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Molecular profiles of thymomas and recurrent thymomas are far from being defined. Herein, we report an analysis of a comprehensive genetic profile (CGP) in a highly selected cohort of recurrent thymomas. Among a cohort of 426 thymomas, the tissue was available in 23 recurrent tumors for matching the biomolecular results obtained from primary and relapse samples. A control group composed of non-recurrent thymoma patients was selected through a propensity score match analysis. CGP was performed using the NGS Tru-SightOncology assay to evaluate TMB, MSI, and molecular alterations in 523 genes. CGP does not differ when comparing initial tumor with tumor relapse. A significantly higher frequency of cell cycle control genes alterations (100.0% vs. 57.1%, p = 0.022) is detected in patients with early recurrence (<32 months) compared to late recurrent cases. The CGPs were similar in recurrent thymomas and non-recurrent thymomas. Finally, based on NGS results, an off-label treatment or clinical trial could be potentially proposed in >50% of cases (oncogenic Tier-IIC variants). In conclusion, CGPs do not substantially differ between initial tumor vs. tumor recurrence and recurrent thymomas vs. non-recurrent thymomas. Cell cycle control gene alterations are associated with an early recurrence after thymectomy. Multiple target therapies are potentially available by performing a comprehensive CGP, suggesting that a precision medicine approach on these patients could be further explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of immunotherapy in the multimodal treatment for pleural mesothelioma (PM) is still under investigation, particularly in the preoperative setting. Pathological complete response (pCR) has been previously described after chemotherapy and immunotherapy; however, there is no prior experience reported with immunotherapy alone before surgery. We report the case of a 58-year-old male with biphasic PM treated with immunotherapy, resulting in a major clinical partial response. Following a multidisciplinary evaluation between thoracic surgeons, medical oncologists, pathologists, radiologists and radiation oncologists, the patient underwent surgery with radical intent through a right extended pleurectomy/decortication (eP/D). Histopathological examination of the specimen confirmed a pathological Complete Response (pCR). This case supports the feasibility and potential efficacy of combining preoperative immunotherapy with surgery in the management of advanced PM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The superior vena cava (SVC)'s involvement in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been considered a technical and oncological contraindication for surgery. In recent decades, different studies have demonstrated that surgery should not be contraindicated per se, but in highly selected cases and specialized centers, it could be curative with acceptable risks. Nevertheless, the tangential resection of the SVC or patch reconstruction have different surgical risks from prosthetic replacement. Moreover, the percentage of SVC involvement may influence the prognoses of these selected patients. Our intention was to investigate the relation between the rate of SVC involvement and surgical and oncological outcomes. The conclusions of our retrospective study may improve the management of patients with T4 NSCLC and SVC invasion. Background: Surgery for non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) invading the superior vena cava (SVC) is rarely performed due to surgical complexities and reported poor prognoses. Different methods have been described to reconstruct the SVC, such as direct suture, patch use or prosthesis, according to its circumferential involvement. The aim of our study was to analyze the short- and long-term results of different types of SVC resection and reconstruction for T4 NSCLCs. Methods: Between January 2000 and December 2019, 80 patients received an anatomical lung resection with SVC surgery in this multicenter retrospective study. The partial resection and direct suture or patch reconstruction group included 64 patients, while the complete resection and prosthesis reconstruction group included 16 patients. The primary endpoints were as follows: long-term survival and disease-free survival. The secondary endpoints were as follows: perioperative complications and 30- and 90-day mortality. Unpaired t-tests or Mann–Whitney U tests for non-parametric variables were applied to discrete or continuous data, and the chi-square test was applied to dichotomous or categorical data. Survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Results: No differences were found between the two groups in terms of general characteristics and surgical, oncological and survival outcomes. In particular, there were no differences in terms of early (50.0% vs. 68.8%, p = 0.178) and late complication frequency (12.5% vs. 12.5%, p = 1.000), 30- and 90-day mortality, R status, recurrence, overall survival (33.89 ± 40.35 vs. 35.70 ± 51.43 months, p = 0.432) and disease-free survival (27.56 ± 40.36 