Risk Factors for Occult Lymph Node Metastasis in Peripheral Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Invasive Component Size 3 cm or Less.

BACKGROUND: In the seventh edition TNM staging system for lung cancer, a high maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) on positron emission tomography was regarded as a risk factor for occult lymph node metastasis in clinical T1N0 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, in the eighth edition TNM classification, tumors are classified according to the size of the invasive component only, and those with invasive component size ≤3 cm are diagnosed as stage T1. The aim of this study was to reassess the risk factors for occult lymph node metastasis under the eighth edition TNM classification for lung cancer. METHODS: From 2010 to 2017, 553 patients with clinical N0 peripheral NSCLC with invasive component size ≤3 cm underwent anatomical lobectomy with systematic lymph node dissection. We analyzed these cases retrospectively to identify risk factors for postoperative nodal upstaging. RESULTS: Among 553 study patients, 54 (9.8%) had nodal upstaging after surgery. In multivariate analysis adopting the eighth edition TNM classification for lung cancer, serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.113, p = 0.002), invasive component size (HR = 2.398, p = 0.004), visceral pleural invasion (HR = 2.901, p = 0.005), and lymphatic invasion (HR = 9.336, p < 0.001) were significant risk factors for nodal upstaging, but SUVmax was not. CONCLUSION: SUVmax is not a predictor of nodal upstaging in clinical N0 peripheral NSCLC with invasive component size ≤3 cm under the eighth edition TNM classification for lung cancer. Significant risk factors of occult lymph node metastasis are serum CEA level, tumor invasive component size, visceral pleural invasion, and lymphatic invasion.

The Effect of Resection Margin Distance and Invasive Component Size on Recurrence After Sublobar Resection in Patients With Small (≤2 Cm) Lung Adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: When performing sublobar resection for lung cancer, the margin distance should exceed the tumor size. However, instead of total tumor size, the 8th edition TNM staging system has adopted the size of invasive component for the T stage. The aim of this study was to determine whether the prognosis was satisfactory when the resection margin distance was greater than the invasive component size instead of the total tumor size. METHODS: From 2008 to 2017, 193 consecutive patients were diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma (invasive component size ≤2 cm) and underwent sublobar resection. We analyzed risk factors for recurrence using clinicopathological factors including margin/invasive component ratio (resection margin distance/invasive component size). RESULTS: Mean tumor size was 1.4 (±0.5) cm and the mean invasive component size was 0.8 cm (±0.5). In the multivariate analysis, neither resection margin distance (cm) nor margin/tumor ratio (resection margin distance/tumor size) was significant risk factors for recurrence. On the other hand, the margin/invasive component ratio (hazard ratio =0.035, p = 0.043) and the SUVmax (hazard ratio =1.993, p = 0.033) were significant risk factors for recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: When sublobar resection is performed for small (invasive component size ≤2 cm) adenocarcinomas of the lung, the resection margin distance should be larger than the invasive component size. Sublobar resection is not an appropriate treatment for lung adenocarcinoma with high SUVmax.

Prognostic Factors of Pathological N1 Non-small Cell Lung Cancer After Curative Resection Without Adjuvant Chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of patients with pathological N1 non-small cell lung cancer who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy. We attempted to identify those patients for whom adjuvant chemotherapy would be indispensable. METHODS: Among 132 patients who were diagnosed with pathological N1 lung cancer at a single institution from January 2010 to December 2016 were 32 patients who did not receive adjuvant treatment after curative surgical resection. The surgical and oncological outcomes of these patients were analyzed. Candidate factors for predicting recurrence were analyzed to identify patients at high risk of recurrence. RESULTS: The median follow-up time for all 32 patients was 1044 days. The 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) and disease-specific survival rates of the patients without adjuvant therapy were 50.3% and 77.6%, respectively. By multivariate analysis, tumors with a lepidic growth pattern [hazard ratio (HR) 0.119, p = 0.024] and extralobar lymph node metastasis (HR 6.848, p = 0.015) were significant factors predicting recurrence. The difference between the 5-year RFS rates of patients with tumors with or without a lepidic growth pattern was statistically significant (63.5% vs 40.0%, respectively; p = 0.050). The 5-year RFS rates of patients with intralobar lymph node metastasis versus those with extralobar lymph node metastasis were 63.3% and 18.8%, respectively (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with tumors without a lepidic growth pattern or with extralobar lymph node metastasis who do not receive adjuvant chemotherapy have a high recurrence rate after surgery. Therefore, these patients should be encouraged to undergo adjuvant chemotherapy if their overall condition is not a contraindication for chemotherapy.

