assessment of the mediastinum showed in two animals of group 1 and in two animals of group 2 that one lymph node was left behind. In addition, in one animal of group 1 four small retrotracheal lymph nodes were found. Conclusions: VATS MLND can be accomplished without morbidity and is as radical as that achieved with conventional surgery in the paratracheal and peribronchial areas in this experimental setting. However, retrotracheal lymph node dissection might not be as complete as achieved by conventional surgery.     

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.     

Pelvic lymph node dissection for penile carcinoma: extent of inguinal lymph node involvement as an indicator for pelvic lymph node involvement and survival

PURPOSE: We identified pathological parameters of inguinal lymph node involvement with the aim of predicting pelvic lymph node involvement and survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 308 patients with penile carcinoma and adequate followup were included in this study. The outcome of 102 patients who underwent lymphadenectomy for lymph node metastases was analyzed further. Histopathological characteristics of the regional lymph nodes were reviewed including unilateral or bilateral involvement, the number of involved nodes, pathological tumor grade of the involved nodes, and the presence of extracapsular growth. RESULTS: Tumor grade of the involved inguinal lymph nodes (OR 6.0, 95% CI 1.2-30.3) and the number of involved nodes (2 or less vs more than 2) (OR 12.1, 95% CI 3.0-48.1) were independent prognostic factors for pelvic lymph node involvement. Extracapsular growth (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1-4.8), bilateral inguinal involvement OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.2-9.4) and pelvic lymph node involvement (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.4-6.6) were independent prognostic factors for disease specific survival. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with only 1 or 2 inguinal lymph nodes involved without extracapsular growth and no poorly differentiated tumor within these nodes are at low risk of pelvic lymph node involvement and have a good prognosis with a 5-year survival rate of approximately 90%. Pelvic lymph node dissection seems to be unnecessary in these cases.     

Mediastinal lymph node metastasis of colon cancer: Report of a case

We herein describe a patient with mediastinal lymph node metastases which occurred after both a primary sigmoid colon cancer and metachronous ovarian metastasis had been resected. The most likely route of metastases to the mediastinum in this case is the paravertebral venous plexus probably connected to the ovarian metastasis, or so-called remetastasis. This case illustrates that the mediastinum is thus a possible metastatic site in patients with colon cancer. Surgeons should therefore pay attention to the mediastinum as well as the lung fields when checking chest X-ray films during a follow-up of patients after a resection of colon cancer.     

胸段食管鳞癌淋巴结转移规律探究

目的探讨胸段食管鳞癌淋巴结转移规律及其影响因素,以指导淋巴结清扫方式。方法回顾分析漳州市医院2010年4月至2012年7月手术治疗的328例胸段食管鳞癌的临床病理资料,探讨淋巴结转移规律及其影响因素。结果全组328例共清扫淋巴结9937枚,平均30．3枚／例。共437枚、153例有淋巴结转移,转移率46．65％;其中喉返神经旁淋巴结转移18．30％,10．46％喉返神经旁淋巴结为唯一转移部位。胸段食管癌淋巴结转移与肿瘤部位、长度、分化程度及浸润深度明显相关。胸上段食管癌淋巴结转移方向主要向上纵隔及下颈部;胸中段食管癌颈、胸、腹均可发生淋巴结转移;胸下段食管癌主要向腹腔、中下纵隔转移。结论食管上段鳞癌,颈部淋巴结转移率高,应行三野淋巴结清扫;下段食管癌清扫重点在腹腔、中下纵隔;中段鳞癌应提倡进行个体化清扫和适度清扫;分化程度差,浸润程度深的病例应适当扩大清扫范围。胸段食管癌喉返神经旁淋巴结转移率高,均应行喉返神经旁淋巴结清扫。     

Metachronous mediastinal lymph node metastasis from ascending colon cancer: A case report and literature review

