Transcervical Extended Mediastinal Lymphadenectomy: Experience From a North American Cancer Center.

Background: Accurate staging of the mediastinum is a critical element of therapeutic decision making in non-small cell lung cancer. We sought to determine the utility of transcervical extended mediastinal lymphadenectomy (TEMLA) in staging non-small cell lung cancer for large central tumors and after induction therapy.

Methods: A retrospective record review was performed of all patients who underwent TEMLA at our institution from 2010 to 2015.

Does Thoracoscopic Surgery Decrease the Morbidity of Combined Lung and Chest Wall Resection?

Background: Because the traditional open lung approach with en bloc chest wall resection carries substantial risk for complications and death, we studied our thoracoscopic approach for this operation.

Methods: From 2007 to 2013, all consecutive video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) and open chest wall resections at a comprehensive cancer center were tabulated retrospectively. Data were analyzed by approach, type, and cause of early major morbidity and mortality.

Transcervical extended mediastinal lymphadenectomy - indications and technique.

Accurate mediastinal staging is the hallmark of a good thoracic oncology program. Despite advancements in imaging, surgical staging remains the gold standard of mediastinal staging for lung cancer. This review article summarizes the technique of transcervical mediastinal lymph node dissection and its role in the staging of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Prognostic implications of signet ring cell histology in esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Background: Signet ring cell esophageal adenocarcinoma histology has been difficult to study in single institution series because of its relative rarity, yet has an anecdotal reputation for poor prognosis. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was examined to assess the prognostic implications of this esophageal adenocarcinoma subtype.

Methods: All patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma in the SEER database from 2004 to 2009 were included.

Natural history of morbid obesity without surgical intervention.

Background: To study the mortality among morbidly obese patients qualifying for bariatric surgery. Mortality from bariatric surgery for morbid obesity has been widely reported; however, little is known about the mortality in morbidly obese patients who defer surgery.

Methods: Consecutive patients evaluated for bariatric surgery with an initial encounter between 1997 and 2004 were identified.