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Neurosurgical Focus: Video Oct 2020Pain in patients with cancer is a major problem, and sometimes it is necessary to surgically interrupt pain pathways to effectively control refractory pain. Surgical...
Pain in patients with cancer is a major problem, and sometimes it is necessary to surgically interrupt pain pathways to effectively control refractory pain. Surgical lesion of the dorsal root entry zone (DREZ) was first performed in 1972 for the treatment of pain related to a Pancoast-Tobias tumor. The rationale of DREZotomy is to preferentially interrupt the nociceptive inputs in the lateral part of the DREZ and the ventrolateral (excitatory) part of the dorsal horn. Microsurgical DREZotomy is one technique for DREZ lesioning that is suited for tailored control of pain in patients in good general condition who are experiencing pain in a well-defined territory. The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/JtLQDP7gYSQ.
PubMed: 36285266
DOI: 10.3171/2020.7.FOCVID2033 -
Cureus Feb 2022A 55-year-old man presented with upper backache for one month, inability to move both the lower limbs for two weeks and retention of urine for five days. Examination...
A 55-year-old man presented with upper backache for one month, inability to move both the lower limbs for two weeks and retention of urine for five days. Examination revealed spastic paraplegia and reduced breath sounds in the right upper zone. Initial imaging revealed a soft tissue lesion in the apex of the right lung, suggesting a Pancoast tumor. It also showed a lytic, expansile lesion of the T2 vertebra extending to the right second posterior rib on subsequent imaging. High serum calcium, M-spike in beta-gamma globulin region on serum electrophoresis, 50%-60% plasmacytoid cells on bone marrow aspiration, concertina collapse of the vertebral body, and pattern of neurological deficit pointed towards multiple myeloma. T2 corpectomy and mesh cage placement, C7-T4 posterior stabilization, and resection of the second rib were done. Histopathology confirmed multiple myeloma. Postoperatively, the patient was managed with radiotherapy and bortezomib. The patient had a good neurological recovery. Timely intervention is critical for disease control and leads to better recovery.
PubMed: 35345749
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.22412 -
Asian Cardiovascular & Thoracic Annals Jun 2021A primary pulmonary angiosarcoma is an extremely rare entity with fewer than 30 cases reported in the literature. We found no reports of primary pulmonary angiosarcoma...
A primary pulmonary angiosarcoma is an extremely rare entity with fewer than 30 cases reported in the literature. We found no reports of primary pulmonary angiosarcoma presenting as a Pancoast tumor. We describe a case of pulmonary angiosarcoma located in the right superior sulcus that was treated by surgery.
Topics: Hemangiosarcoma; Humans; Pancoast Syndrome
PubMed: 33435693
DOI: 10.1177/0218492320988456 -
Thoracic Cancer Jun 2023Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cancer and is frequently diagnosed at a late and unresectable stage with limited effective treatment options. Here, we present...
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cancer and is frequently diagnosed at a late and unresectable stage with limited effective treatment options. Here, we present the fifth reported case of a 77 year-old male with metastatic HCC presenting as a symptomatic superior sulcus lung tumor and discuss the genomic profile of this rare presentation of HCC for the first time, which included multiple classic mutations in HCC such as TERT, TP53, and WNT/β-catenin signaling as well as in the DNA repair gene ATM. The patient was treated with palliative radiotherapy to the Pancoast tumor followed by atezolizumab plus bevacizumab and passed away 6 months after diagnosis. This rare case highlights the need for effective treatment in aggressive and unresectable HCC and the utility of early genomic studies to allow for targeted therapy such as poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-inhibitors.
Topics: Male; Humans; Aged; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Liver Neoplasms; Pancoast Syndrome; Treatment Outcome; Genomics
PubMed: 37160416
DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.14923 -
The Journal of Thoracic and... May 2023Superior sulcus tumors are a challenging subset of non-small cell lung carcinomas invading the thoracic inlet. In this study, we determined whether the location of the... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Superior sulcus tumors are a challenging subset of non-small cell lung carcinomas invading the thoracic inlet. In this study, we determined whether the location of the tumor along the first rib had an influence on survival.
