Treatment of benign rectal stricture caused by repeated anal insertion by endoscopy and balloon dilation:A case report

BACKGROUND Benign rectal strictures can be categorized as primary(disease-related)and secondary(surgical anastomosis-related).Secondary strictures arise from surgical complications,whereas primary strictures have diverse etiologies,including various inflammatory conditions.Benign strictures are usually managed by surgery and endoscopy.We present an unusual etiology of benign rectal stricture caused by the repeated insertion of foreign objects into the rectum for sexual purposes,resulting in rectal injury and subsequent chronic inflammation.CASE SUMMARY A 53-year-old man presented to the outpatient clinic of the Colorectal Surgery Department with symptoms of chronic constipation and bloody stools.The patient previously experienced rectal injury due to foreign object insertion for sexual purposes.Colonoscopy revealed benign circumferential narrowing of the rectum.He underwent treatment by endoscopic argon plasma coagulation and balloon dilation and follow-up as an outpatient for 4 months.A colonoscopy at the end of the follow-up period revealed no evidence of rectal stricture relapse.CONCLUSION A history of rectal injury,followed by chronic inflammation,should be considered in patients with benign rectal strictures.Management with endoscopic argon plasma coagulation and balloon dilation can prevent the need for surgical resection of benign rectal strictures.

Cellular angiofibroma arising from the rectocutaneous fistula in an adult: A case report

BACKGROUND Rectocutaneous fistulae are common.The infection originates within the anal glands and subsequently extends into adjacent regions,ultimately resulting in fistula development.Cellular angiofibroma(CAF),also known as an angiomy ofibroblastoma-like tumor,is a rare benign soft tissue neoplasm predominantly observed in the scrotum,perineum,and inguinal area in males and in the vulva in females.We describe the first documented case CAF that developed within a rectocutaneous fistula and manifested as a perineal mass.CASE SUMMARY In the outpatient setting,a 52-year-old male patient presented with a 2-year history of a growing perineal mass,accompanied by throbbing pain and minor scrotal abrasion.Physical examination revealed a soft,well-defined,non-tender mass at the left buttock that extended towards the perineum,without a visible opening.The initial assessment identified a soft tissue tumor,and the laboratory data were within normal ranges.Abdominal and pelvic computed tomography(CT)revealed swelling of the abscess cavity that was linked to a rectal cutaneous fistula,with a track-like lesion measuring 6 cm×0.7 cm in the left perineal region and attached to the left rectum.Rectoscope examination found no significant inner orifices.A left medial gluteal incision revealed a thick-walled mass,which was excised along with the extending tract,and curettage was performed.Histopathological examination confirmed CAF diagnosis.The patient achieved total resolution during follow-up assessments and did not require additional hospitalization.CONCLUSION CT imaging supports perineal lesion diagnosis and management.Perineal angiofibromas,even with a cutaneous fistula,can be excised transperineally.

Is anoplasty superior to scar revision surgery for posthemorrhoidectomy anal stenosis?Six years of experience