Lymphovascular Invasion Increases the Risk of Nodal and Distant Recurrence in Node-Negative Stage I-IIA Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Despite complete surgical resection, 30-40% of patients with stage I-IIA non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have recurrences. We aimed to elucidate the effect of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) on the prognosis and patterns of recurrence in patients with pathologically confirmed T1-2N0 NSCLC. METHODS: We evaluated 381 patients who underwent complete resection and were diagnosed with pathologic T1-2N0 NSCLC between March 2000 and January 2012. Local recurrence, nodal recurrence, and distant metastasis were defined and analyzed. RESULTS: LVI was present in 72 patients (18.9%). The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) for all patients was 69.9%. Patients with LVI showed a significant decrease in 5-year DFS (47.3 vs. 74.4%, p < 0.001). LVI was a significant prognostic predictor in multivariate analysis (p = 0.003). The patients with LVI showed a significantly increased 5-year cumulative incidence of nodal recurrence (22.5 vs. 8.7%, p < 0.001) and distant metastasis (30.4 vs. 14.9%, p = 0.004). However, no difference was shown between the two groups in the 5-year cumulative incidence of local recurrence (p = 0.416). CONCLUSIONS: LVI is a negative prognostic factor in patients with stage I-IIA NSCLC. The presence of LVI significantly increases the risk of nodal and distant recurrence.

Margin Width of Resected Lepidic Lung Cancer Does Not Affect Recurrence After Sublobar Resection.

BACKGROUND: A sufficient resection margin is required for the sublobar resection of lung cancers. However, the width of the resection margin may not be important in lepidic adenocarcinoma, because such tumors are non- or minimally invasive. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of resection margin width on the outcome of patients with lepidic-dominant adenocarcinoma after sublobar resection. METHODS: This study included 133 patients with small (≤2 cm), clinical N0M0 lung cancer who underwent sublobar resection with curative intent. The patients were divided into 4 groups: Group A, lepidic tumor with margin/tumor ratio <1; Group B, lepidic tumor with margin/tumor ratio ≥1; Group C, non-lepidic tumor with margin/tumor ratio <1; Group D, non-lepidic tumor with margin/tumor ratio ≥1. The clinicopathological features and survival outcomes between Group A and B patients, and between Group C and D patients were compared. RESULTS: The 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates of Group A and B patients were both 100%. The 5-year RFS rates of Group C and D patients were 49.9 and 97.1%, respectively (p = 0.009). By multivariate analysis, the margin/tumor ratio was a significant independent factor for recurrence in patients with non-lepidic tumors (hazard ratio = 0.157, 95% confidence interval 0.027-0.898; p = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Tumor recurrence after sublobar resection is not associated with short resection margins in patients with lepidic tumors. However, a short resection margin is a significant risk factor for recurrence in patients with non-lepidic tumors.

Consolidation/Tumor Ratio on Chest Computed Tomography as Predictor of Postoperative Nodal Upstaging in Clinical T1N0 Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND: In clinical T1N0 peripheral lung cancers, lymph node upstaging is occasionally encountered postoperatively. However, nodal upstaging is rare in lung cancers presenting as ground-glass opacities. The aim of this study was to determine if lymph node upstaging could be reliably extrapolated from parameters such the consolidation/tumor ratio of chest computed tomography. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 486 patients treated for peripheral clinical T1N0 non-small cell lung cancer, each undergoing lobectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection. We compared preoperative variables in the pathologic N0 and nodal upstaging groups, analyzing such variables to determine factors predictive of lymph node upstaging. RESULTS: Of the 486 patients studied, lymph node upstaging occurred in 42 (8.6%). In the upstaging group, the mean nodule diameter exceeded that of the pathologic N0 group (2.3 vs 1.9 cm, respectively; p < 0.001), and the mean consolidation/tumor ratio was larger in the upstaging group than the pN0 group (0.95 vs 0.68, respectively; p < 0.001). Nodule diameter and consolidation/tumor ratio emerged as significant predictive factors for lymph node upstaging after surgery in a multivariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR] 2.259, p = 0.039; HR 173.645, p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Consolidation/tumor ratio and nodule diameter are significant predictive factors of postoperative lymph node upstaging. The higher the consolidation/tumor ratio and smaller the nodule diameter, the less likely the occurrence of postoperative lymph upstaging would be in clinical T1N0 peripheral non-small cell lung cancer.