vs. 31.28 ± 53.08 months, p = 0.668). The multivariate analysis demonstrated that age was the only independent predictive factor for overall survival. Conclusions: According to our results, SVC resection has good oncological and survival outcomes, regardless of the proportion of circumferential involvement and the type of reconstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive asbestos-related tumor with a poor prognosis. Surgery, often considered in the context of multimodality treatment, may be burdened by high morbidity, and for this reason, it should be reserved for patients who have a good pre-operative performance status. Sarcopenia, a well-established predictor of negative outcomes in several clinical settings, is still underinvestigated in MPM. The aim of the study is to elucidate the prognostic impact of muscular loss on surgical outcomes in patients with MPM. We demonstrated that, respectively, pre- and post-operative sarcopenia strongly affects the risk of post-operative complications and long-term survival after surgery for MPM. This finding will help clinicians to perform a better selection of patients, taking into consideration the enrollment in dedicated rehabilitation programs before surgery. Surgery for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) should be reserved only for patients who have a good performance status. Sarcopenia, a well-known predictor of poor outcomes after surgery, is still underinvestigated in MPM. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of sarcopenia as a predictor of short-and long-term outcomes in patients surgically treated for MPM. In our analysis, we included patients treated with a cytoreductive intent in a multimodality setting, with both pre- and post-operative CT scans without contrast available. We excluded those in whom a complete macroscopic resection was not achieved. Overall, 86 patients were enrolled. Sarcopenia was assessed by measuring the mean muscular density of the bilateral paravertebral muscles (T12 level) on pre-and post-operative CTs; a threshold value of 30 Hounsfield Units (HU) was identified. Sarcopenia was found pre-operatively in 57 (66%) patients and post-operatively in 61 (74%). Post-operative sarcopenic patients had a lower 3-year overall survival (OS) than those who were non-sarcopenic (34.9% vs. 57.6% p = 0.03). Pre-operative sarcopenia was significantly associated with a higher frequency of post-operative complications (65% vs. 41%, p = 0.04). The evaluation of sarcopenia, through a non-invasive method, would help to better select patients submitted to surgery for MPM in a multimodality setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES Minimally invasive techniques seem to be promising alternatives to open approaches in the surgical treatment of early-stage thymoma, although there are controversies because of lack of data on long-term results. The aim of the study was to evaluate the surgical and oncological results after robotic thymectomy for early-stage thymoma compared to median sternotomy. METHODS Between 1982 and 2017, 164 patients with early-stage thymoma (Masaoka I and II) were operated on by median sternotomy (108 patients) or the robotic approach (56 patients). Duration of surgery, amount of blood loss, complications, duration of chest drainage, postoperative hospital stay, oncological results and total costs were retrospectively evaluated. Data were analysed also after propensity score matching. RESULTS Compared to the trans-sternal group, robotic thymectomy had significantly longer average operative times (P  <   0.001) but less intraoperative blood loss (P  =   0.01), less perioperative complications (P  =   0.03), shorter time to chest drainage removal and hospital discharge (P  <   0.001). The median expense for the trans-sternal approach was significantly higher than the cost of the robotic procedure (P  <   0.001), mainly due to longer hospitalization. From an oncological point of view, there were no differences in thymoma recurrence, although follow-up of the trans-sternal group was significantly longer (P  <   0.001). Data were confirmed after propensity score matching. CONCLUSIONS Robotic thymectomy for early-stage thymoma is a technically safe and feasible procedure with low complication rate and shorter hospital stay compared to the trans-sternal approach. Cost analysis revealed lower expenses for the robotic procedure due to the reduced hospital stay. The oncological outcomes seemed comparable, but longer follow-up is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: If concurrent chemoradiotherapy cannot be performed, induction chemotherapy followed by radical-intent surgical treatment is an acceptable option for non primarily resectable non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). No markers are available to predict which patients may benefit from local treatment after induction. This exploratory study aims to assess the feasibility and the activity of multimodality treatment, including triple-agent chemotherapy followed by radical surgery and/or radiotherapy in locally advanced NSCLCs. Methods: We retrospectively