BACKGROUND Anal stenosis is a rare but frustrating condition that usually occurs as a complication of hemorrhoidectomy.The severity of anal stenosis can be classified into three categories:mild,moderate,and severe.There are two main surgical treatments for this condition:scar revision surgery and anoplasty;however,no studies have compared these two approaches,and it remains unclear which is preferrable for stenoses of different severities.AIM To compare the outcomes of scar revision surgery and double diamond-shaped flap anoplasty.METHODS Patients with mild,moderate,or severe anal stenosis following hemorrhoidectomy procedures who were treated with either scar revision surgery or double diamond-shaped flap anoplasty at our institution between January 2010 and December 2015 were investigated and compared.The severity of stenosis was determined via anal examination performed digitally or using a Hill-Ferguson retractor.The explored patient characteristics included age,sex,preoperative severity of anal stenosis,preoperative symptoms,and preoperative adjuvant therapy;moreover,their postoperative quality of life was measured using a 10-point scale.Patients underwent proctologic follow-up examinations one,two,and four weeks after surgery.RESULTS We analyzed 60 consecutive patients,including 36 men(60%)and 24 women(40%).The mean operative time for scar revision surgery was significantly shorter than that for double diamondshaped flap anoplasty(10.14±2.31[range:7-15]min vs 21.62±4.68[range:15-31]min;P<0.001).The average of length of hospital stay was also significantly shorter after scar revision surgery than after anoplasty(2.1±0.3 vs 2.9±0.4 d;P<0.001).Postoperative satisfaction was categorized into four groups:45 patients(75%)reported excellent satisfaction(scores of 8-10),13(21.7%)reported good satisfaction(scores of 6-7),two(3.3%)had no change in satisfaction(scores of 3-5),and none(0%)had scores indicating poor satisfaction(1-2).As such,most patients were satisfied with their quality of life after surgery other than the two who noticed no difference due owing to the fact that they experienced recurrences.CONCLUSION Scar revision surgery may be preferable for mild anal stenosis upon conservative treatment failure.Anoplasty is unavoidable for moderate or severe stenosis,where cicatrized tissue is extensive.

Impact of circulating tumor cells in colorectal cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery

Laparoscopic surgery has recently been widely used for various benign colorectal diseases as well as colorectal cancer. Although laparoscopic surgery has been shown to be with similar prognostic results for certain groups of colorectal cancer patients. The influence of laparoscopic procedures on the oncologist results, especially freetumor cell spreading is still a concern for some surgeons. Tumor cells found in the peripheral blood of patients with cancer are termed circulating tumor cells(CTCs). Presence of CTCs in the peripheral blood of patients with colorectal cancer has been reported to be associated with disease stage, poor prognosis, tumor progression, response to therapy, and drug resistance. Whether laparoscopic procedure enhances tumor spreading during operation remains unknown. Significantly less CTC detected during laparoscopic surgery than open surgery for colorectal cancer has been reported. In our previous experience, no significant elevation in CTC level was found in most patients during laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer. We have shown that laparoscopic surgery had no significantly deleterious effect on CTCs in colorectal cancer patients. In this review, we aim at the impact of CTCs in patients with colorectal cancer undergoing laparoscopic surgery. The prognostic significance of CTCs in patients with colorectal cancer will also be addressed.

Formation of a rare curve-shaped thoracolith documented on serial chest computed tomography images:A case report

BACKGROUND Thoracolithiasis is a rare benign condition that manifests with one or more small nodules in the pleural cavity.In most cases,it is asymptomatic and found incidentally on chest imaging or during thoracic surgery.The thoracolithiasis formation process is rarely documented.Herein,we present a case of a rare,large,curve-shaped thoracolith,the formation of which was documented on serial computed tomography(CT)images.CASE SUMMARY A 46-year-old male patient who denied any prior systemic disease was evaluated due to intermittent right-sided lateral chest pain lasting for a year.Chest radiography and CT revealed a circumscribed calcified nodule measuring 3.5 mm in the right lower lung lobe.Nodule biopsy revealed fungal infection,which was treated with antifungal medication.After 2 years of follow-up,the patient developed intermittent chest discomfort caused by pleural adhesions,and underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery with pneumolysis.Postoperatively,he developed empyema,which fully resolved with antibiotic therapy.Thereafter,he was followed up at the outpatient clinic and underwent chest CT twice per year.Over time,we observed thickening of the right distal pleura near the lower posterior mediastinum,and several sporadic calcified nodules with gradually increasing intensity,which eventually merged into a single calcified curve-shaped thoracolith measuring approximately 9 cm in length during the 5-year follow-up.CONCLUSION This study documented the formation of a rare thoracolith shape observed for the first time.