Clinical Significance of C-MET Overexpression and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation in Platinum-Based Adjuvant Chemotherapy Outcome in Surgically Resected Lung Adenocarcinoma.

PURPOSE: We retrospectively assessed the role of C-MET expression and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation on survival following platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy. The impact of C-MET on survival was also investigated in relation to EGFR mutation status. METHODS: We enrolled 311 patients with resected lung adenocarcinoma (high-risk stage 1B-3A), and performed immunohistochemistry (IHC) using C-MET- and mutant EGFR (EGFRmut)-specific antibodies in tissue microarrays. RESULTS: Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 151 patients, 96 of whom relapsed and 85 died by the end of the study. On IHC, C-MET and EGFRmut were positive in 141 (45.3 %) and 88 (28.3 %) cases, respectively. On univariate analysis, adjuvant chemotherapy prolonged relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in C-MET(+) patients (RFS p = 0.035; OS p = 0.013) but not in C-MET(-) patients. On multivariate analysis, adjuvant chemotherapy was a positive independent prognostic factor in C-MET(+) (RFS p = 0.013; OS p = 0.006) but not in C-MET(-) patients. In addition, univariate analysis showed no effect of EGFRmut status on RFS and OS after chemotherapy, whereas multivariate analysis revealed that adjuvant chemotherapy increased RFS in both EGFRmut(+) and EGFRmut(-) patients [EGFRmut(+) p = 0.033; EGFRmut(-) p = 0.030]. C-MET was a negative prognostic factor for RFS (p = 0.045) and OS (p = 0.007) in the EGFRmut(-) group but not in the EGFRmut(+) group, on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that patients with C-MET overexpression should be considered for adjuvant chemotherapy, and that C-MET negatively correlates with survival in patients with wild-type, but not mutant, EGFR.

Prognosis After Sublobar Resection of Small-sized Non-small Cell Lung Cancer with Visceral Pleural or Lymphovascular Invasion.

BACKGROUND: Although standard surgical treatment of stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is lobectomy, sublobar resection may be elected for small-sized (≤2 cm) peripheral tumors. Our aim was examine the need for completion lobectomy in the event of confirmed pleural or lymphovascular invasion after sublobar resection of NSCLC. METHODS: A total of 271 consecutive patients undergoing curative resection of stage I NSCLC ≤2 cm were reviewed retrospectively, analyzing clinicopathologic findings and survival times of those with invasion-positive (visceral pleural or lymphovascular invasion) or invasion-negative (neither visceral pleural nor lymphovascular invasion) tumors by surgical approach (sublobar resection vs lobectomy). RESULTS: Aside from age and pulmonary function, clinicopathologic characteristics of the patient subsets did not differ significantly, nor did 5-year recurrence-free survival rates of surgical subsets (sublobar resection vs lobectomy) in respective tumor groups (invasion-positive 78.9 vs 79.8%, p = 0.928; invasion-negative 80.2 vs 85.4%, p = 0.505). In multivariate analysis, dissected lymph node count was the sole parameter significantly impacting recurrence of stage I invasion-positive NSCLC (hazard ratio = 0.914, 95% confidence interval 0.845-0.988; p = 0.023). Sublobar resection was not a risk factor for recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Survival rates for patients with small-sized (≤2 cm) NSCLC and visceral pleural or lymphovascular invasion did not differ significantly, whether sublobar resection or lobectomy was done. Hence, completion lobectomy is unnecessary in this setting.

