How can sentinel navigation surgery abbreviate mediastinal lymph node dissection for lung cancer?

Sentinel nodes (SNs) were examined for 101 patients who had peripheral type non-small cell lung cancer less than 5 cm and had undergone systemic mediastinal lymph node dissection. The surgical procedure was lobectomy in 91, pneumonectomy in 3, and segmentectomy with lymph node dissection in 7. In the CT room, the site for RI injection was marked on the skin, and the angle and depth of the needle required to reach the peritumoral region was determined. The RI was then injected in the RI room. The radioactivity in the lymph nodes was counted before dissection (in vivo counting), and after dissection that (ex vivo counting). SNs were defined as any node for which the count was > or = 10 times than the background count. SN identification was finally based on ex vivo data. Of the 101 patients, SNs could be identified in 80 patients (80%). Patients whose SNs could not be identified had a significantly lower FEV1/FVC than those with identifiable SNs (p=0.025). Twenty six patients (33%) had SN in the mediastinum, the distribution of which depended on the lobe, ie the #4 lymph node station in the right upper lobe, the #4 in the right middle lobe, the #4 and 7 in the right lower lobe, the #5 in the left upper lobe, and the #7 in the left lower lobe. One false negative SN was detected in 25 patients with N 1 or N 2 disease (4%). In vivo and ex vivo counting showed 73% concurrence for the identification of SNs in mediastinal lymph node stations, of which rate was significantly higher than 40% in hilar lymph node stations (p<0.001). Conclusion: The SNs were identifiable in 80% of lung cancer patients, with 4% false negative by using a Tc-99 m tin-colloid. SNs were difficult to identify in patients with a low level of FEV1/FVC, such as those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The in vivo identification of mediastinal SNs was reliable as much as the ex vivo. Therefore, the in vivo identification of SNs in the mediastinum could be useful approach to guide mediastinal lymph node sampling or dissection.     

Histogram analysis of computed tomography numbers of clinical T1 N0 M0 lung adenocarcinoma, with special reference to lymph node metastasis and tumor invasiveness

PURPOSE: To predict lymph node metastasis and tumor invasiveness in lung adenocarcinoma from computed tomography findings, we examined computed tomography number histograms of clinical T1 N0 M0 lung adenocarcinomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Histograms of pixel computed tomography numbers were made for 100 patients with clinical T1 N0 M0 lung adenocarcinoma. Pathological tumor stages were N0 in 80 patients, N1 in 7, N2 in 9, and T4 due to intrapulmonary metastasis in 4. RESULTS: The histogram showed 3 patterns: 1 peak at a low computed tomography number (n = 18), 1 peak at a high computed tomography number (n = 54), and 2 peaks at both low and high computed tomography numbers (n = 28). Histologically, adenocarcinoma with 1 peak at a low computed tomography number showed a large area of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma-like spread with little area of solid growing tumor or central fibrosis, whereas those with 1 peak at a high computed tomography number showed a large area of solid growing tumor or central fibrosis with little bronchioloalveolar carcinoma-like spread. Adenocarcinomas with 2 peaks had both types of areas. Lymph node or pulmonary metastases were seen in none (0%) of the adenocarcinomas with 1 peak at a low computed tomography number, in 1 (4%) with 2 peaks, and in 20 (37%) with 1 peak at a high computed tomography number. The former 2 types had metastases less frequently than those with 1 peak at a high computed tomography number (P <.01). In the 79 patients with pathological T1 N0 M0, tumor involvement of the intratumoral vessels or pleura was seen in 1 of 18 (6%) adenocarcinomas with 1 peak at a low computed tomography number, which was significantly less frequent than the 18 of 34 (53%) with 1 peak at a high computed tomography number (P <.001) and 10 of 27 (37%) with 2 peaks (P <.05). CONCLUSION: Clinical T1 N0 M0 adenocarcinomas with 1 peak at a low computed tomography number on histogram seldom had lymph node metastasis or tumor involvement of vessels or pleura. Limited surgical resection could be indicated for this type of adenocarcinoma, especially for elderly patients or patients with poor pulmonary function.     

Differentiating between atypical adenomatous hyperplasia and bronchioloalveolar carcinoma using the computed tomography number histogram

BACKGROUND: Both atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH) and bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) appear as ground glass opacity (GGO) lesions by computed tomography (CT) and are sometimes difficult to differentiate. To aid distinction between the two, we examined their CT number histograms. METHODS: Histograms of pixel CT numbers were made for AAH (n = 9) and nonmucinous BAC (n = 8), and the peak and mean CT numbers on the histogram were quantified. RESULTS: Although there was no significant difference in lesion size between AAH and BAC, all AAHs were less than or equal to 1 cm in diameter. All AAHs and BACs manifested one histogram peak. Both the peak and mean CT numbers on the histogram were significantly lower for AAH than for BAC (p < 0.001). However, the degree of overlap between AAH and BAC was less for the peak CT number than for the mean CT number. CONCLUSIONS:The peak CT number on the histogram can help the radiologic differentiation between AAH and BAC. GGO lesions less than or equal to 1 cm in diameter that are diagnosed as AAH from the CT number histogram can be safely followed by CT.     