Intrathoracic caudate lobe of the liver:A case report and literature review

Heterotopic supradiaphragmatic livers are rare. A total of 23 cases of primary supradiaphragmatic livers have been reported in the literature. The clinical presentations of heterotopic supradiaphragmatic liver are variable. The simultaneous detection of intrathoracic accessory liver and pulmonary sequestration is extremely rare, and only one case has previously been reported. It is difficult to make a correct diagnosis preoperatively. We presented a 53-year-old woman with complaints of an intermittent, productive cough and dyspnea for two months that was refractory to medical treatment. She had no previous history of trauma or surgery. A chest radiograph only showed a widening of the mediastinum. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the chest revealed a well-circumscribed homogenous soft-tissue mass, approximately 4.35 cm &#x000d7; 2.5 cm &#x000d7; 6.14 cm in size, protruding through the right diaphragmatic crura to the right pleural cavity, attached to the inferior vena cava, esophagus and liver. There was no conclusive diagnosis before surgery. After the operation, we discovered that this patient was the first case of a supradiaphragmatic heterotopic liver, which passed through the inferior vena cava foramen and was coincidentally combined with an intralobar pulmonary sequestration that was found intraoperatively. We discussed its successful management with surgical resection via a thoracic approach and reviewed the published literature.

Benefits of laparoscopy-assisted ileostomy in colorectal cancer patients with bowel obstruction

BACKGROUND Ileostomies are commonly performed after colon and rectal surgeries.Laparoscopy-assisted ileostomy with adhesion lysis may have potential benefits over conventional open surgery.AIM To compare the outcomes of laparoscopy-assisted and conventional ileostomies.METHODS Data from 48 consecutive patients who underwent ileostomy at our institution between May 2021 and May 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.The groups comprised 26 and 22 patients who underwent laparoscopic ileostomy(laparoscopic group)and conventional ileostomy(conventional group),respectively,performed by a single surgeon.Patient demographics,operative characteristics,postoperative outcomes,and 30-d morbidities and mortality rates were analyzed.RESULTS The two groups had comparable mean ages,sex distributions,American Society of Anesthesiologists scores,and body mass indices.However,the laparoscopic group showed similar operative time,better visualization for adhesion lysis,and lower visual analog scale scores than the conventional group.CONCLUSION Laparoscopy-assisted ileostomy is a safe and efficient method that produces lower visual analog scale scores,better intraoperative visualization for effective adhesion lysis,and similar operative time compared with conventional ileostomy.

Predictors of Malignant Pathology and the Role of Trans-Thoracic Needle Biopsy in Management of Solitary Fibrous Tumors of the Pleura: A 30-Year Review of a Tertiary Care Center Patient Cohort

Background: Solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura (SFTP) are rare neoplasms with unpredictable behavior. Lack of unifying criteria for benign or malignant SFTP has resulted in reports of SFTP exhibiting malignant behavior years after complete surgical resection (despite benign initial diagnosis). Additionally, the role of trans-thoracic needle biopsy in initial management of SFTP is unclear. Understanding predictors of malignancy identifies patients at unacceptably high risk for non-surgical primary therapy, and for recurrence despite complete surgical resection. Objectives: The primary objectives were to identify clinicopathological predictors of malignancy & recurrence in SFTP. The secondary aim was to determine the role of trans-thoracic needle biopsy in the management decision algorithm of SFTP. Methods: Retrospective chart review was conducted (Jan. 1983-Dec. 2013) at the Ottawa Hospital for pathologically confirmed SFTP. Data were collected on biopsy-related, clinical, histopathological & immunohistochemistry (IHC) variables. Appropriate tests of statistical inference were conducted for all variables. Results: Pathologically confirmed SFTP was identified in 26 cases. Transthoracic needle biopsy was conducted in 22 (84.6%);with 16 (72.7%) biopsies diagnostic of SFTP with IHC;3 (13.6%) being malignant. Primary management was surveillance in 3 and complete surgical resection in 23. Surgical pathology reported 15 (65.2%) benign and 8 (34.8%) malignant cases. Local recurrence occurred in 3 and distant recurrence in 1. Initial pathology was benign in 3 (75%) with recurrence. Clinicopathologic variables analyzed did not predict recurrent disease. IHC features did not differ between malignant & benign pathology significantly. Predictors of malignant pathology included: infiltrative cellular pattern (p = 0.042), nuclear crowding (p = 0.006), tumour necrosis (p 4 mitoses/ 10 high power field (p Conclusion: Because numerous variables analyzed did not predict recurrent disease, long-term follow-up is warranted regardless of benign or malignant initial histology. Histologic not IHC features predicted malignant pathology. Trans-thoracic needle biopsy did identify malignant SFTP;however its main use should be to differentiate SFTP from other pleural neoplasms using IHC.

