[Pleural effusion revealing non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Diagnose performed by videothoracoscopy]. / [In Process Citation]

We report the case of a 67-year-old man with an history of pneumopathy with pleural effusion and weight loss. Exsudative lymphocytic pleural effusion was found. Thoracoscopy gave diagnosis of widespread diffuse large B-cell NHL. Talc pleurodesis and CHOP-Rituximab regimen were performed with a favorable clinical and radiological response. We discuss about lymphocytic pleural effusion, especially associated with NHL and primary pleural lymphoma.

A randomized study comparing cisplatin or carboplatin with etoposide in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Protocol 07861.

The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Lung Cancer Working Party conducted a randomized trial comparing cisplatin (CDDP; 120 mg/m2, day 1) and carboplatin (CBDCA; 325 mg/m2, day 1) in combination with etoposide (VP16; 100 mg/m2, days 1, 2, and 3) in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Two hundred twenty-eight patients were eligible for survival and 202 assessable for response. We obtained 27 of 100 objective responses (ORs; 27%) in the CDDP arm and 16 of 102 (16%) in the CBDCA arm (P = .07). There was no significant difference in survival. Toxicity, consisting mainly of myelosuppression and renal function impairment, was significantly increased in the patients receiving the CDDP treatment. We conclude that CDDP plus VP16 was more active but also more toxic than CBDCA plus VP16 in advanced NSCLC.

Evaluation of squamous cell carcinoma antigen as a new marker for lung cancer.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is the only tumor marker of proven, although limited, value for the management of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The authors have prospectively assessed the potential value of a new tumor marker, squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC Ag), in a large series of patients with advanced lung cancer (LC). Squamous cell carcinoma antigen and CEA levels were measured in 382 healthy persons (N1 group), 90 patients with benign pulmonary diseases, and 291 patients with LC (129 with SCLC and 162 with NSCLC, including 96 with squamous LC). Carcinoembryonic antigen levels were higher in smokers than in nonsmokers, but smoking habits did not influence the serum concentrations of SCC Ag. Elevated values (above the 95th percentiles of N1, i.e., 7.5 ng/ml for CEA and 3.0 ng/ml for SCC Ag) were observed in 11.1% of patients with benign pulmonary diseases for both markers. Carcinoembryonic antigen was more sensitive than SCC Ag, even for squamous LC (56% versus 35% of elevated values, P less than 0.01). The specificity toward squamous LC was better, however, for SCC Ag, for which levels were elevated in only 8.5% of SCLC and in 18% of other forms of NSCLC, compared with 49% and 55%, respectively, for CEA. Moreover, measurement of SCC Ag and CEA levels did not give redundant information: thus, in squamous LC and SCC Ag level was elevated in 32% of the patients with a normal CEA level, increasing from 57% to 71% the proportion of patients with at least one elevated marker. Lastly, elevation of CEA or SCC Ag levels was an adverse prognostic factor in squamous LC (P = 0.05 for CEA; P = 0.07 for SCC Ag). In conclusion, SCC Ag appears to be worthwhile of further investigation in squamous LC. The authors found that this new marker provided additional information on CEA and that it was more specific for squamous LC than CEA.

A randomized trial of two platinum combinations in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a preliminary report. European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer--Lung Cancer Working Party.

A randomized study with cisplatin (120 mg/m2) or carboplatin (325 mg/m2) plus etoposide (100 mg/m2, days 1 to 3) in 162 evaluable patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) compared response and survival after treatment. No statistically significant difference in survival rates was detected; median survival was 25 weeks for patients receiving cisplatin and 24 weeks for those receiving carboplatin. The objective response rate was 25% for cisplatin plus etoposide and 20% for carboplatin plus etoposide. Granulocytopenia, diarrhea, and nephrotoxicity were significantly more frequent with cisplatin plus etoposide than with carboplatin plus etoposide. Severe nausea and/or vomiting occurred during 59 of 77 courses (77%) with cisplatin and 48 of 75 (64%) with carboplatin (P = .13). Unlike cisplatin plus etoposide, carboplatin plus etoposide was administered on an outpatient basis. At the dose used in the present study, carboplatin plus etoposide was as effective as but less toxic than cisplatin plus etoposide for NSCLC and could be given more easily.

[Aspergillus colonization of a pulmonary sequestration. Apropos of a case associated with erythema nodosum]. / Colonisation aspergillaire d'une séquestration pulmonaire. A propos d'un cas associé à un érythème noueux.

We describe a case of interlobar pulmonary sequestration diagnosed at thoracotomy in which there were a number of unusual features at presentation: an opacity with multiple cavities, positive aspergillus precipitins, erythema nodosum and a haemothorax complicating a trans-thoracic needle biopsy. Although it is unusual to find such a constellation of symptoms and signs they could be explained in a logical fashion.