Difference in the Impairment of Vital Capacity and 6-Minute Walking After a Lobectomy Performed by Thoracoscopic Surgery,an Anterior Limited Thoracotomy,an Anteroaxillary Thoracotomy,and a Posterolateral Thoracotomy

Purpose: Postoperative vital capacity (VC) and the 6-min walking (6MW) test were used to compare the differences in impairment of the pulmonary function and walking capacity in patients undergoing a lobectomy by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), an anterior limited thoracotomy (ALT), an anteroaxillary thoracotomy (AAT), or a posterolateral thoracotomy without muscle sparing (PLT). Methods: The study was a retrospective analysis. Lung cancer patients who underwent a lobectomy by VATS, ALT, AAT, or PLT (28 in each group) were matched by sex and age (±5 years). VC was measured before surgery and at 1, 2, 4, 12, and 24 weeks after surgery. The distance covered during the 6MW test (6MWD) was measured before surgery and in a postoperative test 1 week after surgery. Results: Compared with the VATS, ALT, and AAT groups, PLT patients showed a significant impairment of VC from 1 to 24 weeks after surgery (P < 0.05–0.001) and also a significant impairment of 6MWD 1 week after surgery (P < 0.01–0.001). The AAT group showed a significant impairment of 6MWD 1 week after surgery compared with the VATS and ALT groups (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). There was no significant difference in the impairment of either VC or 6MWD between VATS and ALT. Conclusions: The PLT without a muscle sparing procedure therefore cannot be recommended for general lung cancer surgery because of the impairment of both walking capacity and pulmonary function which continues long after surgery. VATS and ALT are better procedures than AAT regarding the recovery of walking capacity early after surgery. VATS and ALT are similar to each other regarding the impairment of pulmonary function and walking capacity after surgery. Received: October 15, 2001 / Accepted: July 2, 2002 Reprint requests to: H. Nomori     

A case of lung and pleural metastases from breast cancer responding to toremifene

A patient with lung and pleural metastases from breast cancer treated effectively with toremifene is reported. A 62-year-old woman underwent mastectomy for breast cancer, and had high levels of estrogen and progesterone receptor. After 2-years of adjuvant UFT therapy, lung and pleural metastases were seen on a chest x-ray. The patient received a high-dose of toremifene (120 mg/day). After five months with toremifene, a chest x-ray and CT scan showed the disappearance of lung and pleural metastases. No recurrence or metastases have been detected for twenty months to date. No serious side effects were noticed. High-dose toremifene might be an effective therapy for cases of postmenopausal metastatic breast cancer, with high levels of estrogen and progesterone receptor.     

Pain-relieving posterior rod fixation with segmental sublaminar wiring for Pancoast tumor invading the vertebrae

We describe the case of a 44-year-old male patient with Pancoast lung cancer invading the vertebrae. Because irradiation did not relieve his symptoms, we conducted tumor resection with posterior rod fixation with segmental sublaminar wiring of the vertebrae. This enabled the patient to walk and to discontinue morphine immediately after surgery. Although the tumor recurred within the region of the fixation 4 months after surgery, the patient complained of no pain until his death. Although Pancoast lung cancer with extensive vertebral invasion cannot be cured surgically, posterior rod fixation with segmental sublaminar wiring with tumor resection can improve a patient's quality of life by providing immediate, long-term pain relief.     

Therapeutic efficacy of pirarubicin cyclophosphamide and doxifluridine in advanced and metastatic breast cancer

Twenty-four eligible patients (23 of whom were evaluated) with advanced and metastatic breast cancer were treated at the Saitama Cancer Center every 4 weeks with pirarubicin (30 mg/m2 i.v., day 1 and 8), cyclophosphamide (200 mg/m2 div, day 1 and 8) and doxifluridine (800 mg/day po, day 1-14). The 23 evaluable patients had a median age of 49.7 years (range 35.3-72.1) and underwent a median number of 3 cycles (range 2-5). Grade 4 leukopenia (10/24 patients) was the dose-limiting factor and led to infection in one patient. Four complete responses and 7 partial responses with a median duration of 12.1 months (range 2.6-61.0) were achieved, resulting in an overall response rate of 47.8%. The 50% survival duration was 22.9 months.     

Modified trap-door thoracotomy for mediastinal metastasis of thyroid carcinoma invading the right brachiocephalic vein.

The patient was a 65-year-old female with metastasis of thyroid papillary carcinoma at the right upper mediastinum. The tumor, which invaded almost the entire length of the right brachiocephalic vein, was resected via a modified trap-door thoracotomy. The modification was the additional resection of the first rib from inside the thorax, which provided a sufficient exposure from the distal side of the brachiocephalic and subclavian vein. Because the subclavian and internal jugular veins could be clamped under this thoracotomy, the entire right brachiocephalic vein could be reconstructed by graft without excessive difficulty. Modified trap-door thoracotomy is a useful approach in the resection of malignancies which invade the brachiocephalic and subclavian vein.     

Serial plasma carcinoembryonic antigen measurement for monitoring patients with advanced lung cancer during chemotherapy

The plasma carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in 243 patients with untreated advanced lung cancer were studied to assess their value for prognosis and for indicating the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Of patients with adenocarcinoma, small cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma, 43%, 24%, 7%, and 13%, respectively, had elevated CEA levels of 20 ng/ml or greater before treatment. Pretreatment CEA levels were elevated to above 20 ng/ml for 38% of 163 patients with extensive disease and for 22% of 80 patients with limited disease (P less than 0.02). In patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung, the pretreatment CEA levels were not correlated with response to chemotherapy and patients' survival. Serial measurement of plasma CEA was a useful noninvasive technique for monitoring the response to chemotherapy in patients whose pretreatment levels were 20 ng/ml or higher. All of 18 patients with complete or partial responses and 5 of 6 patients with minor responses showed greater than 36% decrease in the CEA level compared with the pretreatment level. In all of nine patients with progressive disease, the CEA levels increased after chemotherapy. Therefore, an increase of greater than 36% beyond the baseline level was a useful guideline criterion for a significant change for determination of tumor response to chemotherapy, although 41% of 22 patients with stable disease exceeded the pretreatment level by 36% or more in either direction (mean percent change +/- standard deviation, -4.1% +/- 52.2%), and 4 of 9 patients with progressive disease did not have levels greater than 36% above the baseline levels.