METHODS
We performed a review of 92 consecutive patients undergoing surgery for non-small cell lung carcinomas invading the thoracic inlet between January 1996 and June 2021. Tumor location was categorized into anterior and posterior based on predefined zones.
RESULTS
In total, 21 tumors were located anteriorly (23%) and 71 posteriorly (77%). The rate of R0 resection (81% vs 87%; P = .4) and pathological complete response to induction therapy (33% vs 37%; P = .8) were similar between locations. After a median follow-up of 5.8 years (range, 0.8-24 years), 49 patients died for an overall survival of 48% (95% CI, 38%-59%) at 5 years. The 5-year survival was favorably influenced by R0 (vs R1) resection (51% vs 29%; P = .02), pathological complete response (vs no pathological complete response) (69% vs 31%; P = .03), posterior (vs anterior) location (56% vs 22%; P = .01), and ≤60 (vs >60) years of age (61% vs 37%; P = .007). Compared with posterior tumors, anterior tumors were associated with higher risk of systemic recurrence and significantly greater survival benefit from pathological complete response. Anterior tumors remained an independent predictor of worse survival in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.2-4.5; P = .01).
CONCLUSIONS
The anatomical location of the tumor affects survival after resection of non-small cell lung carcinomas invading the thoracic inlet. Anterior tumors have greater propensity to metastasize and may derive greater benefit from optimal systemic therapy than posterior tumors.
Topics: Humans; Pancoast Syndrome; Bays; Lung Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Carcinoma
PubMed: 36481062
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2022.10.033 -
JTO Clinical and Research Reports Dec 2023Curative-intent treatment of superior sulcus tumors (SSTs) of the lung invading the spine presents considerable challenges. We retrospectively studied outcomes in a...
INTRODUCTION
Curative-intent treatment of superior sulcus tumors (SSTs) of the lung invading the spine presents considerable challenges. We retrospectively studied outcomes in a single center, uniformly staged patient cohort treated with induction concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by surgical resection (trimodality therapy).
METHODS
An institutional surgical database from the period between 2002 and 2021 was accessed to identify SSTs in which the resection included removal of at least part of the vertebral body. All patients were staged using fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (/computed tomography), computed tomography scan of the chest/upper abdomen, and brain imaging. Surgical morbidity was assessed using the Clavien-Dindo classification. Overall and disease-free survival were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.
RESULTS
A total of 18 patients were included: 8 complete and 10 partial vertebrectomies were performed, with six of the eight complete vertebrectomies involving two vertebral levels, resulting in Complete surgical resection (R0) in 94%. Nine patients had a 1-day procedure, and nine were staged over 2 days. The median follow-up was 30 months (interquartile range 11-57). The 90-day postoperative morbidity was 44% (grade III/IV), with no 90-day surgery-related mortality. There were 83% who had a major pathologic response, associated with improved survival ( = 0.044). The 5-year overall and disease-free survival were 55% and 40%, respectively. Disease progression occurred in 10 patients, comprising locoregional recurrences in two and distant metastases in eight patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Multimodality treatment in selected patients with a superior sulcus tumor invading the spine is safe and results in good survival. Such patients should be referred to expert centers. Future research should focus on improving distant control (e.g. [neo]adjuvant immunotherapy).
PubMed: 38046379
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtocrr.2023.100582 -
The Malaysian Journal of Pathology Aug 2023Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common primary liver malignancy, and sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma is a rare malignancy containing both carcinomatous and...
INTRODUCTION
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common primary liver malignancy, and sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma is a rare malignancy containing both carcinomatous and sarcomatous components.
CASE REPORT
We report a 64-year-old male patient treated with open right trisectionectomy for a 16cm right hemiliver tumour. The diagnosis of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma was confirmed on histology. Five months after hepatic resection, patient had symptoms suggestive of Horner's syndrome along with left sided shoulder pain, hand weakness, reduced power of the intrinsic hand muscles and reduced pain perception over the C8/T1 dermatome. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed a mass at the left lung apex/superior sulcus involving the left C8, T1 nerve roots, scalene muscles, and brachial plexus. The mass closely abutted the left first rib and partially encased the left subclavian artery. The patient was managed with palliative chemoradiotherapy for Pancoast syndrome.