A randomized study comparing etoposide and vindesine with or without cisplatin as induction therapy for small cell lung cancer. EORTC Lung Cancer Working Party.

We conducted a randomized trial testing etoposide (120 mg/m2 d1-3) + vindesine (3 mg/m2 d1) with or without cisplatin (60 mg/m2 d1) in patients with SCLC. A total of 8 courses were given at 3-week intervals. 221 patients were registered and 201, 95 in the CEV arm and 106 in the EV arm, were eligible for survival analysis. 183 patients were evaluable for response: 74% had an objective response (OR) with CEV versus 55% with EV (p = 0.01). Complete response rates were, respectively, 21% and 13% (NS). In patients with limited disease (LD), OR rates were 72% and 61% (NS), and 76% and 48% in extensive disease (ED) (p = 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in survival between the two regimens (p = 0.745, log rank test). Median survival for EV and CEV were, respectively, 40 and 45 weeks, and two-year survivals were 11% and 9%; in patients with LD, the corresponding figures were 14% and 16% (NS) and in those with ED, 8% and 3% (NS). Disease extent (LD vs ED), Karnofsky performance status and loss of body weight were significant prognostic factors for survival; age, sex, type of treatment and type of lesion were not. The CEV regimen was not significantly more myelotoxic than EV but was associated with more severe nausea, vomiting and alopecia. In conclusion, the addition of cisplatin to the EV regimen, a combination reported to be easily manageable, was associated with a significantly higher OR rate but survival was not significantly improved.

Cisplatin versus cisplatin plus etoposide in the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. Lung Cancer Working Party, Belgium.

We conducted a randomized study comparing the survival after treatment with cisplatin (120 mg/m2) or cisplatin plus etoposide (100 mg/m2 on days 1, 2, and 3) in 162 evaluable patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). No statistically significant difference in survival was detected; the median survival was 26 and 22 weeks, respectively, for patients receiving cisplatin and for those receiving cisplatin plus etoposide. The objective response rate was 19% for cisplatin and 26% for the combination; the corresponding response rates were 17% and 43% in patients with limited disease. No significant differences were detected between the two study arms as far as toxicity was concerned, except for alopecia and granulocytopenia, which occurred more frequently in patients treated with cisplatin plus etoposide.

[Sleep apnea syndrome and hypothyroidism: apropos of a new case and a review of the literature]. / Syndrome d'apnée du sommeil et hypothydroïdie: à propos d'un nouveau cas et revue de la littérature.

We present the case of a 63 years old man (177 cm height, 111 kg weight) with autoimmune thyroiditis. He had a long term history of hypersomnolence and heavy snoring. Two years ago, because of a bifascicular block and sinus pauses, a cardiac pace-maker was placed. Polysomnography recording showed a systematic periodic breathing characterized by profound desaturation waves (often 92% Sa O2 to 60% Sa O2) every 60 seconds, secondary to prolonged mixed apneas. Hormone replacement therapy and a 17 kg weight loss completely suppressed the sleep apnea syndrome within five months. We conclude that SAS is a major component of the respiratory depression in hypothyroidism and that normalisation of thyroid function can definitely cure the patient.

Phase II study of an intensive combination chemotherapy with cisplatin, adriamycin, etoposide and cyclophosphamide (CAVE) in small cell lung cancer.

One hundred and twelve patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) were treated with a combination (CAVE) of cisplatin (60 mg/m2 day 1), adriamycin (45 mg/m2 day 1), etoposide (80 mg/m2 days 1-2-3) and cyclophosphamide (1 g/m2 day 1) given every 4 weeks. A total of 10 courses were given. Response evaluation was initially evaluated after the first two courses of CAVE and repeated at least after treatment completion. This regimen was associated with severe hematological toxicity, mainly leucopenia; five toxic deaths related to sepsis were observed. One hundred and one patients were evaluable for response: 63 with limited disease and 49 with extensive disease. Overall complete and partial response rates after the first two courses of chemotherapy were 16% and 63% respectively but 14 late complete responses were documented, leading to a 30% total complete response rate; 38% in patients with limited disease and 19% in those with disseminated disease. Median overall survival was 46 weeks with a 17% 2 year survival. The only significant prognostic factor for survival was the type of response. There was no survival difference between 'early' and 'late' complete responders. Complete responders had a 75 week median survival time with a 34% 2 year survival. CAVE is thus an effective regimen for SCLC, but with a considerable toxicity.

[Instrumentation support in respiratory kinesiotherapy]. / Le support instrumental en kinésithérapie respiratoire.