Sublobar Resection Margin Width Does Not Affect Recurrence of Clinical N0 Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Presenting as GGO-Predominant Nodule of 3 cm or Less.

BACKGROUND: Sublobar resection of lung cancer may benefit patients with lung cancer presenting as ground-glass opacity (GGO) nodules. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of margin width on recurrence after sublobar resection in patients with clinical N0 non-small cell lung cancer presenting as GGO-predominant nodule. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 91 patients treated for clinical N0 non-small cell lung cancer ≤3 cm by sublobar resection with clear resection margins. We assigned them to two groups: GGO-predominant tumor and solid-predominant tumor. Each group was subdivided into two groups according to the margin width: resection margin ≤5 mm and resection margin >5 mm. We analyzed the clinicopathological findings and survival among these four groups. RESULTS: There was no recurrence in GGO-predominant tumors after sublobar resection. Margin width did not influence the recurrence in GGO-predominant tumors. In the cases of solid-predominant tumor, 5-year recurrence-free survival after sublobar resection according to margin width ≤5 and >5 mm was 24.2 and 79.6 %, respectively (p < 0.001). Therefore, narrow margin width (resection margin ≤5 mm) was a significant risk factor for recurrence of solid-predominant tumors (hazard ratio 3.868, 95 % confidence interval 1.177-12.714, p = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: The width between the tumor and resection margin does not affect the recurrence after R0 sublobar resection in patients with clinical N0 GGO-predominant lung cancer ≤3 cm. By contrast, margin width is a significant risk factor for recurrence after sublobar resection in patients with clinical N0 solid-predominant lung cancer.

Lymphatic invasion is a more significant prognostic factor than visceral pleural invasion in non-small cell lung cancer with tumours of 3 cm or less.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Visceral pleural invasion is an upstaging factor that increases cancer staging from stage IA to IB for tumours of 3 cm or less. However, lymphatic invasion has not been associated with the tumour-node-metastasis (TNM) staging system. The purpose of this study was to compare visceral pleural invasion and lymphatic invasion as prognostic factors. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 353 consecutive patients who underwent curative resection for stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumours of 3 cm or less. Patients were divided into three groups and compared. Group A contained no invasions; group B contained visceral pleural invasion only and group C had lymphatic invasion only. RESULTS: Group A patients had stage IA, but group B patients had stage IB tumours. However, group C patients had stage IA tumours. The 5-year recurrence-free survival for the three groups was 86.2%, 71.5% and 48.0%, respectively. There was a significant difference in survival between groups A and C (P = 0.001).Survival was not different between groups A and B (P = 0.547). In a multivariate analysis conducted to determine risk factors for recurrence, lymphatic invasion was a significant independent risk factor for recurrence (hazard ratio = 2.570, P = 0.006). Pleural invasion was not a significant risk factor for recurrence. CONCLUSION: Lymphatic invasion is a more significant prognostic factor than visceral pleural invasion in NSCLC of 3 cm or less.

When Is the Optimal Timing of the Surgical Treatment for Secondary Spontaneous Pneumothorax?

Objectives The definition of spontaneous pneumothorax is accumulation of air in the pleural space, resulting in dyspnea or chest pain. Unlike primary spontaneous pneumothorax, secondary pneumothorax can be a life-threatening condition and spontaneous healing rate is uncommon. Although surgery is the most effective treatment modality for pneumothorax, surgical management and timing is difficult where there is underlying lung disease and/or medical comorbidities. Prolonged air leakage increases the morbidity and mortality in thoracic surgery. We hypothesized that duration of air leakage before operation may lead to increase in complications. Methods This study is a retrospective review of 155 consecutive patients with air leakage who underwent bullectomy for secondary spontaneous pneumothorax from January 2005 to July 2013. The patients were divided according to the duration of preoperative air leakage. The patients were followed-up until the time of last visit or death. Postoperative morbidity and mortality were assessed and the risk factors for complications were analyzed. Results The median age was 65 years (range, 52-88) with male predominance (96.13%). The median duration of preoperative air leakage was 6 days (range, 1-30). The median surgery time was 90 minutes (range, 25-300) and median hospital stay after operation was 7 days (range, 3-75). Postoperative complications occurred in 38 patients (24.52%) and postoperative recurrence was shown to have occurred in 8 patients (5.16%). With multivariate analysis, risk factors for postoperative complications were: underlying interstitial lung disease and air leakage > 5 days before operation. Conclusion Persistent air leakage was a major surgical indication for pneumothorax. Early surgical treatment reduced postoperative complications for secondary spontaneous pneumothorax.

