Extensive resection with selective cerebral perfusion for a lung cancer invading the aortic arch

An extensive operation for lung cancer invading the aortic arch is reported. A 66-year-old man presented the recent onset of hoarseness. Chest computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a tumor of the Botallo lymph node invading the aortic arch. Left pneumonectomy with combined resection of the aortic arch was performed with the use of brain-isolated cardiopulmonary bypass. The aortic arch was resected and replaced by an artificial graft. Pathological examination revealed a primary lesion of adenocarcinoma in the left upper lobe and contiguous lymph node involvement, pT4N2M0. He was discharged and followed as an outpatient, however he died of miswallowing 10 months later. Such an extensive operation may be of value in selected patients.