Preservation of superior rectal artery in laparoscopically assisted subtotal colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis for slow transit constipation

BACKGROUND Slow transit constipation(STC)has traditionally been considered as a functional disorder.However,evidence is accumulating that suggests that most of the motility alterations in STC might be of a neuropathic etiology.If the patient does not meet the diagnosis of pelvic outlet obstruction and poorly response to conservative treatment,surgical intervention with subtotal colectomy may be effective.The most unwanted complication of the procedure is anastomotic leakage,however,preservation of the superior rectal artery(SRA)may reduce its incidence.AIM To evaluate the preservation of the SRA in laparoscopically assisted subtotal colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis in STC patients.METHODS This was a single-center retrospective observational study.STC was diagnosed after a series of examinations which included a colonic transit test,anal manometry,a balloon expulsion test,and a barium enema.Eligible patients underwent laparoscopically assisted total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis and were examined between January 2016 and January 2018.The operation time,blood loss,time to first flatus,length of hospital days,and incidence of minor or major complications were recorded.RESULTS A total of 32 patients(mean age,42.6 years)who had received laparoscopic assisted subtotal colectomy with ileorectal artery anastomosis and preservation of the SRA.All patients were diagnosed with STC after a series of examinations.The mean operative time was 151 min and the mean blood loss was 119 mL.The mean day of first time to flatus was 3.0 d,and the mean hospital stay was 10.6 d.There were no any patients conversions to laparotomy.Post-operative minor complications including 1 wound infection and 1 case of ileus.There was no surgical mortality.No anastomosis leakage was noted in any of the patients.CONCLUSION Laparoscopically assisted subtotal colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis and preservation of the SRA can significantly improve bowel function with careful patient selection.Sparing the SRA may protect against anastomosis leakage.

Diagnosis and management of glandular papilloma of lung:A case report

BACKGROUND Solitary respiratory papilloma is a rare epithelial tumor that can be categorizedinto multiple subtypes depending on tumor location,histological presentationand number.The glandular type is the rarest,with only 30 cases available withinthe field.Hence,information on its identification and treatment is limited.In thisreport,we discuss the diagnostic strategy and management of glandularpapilloma,along with a review of the literature.CASE SUMMARY We describe a male 44-year-old nonsmoker who presented with a persistentcough and recurrent pneumonia,which he had experienced for over 2 years.Asolitary pulmonary nodule with an endobronchial lesion was found via computedtomography of the chest.After a biopsy was obtained,no definite diagnosiscould be made.Glandular papilloma of the lung was confirmed via videoassistedthoracoscopic anatomic resection of the right lower lobe of the lung.Thepatient remained disease-free after 6 mo follow up.CONCLUSION Minimally invasive surgery is feasible for the surgical resection of endobronchialglandular papilloma.Although rare,glandular papilloma should be consideredin patients with infection or endobronchial lesions.

