Biopsia del ganglio centinela en el cáncer de pulmón / Biopsy of the sentinel node in lung cancer

Introducción y objetivo: En el cáncer de pulmón la afectación ganglionar mediastínica puede estar infraestadificada (hasta en el 20% de los casos en estadios i). La detección del ganglio centinela es una técnica estándar en las guías de actuación del cáncer de mama y melanoma y podría ser útil en el cáncer de pulmón. Material y métodos: Con la hipótesis de que es factible la detección del ganglio centinela en el cáncer de pulmón de células no pequeñas (CPCNP) resecable, se realizó un estudio de cohortes prospectivo en 48 pacientes con CPCNP resecables utilizando la inyección intraoperatoria de tecnecio 99 sulfato coloide. Resultados: El radioisótopo migró en todos los casos. La sensibilidad de la prueba es del 88,24% y la precisión del 95,83%, con un valor predictivo negativo del 93,94% y una tasa de falsos negativos del 11,76%. No existieron complicaciones relacionadas con la técnica. Conclusiones: La detección del ganglio centinela en el CPCNP con inyección intraoperatoria de isótopos es factible y segura, y permite tasas de detección y sensibilidad superponibles a las de otros tipos de tumor (AU)

Introduction and objective: Mediastinal lymph node involvement can be understaged in cases of lung cancer (up to 20% in stage i). Sentinel node detection is a standard technique recommended in breast cancer and melanoma action guidelines, and could also be useful in cases of lung cancer. Material and methods: Considering the detection of the sentinel node in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as feasible, a prospective cohort study was carried out on 48 patients with resectable NSCLC, using the intraoperative injection of colloid sulphate technetium-99. Results: The radioisotope migrated in all cases. The procedure’s sensitivity was 88.24%, its accuracy was 95.83%, its negative predictive value was 93.94% and the false negative rate was 11.76%. No complications were associated with this technique. Conclusions: The detection of a sentinel node in NSCLC with the intraoperative injection of the isotope is feasible and safe, and allows for detection and sensitivity rates comparable to those of other tumour types (AU)

Biopsy of the sentinel node in lung cancer. / Biopsia del ganglio centinela en el cáncer de pulmón.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Mediastinal lymph node involvement can be understaged in cases of lung cancer (up to 20% in stage i). Sentinel node detection is a standard technique recommended in breast cancer and melanoma action guidelines, and could also be useful in cases of lung cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Considering the detection of the sentinel node in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as feasible, a prospective cohort study was carried out on 48 patients with resectable NSCLC, using the intraoperative injection of colloid sulphate technetium-99. RESULTS: The radioisotope migrated in all cases. The procedure's sensitivity was 88.24%, its accuracy was 95.83%, its negative predictive value was 93.94% and the false negative rate was 11.76%. No complications were associated with this technique. CONCLUSIONS: The detection of a sentinel node in NSCLC with the intraoperative injection of the isotope is feasible and safe, and allows for detection and sensitivity rates comparable to those of other tumour types.

[Prognostic factors associated with resectable pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer]. / Factores pronósticos en metástasis pulmonares resecables de carcinoma colorrectal.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze prognostic factors associated with survival in a group of patients who underwent resection of pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed for 55 consecutive patients who had undergone resection of pulmonary metastases from colorectal adenocarcinoma between January 1993 and June 2004. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the effect of the recorded variables on overall survival. RESULTS: Median overall survival was 32.9 months and the probability of survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 79%, 44%, and 22%, respectively. Survival was lower in patients in whom the largest metastasis was at least 4 cm (8.6 vs 34.5 months, P=.0085) and in patients with elevated levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (24.5 vs 41.4 months, P=.05). Significantly longer survival was observed in patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery (49.8 vs 30.9 months, P=.0058). Preoperative positron emission tomography (PET) and the absence of previous or synchronous liver metastases were associated with a nonsignificant trend toward increased survival. In the multivariate analysis, only size of the largest pulmonary metastasis influenced overall survival (P=.036). CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative variables that best predicted survival in our patients were size of the largest pulmonary metastasis and the level of carcinoembryonic antigen. Prospective studies are needed to determine the usefulness of PET for tumor staging prior to resection of pulmonary metastases.

Factores pronósticos en metástasis pulmonares resecables de carcinoma colorrectal / Prognostic factors associated with resectable pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer

Objetivo: Estudiar los factores pronósticos de supervivencia en una serie de pacientes con metástasis pulmonares resecadas de cáncer colorrectal. Pacientes y métodos: Se revisaron retrospectivamente los casos de 55 pacientes consecutivos a quienes entre enero de 1993 y junio de 2004 se había practicado una metastasectomía pulmonar de adenocarcinoma colorrectal. Se realizó un análisis univariante y multivariante para la supervivencia global con las variables recogidas. Resultados: La mediana de la supervivencia global fue de 32,9 meses, con una probabilidad de supervivencia a 1, 3 y 5 años del 79, el 44 y el 22%, respectivamente. La supervivencia fue inferior (p = 0,0085) en los pacientes en que la metástasis mayor era de 4 cm o más respecto a aquellos en que era menor de 4 cm (8,6 frente a 34,5 meses), y en los pacientes con títulos elevados de antígeno carcinoembrionario frente a aquéllos con valores normales (24,5 frente a 41,4 meses; p = 0,05). Quienes recibieron quimioterapia adyuvante tras la cirugía vivieron significativamente más (49,8 frente a 30,9 meses; p = 0,0058). La realización de una tomografía por emisión de positrones preoperatoria y la ausencia de metástasis hepáticas previas o sincrónicas se asociaron a una tendencia no significativa hacia una mejor supervivencia. En el análisis multivariante sólo el tamaño de la metástasis pulmonar mayor influyó en la supervivencia global (p = 0,036). Conclusiones: El tamaño de la metástasis mayor y el valor del antígeno carcinoembrionario fueron las variables preoperatorias que mejor predijeron la supervivencia de nuestros pacientes. Se necesitan estudios prospectivos que valoren el papel de la tomografía por emisión de positrones como estudio de extensión previo a metastasectomías pulmonares

