Effectiveness of radical systematic mediastinal lymphadenectomy in patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer: results of a prospective randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of lymphadenectomy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The extent of lymphadenectomy in the treatment of NSCLC is still a matter of controversy. Although some centers perform mediastinal lymph node sampling (LS) with resection of only suspicious lymph nodes, others recommend a radical, systematic mediastinal lymphadenectomy (LA) to improve survival and to achieve a better staging. METHODS: In a controlled, prospective, randomized clinical trial, the effects of LA on recurrence rates and survival were analyzed, comparing LS and LA in 169 patients with operable NSCLC. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 47 months, LA did not improve survival in the overall group of patients (hazard ratio: 0.78; 95% confidence interval: 0.47-1.24). Although recurrences rates tended to be reduced among patients who underwent LA, these decreases were not statistically significant (hazard ratio: 0.82; 95% confidence interval: 0.54-1.27). However, analysis of subgroups of patients according to histopathologic lymph node staging revealed that LA appears to prolong relapse-free survival (p = 0.037) with a borderline effect on overall survival (p = 0.058) in patients with limited lymph node involvement (pN1 disease or pN2 disease with involvement of only one lymph node level); in patients with pN0 disease, no survival benefit was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Radical systematic mediastinal lymphadenectomy does not influence disease-free or overall survival in patients with NSCLC and without overt lymph node involvement. However, a small subgroup of patients with limited mediastinal lymph node metastases might benefit from a systematic lymphadenectomy.     

Lymph node-positive bladder cancer treated with radical cystectomy and lymphadenectomy: effect of the level of node positivity

Background

The extent of lymphadenectomy needed to optimize oncologic outcomes after radical cystectomy (RC) for patients with regionally advanced bladder cancer (BCa) is unclear.

Objective

Evaluate the effect of the location of lymph node metastasis on recurrence-free survival (RFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) for patients undergoing RC with a mapping pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND).

Design, setting, and participants

A study of 591 patients undergoing RC with mapping PLND was completed between 2000 and 2010. Median follow-up was 30 mo.

Intervention

RC with mapping PLND.

Measurements

We evaluated the impact of lymph node involvement by location on disease outcomes using the 2010 TNM staging system. Survival estimates were described using Kaplan-Meier methods. Gender, age, pathologic stage, histology, number of positive nodes, location of positive nodes, node density, use of perioperative chemotherapy, and grade were evaluated as predictors of RFS and CSS using multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression.

Results and limitations

Overall, 114 patients (19%) had lymph node involvement, and 42 patients (7%) had pN3 disease. On multivariate analysis, the number of positive lymph nodes (one or two or more) was significantly associated with increased risk of cancer-specific death (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.9 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04–3.46], p = 0.036; versus HR: 4.3 [95% CI, 2.25–8.34], p < 0.0005). Positive lymph node location was not an independent predictor of RFS or CSS. Five-year RFS for pN3 patients undergoing RC with PLND was 25% (95% CI, 10–42). This finding was not statistically different from our pN1 and pN2 patients (38% [95% CI, 22–54] and 35% [95% CI, 11–60], respectively). This study is limited by the lack of prospective randomization and a control group.

Conclusions

The outcome for patients with involved common iliac lymph nodes was similar to the outcome for patients with primary nodal basin disease. These data support inclusion of the common iliac lymph nodes (pN3) in the nodal staging system for BCa. Lymph node location was not an independent predictor of outcome, whereas the number of positive lymph nodes was an independent predictor of worse oncologic outcome (pN1, pN2). Further refinements of the TNM system to provide improved prognostication are warranted.     

Prognostic value of lymph node dissection in patients with muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the prognostic role of lymphadenectomy (LND) in patients with muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the upper urinary tract (UUT) managed with radical surgery. METHODS: From 1986 to 2003, 132 consecutive patients with muscle-invasive TCC of the UUT underwent radical surgery. LND was performed in 95 cases. Patients were stratified according to the presence of LND and lymph node (LN) status. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression models determined the effect of age, pT, grade, nodal status (pN), number of LNs removed, year of surgery, and postoperative chemotherapy on disease-free survival (DFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) in the overall population and in patients who underwent LND. RESULTS: The actuarial 5-yr CSS in pNx patients was significantly worse than in pN0 patients (48% vs. 73%, p=0.001) and comparable to pN+ outcome (48% vs. 39%, p=0.476). In the entire population, multivariable Cox regression analyses indicated that pT and pN status were independent predictors of DFS (p=0.04, hazard ratio [HR]=1.82 and p<0.01, HR=1.34, respectively) and CSS (p<0.01, HR=2.42 and p=0.04, HR=1.32, respectively). In patients who underwent LND, the number of LNs removed was an independent predictor of DFS (p=0.03, HR=0.928) and of CSS (p=0.007, HR=0.903). The extent of LND again resulted in an independent predictor either of DFS or CSS (p=0.04, HR=0.904 and p=0.01, HR=0.867, respectively) in the subgroup of pN0 patients. CONCLUSIONS: LND emerged as a strong independent predictor of DFS and CSS in patients surgically managed for a muscle-invasive TCC of the UUT.     

