Prospective, randomized, cross-over pilot study of the effects of Rikkunshito, a Japanese traditional herbal medicine, on anorexia and plasma-acylated ghrelin levels in lung cancer patients undergoing cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

Purpose Anorexia induced by cytotoxic chemotherapy on delayed phase is a highly frequent adverse event. We aimed to determine the effects of rikkunshito (RKT) on chemotherapy-induced anorexia (CIA) in patients with lung cancer. Methods This prospective, randomized, cross-over pilot trial included 40 lung cancer patients scheduled to undergo cisplatin-based chemotherapy and randomized to either a group given RKT 7.5 g/day for 14 days (Group A, N = 20) or not (Group B, N = 20), then the treatments were switched. All patients received dexamethasone, palonosetron hydrochloride and aprepitant regardless of group assignment. Rescue drugs were allowed as required. The primary and key secondary endpoints were changes in caloric intake and in plasma acylated ghrelin (AG) levels, respectively. Average daily caloric intake during days 3 to 5 was compared with that on day 1 of each course. Results The primary and key secondary endpoints were analyzed in 31 patients (per protocol population) completing the study. Reduction rate of caloric intake was lower in RKT, than in control courses (18% vs. 25%, P = 0.025). Plasma AG levels significantly declined between days 1 and 3 in RKT (12.3 vs. 7.5 fmol/mL, P < 0.001) and control (10.8 vs. 8.6 fmol/mL, P < 0.001) courses. However, those obviously increased to 8.5 fmol/mL (P = 0.025) by day 5 in RKT course but not in control course (7.7 fmol/mL, P = 0.28). Conclusions Rikkunshito could mitigate CIA and ameliorate plasma AG levels during the delayed phase of CDDP-based chemotherapy in lung cancer patients. Clinical trial registration numbers: UMIN000010748.

Traditional Japanese herbal medicine rikkunshito increases food intake and plasma acylated ghrelin levels in patients with esophageal cancer treated by cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Cisplatin (CDDP) is an important chemotherapeutic drug for treating esophageal cancer that often induces nausea and vomiting. Rikkunshito (RKT), a traditional Japanese herbal medicine, can increase levels of plasma ghrelin, which is an orexigenic gut hormone that can alleviate chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) and anorexia. METHODS: This prospective randomized crossover study included 20 patients with esophageal cancer who were administered with CDDP-based chemotherapy. Ten of them were assigned to group A [1st course: with RKT 7.5 g/day on days 1-14; 2nd course: without RKT (control)] and 10 were assigned to group B [1st course: without RKT (control); 2nd course: with RKT 7.5 g/day on days 22-35]. Food intake and levels of plasma acylated ghrelin (AG) were compared between the control and RKT courses. RESULTS: Data from 18 patients were included in this analysis, as chemotherapy was immediately stopped due to deteriorating renal function in one patient and intracerebral bleeding in another. The median rate at which food intake decreased between days 4 and 6 was considerably lower in the course with, than without RKT (2% vs. 30%; P=0.02). Median levels of AG significantly increased from days 3 to 8 in patients in both courses with and without RKT (9.6 to 15.7 fmol/mL, P<0.0001; control, 10.2 to 17.8, P=0.0002). The rate at which median plasma AG levels increased from days 3 to 8 tend to be higher in the RKT, than in the control course (68% vs. 48%, P=0.08). CONCLUSIONS: RKT can improve CDDP-induced, delayed-onset anorexia and increase plasma AG levels among patients with esophageal cancer who undergo highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC).