The points of impact of instrumental support in respiratory physiotherapy are numerous; they concern primarily the pulmonary expansion, bronchial drainage and function of respiratory muscles. The pulmonary expansion may be helped by incitant spirometry and either intermittent or continuous positive pressure respiration, or indirectly by the utilisation of respiration against resistance (expiratory bottles, masks with uni-directional valves and expiratory resistances etc.). These different techniques may be used in the presence of instability of the respiratory units, secondary to an alteration of surfactant or to closure of the small airways induced by a transitory reduction (in the post-operative period) or permanent reduction (such as parietal wall disease of mechanical or neuro-muscular origin) of the functional residual capacity (CRF). If the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) seems particularly helpful for the CRF to recover to the pre-operative level it also appears on the contrary as the least efficacious technique to increase trans-pulmonary pressure. The instrumental support for bronchial drainage may theoretically affect the tension activity of the transport (instrumental help in the pulmonary expansion and in hyperventilation), muco-ciliary transport (external parietal vibration or internal vibrations applied to the upper airways), the biphasic flow (expiratory assistance by negative pressure and humidifiers). The function of the respiratory muscles may in certain cases be improved by the use of abdominal pneumatic cuirasses, by hyperventilation exercises in an isocapnoeic milieu or in breathing exercises against an additional inspiratory or expiratory resistance. If the physiological foundation of mechanical support in respiratory education may be frequently identified, the clinical results reported in the literature are often contradictory.

Cardiovascular changes during isometric and dynamic exercise in chronic lung disease.

To compare circulatory changes during dynamic and isometric exercise in patients with chronic lung disease, vascular pressures and cardiac output were measured in pulmonary and systemic circulation. The patients, mainly chronic bronchitics, were divided according to pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR): six patients with PVR below 120 dyn.s.cm-5, and 17 with PVR above this value. Exercise was performed using the legs, in a supine position, at low load. Oxygen consumption increased, on average, from 270 ml/min at rest, to 340 ml/min during isometric exercise, and 585 ml/min during dynamic exercise. Isometric exercise produced an increase in systemic artery pressure similar to that of dynamic exercise, but other vascular changes were of much smaller magnitude: pulmonary artery pressure increased by 4 mmHg with isometric exercise, and by 14 mmHg during dynamic exercise, on average; for cardiac output, these changes were 0.8 and 3.3 l/min, respectively. The pressure/flow relationship in the pulmonary circulation was comparable for both types of exercise. Changes in filling pressures in relation to stroke volume were more marked in the group of patients with elevated pulmonary vascular resistance. Changes in wedge pressure and in right atrial pressure were remarkably parallel for patients with normal as well as with high pulmonary vascular resistance.

A randomized study comparing a high and a standard dose of cisplatin in combination with etoposide in the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung carcinoma.

We conducted a randomized trial comparing a high (120 mg/m2 day 1) v a standard (60 mg/m2 day 1) dose of cisplatin in combination with etoposide (120 mg/m2 days 3, 5, and 7) in advanced non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Two hundred forty-one patients were evaluable for survival and 207 for response. We obtained a 25% objective response rate in the standard-dose arm and 29% in the high-dose arm; this difference was not statistically significant. There was no significant improvement in the overall survival or survival of responders with the high-dose regimen. However, toxicity (mainly myelosuppression) was significantly increased in the patients receiving the higher dose of cisplatin. An analysis of prognostic factors showed that disease progression, loss of body weight, performance status, and prior therapy were predictive parameters of survival.

Combination chemotherapy with mitomycin and vindesine in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a pilot study by the Lung Cancer Working Party (Belgium).

The combination of mitomycin plus vindesine in advanced non-small cell lung cancer induced an objective response rate of 23% in 43 evaluable patients: 33% in nonpretreated patients (nine responses among 27 patients) and 6% in pretreated patients (one response among 16 patients). Toxicity was tolerable. We conclude that the regimen was a moderately active and easy to administer treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Preinspiratory lung volume dependence of the slope of the alveolar plateau.

Nine healthy subjects performed He-SF6 single-breath washouts. The inspired gas contained 90% O2, 5% He and 5% SF6 and the slope of the alveolar plateau for N2, He and SF6 was computed. Each subject performed three times in the seated position four different maneuvers: inspiration of both 1 L and a full inspiration from a preinspiratory lung volume (PILV) equal to residual volume (RV) + 1 L and RV + 2 L. The main experimental observation was that for an inspired volume of 1 L, the slopes decreased by approximately a factor of 2 when PILV increased from RV + 1 L to RV + 2 L, the He-SF6 slope difference decreasing significantly more. Previous results can be explained if intraregional parallel units play an important role in the genesis of the alveolar plateau. Furthermore, comparisons with simulations of a multibranch-point model of the acinus suggest that those units are, at least in part, intra-acinar and that the acini do not expand homogeneously. The present work also suggests that the more informative maneuver to obtain data reflecting acinar behavior from single-breath washouts, consists in an inspiration not larger than 1 L from a PILV situated between functional residual capacity and closing volume.