Does the Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Bcl-2 Have a Prognostic Significance in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer is the most common cause of mortality from malignant tumors worldwide. The five-year survival rate for people with advanced stages varies considerably, from 35.4% to 6.9%. The angiogenic potential of bcl2 is not well known, nor is the way in which tumor cells with excessive bcl2 expression affect VEGF production. Hypothetically, given that tumor growth, progression and metastasis are dependent on angiogenesis, the antiapoptotic effect is expected to form a link between these two molecules. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between bcl-2 and VEGF expression, clinicopathological features and survival in 216 patients with advanced NSCLC. Archival tumor tissues were examined by immunohistochemistry for the expression of bcl-2 and VEGF. Immunoreactivity for bcl-2 was observed in 41.4% of NSCLCs, 51% of squamous and 34.8% of adenocarcinomas-expressed Bcl-2. There was an inverse correlation of mononuclear stromal reaction and bcl-2 expression in adenocarcinoma (p < 0.0005). A total of 71.8% NSCLCs were VEGF positive, 56% of squamous and 82.2% of adenocarcinomas. High level of VEGF expression was significantly associated with histology type (p = 0.043), low histology grade (p = 0.014), clinical stage IV (p = 0.018), smoking history (p = 0.008) and EGFR mutations (p = 0.026). There was an inverse correlation in the expression of Bcl-2 and VEGF in NSCLC patients (p = 0.039, r = -0.163). Two-year survival of patients with unresectable NSCLC was 39.3%, and 50% of patients were alive at 17 months. Our results demonstrated no difference in survival for patients in advanced NSCLC grouped by bcl-2 and VEGF status. Additionally, we observed an inverse correlation in the expression of Bcl-2 and VEGF in NSCLC and mononuclear reaction and bcl-2 expression in adenocarcinomas.

Ilizarov method as limb salvage in treatment of massive femoral defect after unsuccessful tumor arthroplasty.

Introduction: Surgical management of massive bone defects is very challenging in terms of estimating possibilities of saving the extremity and adequate method that can make it possible. Selection of methods is additionally limited in the presence of infection at site of defect. Case report: The female patient, diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma was treated by segmental bone resection and implantation of Kotz modular tumor endoprosthesis. After 5 years the signs of infection occured and persisted with low grade intensity. After falling, 12 years following implantation, the patient acquired periprosthetic fracture. Then endoprosthesis was removed, all along with surgical debridement of wound and application of the Ilizarov apparatus. The apparatus was applied, osteotomy of callus and the tibia performed with transport of bone segments, untill reconstruction of defect and arthrodesis of the knee was achieved. Conclusion: The Ilizarov apparatus offered us huge possibilities for management of massive bone defects with natural bone which has superior biomechanical characteristics comparing to the implant. The most frequent complication of this method is a prolonged treatment period that demands good patient selection and preparation and wide surgical experience.