Increased risk of recurrence in resected EGFR-positive pN0M0 invasive lung adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the prognostic and recurrent impact of EGFR mutation status in resected pN0M0 lung adenocarcinoma with consideration of the histological subtype. METHODS: Following retrospective analysis of whole 474 consecutive pathological N0M0 lung adenocarcinoma patients, the prognostic significance of EGFR mutation status was evaluated in limited 394 subjects. Overall survival and recurrence-free interval (RFI) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using a log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: The five-year RFI was 85.7% and 93.3% for EGFR positive (n = 176) and negative (n = 218) cases, respectively (hazard ratio [HR] 1.992, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.005-3.982; P = 0.048). Following the exclusion of specific subtypes free from recurrence or EGFR mutation (adenocarcinoma in situ, minimally invasive adenocarcinoma, and invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma), the five-year RFI was obviously poorer in EGFR positive compared to negative cases (80.7% and 92.1%, respectively; HR 2.163, 95% CI 1.055-4.341; P = 0.035). Multivariate analysis excluding the specific subtypes confirmed that male sex, age, current or Ex-smoking status, pleural invasion, and EGFR-positive status were independently associated with shorter RFI. No significant differences in five-year overall survival were found between the EGFR mutation positive and negative groups (88.7% and 93.7%, respectively; HR 1.630, 95% CI 0.787-3.432; P = 0.2). CONCLUSION: EGFR mutations are associated with recurrence in pN0M0 lung adenocarcinoma. EGFR mutation status and histological subtype should be considered when evaluating the risk of recurrence in resected lung adenocarcinoma patients.

The differences in histological changes among pulmonary vessels divided with an energy device.

OBJECTIVES: Histological changes after division of the pulmonary artery (PA) and the pulmonary vein (PV) using a vessel-sealing device are not fully understood. The goal of the present study was to clarify histologically and immunohistochemically how division with the device affects the wall layers of the pulmonary vasculature. METHODS: This prospective cohort study analysed outcomes of 20 patients who underwent anatomical lung resection. After a single proximal ligation, the PA and the PV (diameter 2-7 mm) were divided using a LigaSure Blunt Tip (LSB). Histological findings and thermal damage were evaluated in vascular specimens from resected lungs. RESULTS: The PA has a well-developed media with rich elastic fibres and a thin adventitia, whereas the PV has a thinner media and a thicker adventitia with abundant collagen fibres. Vascular division of the PAs and PVs appeared complete to the naked eye. However, in all divided PAs, the area adjacent to the sealed zone comprised only adventitia and thin disrupted media. Additionally, thermal energy generated by the LSB resulted in a wide area of thermal necrosis over the histologically fragile region in all cases. Conversely, the wall layers of all divided PVs were completely fused without disruption. Thermal spread and disruption did not significantly differ between small (2-4 mm) and large (5-7 mm) PAs [187 (150-253) vs 236 (190-275) µm, P = 0.22; 180 (138-200) vs 210 (161-305) µm, P = 0.22]. Histological changes differed significantly between the pulmonary vessels after division using the LSB. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons should consider that dividing the pulmonary vessels with a vessel-sealing device might have more histological impact on the layers of the wall of the PA than on those of the PV, although it remains unclear whether these findings constitute a clinical risk.

Second predominant subtype predicts outcomes of intermediate-malignant invasive lung adenocarcinoma†.

OBJECTIVES: Acinar predominant and papillary predominant invasive adenocarcinomas are likely to be classified as intermediate-malignant types. Although these two types of adenocarcinoma are distinguished morphologically, the differences between their malignant behaviours and prognoses are not clear. The aim of this study is to provide a prognostically relevant stratification of these similar subtypes based on pathological features. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 347 consecutive clinically N0M0 lung adenocarcinomas of ≤3 cm in diameter that were resected between April 2006 and December 2010 at two institutes. Acinar and papillary predominant adenocarcinomas were classified into acinar/papillary-lepidic type and acinar/papillary-non-lepidic type according to whether the second predominant component was a lepidic or invasive component. RESULTS: Fifty-four acinar and 59 papillary predominant adenocarcinoma cases were classified as acinar/papillary-lepidic type (n = 65) or acinar/papillary-non-lepidic type (n = 48) cases. Acinar/papillary-non-lepidic type cases were accompanied by more vascular invasion (13.8% vs 31.3%, P = 0.0451) and pleural invasion (9.2% vs 25.0%, P = 0.0450) than were acinar/papillary-lepidic type cases. Five-year overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) also differed significantly between these types (5-year OS: acinar/papillary-lepidic type, 96.3% vs acinar/papillary-non-lepidic type, 61.8%, hazard ratio = 6.315, P = 0.00650; 5-year RFS: acinar/papillary-lepidic type, 91.4% vs acinar/papillary-non-lepidic type, 68.8%, hazard ratio = 2.967, P = 0.0210). Multivariate analysis revealed that a second predominant component was an independent prognostic factor for RFS (acinar/papillary-non-lepidic type: hazard ratio = 3.784, 95% confidence interval 1.091­13.128, P = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: The pathological second predominant component allows intermediate-malignant adenocarcinomas to be subclassified with prognostic significance. It can be utilized when assessing postoperative risks for recurrence and when considering therapeutic strategies.

