Using positron emission tomography - computed tomography imaging to distinguish of metastatic disease from second primary lung tumours in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Background: In NSCLC patients with multiple lesions, the differentiation between metastases and second primary tumours has significant therapeutic and prognostic implications. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the potential of 18F-FDG PET to discriminate metastatic disease from second primary lung tumours.Methods: Of 318 NSCLC patients between November 2015 and October 2018 at Bach Mai hospital, patients with a synchronous second primary lung cancer were selected. Patients with metastatic disease involving the lungs served as the control group. Maximum standardized uptake values (SUVs) measured with 18F-FDG PET were determined for two tumours in each patient. The SUVmax was determined and compared between the second primary group and metastatic disease group. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the SUVmax for an optimal cut-off value.Results: A total of 81 NSCLC patients (44 metastatic disease, 37 second primary cancer) were included for analysis. The SUVmax was significantly higher in patients with second primary cancer than in those with metastatic disease (7.53±4.33 vs 4.35±2.58, respectively, p<0.001). The area under the ROC curve was 0.81 and the odds ratio for the optimal cut-off was 7.52.Conclusions: SUVmax from 18F-FDG PET images can be helpful in differentiating metastatic disease from second primary tumours in patients with synchronous pulmonary lesions. Further studies are warranted to confirm the consistency of these results.

Anal canal adenocarcinoma with a late brain metastatic lesion - a case report / Adenocarcinoma de canal anal com lesão cerebral metastática tardia - um relato de caso

ABSTRACT Herein we present a rare case of anal canal adenocarcinoma manifesting as non-healing perianal abscess that subsequently underwent radiochemotherapy followed by abdominoperineal resection for residual disease. The patient recovered, and a year later presented with a single brain metastasis. The lesion was successfully resected, and the patient is now disease free.

RESUMO Apresentamos aqui um caso raro de adenocarcinoma de canal anal que se manifesta como abscesso perianal não cicatrizado que subsequentemente foi submetido à radioquimioterapia seguida de ressecção abdominoperineal por detecção de doença residual. O paciente recuperou-se e um ano depois apresentou uma única metástase cerebral. A lesão foi ressecada com sucesso e o paciente agora está livre da doença.

Metástases hepáticas: abordagem atual / Liver metastases: current approach

O tratamento cirúrgico das metástases hepáticas cada vez mais é evidenciado como o mais importante nos pacientes com câncer. Mesmo sabendo-se que 25% a 50% dos pacientes que morrem por neoplasias malignas apresentam metástases hepáticas, muito benefício tem sido relatado com os avanços da cirurgia hepática e da terapia anticancerosa regional. Com isso, cada vez mais os cirurgiões acreditam na necessidade de reavaliação e de manejo dos pacientes com metástases no fígado.

Surgical treatment of liver metastasis is increasingly highlighted as the most important in patients with cancer. Even knowing that 25% to 50% of patients who die from malignant neoplasms have liver metastasis, much benefit has been reported with advances in liver surgery and regional anticancer therapy. With this, more and more surgeons believe in the re-evaluation and management of patients with liver metastasis.

Isolated splenic metastasis of colon cancer: a case report and literature review

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of death in the elderly and about 20% of these patients present metastasis at diagnosis, most often in the liver. Other common metastatic sites include: lung, bone and brain. Isolated splenic metastases are rare, and they are usually a sign of widespread disease. The authors report a case of the rare occurrence of synchronous isolated splenic metastasis, diagnosed by computed tomography in the preoperative staging of a patient with CRC. (AU)

O câncer colorretal (CCR) é uma das principais causas de morte na população geriátrica, aproximadamente, 20% desses pacientes já apresentam, na altura do diagnóstico, metástase neoplásica, mais frequentemente hepática. Outros locais comuns de metastização incluem: pulmão, ossos e cérebro. As metástases esplênicas isoladas de CCR são raras, sendo habitualmente sinal de doença generalizada. Os autores relatam um caso clínico da ocorrência rara de metástases esplênicas isoladas síncronas, diagnosticadas através da tomografia computadorizada durante o estadiamento pré-operatório de um doente com CCR. (AU)

Carboplatin plus etoposide for extensive stage small-cell lung cancer: An experience with AUC 6 doses of carboplatin.

