Hamartoma condromatoso de parede torácica: relato de caso / Chondromatous chest wall hamartoma: case report

"O hamartoma condromatoso (HC) é um tipo raro de tumor benigno de cartilagem que se origina nos primeiros anos de vida. Na maioria das vezes seu sítio primário é o gradil torácico e pode ou não ter sintomatologia. Suas características histológicas mostram proliferação do tecido conjuntivo cartilaginoso associado a cistos de células ósseas. É de difícil diagnóstico devido sua apresentação histológica. Neste trabalho é relatado um caso de HC e sua evolução"

"Chondromatous hamartoma (HC) is a rare type of benign cartilage tumor that originates in the first years of life. Most of the time its primary site is the thoracic bar and may or may not have symptoms. Its histological characteristics show proliferation of cartilaginous connective tissue associated with bone cell cysts. It is difficult to diagnose due to its histological presentation. This work reports a case of HC and its evolution"

Palliative care in poor-performance status small cell lung cancer patients: is there a mandatory role for chemotherapy?

PURPOSE: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive malignancy but with a high response rate to chemotherapy. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) has been recognized as one of the main prognostic factors in SCLC. There are few data about risk-benefit ratio of chemotherapy over exclusive best supportive care in ECOG PS 3 and 4 patients. This study was performed to assess the outcome of poor ECOG PS SCLC patients that received chemotherapy in our institution. METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records from patients with ECOG PS 3-4 SCLC, who received systemic chemotherapy, was performed between January 2001 and December 2006 at the Instituto Nacional do Câncer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients were included. Extensive disease was observed in 85% of patients and 25% had PS 4. The median overall survival was 53 days (64 days for ECOG PS 3 and 7 days for ECOG PS 4). There were 30% of early deaths. On univariate analysis, lactate dehydrogenase value, need for hospital admission, and exposure to radiotherapy had impact on survival. ECOG PS 3 patients had better survival than PS 4 patients, even when adjusted for stage. On multivariate analysis, ECOG PS, combined with stage, sustained a major influence on survival. CONCLUSIONS: Median survival for ECOG PS 4 patients treated with chemotherapy in our series was extremely short with a high rate of early deaths. ECOG PS 3 patients also showed a poor survival. These data suggest that we need a more comprehensive approach and further studies, regarding the palliative care of this high-risk population.

[Primary pleomorphic sarcoma of the lung]. / Sarcoma pleomórfico primário do pulmão.

The World Health Organization (WHO) classification of lung cancers ranks the heterogeneous nonsmall cell lung cancer (N-SCLC) group, encompassing sarcoma or sarcoma-containing tumours under one heading: "carcinomas with pleomorphic, sarcomatoid or sarcomatous elements". This group contains entities such as pleomorphic carcinoma (PC), spindle cell carcinoma (SCC), giant cell carcinoma (GCC), carcinosarcoma (CS) and pulmonary blastoma (PB). These tumors are rare overall, making up approx. 0.1-0.4% of all lung malignancies. They are more commonly found in males who are heavy smokers, diagnosed at the age of 60 on average and follow an aggressive clinical course. The authors describe the case of a male patient with primary pleomorphic lung sarcoma and also include a review of the literature.

[Lipoid pneumonia]. / Pneumonia lipóide.

Lipoid pneumonia (LP) is a pneumonitis resulting from the aspiration of lipids, and is commonly associated with the use of mineral oil as a laxative. LP is relatively unfamiliar to clinicians and is probably underdiagnosed. Making a diagnosis of LP requires a high degree of clinical suspicion. The aim of this publication are to present a case of a patient with LP and to increase physician awareness of LP, its diagnosis and prevention.

Giant cell tumor of the rib occupying the entire hemithorax.

The authors report the case of a 28-year-old female patient with a giant cell tumor originating from the rib. The tumor, measuring 25 x 17 cm, occupied the entire hemithorax and caused atelectasis of the left lung. This tumor was a benign mesenchymal neoplasm, which rarely affects the ribs. A thoracotomy involving en bloc resection of the chest wall and tumor was performed. Despite the large dimensions of the tumor, complete resection was possible, and lung function was restored.

Tumor de células gigantes costal ocupando todo o hemitórax / Giant cell tumor of the rib occupying the entire hemithorax

Os autores relatam o caso de uma paciente de 28 anos de idade portadora de tumor de células gigantes originário da costela. O tumor de grandes dimensões (25 × 17 cm) ocupava todo o hemitórax e causava atelectasia do pulmão esquerdo. Tratava-se de uma neoplasia mesenquimal benigna, a qual raramente acomete as costelas. Foi realizada toracotomia com ressecção em bloco da parede torácica e do tumor. O objetivo deste artigo é enfatizar que, apesar da grande dimensão do tumor, ele pôde ser completamente ressecado, e o pulmão foi reabilitado.