Prognostic significance of vascular invasion in intermediate-grade subtype of lung adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Although the recent reclassification of histological subtypes of lung adenocarcinoma reflects disease prognosis better, the prognosis of papillary and acinar-predominant adenocarcinoma, which are highly prevalent, is heterogeneity. The present study aimed to identify the prognostic indicators for papillary and acinar-predominant adenocarcinoma. METHODS: This retrospective study included 315 consecutive patients with completely resected pathological N0 lung adenocarcinoma tumors ≤3 cm from two institutions. Tumors were classified according to histologically predominant subtypes as low-grade (adenocarcinoma in situ, minimally invasive adenocarcinoma or lepidic predominant), intermediate-grade (papillary or acinar predominant) or high-grade (solid or micropapillary predominant). Prognostic factors in intermediate-grade group were assessed among clinicopathological factors of age, gender, surgical procedure, tumor size, pleural, lymphatic and vascular invasion using Cox proportion hazards analyses. RESULTS: There were 174 patients in the low-grade group, 109 in the intermediate-grade group and 32 in the high-grade group. The 3-year recurrence-free survival rates were 98.1%, 86.3% and 74.8% for these groups, respectively (P < 0.001). In the intermediate-grade group, the presence of vascular invasion was an independent prognostic factor on multivariate Cox regression analysis of recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio, 3.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.26-9.57, P = 0.01). Classification of intermediate-grade group based on vascular invasion revealed a clear division into favorable and unfavorable prognostic subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Consideration of the vascular invasion status in addition to the predominant subtype could provide a more accurate assessment of malignant aggressiveness and prognosis of patients with early-stage lung adenocarcinoma.

Prognostic Role of Subtype Classification in Small-Sized Pathologic N0 Invasive Lung Adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of patients with small, node-negative lung cancers, which the current indication for adjuvant chemotherapy never includes, is sometimes poor despite complete tumor resection. The present study aimed to identify independent prognostic factors and to clarify possible candidates for adjuvant chemotherapy among patients with small, node-negative invasive adenocarcinoma. METHODS: This study involved 153 patients with completely resected small (≤20 mm) pathologic N0 invasive adenocarcinomas. Invasive adenocarcinoma was classified as lepidic predominant (LPA), papillary or acinar predominant (PA), or solid or micropapillary predominant (SM), according to the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, American Thoracic Society, and European Respiratory Society classification. Overall survival and recurrence-free survival were estimated from Kaplan-Meier curves. Prognostic factors for recurrence-free survival were determined using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Three-year overall survival and recurrence-free survival rates were 98% and 98%, 97% and 88%, and 85% and 64% for LPA, PA, and SM tumors, respectively. Prognosis was the worst for patients with SM tumors (overall survival LPA versus PA, p = 0.099; LPA versus SM, p < 0.001; and PA versus SM, p = 0.032; recurrence-free survival LPA versus PA, p = 0.014; LPA versus SM, p < 0.001; and PA versus SM, p < 0.001). Subtype was a significantly independent prognostic factor for recurrence-free survival in multivariate analysis (SM versus LPA hazard ratio 22, 95% confidence interval: 2.5 to 190, p = 0.0054). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with small (≤20 mm) pathologic N0 solid or micropapillary predominant invasive adenocarcinoma might be possible candidates for adjuvant chemotherapy.