IntroductionMetachronous mediastinal lymph node metastasis without pulmonary metastasis is extremely rare in colorectal cancer, which makes the clinical diagnosis difficult and treatment strategy unclear.Prsentation of caseA case was a 59-year-old man, who had undergone right hemicolectomy for ascending colon cancer 2 years and 8 months previously, presented with enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography revealed FDG was accumulated only into the mediastinal lymph nodes. Serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level was within the normal range. Six months later, the size and FDG uptake of the mediastinal lymph nodes had increased. We assumed a possibility that the mediastinal lymph nodes were metastasized from ascending colon cancer and so performed thoracoscopic-assisted resection of the mediastinal lymph nodes. Histopathological analysis revealed the resected lymph nodes were filled with moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma and a diagnosis of mediastinal lymph nodes metastasis from previously-resected ascending colon cancer was made. The patient was postoperatively followed for more than 1 year and 8 months without any sign of recurrence.DiscussionOnly 7 cases of metachronous mediastinal lymph node metastasis from colorectal cancer, including our case, have been reported in the English literature. It is difficult to clinically diagnose mediastinal lymph node metastasis.ConclusionWe report a rare case of metachronous mediastinal lymph node metastasis from ascending colon cancer with literature review. If the mediastinal lymph nodes are enlarged after colorectal cancer resection, we need to make a treatment strategy as well as a diagnostic approach considering the possibility of mediastinal lymph node metastasis.     

中央区淋巴结转移强度对甲状腺乳头状癌颈侧区淋巴结转移的临床意义

目的:应用中央区淋巴结转移（central lymph node metastasis,CLNM）强度概念,探讨甲状腺乳头状癌（papillary thyroid carcinoma,PTC）颈侧区淋巴结转移（lymph node metastasis,LNM）危险因素及对其影响。方法:回顾性分析内蒙古医科大学附属医院...     

Contemporary management of lymph node metastases from an unknown primary to the neck: I. A review of diagnostic approaches

In an era of advanced diagnostics, metastasis to cervical lymph nodes from an occult primary tumor is a rare clinical entity and accounts for approximately 3% of head and neck malignancies. Histologically, two thirds of cases are squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), with other tissue types less common in the neck. With modern imaging and tissue examinations, a primary tumor initially undetected on physical examination is revealed in >50% of patients and the site of the index primary can be predicted with a high level of probability. In the present review, the range and limitations of diagnostic procedures are summarized and the optimal diagnostic workup is proposed. Initial preferred diagnostic procedures are a fine‐needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and imaging. This allows directed surgical biopsy (such as tonsillectomy), based on the preliminary findings, and prevents misinterpretation of postsurgical images. When no primary lesion is suggested after imaging and panendoscopy, and for patients without a history of smoking and alcohol abuse, molecular profiling of an FNAB sample for human papillomavirus (HPV) and/or Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is important. Head Neck, 2013     

Paratracheal lymph node metastasis is associated with cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: We determined which lymph node metastases were associated with cervical lymph node metastases of thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: A total of 6464 lymph nodes derived from 155 consecutive patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were stained by immunohistochemistry (antibody: AE1/AE3). Lymph node metastases were mapped according to the mapping scheme of the American Thoracic Society, as modified by Casson et al. (Ann Thorac Surg 1994;58:1569-70). Patients were divided into two groups: those with and without cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM). Mapping data were examined by uni- and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Hematoxylin and eosin-positive and AE1/AE3-positive lymph node metastases were found in 59% and 77% of patients, respectively. Twenty-one (55%) of 38 patients in the CLNM(+) group and 30 (26%) of 117 patients in the CLNM(-) group had AE1/AE3-positive lymph node metastasis in the thoracic paratracheal lymph node. Paratracheal lymph node metastasis is only one independent factor for (CLNM), whereas upper thoracic paraesophageal lymph node and pulmonal hilar lymph node status were also significant in univariate analysis. Three (43%) of seven patients with cervical jumping metastasis from the thoracic esophagus had micrometastasis in the paratracheal lymph node. CONCLUSIONS: The paratracheal lymph node is most associated with (CLNM) of thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.     