Objective: To analyze prognostic factors associated with survival in a group of patients who underwent resection of pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer. Patients and methods: A retrospective review was performed for 55 consecutive patients who had undergone resection of pulmonary metastases from colorectal adenocar-cinoma between January 1993 and June 2004. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the effect of the recorded variables on overall survival. Results: Median overall survival was 32.9 months and the probability of survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 79%, 44%, and 22%, respectively. Survival was lower in patients in whom the largest metastasis was at least 4 cm (8.6 vs 34.5 months, P=.0085) and in patients with elevated levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (24.5 vs 41.4 months, P=.05). Significantly longer survival was observed in patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery (49.8 vs 30.9 months, P=.0058). Preoperative positron emission tomography (PET) and the absence of previous or synchronous liver metastases were associated with a nonsignificant trend toward increased survival. In the multivariate analysis, only size of the largest pulmonary metastasis influenced overall survival (P=.036). Conclusions: The preoperative variables that best predicted survival in our patients were size of the largest pulmonary metastasis and the level of carcinoembryonic antigen. Prospective studies are needed to determine the usefulness of PET for tumor staging prior to resection of pulmonary metastases

Phase II trial of fortnightly irinotecan (CPT-11) in the treatment of colorectal cancer patients resistant to previous fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: This phase II study investigated the anti-tumour activity and toxicity of CPT-11 (250 mg/m2 i.v. infusion over 60 minutes) administered every 2 weeks as second-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients (n = 63) with histology diagnosis of advanced CRC and proven resistance to previous fluoropyrimidine therapy were enrolled. RESULTS: A total of 510 CPT-11 cycles were administered, with a mean of 8 cycles per patient (range: 1-32). The median relative dose intensity was 93%. Partial response (PR) was obtained in 11 patients (17.5%; 95%CI: 8.1%-26.7%) and 29 patients (46.0%) showed stable disease (clinical benefit of 63.5%). The median duration of response was 6.8 months (95%CI: 6.1-7.5 months), median survival was 8.8 months (95%CI: 6.3-11.5 months) and median time to disease progression was 4.5 months (95%CI: 3.9-5.0 months). Overall, this schedule of CPT-11 chemotherapy was well tolerated by the patient. Neutropenia was the most frequent grade 3/4 haematological toxicity (20.6% of patients and 4.1% of cycles). Neutropenia with concurrent fever or infection occurred in 7 patients (11.1%). Late onset diarrhoea was the most frequent grade 3/4 non-haematological toxicity (19.0% of patients and 2.3% of cycles). Other, lower-incidence, toxicities were anaemia, fever, infection, mucositis, nausea and vomiting. There were no toxic deaths. CONCLUSIONS: We found that CPT-11, administered as 250 mg/m2 i.v. infusion over 60 minutes every 2 weeks, was active and well tolerated schedule in the second-line chemotherapy of advanced CRC patients. This bi-weekly scheme could be used as an alternative to the weekly or the every-three-week schedule as well as in combined therapies with other chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of advanced, metastatic, CRC.

Phase II trial of fortnightly irinotecan (CPT-11) in the treatment of colorectal cancer patients resistant to previous fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy

Introduction. This phase II study investigated the anti-tumour activity and toxicity of CPT-11 (250 mg/m² i.v. infusion over 60 minutes) administered every 2 weeks as second-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). Material and methods. Patients (n=63) with histology diagnosis of advanced CRC and proven resistance to previous fluoropyrimidine therapy were enrolled. Results. A total of 510 CPT-11 cycles were administered, with a mean of 8 cycles per patient (range: 1-32). The median relative dose intensity was 93%. Partial response (PR) was obtained in 11 patients (17.5%; 95%CI: 8.1%-26.7%) and 29 patients (46.0%) showed stable disease (clinical benefit of 63.5%). The median duration of response was 6.8 months (95%CI: 6.1-7.5 months), median survival was 8.8 months (95%CI: 6.3-11.5 months) and median time to disease progression was 4.5 months (95%CI: 3.9-5.0 months). Overall, this schedule of CPT-11 chemotherapy was well tolerated by the patient. Neutropenia was the most frequent grade 3/4 haematological toxicity (20.6% of patients and 4.1% of cycles). Neutropenia with concurrent fever or infection occurred in 7 patients (11.1%). Late onset diarrhoea was the most frequent grade 3/4 non-haematological toxicity (19.0% of patients and 2.3% of cycles). Other, lower-incidence, toxicities were anaemia, fever, infection, mucositis, nausea and vomiting. There were no toxic deaths. Conclusions. We found that CPT-11, administered as 250 mg/m² i.v. infusion over 60 minutes every 2 weeks, was active and well tolerated schedule in the second-line chemotherapy of advanced CRC patients. This bi-weekly scheme could be used as an alternative to the weekly or the every-three-week schedule as well as in combined therapies with other chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of advanced, metastatic, CRC