Lung cancer is now the main cause of blood flow obstruction in the superior vena cava and of its clinical manifestations. History tells that in the 18th Century, syphilis and tuberculosis were responsible for 40% of the known cases. The knowledge of hemodynamic changes seen in this syndrome and the improvement of diagnostic and cytopathologic techniques allow for a safer and more comfortable treatment of the patient than 10 years ago. Contrast CT and MR added to the identification and location of the obstruction, and older techniques such as cavography could be abandoned. SVC obstruction diagnosis and Doppler studies carried out at the bed of the patient contribute to deobstruction procedures such as transluminal percutaneous angioplasty in cases of thrombosis and venous stenosis. In addition, the use of prostheses is of great importance in the management of cases utilization of traumatic lesion to the SVC during lung or mediastinal cancer surgeries. In the realm of radiotherapy, the fractionating technique allows for the administration of high doses of irradiation to cancer patients with benefits to 70% of the cases on the average.

Carcinoid tumor of the skin, which is a malignant neoplasm originating in the neuroendocrine system and having its pathological substrate in the Merkel cells, is a rare occurrence. It is most frequently seen on the skin around the neck and head and is more common in the elderly. This study relates the case of a 35-year-old woman presenting with a visible and palpable tumor covering the upper third of the sternum. Resection of the tumor was indicated because the patient had experienced two significant episodes of bleeding and osseous invasion had occurred. Penetration of the full thickness of the chest wall at the sternum notch necessitated the implantation of a rigid prosthesis. The definitive histopathological diagnosis was made only through postoperative analysis of the excised section. Reconstruction using a surgical cement plate and interposition of a myocutaneous flap proved its usefulness as an alternative when resection is performed in an area important to the postoperative respiratory dynamic, a situation that typically requires a ventilatory prosthesis for up to 6 days. The stability of the chest wall, together with viability of the flap and the recuperation of pulmonary function, allowed the patient to be discharged after 18 days.

Keywords: Carcinoma, Merkel cell/surgery. Carcinoid tumor/ diagnosis. Carcinoid tumor/surgery. Immunohistochemistry. Sternun/surgery. Neoplasm metastasis.

The authors report the case of a 28-year-old female patient with a giant cell tumor originating from the rib. The tumor, measuring 25 × 17 cm, occupied the entire hemithorax and caused atelectasis of the left lung. This tumor was a benign mesenchymal neoplasm, which rarely affects the ribs. A thoracotomy involving en bloc resection of the chest wall and tumor was performed. Despite the large dimensions of the tumor, complete resection was possible, and lung function was restored.

Keywords: Neoplasms; Giant cells; Mesoderm; Thoracotomy; Medical records.

Background: Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) with a flexible bronchoscope has been used for many years in the United States of America to diagnose bronchogenic carcinoma. However little information on the subject is available in Brazil. Objective: Assess the effectiveness of transbronchial needle aspiration for diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. Method: A retrospective review was made of 74 TBNA performed at the National Cancer Institute, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. a thoracic computerized tomography had oreviouslbeen made of all patients. Eleven (15%) patients exhibited mediastinal masses and 63 (85%) hilar masses. Seventy six endoscopic alterations were detected: enlargement of the main carina in 44 (59%) patients; enlargement of the secondary carina in 12 (16%); paratracheal compression in 5 (7%); posterior tracheal wall compression in 3 (4%); main bronchus compression in 5 (7%) AND BRONCHOSCOPY was normal in 5 (7%) patients. Results: Specimens were satisfactory for diagnosis in 42 (57%) patients and in 34 (46%) diagnosis was confirmed. Malignancy was confirmed in 30 of 34 patients (88%): as follows: small cell undifferentiated carcinoma in 10 of 30 (33%); squamous cell lung cancer in 7 of 30 (23%); adenocarcinoma 7 of 30 (23%); and non-small cell lung cancer in 6 of 30 (20%). Four of 30 (12%) were diagnosed as bearers of benign disease: tuberculosis 2 of 4 (50%) and sarcoidosis 2 of 4 (50%). No complications related to the method were perceived. Conclusion: This preliminary experience with TBNA in 74 patients indicated that this method is safe, easy to perform with a minimum of complications and useful for the diagnosis and staging of pulmonary neoplasms.

Keywords: Bronchoscopy/methods. Carcinoma, bronchogenic/diagnosis. Aspiration/methods.