Role of positron emission tomography in primary carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma of the bronchus: A case report

BACKGROUND Primary carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma arising from the tracheobronchial system is rarely reported.CASE SUMMARY We present a patient with primary carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma of the bronchus and review the associated literature for further comparison,including age,clinical manifestations,and diagnostic process.This patient had no history of neoplasms of the salivary gland.CONCLUSION Positron emission tomography played an important role in the staging work-up of primary carcinoma of ex pleomorphic adenoma.Long-term follow-up was necessary for further prognosis analysis.

Three-dimensional image simulation of primary diaphragmatic hemangioma: A case report

BACKGROUND Fewer than 200 cases of diaphragmatic tumors have been reported in the past century. Diaphragmatic hemangiomas are extremely rare. Only nine cases have been reported in English literature to date. We report a case of cavernous hemangioma arising from the diaphragm. Pre-operative three-dimensional(3D)simulation and minimal invasive thoracoscopic excision were performed successfully, and we describe the radiologic findings and the surgical procedure in the following article.CASE SUMMARY A 40-year-old man was referred for further examination of a mass over the right basal lung without specific symptoms. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a poorly-enhanced lesion in the right basal lung, abutting to the diaphragm, measuring 3.1 cm × 1.5 cm in size. The mediastinum showed a clear appearance without evidence of abnormal mass or lymphadenopathy. A preoperative 3D image was reconstructed, which revealed a diaphragmatic lesion. Video-assisted thoracic surgery was performed, and a red papillary tumor was found, originating from the right diaphragm. The tumor was resected, and the pathological diagnosis was cavernous hemangioma.CONCLUSION In this rare case of diaphragmatic hemangioma, 3D image simulation was helpful for the preoperative evaluation and surgical decision making.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma mimics thoracic empyema: A case report

BACKGROUND Thoracic empyema and malignant pleural mesothelioma(MPM)are distinct medical conditions with similar symptoms,including cough,chest pain,and breathing difficulty.We present a rare MPM case mimicking thoracic empyema.Physicians must consider MPM risks for patients exposed to building material who exhibit lobulated pleural effusions,indicating thoracic empyema.CASE SUMMARY A 68-year-old retired male construction worker suffered from shortness of breath and chest tightness over 10 d,particularly during physical activity.A poor appetite and 4 kg weight loss over the past 3 wk were also reported.Chest images and laboratory data concluded a tentative impression of empyema thoracis(right).Video-assisted thoracic surgery with decortication and delobulation(right)was conducted.The pathological report yielded an MPM diagnosis.Refractory pleural bilateral effusions and respiratory failure developed postoperatively,and the patient died three weeks after the operation.CONCLUSION Thoracic empyema and MPM are distinct medical conditions that can present similar symptoms,and video-assisted thoracic surgery facilitates an accurate diagnosis.Empyema-mimicking presentations and postoperative refractory pleural effusion may indicate a poor MPM outcome.

Mapping the metabolic responses to oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy with in vivo spatiotemporal metabolomics

Adjuvant chemotherapy improves the survival outlook for patients undergoing operations for lung metastases caused by colorectal cancer (CRC). However, a multidisciplinary approach that evaluates several factors related to patient and tumor characteristics is necessary for managing chemotherapy treatment in metastatic CRC patients with lung disease, as such factors dictate the timing and drug regimen, which may affect treatment response and prognosis. In this study, we explore the potential of spatial metabolomics for evaluating metabolic phenotypes and therapy outcomes during the local delivery of the anticancer drug, oxaliplatin, to the lung. 12 male Yorkshire pigs underwent a 3 h left lung in vivo lung perfusion (IVLP) with various doses of oxaliplatin (7.5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg/L), which were administered to the perfusion circuit reservoir as a bolus. Biocompatible solid-phase microextraction (SPME) microprobes were combined with global metabolite profiling to obtain spatiotemporal information about the activity of the drug, determine toxic doses that exceed therapeutic efficacy, and conduct a mechanistic exploration of associated lung injury. Mild and subclinical lung injury was observed at 40 mg/L of oxaliplatin, and significant compromise of the hemodynamic lung function was found at 80 mg/L. This result was associated with massive alterations in metabolic patterns of lung tissue and perfusate, resulting in a total of 139 discriminant compounds. Uncontrolled inflammatory response, abnormalities in energy metabolism, and mitochondrial dysfunction next to accelerated kynurenine and aldosterone production were recognized as distinct features of dysregulated metabolipidome. Spatial pharmacometabolomics may be a promising tool for identifying pathological responses to chemotherapy.