collected data from locally advanced NSCLCs treated with induction chemotherapy with carboplatin (area under the curve 6, d [day]1), paclitaxel (200 mg/m², d1), and gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m² d1, 8) for three to four courses, followed by radical surgery and/or radiotherapy. We analyzed radiological response and toxicity. Estimated progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were correlated to response, surgery, and clinical features. Results: In all, 58 NSCLCs were included in the study: 40 staged as IIIA, 18 as IIIB (according to TNM Classification of Malignant Tumors-7th edition staging system). A total of 36 (62%) patients achieved partial response (PR), and six (10%) progressions were recorded. Grade 3-4 hematological toxicity was observed in 36 (62%) cases. After chemotherapy, 37 (64%) patients underwent surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy, and two patients received radical-intent radiotherapy. The median PFS and OS were 11 months and 23 months, respectively. Both PFS and OS were significantly correlated to objective response (P<0.0001) and surgery (P<0.0001 and P=0.002). Patients obtaining PR and receiving local treatment achieved a median PFS and OS of 35 and 48 months, respectively. Median PFS and OS of patients not achieving PR or not receiving local treatment were 5-7 and 11-15 months, respectively. The extension of surgery did not affect the outcome. Conclusion: The multimodality treatment was feasible, and triple-agent induction was associated with a considerable rate of PR. Patients achieving PR and receiving radical surgery or radiotherapy (53%) achieved a median OS of 4 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Radical resection of thymoma is the most important predictor of survival; despite a complete resection, 10-30% of patients develop a recurrence. The surgical treatment of thymic relapses is an accepted therapeutic approach; however, no clear data are available yet regarding the indication for surgery and the long-term prognosis of this subset of patients. The aim of our work was to review the data of a group of recurrent thymomas treated by surgery, comparing it with non-surgical therapy, and analysing the outcome and the prognostic factors. METHODS: Between 1980 and 2010, 880 patients with thymoma underwent complete macroscopical resection and were followed up for recurrence. Masaoka stage IVa and type C thymic tumours were excluded from the study. A total of 82 (9.3%) patients developed a recurrence, and 52 (63.4%) were reoperated. The other 21 patients, originally operated outside, underwent surgical resection of recurrence. Finally, 73 patients were operated on for recurrent thymoma and 30 received medical treatment. This entire cohort represents the subject of the study. RESULTS: There were 57 (55.3%) males and 46 (44.7%) females. The median time to relapse was 50 months. Sixty-three (61.2%) recurrences were regional, 17 (16.5%) local, 14 (13.6%) distant, 6 (5.8%) regional and distant, and 3 (2.9%) local, regional and distant. No operative mortality was observed. In 50 (68.5%) patients, a macroscopic complete resection was accomplished. The 5- and 10-year overall survival rates from recurrence were 63 and 37%, respectively. Complete surgical resection was associated with a significant better survival when compared with incomplete surgical resection and non-surgical treatment (P < 0.0001). A significant poorer prognosis was observed for multiple versus single relapses (P < 0.0001), Masaoka stage III primary tumour versus Masaoka stage I-II primary tumour (P = 0.02), distant versus loco-regional relapses (P = 0.05) and B3 histotype versus other (P = 0.02). On multivariate analysis, completeness of resection, number of metastases, Masaoka stage of primary tumour and site of relapse were identified as the only independent predictors of prognosis. CONCLUSION: Reoperation for recurrent thymoma is effective and safe, achieving a prolonged survival. Complete macroscopic resection and single recurrence are associated with better prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: In advanced stage thymic tumors complete surgical resection is not always achievable. Although surgery remains the cornerstone of therapy, there is growing evidence that multimodality treatment increases resectability and reduces the incidence of local and systemic relapses. Methods: Between 1980 and 2008, 75 patients with stages III (n =51), IVA (n =18) and IVB (n =6) thymic tumors were treated. Twenty-six patients had A–AB–B1 and 49 B2–B3–C histotype. Thirty-eight (50.6%) patients considered not radically resectable at preoperative workup, received induction chemotherapy; postoperatively 37 (49.3%) had radiotherapy, 25 (33.3%) chemoradiotherapy and 4 (5.3%) chemotherapy. Results: No perioperative mortality was recorded. Sixty-one (81.3%) had complete resection (CR) and 14 (18.7%) incomplete resection (IR). CR was lower in patients who received induction chemotherapy (73.7% vs 89.2%, p =0.02). In 11 (14.7%) cases a vascular procedure was carried out. Overall 5- and 10-year survivals were 70% and 