Negative prognostic influence of micropapillary pattern in stage IA lung adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: There is uncertainty as to which factors determine the aggressiveness of lung adenocarcinoma with a micropapillary pattern (MPP). The present study aimed to clarify the influence of a MPP on the malignant aggressiveness of clinical stage IA lung adenocarcinoma. METHODS: We retrospectively examined 347 consecutive patients with clinical stage IA lung adenocarcinoma who underwent complete resection. We defined MPP-positive as accounting for ≥5% of the entire tumour. RESULTS: Forty-eight (14%) and 299 (86%) patients were MPP-positive and negative, respectively. Lymphatic (P = 0.003) and vessel (P = 0.029) invasion as well as lymph node metastasis (P = 0.002) were more frequent in the MPP-positive than negative group. Five-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates were significantly lower in the MPP-positive than negative group (69.7 vs 89.3%, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis for DFS showed that MPP (P = 0.048), lymphatic invasion (P = 0.003) and vessel invasion (P = 0.002) were independent poor prognostic factors. In addition, higher proportions (<5%, 5-30% and ≥30%) of MPP were associated with a poorer prognosis (89.3, 76.0, and 48.1%, respectively; P < 0.001). The prognosis of patients with MPP-positive tumours and negative tumours harbouring lepidic and solid predominant growth patents did not differ (100 vs 96.8%, P = 0.564; 66.7 vs 62.5%, P = 0.791, respectively). On the other hand, the prognosis tended to be poorer for patients with papillary predominant MPP-positive tumours than for those with negative tumours (62.5 vs 82.5%, P = 0.075). CONCLUSIONS: MPP has an effect on tumour malignancy and patients with tumours harbouring a higher ratio of MPP or papillary predominant subtypes have worse survival.

Prognostic value of the new IASLC/ATS/ERS classification of clinical stage IA lung adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: We analyzed and validated the prognostic utility of the new International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC)/American Thoracic Society (ATS)/European Respiratory Society (ERS) for clinical stage IA lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) classification of adenocarcinoma (ADC). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 347 patients with clinical stage IA nonmucinous ADC, who had undergone complete resection. The histological subtype was classified according to the predominant subtype, as proposed by the new IASLC/ATS/ERS ADC classification. RESULTS: The histopathological subtypes, defined according to the new IASLC/ATS/ERS ADC classification, were ADC in situ (AIS) in 56 patients (16.1%), minimally invasive ADC (MIA) in 15 (4.3%), lepidic-predominant ADC in 109 (31.4%), papillary-predominant ADC in 70 (20.2%), acinar-predominant ADC in 61 (17.6%), solid-predominant ADC in 30 (8.6%), and micropapillary-predominant ADC in 6 (1.7%). The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate was 100% for both AIS and MIA. All cases of recurrence involved invasive ADC. The 5-year DFS for lepidic-predominant ADC was 99.0%; acinar-predominant ADC, 82.4%; papillary-predominant ADC, 80.8%; solid-predominant ADC, 73.6%; and micropapillary-predominant ADC, 33.3%. The predominant subtype of ADC was significantly correlated with DFS (P<0.0001). Multivariate analysis indicated that the pathological stage was an independent predictor of DFS (P=0.031). Other independent predictors of increased risk of recurrence were the presence of vascular or lymphatic invasion (HR=4.96, P=0.001), and a pathological stage more advanced than IB (HR=2.87, P=0.010). The coincidence between the clinical stage and pathological stage was 79.8%. The stage migration was found in 53.3% of solid-predominat ADC and in 83.3% of micropapillary-predominant ADC. CONCLUSION: The new IASLC/ATS/ERS ADC classification has prognostic value in predicting the recurrence and survival of patients with clinical stage IA ADC. The frequency of stage migration was found in more than half of solid and micropapillary predominant ADCs.

The Difference in Maximum Standardized Uptake Value among Lung Adenocarcinomas Located at the Upper and Lower Zone on PET/CT.