The importance of the lepidic component as a prognostic factor in stage I pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Stage I pulmonary adenocarcinoma (PA) can offer an unfavorable prognosis. The aim of this study was to classify the prognosis of stage I PA on the basis of the lepidic component and to confirm whether the lepidic component can be used as a criterion for predicting the prognosis of stage I PA. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of patients who underwent curative surgery for stage I and IIA PA. Stage I disease was divided into three groups on the basis of the lepidic component: group 1, ≤10%; group 2, >10 to 50%; and group 3, >50%. We compared recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates among groups 1, 2, and 3, and stage IIA disease. We also evaluated risk factors for disease recurrence with multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 224 patients were included in our study; most patients (n=201) had stage I disease. Three-year RFS rates in group 1 (n=73), group 2 (n=75), and group 3 (n=53) were 74.1, 90.4, and 90.0%, respectively. There was a significant difference in RFS between group 1 and group 2 (p=0.009). The 3-year RFS rate in stage IIA disease was 61.4%. There were no significant differences in RFS between group 1 and stage IIA disease (p=0.163). In multivariate analysis, group 1 had the highest risk of recurrence (HR 5.806, p=0.006) in stage I PA. CONCLUSIONS: Stage I PA with a lepidic component≤10% was associated with an unfavorable prognosis that was similar to the prognosis of stage IIA disease. The prognosis for stage I PA should not be based on general criteria, but instead, the lepidic component should be evaluated and considered when determining disease prognosis.

The expression of microRNA-34a is inversely correlated with c-MET and CDK6 and has a prognostic significance in lung adenocarcinoma patients.

We aimed to establish whether the expression of microRNA-34a (miR-34a) is correlated with that of c-MET and G1 phase regulators such as cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) 4, CDK6, and cyclin D (CCND) 1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and whether a relationship exists between miR-34a expression and both clinicopathologic factors and recurrence-free survival (RFS). For 58 samples archived from NSCLC patients, we measured the expression of miR-34a and c-MET, CDK4/6, and CCND1 by quantitative RT-PCR and assessed the relationship between miR-34a expression, clinicopathological factors, and RFS. The expression of miR-34a was significantly lower in squamous cell tumors (P < 0.001) and in tumors associated with lymphatic invasion (P = 0.001). We found significant inverse correlations between miR-34a and c-MET (R = -0.316, P = 0.028) and CDK6 expression (R = -0.4582, P = 0.004). RFS were longer in adenocarcinoma patients with high miR-34a expression than in those with low miR-34a expression (55.6 vs. 21.6 months; P = 0.020). With univariate analysis, statistically significant prognostic factors for RFS in adenocarcinoma patients were miR-34a expression (Relative risk (RR), 8.14; P = 0.049), TNM stage (RR, 13.55; P = 0.001), LN metastasis (RR, 4.19; P = 0.043), and the presence of lymphatic invasion (RR, 7.05; P = 0.015). In multivariate analysis, only miR-34a was prognostic for RFS (RR, 11.5; P = 0.027). miR-34a expression was inversely correlated with that of c-MET and CDK6 in NSCLC, and had prognostic significance for RFS, especially in adenocarcinoma patients.