57%, respectively. Five and 10-year tumor-related survival was 78% and 70%. Ten-year survival was better for CR vs IR resection (62% vs 28%; p =0.003) and for type A–AB–B1 vs B2–B3–C (60% vs 53%; p =0.03). No statistical difference was found between stage III and IV (10-year survival: 63% and 43%; p =0.42) and induction vs no induction chemotherapy (10-year survival: 52% vs 56%; p =0.54). At multivariate analysis CR (p =0.001) and type A–AB–B1 (p =0.04) were independent predictors of better survival. During follow-up, 34.4% of CR developed tumor recurrence. Conclusions: Multimodality treatment of stages III and IV thymic tumors guarantees good disease control and provides high survival and acceptable recurrence rates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Background: Trimodality therapy seems to be the best treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). A large experience served to evaluate the efficacy of surgery followed by adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy. Trimodality therapy results have led us to test induction chemotherapy followed by EPP and adjuvant radiotherapy in stages I–III of MPM. The aim of our study was to evaluate the feasibility of this protocol and to estimate survival. Methods: From 2000 to 2003, 21 patients with MPM (14 males and 7 females, median age 59 years) were enrolled in the prospective study. Induction chemotherapy consisted of Carboplatin (AUC 5mg/mL/min on Day 1) and Gemcitabine (1000mg/m2 on Days 1, 8, 15) for three to four cycles. EPP was performed 3–5 weeks after induction therapy, while post-operative RT was given 4–6 weeks after operation. Results: Ten patients received three cycles of chemotherapy, 10 patients received four cycles and 1 patient had two cycles. Grades 3–4 haematological toxicity occurred in eight (38.1%) patients. Chemotherapy response rate was: complete 0%, partial 33.3% and stable disease 66.7%. Seventeen (80.9%) out of 21 patients underwent EPP with no intra or post-operative mortality with an overall major and minor morbidity rate at 52.4%. Median survival was 25.5 months, with an overall 1, 3 and 5-year survival rate of 71, 33 and 19%, respectively. Conclusions: In MPM, the combined modality approach using the Carboplatin/Gemcitabine combination as induction chemotherapy is feasible, with good results in terms of survival and morbidity. Our results are similar to those of other studies using a heavier modality treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate type of surgery, long-term survival and factors influencing outcome in pulmonary carcinoid tumors. Patients and methods: We reviewed data of 252 patients who underwent surgery for carcinoid tumor in 1968–1989 (Group A) and in 1990–2005 (Group B). All cases were reviewed and classified as typical (TC) or atypical carcinoid (AC) according to WHO criteria (1999). Results: There were 174 (69%) patients with TC (167 N0, 6 N1 and 1 N2) and 78 (31%) with AC (56 N0, 13 N1, 9 N2). Surgery consisted of 163 (64.7%) formal lung resections (121 lobectomies, 18 bilobectomies, 14 segmentectomies, 10 pneumonectomies), 76 (30.1%) sleeve or bronchoplastic resections and 13 (5.2%) wedge resections. No perioperative mortality occurred, 17 (6.7%) patients experienced complications. Overall 5, 10 and 15-year survival rate was 90%, 83% and 77%. TC showed a more favourable prognosis than AC (10-year survival rate 93% and 64%; p =0.00001) as well as N0 patients in comparison with N1-2 patients (10-year survival rate 87% and 50%; p =0.00005). Group A received lymph-node sampling, Group B received a systematic lymphadenectomy. No difference was found between Group A and B in detection of nodal metastases (10.9% versus 11.9%; p =0.79), but in Group A we observed 2 lymph-node relapses. In Group B number of sleeve resections significantly increased (2.7% versus 20.4%; p =0.0001) and number of pneumonectomies showed a significant reduction (7.2% versus 1.4%; p =0.01). Conclusions: Typical histology and N0 status were important prognostic factors in carcinoid tumors. Parenchyma-sparing procedures must be considered the treatment of choice with systematic lymphadenectomy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze long-term survival and the prognostic significance of some factors after surgical resection of thymic epithelial tumours. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of clinical and histopatological data on 132 patients operated on for thymic tumours, from 1970 and 2001. Histologic diagnosis based on the new WHO classification system was made by a single patologist. A univariate and multivariate analysis of prognostic factors predicting survival was carried out. Results: There were: 108 complete resections (81.8%), 12 partial resections (9.1%) and 12 biopsies (9.1%). Overall 5, 10 and 15-year survival rate was 72, 61 and 52.5%, respectively. The Masaoka staging system showed 44 stage I, 18 stage II, 52 stage III and 18 stage IV. Histologic results were: 14 subtype A, 31 AB, 20 B1, 28 B2, 29 B3 and 10 C; the respective proportions of invasive tumour (stage II–IV) was 28.6, 58.1, 50, 75, 86.2 and 100%. There were 16 