BACKGROUND: Findings on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) are surrogate markers of malignancy in lung adenocarcinoma. Breathing during PET/CT can substantially reduce the maximum standardized uptake value (maxSUV) of lung tumors when they are located at the lower zone (LZ). OBJECTIVES: We assessed whether lung cancer location influences the malignancy predicted by maxSUV. METHODS: 608 patients with clinical stage IA lung adenocarcinoma had been preoperatively examined by PET/CT and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). We evaluated the clinicopathological characteristics of these patients and the accuracy of precognition obtained by maxSUV between the upper zone (UZ, n = 395) and the LZ (n = 213). maxSUV was also analyzed for matched pairs between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean maxSUV in the LZ group was significantly lower than that in the UZ group (1.98 ± 1.73 vs. 2.44 ± 2.43, respectively; p = 0.0145). The receiver operating characteristics curve of maxSUV for predicting high-grade malignancy (lymphatic, vascular, pleural invasion, or lymph node metastasis) was larger for the UZ group than for the LZ group [0.89, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.86-0.93, vs. 0.82, 95% CI 0.76-0.88]. Analysis for maxSUV of 213 pairs matched for the solid component size on HRCT, pathological characteristics, and gender revealed that maxSUV in the LZ group was significantly lower than that in the UZ group (1.98 ± 1.73 vs. 2.47 ± 2.39, respectively; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: maxSUV of a tumor in the LZ group is apparently lower than the value which reflects the potential malignancy of a tumor. We have to carefully consider these facts when selecting the appropriate surgical procedure for lung cancer with PET/CT and HRCT.

Histologic changes associated with the use of fibrinogen- and thrombin-impregnated collagen in the prevention of pulmonary air leakage.

OBJECTIVE: Although fibrinogen- and thrombin-impregnated collagen (TachoSil; Takeda GmbH, Linz, Austria) can be applied to prevent air leakage, the impact of its use on lung healing is unknown. Therefore, we histologically evaluated the long-term healing process associated with the use of TachoSil to prevent air leakage in a canine model. METHODS: Via left thoracotomy, visceral pleural defects of 10 × 10 mm were created on each lung lobe of female beagles. After air leakage was confirmed, each pleural defect was covered with TachoSil. The repair sites were histologically evaluated on postoperative days 0, 4, 7, 14, 28, and 56. RESULTS: All animals survived, and none developed pneumothorax. Histologically, inflammatory cells infiltrated the TachoSil from the pleural defect, and pleural mesothelium comprised the regenerated outermost layer of the TachoSil soon after the surgery. Inflammatory cells, myofibroblasts, and neovascular vessels subsequently spread over the entire TachoSil. The number of inflammatory cells decreased, and myofibroblast and neovascular vessels replaced the entire TachoSil. In addition, the elastic layer started to regenerate from both edges and completely repaired the pleural defect. The lung parenchyma around the pleural defects was not influenced throughout the observational period, because these healing processes occurred only inside the TachoSil. CONCLUSIONS: TachoSil provided a mechanical scaffold on which healing could proceed, followed by biodegradation over the long term. TachoSil safely repaired the pleural defects without affecting lung parenchyma.

Comparison of malignant grade between pure and partially invasive types of early lung adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The present study investigates the malignant significance of lepidic component presence in predominantly invasive lung adenocarcinoma that comprise less than 50% lepidic growth of the tumor. METHODS: Among 347 consecutive patients with completely resected clinical stage IA lung adenocarcinoma, we excluded those with adenocarcinoma in situ, minimally invasive, and lepidic predominant invasive adenocarcinoma. We finally assessed 167 patients with predominantly invasive lung adenocarcinoma. We analyzed the clinicopathologic characteristics and prognoses of patients with 49 pure invasive tumors without lepidic growth and 118 partially invasive tumors with lepidic growth. RESULTS: Pure invasive tumors were associated with being male, small tumor size, high maximum standardized uptake, and pleural as well as lymphatic invasion. Nonetheless, the invasive component size of both tumor types was similar. The predominant subtypes of pure and partially invasive tumors, respectively, were papillary, 17 (34.7%) and 53 (44.9%); acinar, 10 (20.4%) and 51 (43.2%); solid, 19 (38.8%) and 11 (9.3%), and micropapillary 3 (6.1%) and 3 (2.5%; p < 0.001). Recurrence-free survival was significantly worse for patients with pure, compared with partially, invasive tumors (p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: Among predominantly invasive stage IA lung adenocarcinomas, the malignant potential was higher for pure invasive tumors, and the prognosis was poorer than for partially invasive tumors when the invasive components were of equal sizes. The presence or absence of a lepidic component reflects a difference in subtype predominance and can help to decide the malignant grade of lung adenocarcinoma.