Prognostic Value of the Maximum Standardized Uptake Value on Positron Emission Tomography for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal cancer is a malignant tumor with one of the worst prognosis. Positron emission tomography (PET) reveals the degree of metabolic activity of tumor cells. We hypothesized that a high maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) on PET would predict a poor clinical outcome. METHODS: From November 2004 to August 2011, we reviewed 88 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent preoperative PET followed by surgery. SUVmax values of primary sites were measured. The patients were divided into two groups with median SUVmax as a cutoff value and outcomes were compared. RESULTS: The median SUVmax was 6.35. Cervical and upper thoracic cancer, large tumor size, stage ≥ T2, and lymph node metastasis were significantly associated with the high SUVmax group. Cervical and upper thoracic cancer (p = 0.038), SUVmax (p = 0.038), number of lymph nodes dissected (p = 0.009), stage ≥ T2 (p = 0.003), lymph node metastasis (p < 0.001), and incomplete resection (p = 0.031) were significant predictors for the disease-free survival. A high SUVmax ( ≥ 6.35, p = 0.023) and stage ≥ T2 (p = 0.025) were significantly associated with overall survival by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: High preoperative SUVmax on PET predicts advanced T stage and worse prognosis. SUVmax on PET may provide useful information combined with current stage for determining optimal treatment in esophageal cancer.

Lymphatic vessel invasion in pathologic stage I and II non-small cell lung tumors.

PURPOSE: Tumor node-metastasis staging is essential for predicting the prognosis of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, its accuracy remains limited. The aim of this study was to establish the significant predictors of outcome for patients with pathologic stage I or II NSCLC. METHODS: We reviewed the records of patients with pathologic stage I and II NSCLC retrospectively. After the exclusion of those who underwent sublobar resection, received neoadjuvant treatment, or died within 30 days of surgery, 271 patients treated between January, 2004 and December, 2010 were analyzed. We investigated whether lymphatic vessel invasion (LVI) grade was associated with prognosis in stage I or II NSCLC. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 64 years. Of the 198 and 73 patients with pathologic stage I and stage II disease, respectively, 73 (26.9%) had LVI. Thirteen patients had a high degree of LVI. Although LVI was not associated with overall survival (p = 0.13), a high degree of LVI was associated with poor survival (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that diabetes mellitus (p = 0.001), tumor size (p < 0.001), LVI grade (p < 0.001), and pathologic stage II (p = 0.040) were all associated with overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: A higher grade of LVI was predictive of a worse prognosis. Further study is required to establish the prognostic role of moderate and marked LVI in NSCLC.

Extent of removal for mediastinal nodal stations for patients with clinical stage I non-small cell lung cancer: effect on outcome.

BACKGROUND: Lobectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection comprise the standard surgical treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although complete mediastinal lymph node dissection has been recommended as part of the procedure for achieving complete resection, the benefits for early lung cancer are unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of different degrees of mediastinal lymph node dissection on the clinical outcomes of patients with clinical stage I NSCLC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of patients with clinical stage I NSCLC treated between January 2000 and September 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. This study consisted of 211 patients who underwent lobectomy plus mediastinal lymph node dissection and sampling. Patients were divided into a group who underwent lymphadenectomy (LA) including complete mediastinal node dissection or lobe-specific lymph node dissection and a group who underwent selective lymph node sampling (LS). Clinical outcomes, including survival, and prognostic factors were determined. RESULTS: The mean (±) number of extracted lymph nodes for the LS and LA patients was 7.50 ± 5.44 and 14.09 ± 7.57, respectively (p < 0.001). Male and diabetes mellitus patients were more associated with LS. Survival of the LA patients was significantly longer (p = 0.029). By multivariate analysis, extent of mediastinal nodal sampling (p = 0.029) and positive for mediastinal nodal (N2-positive) disease (p = 0.046) were significant predictors for survival. CONCLUSIONS: The extent of dissection of mediastinal lymph nodes affected the clinical outcomes of our study patients with clinical stage I NSCLC. At least evaluation of lobe-specific lymph node dissection is required.

Predictive procedure for compensatory hyperhidrosis before sympathectomy: preliminary findings.

