Gemcitabine Plus Vinorelbine as Second-line Chemotherapy of the Patients of Previously Treated Non-small Cell lung Cancer: Phase II Trial / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Both gemcitabine and vinorelbine are effective anticancer drugs with mild toxicity on non-small cell lung cancer, and monotherapy of these drugs are effective as a second-line chemotherapy. The aim of this trial was to assess the response and toxicity of a combination of gemcitabine and vinorelbine in patients of previously treated for non-small cell lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 24 patients, initial stage III A/B,IV and previously treated with platinium and taxane based regimens, were enrolled from June 2000 to March 2004. The regimens consisted of vinorelbine 25mg/m2 followed by an infusion of gemcitabine 1000mg/m2 on day 1 and day 8 every three weeks. This course was repeated more than twice. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were analyzed for the response, survival rate, and toxicities. The overall response was 17% with a complete remission rate of 4%. The median time-to progression (TTP) was 3.1 months (95%, CI 1-10months), and the survival time was 8.2 months (95%, CI 1-23 months). The grade 3/4 toxicities encountered were neutropenia (12.5%), anemia (0%), thrombocytopenia (0%). Non-hematological 3/4 toxicities were not observed. CONCLUSION: A combination of gemcitabine and vinorelbine in patients previously treated for non-small cell lung cancer provides a relatively good response rate, and a low toxicity profile. However, further study will be needed to confirm its effectiveness.

A Case of Small Cell Lung Cancer Metastasis to the Gingiva / 결핵

The incidence of lung cancer and its mortality rate are increasing in Korea. At the time of diagnosis, 40% patients of lung cancer patients had metastatic lesions. The common metastatic sites are the contralateral lung, bone, liver, adrenal gland and the brain. Metastasis to oral mucosa is rarely encountered in lung cancer and metastasis to the gingiva is more uncommon. Approximately 1% of malignant carcinomas in the oral cavity are the result of metastases, and 10-25% of metastatic cancers originate from lung cancer. Clinically metastatic gingival lesions are benign including hemangioma, pyogenic granuloma, giant-cell granuloma or a peripheral fibroma. Often metastases to the gingiva are diagnosed too late and by the time they are detected, they have metastases to other organs. Here we report a case of small cell lung carcinoma that had metastased to the gingiva with review of relevant literature.