Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and esophagogastric junction in patients older than 70 years: results of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy followed by transthoracic esophagectomy.

AIM: The standard treatment of locally-advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma consists of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy followed by surgical resection. Very little data are available concerning the feasibility of this strategy in patients older than 70 years of age. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1996 and 2008, 118 patients underwent transthoracic esophagectomy with lymphadenectomy for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and gastric cardia (Siewert I and II). These were divided into three groups for comparison: Group I (age less than 70 years, neoadjuvant treatment followed by surgery; n=66); Group II (age greater or equal to 70 years, surgery alone; n=32); Group III (age greater or equal to 70 years, neoadjuvant treatment followed by surgery; n=20). Data concerning comorbidities, type of intervention, morbidity, mortality, survival and quality of life were analyzed. RESULTS: There was no difference among the three groups with regard to comorbidity and preoperative evaluation. The patients in Groups I and III had more locally-advanced tumors (P<0.001). There was some disparity between the types of surgery proposed. The Lewis-Santy esophagectomy was most commonly used (90%, 50%, and 65% respectively). The 90-day mortality was 8%, 15%, and 15% respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of postoperative pulmonary, cardiac, or digestive complications among the three groups. No difference was found in 5-year survival and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy for elderly patients (age above 70 years) with esophageal adenocarcinoma did not seem to increase postoperative morbidity or mortality, nor was there any difference in quality of life, nor any effect on survival, no matter what the age of the patient.

[Non-tumoral vascular disorders of the lung in the adulthood]. / Pathologie vasculaire pulmonaire non tumorale de l'adulte.

Non-tumoral vascular disorders of the lung are multiple, even if cases diagnosed in the adulthood are rare. They include congenital or acquired conditions, which related symptoms, if present, are non specific. This explains why their diagnosis is challenging and usually delayed. Surgery is the cornerstone of their treatment, although interventional radiology represents currently a less invasive alternative option for some of them.

Prognostic impact of weight loss in 1-year survivors after transthoracic esophagectomy for cancer.

Malnutrition is common 1 year after esophageal cancer surgery. However, the prognostic impact of this malnutrition on long-term outcome has been poorly reported. This study aims at determining the potential effect on disease-free survival (DFS) of weight loss observed at 1 year in disease-free survivors after curative esophageal resection. From a prospective single-institution database, 304 patients having undergone a transthoracic esophagectomy with two-field lymphadenectomy and gastric reconstruction between 1996 to 2008 were identified. Patients who died during the postoperative course (n= 24), patients who died within the first postoperative year (n= 12), patients who presented with an early recurrence within the first postoperative year (n= 20), and those who were lost to follow-up (n= 22) were excluded from the study, as well as those for whom the follow-up was shorter than 1 year (n= 21). The remaining 205 patients constituted a homogeneous group of 1-year disease-free survivors after full postoperative work-up and formed the material of the present study. Body weight (BW) values were collected before any treatment at the onset of symptoms (initial BW) and 1 year after esophagectomy. A 1-year weight loss (1-YWL) exceeding 10% of the initial BW defined an important malnutrition. Impact of the 1-YWL ≥ or <10% of the initial BW on DFS was investigated. Logistic regression was performed to identify factors affecting DFS. The mean initial BW was 69.1 ± 12 kg, corresponding to a mean body mass index (BMI) of 23.8 ± 3 kg/m(2) . Preoperatively, 32 (15%) patients were in the underweight category (BMI < 20 kg/m2), 110 (54%) were in normal (BMI = 20-24 kg/m2), and 63 (31%) were in the overweight category (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2). Mean 1-year BW was 63.5 ± 12 kg. 1-YWL was <10% of the initial BW in 92 patients (45%) and ≥ 10% in 113 patients (55%). Accordingly, 5-year DFS rates were 66% (median: 80 months) and 48% (median: 51 months), respectively (P= 0.005). On multivariate analysis, only three independent variables affected the DFS significantly: clinical N stage (cN) status (P= 0.007; odds ratio: 1.99, 1.2-3.3), incomplete resection (P= 0.008, OR: 3.6, 1.3-9.3), and 1-YWL ≥ 10% (P= 0.004, OR: 2.1: 1.2-3.4). 1-YWL of or exceeding 10% of the initial BW in 1-year disease-free survivors has a negative prognostic impact on DFS after esophagectomy for cancer. This information offers another view on the objectives of the perioperative nutritional care of these patients. Special vigilance program on the nutritional status in post-esophagectomy patients should be the rule.

[Acute mediastinitis except in a context of cardiac surgery]. / Les médiastinites aiguës en dehors d'un contexte de chirurgie cardiaque.

Acute mediastinitis is a life-threatening complication (20 to 40 % of mortality) secondary to oropharyngeal abscesses, neck infections or oesophageal leak spreading into the mediastium. Early diagnosis and optimal therapeutic approach are crucial for patient survival. CT scanning of the cervical and thoracic area is a useful tool for diagnosis and follow-up. Treatment is based on broad-spectrum antibiotherapy, adequate surgery, mediastinal drainage, and treatment of possible organ failure. There is no surgical standardized attitude. Mini-invasive approach could be satisfactory when prompt diagnosis is established and the thoracic drainage is effective. Repeated postoperative CT scanning and close clinical and laboratory monitoring could make an additional thoracotomy a second-line procedure.