Prediction for prognosis of resected pT1a-1bN0M0 adenocarcinoma based on tumor size and histological status: relationship of TNM and IASLC/ATS/ERS classifications.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to estimate the relationship between 7th TNM classification and IASLC/ATS/ERS classification with regard to tumor size and pathological status and to determine the utility of these classifications for predicting prognosis in resected node-negative adenocarcinoma with tumor size ≤2.0 cm and >2.0-3.0 cm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 321 pN0M0 lung adenocarcinoma cases resected at Hiroshima University Hospital from January 1991 to December 2010. Histological differences between T1a and T1b based on the IASLC/ATS/ERS classification were estimated and followed by evaluation of overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free interval (RFI) based on differences in tumor size and histological features. RESULTS: We found 188 cases of pT1a-1bN0M0 (135 T1a, 53 T1b). Pathological T1a tumors included significantly more adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) cases and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) cases than T1b tumors (60.7% vs 18.8%, respectively; p<0.0001), while more invasive adenocarcinoma cases were included in pT1b. By considering the two classifications simultaneously, the 5-year OS rates of T1a AIS/MIA, T1b AIS/MIA, T1a invasive adenocarcinoma, and T1b invasive adenocarcinoma were 97.5%, 87.5%, 95.8%, and 86.8%, respectively. The 5-year RFIs of T1a AIS/MIA, T1b AIS/MIA, T1a invasive adenocarcinoma, and T1b invasive adenocarcinoma were 100%, 100%, 91.3%, and 72.5%, respectively. T1a AIS/MIA and T1b AIS/MIA could be separated as good prognostic cases with a 100% RFI. Multivariate analysis indicated that only T1b invasive adenocarcinoma was an independent factor for predicting recurrence (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Compared to a single classification, combining TNM and IASLC/ATS/ERS classifications could provide more detail information concerning disease recurrence. AIS and MIA should be handled equally, regardless of tumor size, because their non-/less invasive status is more useful for predicting prognosis than their tumor size classification. In contrast, the T descriptors based on TNM classification are important for predicting prognosis in invasive adenocarcinoma.

Role of positron emission tomography/computed tomography findings for adjuvant chemotherapy indications in stage T1b-2aN0M0 lung adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the significance of the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) images on postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for lung adenocarcinoma. METHODS: We assessed recurrence-free interval (RFI) and overall survival (OS) based on SUVmax values derived from preoperative FDG-PET/CT images in 174 consecutive patients with completely resected pathologic stage T1b-2aN0M0 lung adenocarcinoma. RESULTS: Ninety patients received adjuvant chemotherapy and 84 did not. Adjuvant chemotherapy conferred benefits on RFI and OS when compared with observation (p=0.007 and p=0.004, respectively). Multivariate Cox regression analyses revealed SUVmax as an independent prognostic factor for RFI. RFI and OS were significantly longer for patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy compared with those who did not in the group with SUVmax greater than or equal to 2.6 (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). However, RFI and OS did not differ significantly between such patients in the group with SUVmax less than 2.6 (p=0.421 and p=0.452, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative SUVmax determined from FDG-PET/CT images reflected the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy after complete resection in patients with pathologic stage T1b-2aN0M0 lung adenocarcinoma. Indications for postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy among patients with lung adenocarcinoma might be more precisely determined using SUVmax derived from FDG-PET/CT images together with tumor size.

Bilateral video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery resection for multiple mediastinal myelolipoma: report of a case.

Myelolipoma in the mediastinum is an extremely rare entity. In this report, we present the case of a 79-year-old asymptomatic man who had three bilateral paravertebral mediastinal tumors. The three tumors were resected simultaneously using bilateral three-port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). There has been no evidence of recurrence within four years after the operation. Multiple bilateral mediastinal myelolipomas are extremely rare. There are no reports in the English literature of multiple bilateral thoracic myelolipomas that were resected simultaneously using bilateral VATS. We also present characteristic features of myelolipomas, which are helpful for diagnosis.