DISCUSSION
Hepatocellular carcinoma pulmonary metastasis causing Pancoast syndrome is a rare occurrence with only four prior reports, and to the best of our knowledge, pulmonary metastasis from sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma causing Pancoast syndrome is unreported. In this report, we will discuss the clinicopathological characteristics of this case which may provide insight into diagnosis and management of other sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma patients.
PubMed: 37658538
DOI: No ID Found -
Cureus Nov 2021Musculoskeletal disorders represent a major public health problem and they are frequently managed in primary care centers. Shoulder pain is a frequent musculoskeletal...
Musculoskeletal disorders represent a major public health problem and they are frequently managed in primary care centers. Shoulder pain is a frequent musculoskeletal complaint and it can result from intrinsic disorders of the shoulder or referred pain. We present the case of a 24-year-old woman who presented to the family medicine clinic complaining of left shoulder pain for three months duration. The pain was not associated with numbness or weakness. There was no history of preceding trauma. The initial diagnosis was supraspinatus tendinosis. The patient was prescribed oral analgesics and was advised to undergo multiple physiotherapy sessions. Later, the patient presented to the clinic again and reported she did not have any improvement in her symptoms. The patient was referred to the orthopedic clinic for further evaluation and management. The patient underwent a frontal radiograph of the chest which demonstrated a well-defined opacity located in the apex of the left lung. A computed tomography scan of the chest demonstrated the presence of erosion to the vertebral body raising the suspicion for a neurogenic tumor as was later supported by magnetic resonance imaging. The patient underwent video-assisted thoracotomy with brachial plexus exploration. Complete resection of the tumor was achieved with no complications. The present case highlights those common musculoskeletal complaints, such as shoulder pain, which could indicate underlying non-orthopedic pathology.
PubMed: 34909333
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.19418 -
Cureus Feb 2021A 65-year-old man with 50 pack-year smoking history presented to the emergency department for evaluation of upper back and right shoulder pain secondary to a fall....
A 65-year-old man with 50 pack-year smoking history presented to the emergency department for evaluation of upper back and right shoulder pain secondary to a fall. Physical examination was notable for anisocoria with a constricted left pupil (miosis), mild ptosis of the left eyelid, and bilateral shoulder pain, right more than left, with both passive and active movements. Chest computed tomography identified a soft tissue mass at the left lung apex with extension into the pleural surface, associated with destructive osseous changes of the right scapula, adjacent ribs, and thoracic vertebral bodies. Imaging of the brain revealed multiple masses suspicious of metastatic brain lesions. Biopsy of the right supraclavicular lymph node revealed lung tissue adenocarcinoma and negative Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (K-Ras), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), B-raf proto-oncogene (BRAF), C-ros oncogene 1 (ROS1), and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement. Recognizing Pancoast syndrome in patients with significant smoking history, anisocoria, and shoulder pain is crucial for identifying the underlying etiology and expediting the treatment.
PubMed: 33728131
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.13112 -
Rare Tumors 2021The notochord is the defining structure of all chordate embryos. It is a midline structure ventral to the ectoderm, neural plates, and neural arch. Remnants of the...
The notochord is the defining structure of all chordate embryos. It is a midline structure ventral to the ectoderm, neural plates, and neural arch. Remnants of the notochord ultimately give rise to the nucleus pulposus. The function of the notochord is to organize the surrounding structures. Chordoma is a rare malignant bone tumor arising from remnants of the notochord. These tumors are indolent and can present as incidental or locally advanced involving adjacent structures. These tumors typically present at the skull base and sacral spine but more rarely can be seen on the cervical and thoracic spine. Rare cases of chordoma invading the brachial plexus have been recorded. Surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment for chordomas. We would like to discuss a novel presentation of a chordoma as a Pancoast tumor, and aim to highlight the clinical importance of accurate diagnosis and planning therapy along with poor prognosis of incomplete surgical resection.
PubMed: 34276922
DOI: 10.1177/20363613211029493