The authors report the case of a 28-year-old female patient with a giant cell tumor originating from the rib. The tumor, measuring 25 × 17 cm, occupied the entire hemithorax and caused atelectasis of the left lung. This tumor was a benign mesenchymal neoplasm, which rarely affects the ribs. A thoracotomy involving en bloc resection of the chest wall and tumor was performed. Despite the large dimensions of the tumor, complete resection was possible, and lung function was restored.

Phase II trial of neoadjuvant chemotherapy using alternating doublets in non-small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: Lung cancer is an epidemic disease in developing countries. Incorporation of new active drugs in the neoadjuvant treatment of operable patients might lead to improved outcomes. Postchemotherapy mediastinal-based treatment decisions allow for in vivo testing of activity and could help to determine the ideal local treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This phase II trial enrolled patients with documented non-small-cell lung cancer, clinically staged IB-IIIA, and considered candidates for surgical resection. Patients received 3 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with alternating doublets: cisplatin/gemcitabine; gemcitabine/vinorelbine, and cisplatin/vinorelbine. After neoadjuvant treatment, clinical restaging was performed. Patients without evidence of progression underwent mediastinoscopy. Those with negative mediastinal nodes were taken to surgery whereas those with positive nodes were treated with radiation therapy. RESULTS: Between January 2001 and August 2002, 30 patients were included. The median age was 56 years, 66% of the patients were men, 43% of the patients had adenocarcinoma, and 34% had squamous cell carcinoma. Clinical staging was IB in 9 patients (30%), IIB in 7 (23%), and IIIA in 14 (47%). Median tumor size was 6.5 cm (range, 3-11 cm). Twenty-three patients (77%) had clinical response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Eight of 12 patients (67%) with N2 disease had clinical downstaging. Twenty-two patients (73%) were taken to surgery. Complete resection rate was achieved in 21 patients (70%). Treatment was well tolerated. CONCLUSION: Localized non-small-cell lung cancer is very sensitive to chemotherapy. Postchemotherapy mediastinal-based treatment decision led to a high complete resection rate, even in patients with large tumors. This strategy deserves further investigation.

Weekly docetaxel as first-line chemotherapy in stage IV non-small cell lung cancer: effective treatment with low toxicity / Docetaxel em administração semanal como quimioterapia de primeira linha para câncer de pulmão de não-pequenas células em estádio IV: tratamento eficaz com toxicidade baixa

O estudo avaliou a segurança e eficácia do docetaxel como terapia de primeira linha em pacientes com câncer depulmão de não-pequenas células avançado (CPNPC). Trinta e seis pacientes com CPNPC de estádio IV receberamdocetaxel 36 mg/m2/semana X 6 com 2 semanas de descanso em um total de seis ciclos programados. Os ciclos foram repetidos a cada 8 semanas. O status tumoral foi avaliado por exame clínico e radiológico. Neutropenia foi a toxicidade hematológica mais comum (14 por cento dos pacientes). A taxa de resposta global foi de 14 por cento (5 respostas parciais), 9 (25 por cento) pacientes apresentaram respostas menores ou doença estável por maior ou igual a 17 semanas. Tempo mediano para progressão e sobrevida mediana foram de 3,4 meses e 7,0 meses, respectivamente. Sobrevida em 1 ano foi de 32 por cento. Esses dados sugerem que o docetaxel em administração semanal é bem-tolerado, com uma taxa de resposta compatível com agentes únicos usados em CPNPC avançado, representando uma opção adicional para pacientes com dificuldade de tolerar o esquema padrão a cada 3 semanas, com uma toxicidade bastante aceitável.

Linfoma não-Hodgkin endobrônquico / Endobronchial involvement in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Os linfomas não-Hodgkin fazem parte de um grupo de doenças malignas linfoproliferativas com diferentes padrões de comportamento, de tratamento e de prognóstico. Eles podem comprometer as estruturas intratorácicas, particularmente o mediastino e o parênquima pulmonar, em alguma fase do curso da doença. Entretanto, o envolvimento endobrônquico é extremamente raro, mesmo na presença de doença avançada. Os autores relatam um caso de linfoma não-Hodgkin endobrônquico e fazem revisão da literatura.