Incorporating histology and regrouping tumor stage create a unique neuroendocrine tumor staging system that seems to predict survival better than the 7th TNM classification.

BackgroundTracheal surgery requires a highly specialized team of anesthesiologists, thoracic surgeons, and operative support staff. It remain a formidable challenge for surgeons due to the criticality connected to anatomical considerations, intraoperative airway management, technical complexity of reconstruction, and the potential postoperative morbidity and mortality.Main bodyThis article focuses on the main technical aspects and literature data regarding laryngotracheal and tracheal resection and reconstruction. Particular attention will be paied to anastomotic and non-anastomotic complications.Short conclusionResults from literature confirm that, when feasible, laryngotracheal and tracheal resection and reconstruction is the treatment of choice in cases of benign stricture and malign neoplasm. Careful patient selection, operative planning, and execution are required for optimal results.

Postoperative air leaks associated with residual pleural space is a well known complication contributing to prolong hospitalization. Many techniques have been proposed for the treatment of this complication. Between 1999 and 2009, 39 patients with air leaks associated with residual pleural space (>3 cm at chest X-ray) persisting over three days after major lung resection were enrolled in this study. All patients were treated with combined pneumoperitoneum and autologus blood patch. Pneumoperitoneum is obtained by the injection of 30 ml/kg of air under the diaphragm, using a Verres needle through the periumbilical area. The blood patch is obtained by instillating 100 ml of autologus blood through the chest tubes. No patients experienced complications related to the procedure. Obliteration of pleural space was obtained in all the patients at a maximum of 96 h postoperatively. Air leaks stopped in all the cases at a maximum of 144 h from surgery. Chest tube was removed 24 h after the air leakage disappearance. Our 10-year experience supports the early, combined use of pneumoperitoneum and blood patch whenever pleural space and air leaks present after major pulmonary resection. This approach may be recommended because of its easiness, safety, effectiveness, and the low costs.

Background Minimal knowledge exists regarding the outcome, prognosis and optimal treatment strategy for patients with pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (LCNEC) due to their rarity. We aimed to identify factors affecting survival and recurrence after resection to inform current treatment strategies. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 72 patients who had undergone a curative resection for LCNEC in 8 centers between 2000 and 2015. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify the factors influencing recurrence, disease-specific survival and overall survival. These included age, gender, previous malignancy, ECOG performance status, symptoms at diagnosis, extent of resection, extent of lymphadenectomy, additional chemo-and/ or radiotherapy, tumor location, tumor size, pT, pleural invasion, pN and pStage. Results Median follow-up was 47 (95%CI 41-79) months; 5-year disease-specific and overall survival rates were 57.6% (95%CI 41.3-70.9) and 47.4% (95%CI 32.3-61.1). There were 22 systemic recurrences and 12 loco-regional recurrences. Tumor size was an independent prognostic factor for systemic recurrence [HR: 1.20 (95%CI 1.01-1.41); p = 0.03] with a threshold value of 3 cm (AUC = 0.71). For tumors B3 cm and[3 cm, 5-year freedom from systemic recurrence was 79.2% (95%CI 43.6-93.6) and 38.2% (95%CI 20.6-55.6) (p \ 0.001) and 5-year disease-specific survival was 60.7% ) (p = 0.31), respectively. Conclusions A large proportion of patients with surgically resected LCNEC will develop systemic recurrence after resection. Patients with tumors [3 cm have a significantly higher rate of systemic recurrence suggesting that adjuvant chemotherapy should be considered after complete resection of LCNEC[3 cm, even in the absence of nodal involvement.

ACTH-secreting lung carcinoids represent the principal cause of ectopic Cushing syndrome, but the prevalence of ACTH expression and the association between ACTH production and Cushing syndrome in lung carcinoids have scarcely been investigated. In addition, available information on the prognostic meaning of ACTH production is controversial. The aims of this multicentric retrospective study, also including a review of the literature, were to describe the clinico-pathologic features of ACTH-producing lung carcinoids, to assess recurrence and specific survival rates, and to evaluate potential prognostic factors. To identify ACTH production in 254 unselected and radically resected lung carcinoids, we used a double approach including RT-PCR (mRNA encoding for proopiomelanocortin) and immunohistochemistry (antibodies against ACTH and β-endorphin). Sixtythree (24.8%) tumors produced ACTH and 11 of them (17.4%), representing 4.3% of the whole series, were associated with Cushing syndrome. The median follow-up time was 71 months. The 10-year overall and specific survival rates were 88.5% and 98.2%, respectively with no difference between functioning and nonfunctioning tumors, nor between ACTH-positive and ACTH-negative carcinoids. At univariate analysis, histological type (typical or atypical) and Ki67 index significantly correlated with tumor recurrence. The literature review identified 175 previously reported patients with functioning ACTH-secreting lung carcinoids and the meta-analysis of survival showed that 92% of them were alive after a mean follow-up time of 50 months. Our results demonstrate that ACTHproducing lung carcinoids are not rare, are not always associated with Cushing syndrome, and do not represent an aggressive variant of lung carcinoid.

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<b><i>Background/Aims:</i></b> At present, benefits of surgical resection and appropriate selection criteria in patients affected by both hepatic and pulmonary metastases of colorectal cancer (CRC) are under discussion. Our analysis focused on a surgical series of such patients and our final aim consisted in identifying potential prognostic factors. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Eighty-five patients undergoing resection of both hepatic and pulmonary metastases at 2 Healthcare Institutions from January 1993 to June 2015 were retrospectively reviewed as concerned clinical information, surgical notes and pathological features. Patient, treatment, and outcome variables were analyzed by use of log-rank tests, Cox regression, and Kaplan-Meier methods. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Liver turned out as the first site of metastasis in 75% patients, lung in 13% patients, and both sites in 12% patients. Multiple hepatic metastases were detected in 67% patients and pulmonary metastases in 31% patients. Two hundred eighteen surgical interventions were performed (mean 2.56 for each patient). Overall survival (OS) rates at 3-, 5-, and 10-year follow-up from colorectal resection were 94, 79, and 38% respectively. Median OS was 8.31 years. Survival turned out significantly longer for patients with disease-free interval (DFI) exceeding 1 year between first metastasectomy and diagnosis of second metastases and in patients affected by metachronous pulmonary metastases. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Surgical resection of both hepatic and pulmonary metastases of CRC represents a safe and effective treatment. It might lead to rewarding long-term survival rates in high selected patients. Shorter DFIs between first metastasectomy and diagnosis of second metastases can determine worse prognoses. In addition, poor outcomes could be predicted also for patients affected by synchronously detected pulmonary CRC metastases, although further confirmatory analyses are strongly required.

Our results suggest that nonanatomical resection (LWR) could be considered as a feasible surgical option (especially in "frail" patients with an extent of FI less than 3 cm) in the light of the similar oncological and functional outcome compared with anatomical resection. Further studies based on larger series are needed to confirm these preliminary data and also to investigate the impact on the postoperative quality of life.