tumour recurrences (14.8%) of 108 radically resected thymomas, 10 were treated with radical re-resection. In univariate analysis, four prognostic factors were statistically significant: radical resection, Masaoka clinical staging, WHO histologic subtype and resectable tumour recurrence. In multivariate analysis, the independent factors predicting long-term survival were WHO histology and Masaoka stage. Conclusions: The WHO histologic classification seems to be the most significant prognostic factor reflecting the invasiveness of the thymic tumour. Completeness of resection and Masaoka stage I and II assure a better survival. Unresectable recurrence of thymic tumour predicted a worse prognosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Study objectives: Accurate TNM staging is the basis to evaluate prognosis and to plan treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Exact definition of N status is fundamental and the boundary line between N1 and N2 stations is one of the most controversial issue. Purpose of this study is to evaluate the prognostic significance of main bronchus nodes, that we classified as station number 10 (N1). Methods: We reviewed retrospectively lymph node patterns and survival of 175 patients with N1 and 154 with N2 disease, that underwent surgical resection with hilar and mediastinal lymphadenectomy from January 1990 to December 2000. These two groups were subdivided in N1 without station number 10 involvement (N1-, n=144), N1 with station number 10 involvement (N1+, n=31), N2 single station (N2s, n=107) and N2 multiple stations (N2m, n=47), respectively. A univariate and multivariate analysis of prognostic factors predicting survival has been performed. Results: Overall 5-year survival rate for 175 N1 patients and 154 N2 patients was 42 and 13%, respectively and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). The prognosis between N1-, N1+, N2 was compared: 5-year survival rate was 44, 31 and 13%, respectively and the difference reached a statistical value between N1+ and N2 (P<0.05), but not between N1- and N1+. When the comparison was made with N1-, N1+, N2s and N2m, the difference was significant between N1- and N2s (P=0.0003), between N1+ and N2m (P=0.0001), but not between N1+ and N2s. Conclusions: The aim of a uniform anatomical and clinical classification of nodal stations has not been thoroughly achieved, particularly regarding the boundary line between N1 and N2. Our study points out that the involvement of main bronchial nodes has a prognostic significance similar to that of N2 single station and should be considered as an early N2 disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Simple Summary: The involvement of mediastinal great vessels is common in advanced stage thymic tumors, which makes their surgical resection challenging. Moreover, the impact of vascular involvement on the oncological prognosis is still unclear. The aim of our retrospective, single-center study is to investigate surgical and oncological in a population of patients operated for advanced stage thymic tumors, dividing them in two groups according to the presence or absence of vascular involvement. We demonstrated that resection of thymic tumors with vascular involvement can be performed with optimal surgical results in a high-volume center and that the involvement of the great vessels seems to be associated with a higher recurrence rate, without affecting long-termsurvival. Background: The involvement of mediastinal great vessels is common in advanced stage thymic tumors, which makes their surgical resection challenging. Moreover, the impact of vascular involvement on the oncological prognosis is still unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the surgical and oncological outcomes and the impact of vascular involvement in a population of patients operated for advanced stage thymic tumors. Methods: A retrospective analysis on four hundred and sixty-five patients undergoing resection for advanced stage (Masaoka III–IV) thymic tumors in a single high-volume center was performed. One hundred forty-four patients met the inclusion criteria and were eligible for the study. Patients were divided in two groups according to the presence or absence of vascular involvement. Results: the two groups did not differ for the baseline characteristics and showed comparable surgical outcomes. Vascular involvement was not associated with worse overall survival but with an increased recurrence rate (p = 0.03). Multivariable analysis demonstrated a higher risk of recurrence in patients without R0 resection (HR 0.11, 0.02–0.54, p = 0.006) and with thymic carcinoma (HR 2.27, 1.22–4.24, p = 0.01). Conclusions: resection of thymic tumors with vascular involvement can be performed with optimal surgical results in a high volume center. From the oncological point of view, the involvement of the great vessels seems to be associated with a higher recurrence rate without affecting long-term survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This multicentric paper aimed at evaluating the role of pulmonary metastasectomy in patients affected by metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The impact of pulmonary metastasectomy was analysed with respect to long-term survival and disease-free survival in a wide population of patients affected by pulmonary metastases from renal cell carcinoma. The prognostic value of factors affecting survival, disease-free interval and disease-free survival was evaluated. Our results aid clinicians in identifying those patients affected by pulmonary metastases from renal cell carcinoma who are more likely to benefit from pulmonary metastasectomy. In this paper we aimed to address the role of pulmonary metastasectomy (PM) in patients affected by Lung Metastases (LM) from Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) and to analyse prognostic factors affecting overall survival (OS), disease-free interval (DFI) between primary RCC and first LM, and disease-free survival (DFS) after PM and before lung recurrence. Medical records of 210 patients who underwent PM from RCC in 4 Italian Thoracic Centres, from January 2000 to September 2019, were collected and analysed. All patients underwent RCC resection before lung surgery. The main RCC histology was clear cells (188, 89.5%). The 5- and 10-year OS from the first lung operation were 60% and 34%, respectively. LM synchronous with RCC (p = 0.01) and (Karnofsky Performance Status Scale) KPSS < 80% (p < 0.001) negatively influenced OS. Five- and 10-year DFI were 54% and 28%, respectively. The main factors negatively influencing DFI were: male gender (p = 0.039), KPSS < 80% (p = 0.009) and lactate dehydrogenase > 1.5 times 140 U/L (p = 0.001). Five- and 10-year disease-free survival were 54% and 28%, respectively; multiple LM (p = 0.036), KPSS < 80% (p = 0.001) and histology of RCC other than clear cells negatively influenced disease-free survival. Conclusions: patients with KPSS > 80%, single metachronous LM with a long DFI from RCC diagnosis, and clear cell histology, benefit from pulmonary metastasectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a case of a giant chondrosarcoma arising from the right anterolateral chest wall and extending to the abdomen. An extensive resection of the right lower chest wall, most of the right hemidiaphragm, and most of the anterior abdominal wall on the right side was carried out. A long titanium plate was used to reconstruct the right costal margin. This plate gave attachment to two polytetrafluoroethylene meshes that were used to cover the abdominal and chest wall defects. The patches were covered with pedicled muscles and omental flaps and subsequently with rotational skin flap. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Objective: Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung are considered aggressive. However, reported prognoses are heterogeneous and the optimum treatment remains undefined. We retrospectively evaluated outcomes in a series of patients with a pathological diagnosis of large cell neuroendocrine lung carcinoma, who underwent lung resection. We also assessed the utility of chemotherapy in a small subgroup. Patients and methods: The clinical records of 144 consecutive patients were reviewed in a multicenter study. Survival times, assessed from the day of surgery until death or most recent follow-up, were estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method, and compared by the log rank test. Results: There were 117 men and 27 women of median age 63 years. Twelve wedge resections, 3 segmentectomies, 95 lobectomies, 7 bilobectomies and 24 pneumonectomies were performed. Induction chemotherapy was given in 21 and postoperative chemotherapy in 24. Pathologically, 73 (50%) were stage I, 29 (20%) stage II, 40 (28%) stage III and 2 stage IV. Postoperative mortality was 2.8% and morbidity 26%. Overall 5-year survival was 42.5%: 52% for stage I, 59% for stage II and 20% for stage III (p =0.001 log-rank test on Kaplan–Meier curves). A trend to better outcome was associated with preoperative or postoperative chemotherapy in stage I disease (p =0.077) compared to no chemotherapy. The response rate to induction chemotherapy was 80% in the 15 patients with data available. Conclusion: large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung are confirmed as aggressive but are also chemosensitive. Our experience suggests that chemotherapy may improve prognosis in stage I disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a condition arising from compression of the subclavian vessels and/or brachial plexus. Many factors or diseases may cause compression of the neurovascular bundle at the thoracic outlet. We describe the case of a 41-year-old woman with TOS who presented with vascular venous symptoms. Chest computed tomography (CT) scan showed a cystic mass at the level of cervico-thoracic junction, located between the left subclavian artery and vein, which appeared compressed. The cystic mass was removed through a cervical approach and it was found to be a cyst arising from the thoracic duct compressing and anteriorly dislocating the left subclavian vein. After surgery symptoms promptly disappeared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]