Prognostic Factors for Surgically Resected N2 Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Purpose: Non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) with pathologically documented ipsilateral mediastinal lymph node (LN) metastases (pN2) are a broad spectrum of diseases. We retrospectively analyzed prognostic factors for cases of pN2 NSCLC treated by surgical resection.Methods: Clinicopathological data were reviewed for consecutive 121 patients who underwent anatomical pulmonary resection with mediastinal LN sampling or dissection for pN2 NSCLC over a 15-year period.Results: The 5-year survival rate for all patients was 29.9%. Clinical N status, curability, surgical procedure and adjuvant chemotherapy were favorable prognostic factors in univariate analysis, with 5-year survival rates of 35.0% for cN0/1 vs. 17.7% for cN2/3 cases; 33.1% for R0 vs. 14.7% for R1/2 resection; 31.5% for lobectomy vs. 25.0% for bilobectomy and 15.6% for pneumonectomy; and 72.7% with adjuvant chemotherapy vs. 23.8% without adjuvant chemotherapy. Survival did not differ significantly based on gender, age, smoking status, clinical T status, tumor location, histology, skip metastasis, subcarinal LN metastasis, or number of involved N2 levels. In multivariate analysis, adjuvant chemotherapy, R0 resection, and lobectomy emerged as independent favorable prognostic factors.Conclusion: Complete resection using lobectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy are favorable prognostic factors in cases of pN2 NSCLC.     

机器人辅助腹腔镜根治性膀胱切除术的预后风险因素

目的:探讨机器人辅助腹腔镜根治性膀胱切除术(RARC)后的预后风险因素。方法:回顾性分析南京鼓楼医院2014年12月至2018年12月收治的224例行RARC患者的临床和随访资料,男193例,女31例。平均年龄68(36~92)岁。7例(3.1%)接受新辅助化疗。125例(55.8%)美国麻醉医师协会(ASA)评分>2...     

Prognostic implications of extracapsular extension of pelvic lymph node metastases in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder

To determine whether extracapsular extension of pelvic lymph node metastases from urothelial carcinoma of the bladder is of prognostic significance. From a consecutive series of 507 patients with urothelial carcinoma of the bladder preoperatively staged N0M0, 101 of 124 patients with lymph node metastases detected on histologic examination fulfilled the inclusion criteria for this study and were evaluated. All underwent radical cystectomy between 1985 and 2000 with standardized extended bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy in curative intent and were prospectively followed for recurrence-free (RFS) and overall (OS) survival. Staging was done according to UICC 2002. A total of 2375 lymph nodes were examined. The median number of nodes examined per patient was 22 (range, 10-43). The median number of positive nodes was 2 (range, 1-24). Median RFS and OS were 17 and 21 months (range for both, 1-191), respectively. The 5-year RFS and OS rates were 32% and 30%, respectively. There were 59 patients (58%) with extracapsular extension of lymph node metastases. They had a significantly decreased RFS (median, 12 vs. 60 months, P=0.0003) and OS (median, 16 vs. 60 months, P <0.0001) compared with those with intranodal metastases. There were no significant differences in survival between pN1 and pN2 categories with extracapsular extension of the lymph node metastases (RFS, P=0.70; OS, P=0.65) or those without extension (RFS, P=0.47; OS, P=0.34). On a multivariate analysis, extracapsular extension of lymph node metastases was the strongest negative predictor for RFS. Meticulous lymph node resection and subsequent thorough histologic examination in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer reveals a high incidence of lymph node-positive disease (24%) despite negative preoperative staging. Lymph node metastases with extracapsular extension in pN1 and pN2 stages carry a very poor prognosis. Therefore, this feature should be used to designate a separate pN category in the staging system. The discrimination of pN1/pN2 in the UICC 2002 classification seems to be arbitrary and of no significant prognostic relevance.     

