ABSTRACT
The backbone of treatment in advanced non-small cell lung cancer is platinum-based doublet chemotherapy. We intended to compare the effectiveness of two commonly used regimens in real world practice. This single institute, parallel comparative post marketing study included 100 patients with chemo-naTve advanced [stage IIIB, IV] non-small cell lung cancer and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 to 2. They were randomly assigned by stratified blocks to receive Docetaxel/ Cisplatin [DC, n=50] on day 1 or Paclitaxel/Carboplatin AUC 5 [PC, n=50] on day 1, every 3 weeks for up to six cycles. Primary end point was progression free survival [PFS]; secondary end points were objective response rate, overall survival [OS] and toxicity. The administered dosage could be modified according to clinician's discretion for each individual patient. PFS was similar between DC and PC arms [4.5 +/- 0.3 v 4.6 +/- 1.8 months, respectively; HR= 1.337; 95% CI: 0.874 to 2.046, P = 0.181]. Although median overall survival for DC arm was longer [17.2 +/- 4.4 m] than PC arm [10.6 +/- 0.7 m] but was not statistically significant [P = 0.300]. The 1-year survival rates were in favor of DC arm [53.1% v 37.9%]. Objective response rates were similar in both groups. In our study, hematologic toxicity and neuropathy were more frequent in DC and PC arms, respectively. In our study two commonly used regimens of DC and PC showed statistically similar outcomes in terms of PFS and OS, albeit numerically results of OS and 1-year survival were in favor of DC arm
ABSTRACT
Primary anaplastic large cell lymphoma of the trachea is a rare tumor. Common complaints are dyspnea and cough that could mimic a partially refractory asthma in some cases. We report a 16-year-old female with an anaplastic large cell lymphoma [null cell type] in which tracheal involvement was presented with life-threatening airway obstruction and subcutaneous emphysema. After debulking the tumor by endobronchial curettage, the patient was treated with chemotherapy followed by local radiotherapy. She had no evidence of local or distant recurrence after 25 months. Primary anaplastic large cell lymphoma of the trachea is a rare life-threatening disease. Nevertheless, this condition has a good prognosis if diagnosed immediately and treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy
ABSTRACT
Solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura [SFTP] is a rare mesenchymal cell tumor that can be benign or malignant. The best treatment of this tumor is a complete surgical resection. We present clinical and histopathologic characteristics of the 4 patients and their outcomes