OBJECTIVE: Compensatory hyperhidrosis is one of the most common and serious adverse effects following sympathectomy. We performed a local anesthetic procedure that predicts the occurrence and severity of compensatory hyperhidrosis, and evaluated the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of the procedure. METHODS AND METHODS: From July 2009 to July 2010, 20 patients with severe primary palmar hyperhidrosis underwent predictive procedures. A sympathetic nerve block was obtained via thoracoscopic approach under local anesthesia. The patients were evaluated for compensatory hyperhidrosis 1 week after the procedure before deciding whether to proceed with sympathectomy. RESULTS: Of the 20 patients, 17 patients proceeded with sympathectomy and 3 refused the final procedure. Following sympathectomy, the occurrence and severity of compensatory hyperhidrosis in the remaining 17 patients were statistically analyzed with two tailed paired t test, and there is no significant difference between the predictive and final procedures (t = 1.69, df = 16, p > 0.1). CONCLUSION: Predictive procedure using local anesthesia to detect compensatory hyperhidrosis before sympathectomy may be useful for helping patients to decide whether to undergo the operation.

Enucleation of giant esophageal schwannoma of the upper thoracic esophagus: reports of two cases.

Benign esophageal tumors are uncommon, leiomyomas being the most frequent. However, esophageal schwannomas are exceedingly rare. We report here on two instances of large esophageal schwannomas treated by enucleation. A 63-year-old male and a 32-year-old female were referred to us for abnormal chest X-rays. Computed tomography of the chest documented sizeable growths in the upper thoracic esophagus, resulting in compression of membranous trachea posteriorly. By positron emission tomography, the tumors appeared hypermetabolic. In both instances, successful surgical enucleation was achieved. Histologic examination confirmed spindle cell tumors positive for S-100 protein by immunostaining.

Prognostic factors affecting survival of patients with cancer-related pericardial effusion managed by surgery.

BACKGROUND: Although pericardial effusion (PE) is not uncommon in patients with cancer, it may lead to cardiac tamponade, a life-threatening condition. Prompt life-saving treatment is essential, and also allows the continuation of the cancer treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic factors for survival in patients with cancer who were treated surgically for PE. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 55 patients with cancer with PE between January 2003 and October 2012, who were treated with a pericardial window operation. Overall survival (OS) was estimated from the date of surgery, and patients were followed until the time of the final visit or time of death. Clinical outcomes and candidate prognostic factors were analyzed. RESULTS: The median age of patients was 57 years (range 29 to 82 years), and 31 patients (56.4%) were male. The most common primary malignancy was lung cancer (65.5%), followed by breast cancer (10.9%). Fifteen patients (27.3%) developed recurrence of PE after surgery. The median OS duration was 4 months (range 0 to 39 months). Multivariate analysis found that evidence of pericardial metastasis on preoperative imaging (P = 0.029) and confirmation of malignant cells in the PE and/or pericardial tissue (P = 0.034) were associated with reduced OS. CONCLUSION: Evidence of pericardial metastasis on preoperative imaging and cytopathologic confirmation that the PE and/or pericardial tissue are positive for malignant cells can be used to predict poor clinical outcomes in patients with cancer-related PE.

Sublobar resection versus lobectomy in solid-type, clinical stage IA, non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have demonstrated that sublobar resection is not inferior to lobectomy for peripheral early lung cancer with ground-glass opacification. However, the effect of sublobar resection on solid-type early lung cancer is controversial. The aim of this study was to compare clinical outcomes of patients who have undergone sublobar resection or lobectomy for solid-type, early-stage, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: This study was a retrospective review of the records of patients who underwent lobectomy or sublobar resection between March 2000 and September 2010 for clinical stage IA NSCL. Patients with pure ground-glass opacities or death within 30 days after surgery were excluded. Disease-free interval, survival, and prognostic factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients and 133 patients underwent sublobar resection and lobectomy, respectively. There were significant differences in age (P < 0.001), cardiovascular disease (P = 0.001), and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (P < 0.001). The patients with lobectomy had a significantly longer disease-free interval (P < 0.001) and survival (P = 0.001). By multivariate analysis, sublobar resection (P = 0.011), lymphatic vessel invasion (P = 0.006), and number of positive lymph nodes (P = 0.028) were predictors for survival. Sublobar resection (P < 0.001), visceral pleural invasion (P = 0.002), and lymphatic vessel invasion (P < 0.001) were predictors for disease-free interval. CONCLUSIONS: Lobectomy should remain the standard surgical procedure for solid-type, clinical stage IA, NSCLC.