T3期胆囊癌淋巴结清扫范围对预后影响分析

目的 评估T3期胆囊癌（GBC）病人术中行标准或扩大淋巴结清扫的临床结局。方法 回顾性分析2011年1月至2016年2月天津医科大学肿瘤医院肝胆肿瘤科收治的行手术治疗的67例T3期GBC病人的临床资料。其中行标准和扩大淋巴结清扫分别为32、35例。67例病人中T分期达到T3的Ⅲ期GBC病人为56例,其中标准和扩大淋巴结清扫分别为32、24例。通过多因素回归分析评估不同淋巴结清扫范围对于局部晚期胆囊癌预后的影响。结果 对于T3期病人,N分期（HR=2.24,95%CI 1.49-3.36,P<0.001）和淋巴结清扫范围（HR=2.51,95%CI 1.35-4.67,P=0.004）是总生存率（OS）的独立预后因素,而肝浸润（HR=2.10,95%CI 1.18-3.74,P=0.012）和胆石症（HR=2.84,95%CI 1.30-6.19,P=0.009）是无复发生存率（RFS）的独立危险因素。对于手术切除后T分期达T3期的Ⅲ期GBC病人,淋巴结清扫是OS和RFS的独立危险因素（OS:HR=2.46,95%CI 1.27-4.77,P=0.008;RFS:HR=1.99,9...     

Comparison of the prognosis of primary vs. progressive muscle invasive bladder cancer after radical cystectomy: Results from a large multicenter study

PurposeTo assess whether progressive and primary muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) have different prognosis after radical cystectomy or not. To date only a few data are available on this topic with conflicting results. Further studies on large cohort are needed to clarify these outcomes that may influence bladder cancer management for these patients.Material and methodsA multicentre retrospective study was conducted on patient treated for MIBC at 5 centres between 2005 and 2015 by radical cystectomy. Patients’ outcomes were compared between patients with primary MIBC vs. progressive MIBC subsequent to a history of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).ResultsA total of 1197 patients were included. Median (IQ) age was 65 (58–72) years and median follow-up was 65 months. Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups as well as the Tumour pT stage, N status and positive surgical margins. Patients with progressive MIBC had worse overall survival (OS) (hazard ratio [HR] 1.36, [95%CI 1.10–1.76]; P = 0.004), cancer specific survival (CSS) (HR 1.41 [1.13–1.78]; P = 0.002), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) (HR 1.21 [1.01–1.49]; P = 0.05). Pathological stage ≥pT3, positive surgical margins, and positive lymph nodes status (pN+) were also found as predictors of OS, CSS, and RFS.ConclusionsOur results suggest that patient having a progressive BC have a worse prognosis in terms of OS, PFS, and CSS than patient with primary disease. These 2 groups may require different management and patients with high risk NMIBC should be assessed properly to avoid progression and be offered early cystectomy.     

Verteilungsmuster und Befall regionärer Lymphknoten bei nicht-kleinzelligem Bronchialcarcinom

Despite the important role of lymph node infiltration for the classification and prognosis of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), no standards exist to evaluate the quality of mediastinal lymphadenectomy. Researches at several centers are not convinced that complete ipsilateral lymphadenectomy is necessary. We investigated 270 consecutive patients undergoing a potential curative operation for NSCLC including complete ipsilateral lymph node dissection in order to ascertain whether or not there is a correlation between tumor localization and lymph node infiltration. Patients were classified into the UICC (1987) stages I (n = 115), II (n = 42), and IIIa (n = 113). In patients with N1-positive lymph nodes (n = 61) we found higher 5-year survival for patients with only intrapulmonary lymph node infiltration (39%) than for patients with hilar infiltration (21%). Patients with N2 disease showed skip metastases in up to 81% of cases. We found that no tumor location predicted the lymph node infiltration. Due to the variability of lymph node infiltration and the frequently occurring skip metastases, complete ipsilateral lymphadenectomy should be the standard for curative operations for NSCLC.     

