Structural basis for hyperpermeability of tumor vessels in advanced lung adenocarcinoma complicated by pleural effusion.

Background: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) has a profound impact on quality of life and survival in patients with lung cancer. Identification of the factors within the tumor and its environment that mediate MPE is still lacking.

Patients And Methods: Intratumoral microvessel density (MVD), endothelial cell and pericyte (PC) capillary coverage, endothelial cell (EC)-PC relationship, lymphatic endothelium integrity, and the expression of receptor tyrosine kinases were all assessed immunohistochemically in pleural tumor biopsy specimens from 24 patients with lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) with and without pleural disease, with the aim to evaluate the involvement with MPE.

Resection and heated pleural chemoperfusion in patients with thymic epithelial malignant disease and pleural spread: a single-institution experience.

Objective: Our objective was to evaluate whether resection and heated pleural chemoperfusion (HPCP) is an effective treatment for de novo stage IVa thymoma (DNT) and thymic carcinoma (TC) and for thymoma with pleural relapse (TPR).

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of patients undergoing resection and HPCP in 1 center. HPCP with cisplatinum ± doxorubicin (adriamycin) was performed for 60 minutes using a standard roller pump and a modified heat exchanger to a maximal intrapleural temperature of 43°C.

The expression of three genes in primary non-small cell lung cancer is associated with metastatic spread to the brain.

Purpose: Brain metastases affect 25% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We hypothesized that the expression of genes in primary NSCLC tumors could predict brain metastasis and be used for identification of high-risk patients, who may benefit from prophylactic therapy.

Experimental Design: The expression of 12 genes was measured by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR in 142 frozen NSCLC tissue samples.

Adjuvant radiotherapy for thymic epithelial tumor: treatment results and prognostic factors.

Objective: To determine whether the use of adjuvant radiation in the treatment of invasive thymic tumors affects survival and to identify prognostic factors.

Methods: The files of 47 patients with thymic tumors treated by adjuvant radiation in our institute from 1984 to 2003 were reviewed for data on prognosis and survival. All patients underwent thoracotomy followed by either total macroscopic resection (n = 42) or biopsy (n = 5).

The sequence of vessel interruption during lobectomy: does it affect the amount of blood retained in the lobe?

Objective: In a previous study, we have shown that the sequence of vessel interruption (SVI) during lobectomy has no impact on tumor recurrence. The aim of the present study was to determine whether SVI has an impact on the amount of blood retained in the resected lobe.

Patients And Methods: A non-randomized prospective study including 30 patients undergoing lobectomy for neoplasms.

Genetic analyses of non-small cell lung cancer in Jewish Israeli patients.

Background: The contribution of the abnormal DNA mismatch repair system to non-small cell lung cancer tumorigenesis is controversial and has not been reported in Jewish Israeli patients. Similarly, the involvement of 3p deletions in NSCLC in the same population has not been assessed.

Objectives: To assess the contribution of the DNA-MMR system to NSCLC pathogenesis by analyzing microsatellite instability, and evaluate loss of heterozygosity at 3p rates in Israeli NSCLC patients.

Experience with somatostatin receptor scintigraphy in the management of pulmonary carcinoid tumors.

Background: Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy has been used widely for the evaluation of neuroendocrine tumors in the gastrointestinal tract. Its use for detecting and staging thoracic carcinoids is only sporadically reported.

Objectives: To evaluate the possible roles of SRS in the management of proven or suspected pulmonary carcinoids.

The sequence of vessel interruption during lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer: is it indeed important?

Objective: During pulmonary resections for non-small cell lung cancer, the pulmonary vein is traditionally interrupted first to prevent seeding of malignant cells and consequently decrease metastatic implantation. This hypothesis was never confirmed scientifically. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the sequence of vessel interruption during lobectomy (lobar vein or lobar artery first) affects disease recurrence.

Transsternal transpericardial closure of a postlobectomy bronchopleural fistula.

We report a case of chronic empyema and bronchopleural fistula after lobectomy for tuberculosis. The patient had undergone four different surgical procedures to correct his bronchopleural fistula during an interval of seven years. Finally, he had a successful closure of the fistula using the transsternal transpericardial approach.