Role of lymphatic invasion in the prognosis of patients with clinical node-negative and pathologic node-positive lung adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Some patients with clinical T1 N0 M0 lung adenocarcinoma have pathologic lymph node metastasis. However, neither the precise prognosis nor the factors predictive of the prognosis of such patients have yet been identified. METHODS: Our study included 609 patients with clinical T1 N0 M0 lung adenocarcinoma; 568 (93.3%) pathologic node negative [pN(-)] and 41 (6.7%) pathologic node positive [pN(+)] patients, diagnosed after complete surgical resection. The association between prognosis and pathologic findings was analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: pN(+) patients had a significantly lower lepidic growth component ratio (10% vs 50%), a higher lymphatic invasion (LI) rate (68% vs 11%), vessel invasion rate (59% vs 14%), and visceral pleural invasion rate (29% vs 9%), compared with pN(-) patients (all Ps < .001). Surprisingly, 13 of 41 (32%) pN(+) patients showed no LI. In pN(-) patients, a multivariate analysis of recurrence-free survival revealed that lower lepidic growth component ratio, and lymphatic, vessel, and pleural invasion were significantly correlated with a poor prognosis (P = .008, .045, .031, and .024). However, in pN(+) patients, the multivariate analysis of recurrence-free survival showed that only LI was a significant independent prognostic factor (P = .037). The 5-year recurrence-free survival rates were as follows: 91.2% for pN(-)/LI(-) patients, 68.2% for pN(-)/LI(+) patients, 63.5% for pN(+)/LI(-) patients, and 41.9% for pN(+)/LI(+) patients. LI status stratified the prognosis not only in patients with no nodal metastasis but also in those with metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: LI, which is not always present in node-positive adenocarcinoma, is an important prognostic variable in patients with node involvement.

A thymic cyst in the middle mediastinum: report of a case.

BACKGROUND: Thymic cysts are usually located in the neck or anterior mediastinal compartment. Thymic cysts arising in the middle mediastinum are extremely rare, with only 2 previously reported cases. We herein describe the third case of a thymic cyst in the middle mediastinum. CASE: A 41-year-old female was referred to our department because of an incidental mediastinal mass detected on chest X-ray. Computed tomography showed a well-defined 7 cm mass located in the retroinnominate vein area. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a cystic lesion without any soft tissue density in the circumference. The border of the tumor was clear, without any invasion and continuity with the surrounding tissue. We performed thoracoscopic surgery. After aspiration of the serous contents in an end-pouch, the tumor was removed from the thoracic cavity. A pathological examination showed a fibrotic cyst wall containing the thymic cyst, which diagnosed it as thymic cyst. CONCLUSION: Thymic cysts in the middle mediastinum are extremely rare. A surgical resection provided the histological diagnosis of a thymic cyst in the present case.

[Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for air embolism complicating computed tomography (CT)-guided needle marking of the lung].

Preoperative computed tomography( CT)-guided marking with a short hook wire for small sized lung tumors has become popular along with the spread of thoracoscopic surgery. Systemic arterial air embolism is a very rare but potentially fatal complication. The patient was a 79-year-old man who was found to have a mixed ground glass opacity shadow on chest CT. Almost immediately after marking, he lost consciousness and complete atrio-ventricular (AV) block was found on the electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor. Brain CT showed intravascular air bubbles in the right frontal lobe. Two hours later, his conscious level was recovered completely but remained left hemiplegia. Five hours later, he was transported to another hospital for hyperbaric oxygen therapy. After 3 episodes of the treatment, left hemiplegia recovered with slight sense disorder in the left little finger. When neurologic findings are remained after air embolism, hyperbaric oxygen therapy should be arranged immediately.

Mesenchymal tumor of the pancreas: report of a case.

Mesenchymal tumors of the pancreas are rare and difficult to classify. We report a case of a solitary mesenchymal tumor in the body of the pancreas. The tumor showed immunocytochemical reactivity for anti-vimentin, anti-alpha-smooth muscle actin, and anti-CD34; however, it was negative immunohistochemically for antibodies to cytokeratins, as well as for the following antibodies: anti-desmin, anti-S-100, anti-chromogranin A, anti-CD117 (c-Kit), anti-CD99, and anti-bcl-2. This tumor could not be classified as a specific type of mesenchymal tumor immunocytochemically.