Oncological issues in staging mediastinal lymph node metastasis for left lung cancer

ObjectiveWe aimed to discuss the underlying oncological issues in staging of mediastinal lymph node metastasis in patients with left lung cancer who underwent extended radical lymphadenectomy (ERL).MethodsThis multi-institutional retrospective study analyzed 116 patients with left non-small-cell lung cancer who underwent bilateral paratracheal lymph node dissection (ERL) via median sternotomy. The clinicopathological records of patients with mediastinal lymph node metastasis were examined for prognostic factors, including age, sex, histology, tumor size, cN number, preoperative data, metastatic stations (number and distribution), pT, and adjuvant chemotherapy.ResultsMediastinal lymph node metastases were found in 43 patients, and right paratracheal lymph node metastases (pN3) were found in 13 patients. The 5-year overall survival rate was 25.2% in patients with pN3 tumors (n = 13) and 23.1% in patients with pN2 tumors (n = 30). The prognosis did not differ between patients with pN3 and pN2. Univariate analyses showed that histology, cN, and adjuvant chemotherapy were significant prognostic factors in patients with mediastinal lymph node metastasis. In these 43 patients, cN and adjuvant chemotherapy were significant independent prognostic factors in multivariate analysis.ConclusionsThe prognostic factors for left lung cancer with mediastinal lymph node metastasis were cN status and adjuvant chemotherapy, and not pN status (pN2 or pN3). We hope that the study results, which suggest that there may be no difference in prognosis between pN2 and pN3, would broaden the discussion of oncological issues in the staging of mediastinal lymph node metastasis of left lung cancer.     

Preoperative controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score as a novel predictive biomarker of survival in patients with localized urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract treated with radical nephroureterectomy

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between the controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score and survival of patients with localized urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract treated with radical nephroureterectomy (RNU).

No overt influence of lymphadenectomy on cancer-specific survival in organ-confined versus locally advanced upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma undergoing radical nephroureterectomy: a retrospective international, multi-institutional study

Purpose

Lymph node dissection (LND) is not routinely performed during radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) in upper tract urothelial carcinomas (UTUC), and its clinical relevance is unclear. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the impact of LND on clinical outcomes in a large multicenter series of RNU for UTUC.

Methods

Detailed data on 785 patients subject to RNU were provided by nine international academic centers. The choice to perform lymphadenectomy was determined by the treating surgeon. All pathology slides were evaluated by dedicated genitourinary pathologists. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression models evaluated the association of nodal status with recurrence-free (RFS) and cancer-specific (CSS) survival.

Results

One hundred and ninety patients had LND. Pathological N stage was pN0 in 17%, pNx in 76%, and pN+ in 7%. The median follow-up period of the entire cohort was 34?months (interquartile range [IQR]: 15?C65?months). Overall, five-year RFS and CSS estimates were 72.2 and 76%, respectively. In multivariable Cox regression analyses, pN0/pNx substaging was not an independent predictor of either RFS (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.1; P?=?0.631) or CSS (HR: 1.3; P?=?0.223). Similar results were obtained in a subgroup analysis limited to patients with organ-confined disease (HR: 0.9; P?=?0.907 for RFS; HR: 0.4; P?=?0.419 for CSS). Conversely, in patients with locally advanced disease, patients with pN0 disease have significantly better cancer-related outcomes (HR: 0.3; P?P?Conclusion The present series suggests pNx is more significantly associated with a worse prognosis than pN0, but only in patients with locally advanced UTUC.     

Leibovich score is the optimal clinico-pathological system associated with recurrence of non-metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma

PurposeTo determine the optimal post-operative risk stratification system associated with survival following surgery for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC): tumour grade, tumour stage, Leibovich 2003, Leibovich 2018, Kattan, Stage, size, grade and necrosis (SSIGN) or UCLA Integrated Staging System (UISS) scores.Methods542 patients with non-metastatic ccRCC who underwent nephrectomy 2008?2018 were reviewed. Primary outcome was recurrence-free survival (RFS), with secondary outcomes cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS).ResultsAll systems were significantly associated with RFS, CSS and OS by Kaplan-Meier and unadjusted Cox-regression. ROC analysis identified that Leibovich 2003, Leibovich 2018A or B and SSIGN were optimally association with 5year RFS (AUC (Area under curve) 0.87, 0.86, 0.86 and 0.86), but Leibovich 2003 or 2018A offered additional information on adjusted regression analysis (HR 1.24, P = 0.02; HR 1.17, P = 0.04). ROC analysis identified that Leibovich 2018B, Leibovich 2003, SSIGN and UISS were equally associated with 5 year OS (AUC 0.76, 0.74, 0.73 and 0.72). UISS added additional explanation of the variance in OS on adjusted regression analysis (HR 1.96, P = 0.002). A novel combination of Leibovich 2003 score and Eastern Co-operative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status improved 5 year OS association compared to the Leibovich 2003 alone (AUC 0.78, P = 0.001), without affecting association with 5year RFS (AUC 0.87, P = 0.75).ConclusionsAll systems were robust tools associated with RFS, CSS and OS in ccRCC. In our cohort, the Leibovich 2003 and Leibovich 2018A scores may be better associated with RFS compared to other strategies. The UISS, Leibovich 2018B or Leibovich 2003 combined with ECOG performance status may stratify OS better than other modalities.     