Sentinel lymph node biopsy for ductal carcinoma in situ: an evolving approach at the University of Florida

While sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has virtually replaced axillary dissection as the initial diagnostic procedure for invasive breast cancer, the role of SLNB in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to review our experience with SLNB in DCIS. All patients with DCIS or DCIS with microinvasion (DCISM) who underwent SLNB from June 1997 to April 2002 at the University of Florida were included for analysis. The indications for SLNB were at the discretion of the treating surgeon. Lymphatic mapping involved a sequential dermal-peritumoral radiocolloid injection and dynamic lymphoscintigraphy followed by an intraoperative assessment of radioactivity with a handheld gamma probe. All sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) with radioactive counts>or=10% of the ex vivo counts of the most radioactive SLN were removed. Pathologic analysis consisted of slicing the SLN at 2 mm intervals for permanent section. All paraffin blocks of the SLNs were step sectioned in 4 microm sections (92 microm spacing) through the entire lymph node. Slides were then stained with an immunohistochemical stain for cytokeratin (AE1/AE3) and evaluated by microscopy. Nodal metastases were classified using the 6th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging manual. From April 1998 to April 2002, 43 patients with DCIS underwent SLNB at the University of Florida. Seven patients (16%) with multifocal or extensive DCIS (five patients) or DCISM (two patients) who underwent SLNB had a positive sentinel node. Two of the three patients considered positive by immunohistochemistry alone had either DCISM or invasive disease. Four (80%) of the five patients with extensive DCIS and a positive sentinel node were ultimately determined to have invasive or microinvasive disease. While SLNB remains controversial in DCIS, our data suggest that patients with extensive DCIS should undergo SLNB at the initial procedure to avoid the need for a second operation. Data from clinical trials are needed to determine the impact of SLNB results on overall survival in patients with DCIS.     

Inguinal lymph node presenting as the delayed site of metastasis in early stage endometrial carcinoma: Case report

IntroductionInguinal lymph nodes are the frequent sites of metastasis for malignant lymphoma, squamous cell carcinoma of anal canal, vulva and penis, malignant melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma of skin over lower extremities or trunk. Anatomically, endometrial carcinoma is less likely to spread to the superficial or deep inguinal lymph nodes, thus metastatic involvement of these lymph nodes can easily be overlooked.Case presentationHere-in we report a case of a 65-year old Saudi morbid obese female, who presented with left inguinal lymphadenopathy as initial delayed site of metastasis almost 19 months after the initial treatment for FIGO IA endometrial carcinoma. Patient underwent left inguinal lymph node dissection. Histopathology confirmed metastatic endometrial adenocarcinoma, positive for cytokeratin (CK-7), estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR), negative for CK-20 and CDX2. Following the post-surgery recovery, she was given extended field radiation therapy to para-aortic, pelvis and bilateral inguinal lymph nodes with concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy followed by high dose rate brachytherapy.ConclusionInguinal lymph nodes as delayed site of metastasis in early endometrial carcinoma is extremely rare entity. Incorporation of FDG-PET during the preoperative screening of inguinal nodes may be helpful. The impact of lymph node dissection and adjuvant radiation therapy on survival needs to be established.     

Predicting residual lymph node basin disease in melanoma patients with sentinel lymph node metastases

BACKGROUND: The incidence of residual occult disease in nonsentinel lymph nodes (NSLN) after a positive sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in patients with melanoma is relatively low. The purpose of this study is to identify factors that may be predictive of occult NSLN metastases after positive SLN biopsy. METHODS: Fifty-six consecutive melanoma patients with positive sentinel nodes who subsequently underwent complete lymph node dissection (CLND) were evaluated. RESULTS: Only the number of positive SLN predicted the status on NSLN by univariate (P = 0.008) and multivariate (P = 0.028) analyses. None of the other variables (characteristics of SLN metastases, number of draining nodal basins, age, sex, thickness, Clark level, ulceration, number of mitoses/mm(2), histological subtype, and location of the primary) significantly predicted CLND results. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying patients with residual lymph node basin disease remains difficult. Thus, lymph node dissection should be performed in all patients after positive sentinel node biopsy.