CTSN -

Supeior Sulcus Tumors

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Definitiona bronchogenic carcinoma located in the extreme apex of the lung which invades the pleura and adjacent structures and produces classic symptoms and signs.

The presenting symptom most frequently cited is pain localized to the shoulder. If left untreated the pain becomes unremitting and spreads medially to the scapula, extends along the ulnar nerve distribution of the arm to involve the elbow, forearm and hand.
Other involved structures include the cervical sympathetics (Horners syndrome), vagus and phrenic nerves, carotid artery, and the vertebral bodies.

Squamous cell is the most common cause followed by adenocarcinoma and large cell. Small cell is rare

LocationAll are T3 since they invade the chest wall; classified as T4 when mediastinal and/or cervical invasion has taken place.
Posteriorstellate ganglion, posterior ribs, brachial plexus (upward extension), and vertebral bodies (medial extension)
Anterior1st rib, scalene muscle, subclavian vessels, phrenic nerve
Resection possible even with brachial plexus, stellate ganglion, rib, transverse process, subclavian artery (adventitia), vertebral body (<25%).
Mediastinal invasion (vena cava, vertebral foramina, vagus nerve) precludes cure
Nodal involvement is the key to potential curability once resectability is establishedlymph node involvement is usually late in these tumors

MSK series--129 patients
109 patientsnegative mediastinal nodes
median survival20 months
5yr29%
20 patientspositive mediastinal nodes
median survival9 months
5yr10%
Paulson131 patients

78 patients resected (pre-op RT)5yr survival 44%
17 patients with positive lymph nodes0% survival at 2 years

Radiologic evaluationusual CXR finding mass in apex clouding the lung markings above the clavicle when contrasted to the clarity of the opposite side; however, may only resemble pleural thickening. Bony destruction may be apparent.
CT will identify involvement and invasion of the brachial plexus, the chest wall, vertebral bodies, vena cava, trachea, esophagus, and the subclavian vessels. Will also depict lymph node involvement
MRI is recommended to delineate the extent of cervical invasion and some consider routine in the preoperative evaluation.

OPERATIVE APPROACH

Posterior
Incision follows the contour of the scapula

Enter pleura 3rd or 4th intercostal space
Vascular structures identified
Brachial plexus involvement identified and resected
Vertebral bodies are assessed
Lobectomy performed

Along with the possibility of usual complications, one other possibility is spinal cord leakage that may lead to meningitis or pneomoencephallyfrom air leaks and causes severe headaches

Anterior transcervical approach

Usually combined with the posterior approach

Sternocleidomastoid incision

Scalene fat pad dissection
Clavicular resection

Vein dissection
Jugular and subclavian veins freedexposure of thoracic duct and vertebral veins facilitated
Arterial dissection
Subclavian, IMA, thyrocervical trunk, vertebral artery
Nerve dissection

Brachial plexus

Overall, major advantage is the ability to deal with the invasion of the subclavian vein and related structures. It is not effective for tumors that invade the posterior aspects of the ribs and their transverse processes, the stellate ganglion and sympathetic chain, and the vertebral bodies.

RADIATION THERAPY

Primary therapy for unresectable or inoperable patients
Excellent for pain relief
No long term survival if primary tumor not controlled

Most common site of recurrence is the brainconsider prophylactic cerebral RT if local control achieved and histologic dx is adeno or large cell

PRE-OP RT

MSK126 patients; 100 resected; 117 pre/post op RT; 102 brachytherapy
69 complete resection (49 of these had brachytherapy)
22 had lobectomy; 47 large wedge resection
5yr survival60% for lobectomy; 33% for wedge resection
Intraoperative brachytherapy had no influence on loco-regional recurrence or survival in patients with completely resected tumors

Adverse prognostic factorsHorners syndrome, N2, N3, and vertebral body invasion
This series indicates that pre operative RT is useful in patients when combined with lobectomy. Unresectable disease should be treated with external RT. +/- Intraoperative brachytherapy in patients who are explored but incompletely resected.

POST OP RT

Not indicated in patients who are completely resected and have no nodal metastasis. There are some retrospective studies that show benefit in patients with nodal disease, however the LCSG showed no survival benefit in completely resected patientsit did decrease the incidence of local (intrathoracic) recurrence
MSKPost operative RT following immediate operation and brachytherapy was as effective as pre-op RT and brachytherapy in achieving complete resection, loco-regional control, and ultimate curability

There are no studies documenting the usefulness of chemotherapy in this disease.