Prognostic factors in patients with ipsilateral pulmonary metastasis from non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer is classified as an advanced disease stage, with limited indications for surgical treatment. However, the prognosis of patients with pulmonary metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer is better than that of patients with distant metastases. The purpose of the present study was to analyze and detect possible prognostic factors in surgically treated patients with ipsilateral pulmonary metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer. METHODS: Among 1198 patients with non-small cell lung cancer who underwent surgery at Kurashiki Central Hospital (Okayama, Japan) from April 1982 to March 2004, a total of 48 (4.0%) patients with pathologically diagnosed ipsilateral pulmonary metastasis were retrospectively evaluated. The median follow-up time was 20.5 months (range 1-103 months) and 37 patients (77.1%) were completely followed up until their death or more than 5 years after the operation. RESULTS: Among the 48 patients, 31 (64.6%) patients had metastatic nodules in the same lobe as the primary tumor (PM1) and 17 (35.4%) patients had metastatic nodules in different ipsilateral lobes (PM2). There was no significant difference in survival between patients with PM1 and the other patients with pT4-stage IIIB, or between patients with ipsilateral PM2 and the other patients with stage IV. Univariate analysis of postoperative survival stratified according to clinicopathologic factors revealed significant differences for the radicality of resection (complete vs. incomplete), tumor size (0-30 vs. >30mm) and pathological nodal (pN) factor (among pN0, pN1 and pN2-3). Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor size (0-30 vs. >30mm) and pN factor (pN0-1 vs. pN2-3) were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study suggest that undergoing a complete resection, having a tumor size of 30mm or less and having no mediastinal lymph node metastases were better prognostic factors for surgically treated patients with ipsilateral pulmonary metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer.     

Caveolin-1 as prognostic factor of disease recurrence and survival in patients treated with radical cystectomy for bladder cancer

Purpose

Overexpression of Caveolin-1 has been associated with cancer growth, migration, and metastases in several malignancies, but only few data are available on its role in bladder cancer (BCa). The aim of this study is to validate Caveolin-1 as a prognosticator of recurrence-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) in a large cohort of patients treated with radical cystectomy (RC) for BCa.

Pan-Driver-Negatives versus Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutants for C-Stage IA Lung Adenocarcinoma with Ground-Glass Opacity

Purpose: We aimed to verify the prognosis of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation of clinical (c)-stage IA lung adenocarcinoma with the ground-glass opacity (GGO) component.Methods: We evaluated 226 cases of surgically resected c-stage IA lung adenocarcinoma with GGO component. Endpoints were overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Kaplan–Meier analysis and the log-rank test were used to estimate the survival differences. Prognostic factors were assessed using the univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards model.Results: Among the 226 cases, 177 cases harbored the EGFR-mutant adenocarcinoma with the GGO component. The mean duration of follow-up time was 54.4 ± 1.2 months. The 5-year OS and RFS did not differ significantly between the EGFR-mutant and wild-type groups (5-year OS 100% vs. 94.3%, hazard ratio [HR] 0.276, P = 0.168; 5-year RFS 94.7% vs. 95.7%, HR 0.873, P = 0.864). Multivariable Cox hazard model revealed that radiologically solid component size (P = 0.010) and pathological node-positive (P = 0.036) were significant predictors of an inferior RFS.Conclusion: EGFR-mutant was not a prognostic factor of OS and RFS for c-stage IA lung adenocarcinoma with the GGO component. Radiologically solid component size and pathological lymph node status were independent prognostic factors of worse RFS.     

Mediastinal lymph node infiltration in non-small cell lung cancer and its role in curative surgery.