Aims: The aim of this study is to investigate the activity and toxicity of etoposide with AUC 6 doses of carboplatin in patients with previously untreated extensive disease - small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Materials and Methods: 88 eligible patients were treated with chemotherapy comprised of carboplatin AUC of 6, IV day 1 and etoposide 100 mg/m 2 , IV day 1-3. This schedule was repeated every 21 days for maximum of six cycles. Results: Patients characteristics: Median age, 62 years; 84 male; ECOG PS 0-1 in 73 patients, PS 2-3 in 15 patients. A total of 431 cycles were administered (median, 6.0). The complete and partial response rates were 23.9% and 45.5%, respectively. Median overall survival (OS) was 9.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.09 - 9.90 m); 84 patients died. The 1- and 2-year survival probabilities were 33.6% and 5.3%, respectively. The median progression-free survival in patients of 65 was 7.2 months (95% CI, 5.81 - 8.58), 12-month PFS rate was 10%. The median OS was 11.6 months (95% CI, 8.52 - 14.67 m) and 7.5 months (95% CI, 5.61 - 9.38 m) in patients with non-liver and liver metastasis, respectively (P = 0.024). The median OS was 9.3 months (95% CI, 7.83 - 10.76 m) and 7.5 months (95% CI, 5.58 - 9.44 m) in patients with single and multiple distant metastasis, respectively (P = 0.02). Grade 3-4 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia were detected in 57.9%, 15.9%, and 11.4% of patients, respectively. Febrile neutropenia was developed in 12 patients. Conclusion: Etoposide with AUC 6 doses of carboplatin is active and tolerable in patients with extensive disease - SCLC.

Effectiveness and safety of outpatient pleurodesis in patients with recurrent malignant pleural effusion and low performance status

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of pleurodesis carried out entirely on an outpatient basis in patients with recurrent malignant pleural effusions and Karnofsky Performance Status scores <70. METHODS: This study was a prospective trial comprising patients with symptomatic recurrent malignant pleural effusion and Karnofsky Performance Status scores <70 but >30. All selected patients underwent pleural catheter placement (14 Fr) in an outpatient facility. When chest radiography revealed post-drainage lung expansion of >90 percent, pleurodesis (3 g of talc) was performed. Catheters were maintained until the daily output was ,100 mL/day. The patients were evaluated in the first month and every three months thereafter for fluid recurrence, the need for additional procedures, and complications. RESULTS: During the study period (January 2005 to July 2007), 64 patients (24 men, 40 women), with an average age of 61.4 years, underwent elective chest tube drainage. Primary sites of the underlying malignancy were breast (27), lung (22), and others (15). Sixty-six pleural catheters were placed (bilaterally in 2 patients), and 52 talc pleurodesis procedures were performed. Fourteen patients had a trapped lung and were excluded from the trial. No complications were observed during catheter placement or pleurodesis. Post-pleurodesis complications included catheter obstruction (4 patients) and empyema (1). The average drainage time was 9.9 days. The recurrence rate observed in patients that were alive 30 days after pleurodesis was 13.9 percent (5/36 patients). Six patients required additional procedures after the pleurodesis. The average survival time was 101 days. CONCLUSION: In this study, talc pleurodesis was safely performed in an outpatient setting with good efficacy and a reasonable complication rate, thereby avoiding hospital admission.

Terapia anti-angiogénica en el manejo del cáncer renal de células claras metastásico / Antiangiogenic therapy in metastatic clear cell renal cancer

Con la aparición de la terapia anti-angiogénica hace algunos años y dado a sus promisorios resultados en el manejo del cáncer renal metastático, nuestra intención es presentar una puesta al día sobre este tema, realizando para tal efecto una revisión bibliográfica completa de los trabajos mas relevantes usando como fuente la base de datos PUBMED (1996-2007) sobre la terapia antiangiogenica en el manejo del cáncer renal metastásico. El siguiente artículo hace hincapié sobre la fisiopatología de la génesis del cáncer renal y de la acción de los agentes anti-angiogénicos, los resultados de las series clínicas publicadas, las características de los agentes anti-angiogénicos y algunos enfoques terapéuticos en los cuales podrían tener un rol en el futuro.

We present an update of the molecular targeted therapy in advanced renal cell carcinoma due to their promising results. We make a complete revision in PUBMED database (1996-2007) of the most relevant studies in molecular targeted therapy for the management of metastasis renal cell carcinoma. The emphasis was done in the physiopathology of renal cell carcinoma and molecular targeted therapy, the results of clinical trials, the characteristics of these drugs and their role in future directions.