Hyperparathyroidism presented as multiple pulmonary nodules in hemodialysis patient status post parathyroidectomy:A case report

BACKGROUND Primary hyperparathyroidism is typically caused by a single parathyroid adenoma.Ectopic parathyroid adenomas occur as well,with cases involving various sites,including the mediastinum,presenting in varying frequencies.Secondary hyperparathyroidism develops in the context of chronic kidney disease,primarily due to vitamin D deficiency,hypocalcemia,and hyperphosphatemia.It is frequently diagnosed in patients undergoing dialysis.This article presents a rare case of hyperparathyroidism involving multiple hyperplastic parathyroid glands with pulmonary seeding in a 50-year-old female patient undergoing hemodialysis(HD).CASE SUMMARY The patient had a history of parathyroidectomy 10 years prior but developed recurrent hyperparathyroidism with symptoms of pruritus and cough with sputum during a period of routine dialysis.Radiographic imaging revealed multiple nodules in both lungs,with the largest measuring approximately 1.35 cm.Surgical histopathology confirmed the presence of hyperplastic parathyroid glands within the pulmonary tissue.After tumor resection surgery via videoassisted thoracic surgery with wedge resection,the patient was discharged in stable condition and in follow-up her symptoms showed improvement.CONCLUSION This article describes hyperparathyroidism presenting as pulmonary nodules in a patient undergoing postparathyroidectomy HD,highlighting diagnostic challenges and a positive outcome from tumor resection surgery.

Identification of telomere maintenance gene variations related to lung adenocarcinoma risk by genome-wide association and whole genome sequencing analyses

Dear editor,Lung carcinoma is responsible for the highest fatal-ity rate among cancer-related deaths globally,with lung adenocarcinoma(LADC)emerging as the prevailing sub-type.

Relationship between intralobar pulmonary sequestration and type A aortic dissection:A case report

BACKGROUND Pulmonary sequestrations often lead to serious complications such as infections,tuberculosis,fatal hemoptysis,cardiovascular problems,and even malignant degeneration,but it is rarely documented with medium and large vessel vasculitis,which is likely to result in acute aortic syndromes.CASE SUMMARY A 44-year-old man with a history of acute Stanford type A aortic dissection status post-reconstructive surgery five years ago.The contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the chest at that time had also revealed an intralobar pulmonary sequestration in the left lower lung region,and the angiography also presented perivascular changes with mild mural thickening and wall enhancement,which indicated mild vasculitis.The intralobar pulmonary sequestration in the left lower lung region was long-term unprocessed,which was probably associated with his intermittent chest tightness since no specific medical findings were detected but only positive sputum culture with mycobacterium avium-intracellular complex and Aspergillus.We performed uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with wedge resection of the left lower lung.Hypervascularity over the parietal pleura,engorgement of the bronchus due to a moderate amount of mucus,and firm adhesion of the lesion to the thoracic aorta were histopathologically noticed.CONCLUSION We hypothesized that a long-term pulmonary sequestration-related bacterial or fungal infection can result in focal infectious aortitis gradually,which may threateningly aggravate the formation of aortic dissection.