Despite the importance of lymph node infiltration for the classification and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), there are no accepted standards for quality of mediastinal lymphadenectomy. In 270 consecutive patients undergoing potentially curative surgery for NSCLC, including complete ipsilateral lymph node dissection, we investigated the possibility of a correlation between tumour location and lymph node infiltration. The tumours were classified as UICC stage I (n = 115), II (n = 42) or IIIa (n = 113). Patients with N2-disease (n = 68) showed up to 81% skip metastasis. Because of the observed dissemination of lymph node metastasis, tumour location could not predict nodal infiltration. The variability of nodal involvement and the frequent occurrence of skip metastasis thus make complete ipsilateral lymphadenectomy mandatory for curative management of NSCLC.     

Effect of concomitant variant histology on the prognosis of patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma after radical nephroureterectomy

ObjectiveTo evaluate the prognostic effect of concomitant variant histology (CVH) on survival outcomes in patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) after radical nephroureterectomy.Materials and methodsData on 417 patients with UTUC treated with radical nephroureterectomy without preoperative adjuvant therapy were retrospectively reviewed with a focus on CVH. Clinicopathological features and prognostic factors were compared between patients with pure UTUC and patients with UTUC with CVH. The primary end points were cancer-specific survival (CSS), disease recurrence-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS).ResultsUTUC with CVH was present in 90 (21.6%) of 417 patients. At a median follow-up of 26 months, 153 (36.7%) had died of UTUC, 161 (38.6%) had experienced a relapse, and 176 (42.2%) had died of other causes. UTUC with CVH was significantly associated with advanced tumor stage, high tumor grade, tumor diameter, lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastasis, positive surgical margins, and tumor architecture compared with pure UTUC (all P<0.01). The estimated 5-year CSS, DFS, and OS rates were 64.9%, 61.1%, and 62.1%, respectively, in the pure UTUC group, compared with 36.3%, 34.3%, and 26.5%, respectively, in the UTUC with CVH group (P<0.001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that CVH was an independent predictor of CSS (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.594; 95% CI: 1.125–2.259; P = 0.009), DFS (HR = 1.549; 95% CI: 1.077–2.152; P = 0.017), and OS (HR = 1.685; 95% CI: 1.212–2.343; P = 0.002).ConclusionsApproximately one-fifth of the specimens of patients with UTUC were observed to exhibit CVH. CVH was an independent prognostic factor for CSS, DFS, and OS in patients with UTUC on both univariate and multivariate analyses. Genitourinary pathologists should look for potential CVH components in UTUC specimens and report this in routine pathological practice. The presence of CVH should identify patients as candidates for consultation regarding early adjuvant therapy and intensive surveillance protocols.     

Detection of Micrometastatic Tumor Cells in pN0 Lymph Nodes of Patients With Completely Resected Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer: Impact on Recurrence and Survival

OBJECTIVE: To detect occult micrometastatic tumor cells in pN0 lymph nodes of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by a combination of cytokeratin and p53 immunohistochemistry staining, and to evaluate the relation between the micrometastasis in pN0 lymph nodes and the prognosis of patients with completely resected stage 1 NSCLC. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The average 5-year survival rate for patients with completely resected stage 1 NSCLC is only about 70%; thus, about 30% of these patients have recurrent disease. This suggests that occult micrometastasis may exist at the time of surgery; the rate is clearly underestimated by current clinical staging examinations and conventional histopathologic methods. METHODS: A total of 474 hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes were removed during surgery from 49 patients with completely resected stage 1 NSCLC. The lymph nodes analyzed for micrometastasis using immunohistochemical staining with the biclonal anticytokeratin antibody, AE1/AE3. Of these 474 lymph nodes from 49 patients, 263 lymph nodes from 25 patients, whose primary tumors were positive for the p53 protein, were subjected to immunohistochemical staining with the monoclonal anti-p53 protein antibody DO-1. RESULTS: Cells positive for cytokeratin and p53 protein were found in 35 (7.4%) of 474 and 20 (7.6%) of 263 lymph nodes, respectively; 17 (34.7%) of 49 patients had cytokeratin-positive cells and 10 (40.0%) of 25 patients had p53-positive cells in their pN0 lymph nodes. By a combination of cytokeratin and p53 protein immunohistochemical staining, micrometastatic tumor cells were identified in pN0 lymph nodes in 22 (44.9%) of 49 patients. The patients with lymph node micrometastasis identified by a combination of cytokeratin and p53 protein immunohistochemical staining had a poorer prognosis than those without micrometastasis on both univariate and multivariate analyses (overall survival, P =.0003 and 0.013, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The detection of lymph nodal micrometastasis by cytokeratin and p53 protein immunohistochemical staining will be helpful to predict the recurrence and prognosis of patients with completely resected stage 1 NSCLC.