Surgical treatment of primary pulmonary artery sarcoma

Abstract

Primary pulmonary artery sarcoma has a poor prognosis. The surgical strategy at our institution included pneumonectomy, for possible radical resection, and palliative endarterectomy, to reduce symptoms and increase the life expectancy. The correct surgical approach must be evaluated individually, according to the tumor presentation, the presence of pulmonary hypertension, and the patient's clinical condition.

Status postpneumonectomy for pulmonary artery sarcoma

“…Differentiating pulmonary artery sarcoma from a thromboembolism may be performed with contrast-enhanced CT or more precisely using MRI with gadolinium 2 4 6. Tumours will brighten with gadolinium while thromboembolisms will remain with no change in brightness.…”

“…Adjuvant chemotherapy has also been issued as a means of prolonging survival 7. Despite treatment measurements, 1 year prognosis for patients with primary pulmonary artery sarcoma is 50% 2 5. The following case describes a patient who had undergone pneumonectomy and reported no complications after 1 year.…”

“…Only about 300 cases have been reported since its first recognition in 1923 2 3. Presentation is similar to that of chronic pulmonary thromboembolism, presenting particularly with dyspnoea, chest pain, cough and haemoptysis.…”

“…Clinical findings include pulmonary artery systolic flow murmur, hepatomegaly, oedema, cyanosis and digital clubbing 4 5. Imaging that has aided in diagnosis for pulmonary artery sarcomas includes CT and MRI with gadolinium 2 5…”

“…Published treatment for pulmonary artery sarcoma includes pneumonectomy for curative treatment and pulmonary endarterectomy for a palliative approach 2. Adjuvant chemotherapy has also been issued as a means of prolonging survival 7.…”