The SUPER reporting guideline suggested for reporting of surgical technique

Background:Existing reporting guidelines pay insufficient attention to the detail and comprehensiveness reporting of surgical technique.The Surgical techniqUe rePorting chEcklist and standaRds(SUPER)aims to address this gap by defining reporting standards for surgical technique.The SUPER guideline intends to apply to articles that encompass surgical technique in any study design,surgical discipline,and stage of surgical innovation.Methods:Following the EQUATOR(Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research)Network approach,16 surgeons,journal editors,and methodologists reviewed existing reporting guidelines relating to surgical technique,reviewed papers from 15 top journals,and brainstormed to draft initial items for the SUPER.The initial items were revised through a three-round Delphi survey from 21 multidisciplinary Delphi panel experts from 13 countries and regions.The final SUPER items were formed after an online consensus meeting to resolve disagreements and a three-round wording refinement by all 16 SUPER working group members and five SUPER consultants.Results:The SUPER reporting guideline includes 22 items that are considered essential for good and informative surgical technique reporting.The items are divided into six sections:background,rationale,and objectives(items 1 to 5);preoperative preparations and requirements(items 6 to 9);surgical technique details(items 10 to 15);postoperative considerations and tasks(items 16 to 19);summary and prospect(items 20 and 21);and other information(item 22).Conclusions:The SUPER reporting guideline has the potential to guide detailed,comprehensive,and transparent surgical technique reporting for surgeons.It may also assist journal editors,peer reviewers,systematic reviewers,and guideline developers in the evaluation of surgical technique papers and help practitioners to better understand and reproduce surgical technique.

胸腺恶性肿瘤预后的标准评估方法

胸腺恶性肿瘤相对少见，发病率约2.5-3.2/100万[1,2]，病例也分散在各个医疗中心。现有文献几乎都是单中心的回顾性研究，为获得足够的病例，研究时间往往跨度几十年，报道结果的方式和使用的定义也各不相同，不同的研究结果很难比较。加之胸腺恶性肿瘤的进展、复发模式及致死原因等都具有其一定的特殊性，如何报道其结局显得十分重要。由于胸腺恶性肿瘤患者数量相对有限，从现有的经验中收集信息较为困难，而且存在过度描述和错误结论的风险。因此，专业胸腺肿瘤学术组织（International Thymic Malignacy Interest Group, ITMIG）对临床试验结果的报告制定了一套标准，已被该组织承担的合作项目采用。该标准的广泛应用将增强不同研究结果的可比性。只有采用统一的定义和规范的结果报告，胸腺肿瘤研究才能取得重要进展。2010年以前由外科医生、肿瘤内科医生和统计学家组成的小组共同回顾已有文献使用的评估方法形成初步的建议，再经过一个扩展小组审查，并最终将提炼的建议分发给所有ITMIG成员进行进一步讨论。最后在2010年5月6日的纽约年会上得到ITMIG的认可并被采用。本文就ITMIG标准作一综述。

胸腺恶性肿瘤Masaoka-Koga分期相关术语的说明与定义

目前，胸腺恶性肿瘤尚无国际抗癌联盟（International Union Against Cancer, UICC）和美国癌症联合委员会（American Joint Committeeon Cancer, AJCC）的官方分期。在2017年新版国际肿瘤分期提出较为广泛接受的分期之前，国际胸腺肿瘤协作组织（International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group, ITMIG）仍然建议选用经Koga等修订的Masaoka分期[1-3]。然而， Masaoka和Koga分期都存在一些模糊的术语定义，尤其是对某些细节未作出明确的定义，造成学术界的许多混乱。为此，ITMIG首先由核心工作组起草推荐定义，再交由扩展工作组提炼，并于2010年11月16日ITMIG举办的定义和术语研讨会上进行了进一步修订，最终经ITMIG全体成员讨论后于2011年2月经ITMIG批准并被采用。其灵魂内容是ITMIG对Masaoka-Koga分期系统的许多细节问题给出了较明确定义与解释，旨在使得大家在应用Masaoka-Koga分期的过程中更加一致，以利于相互合作、资源共享，同时便于前瞻性数据的正确收集，最终提出更合理的分期系统供临床使用。本文就此作一综述。