[Pulmonary epithelioid haemangioendothelioma: two different clinical courses]. / Hémangioendothéliome épithélioïde pulmonaire: à propos de deux observations.

The first case report concerns a 59-year-old man presenting a chronic cough and the second a 23-year-old woman farmer presenting with worsening dyspnoea associated with cough, expectoration and haemoptysis. In the second case, the woman died 7 months after the onset of the respiratory symptoms. In both cases, chest radiography and thoracic CT scans showed multiple, bilateral pulmonary nodules, bronchial endoscopy was normal and surgical biopsy revealed epithelioid haemangioendothelioma. It is a rare primary pulmonary tumour which is usually found in soft tissue, bone or liver. Epithelioid haemangioendothelioma is a vascular tumour usually affecting women less than 40 years of age. The histological appearance is characteristic and may be confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are generally ineffective and surgery is sometimes impossible because of the multifocal lesions. Epithelioid haemangioendothelioma is considered a sarcoma without precise histological prognostic criteria. In its pulmonary location it is responsible for death due to respiratory failure in 50% of cases.

[Respiratory complications after oesophagectomy for cancer]. / Complications respiratoires de l'oesophagectomie pour cancer.

Surgery is the cornerstone of treatment for resectable tumours of the oesophagus. Recent advances of surgical techniques and anaesthesiology have led to a substantial decrease in mortality and morbidity. Respiratory complications affect about 30% of patients after oesophagectomy and 80% of these complications occur within the first five days. Respiratory complications include sputum retention, pneumonia and ARDS. They are the major cause of morbidity and mortality after oesophageal resection and numerous studies have identified the factors associated with these complications. The mechanisms are not very different from those observed after pulmonary resection. Nevertheless, there is an important lack of definition, and evaluation of the incidence is particularly difficult. Furthermore, respiratory complications are related to many factors. Careful medical history, physical examination and pulmonary function testing help to identify the risk factors and provide strategies to reduce the risk of pulmonary complications. Standardized postoperative management and a better understanding of the pathogenesis of pulmonary complications are necessary to reduce hospital mortality. This article discusses preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors affecting respiratory complications and strategies to reduce the incidence of these complications after oesophagectomy.

Impact of blood transfusions on outcome after pneumonectomy for thoracic malignancies.

The aim of the present study was to determine the risk factors and impact on outcome of blood transfusions following pneumonectomy for thoracic malignancies. A retrospective analysis of 432 consecutive patients was carried out, of whom 183 (42.4%) were transfused post-operatively. The associations between blood transfusions and 20 variables were assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis. Survival analysis included log-rank test and Cox regression model. Patient age, neoadjuvant treatment, completion pneumonectomy and extended procedures were independent predictors of transfusion. It was found that 30-day mortality increased significantly from 2.4% (no transfusion) to 10.9 and 21.9% (2 red blood cell packs, respectively). Blood transfusion was the strongest predictor of 30-day mortality (odds ratio (OR) 10; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.7-27), respiratory failure (OR 19.2; 95% CI 7.4-49.4) and infectious complications (OR 3; 95% CI 1.5-6.2). In the 367 lung cancer patients, a significantly lower 5-yr survival was observed in univariate analysis of transfused patients (27.8+/-5.4% versus 39.4+/-4.5%). In a Cox regression analysis, blood transfusion was no longer found to be significant. A dose-related correlation is suggested between blood transfusion and early mortality through an increase of infectious and respiratory complications. In contrast, blood transfusion had no independent adverse impact on long-term survival.

[Quality of life: attitudes and perspectives of doctors in a thoracic oncology regional care network]. / Qualité de vie: attitudes et perceptions des médecins d'un réseau régional de soins en oncologie thoracique.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of lung cancer patients is significant given their poor prognosis. Consequently, HRQOL is often currently assessed throughout clinical trials and sometimes in daily medical practice. The objective here was to determine physicians' perspectives on evaluating HRQOL. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The team carried out a prospective study of physicians belonging to a thoracic oncology network using an original questionnaire of 33 items. RESULTS: 102 physicians were questioned and 51 responded. Physicians' knowledge on HRQOL was frequently of a low level and incomplete, but most of them considered HRQOL as important HRQOL assessment in daily practice was often done intuitively. Many physicians noted that they lacked adequate time to explore and integrate all of the fields which should be covered by HRQOL in their clinical practice, but they felt overall that the HRQOL study improved doctor/patient communication and interaction. Physicians described an "ideal" HRQOL questionnaire as one containing 10-15 items within 6 domains (physical, psychological, general health, respiratory symptoms, family and social) and which could be completed in 5-8 minutes. In addition, such a questionnaire might integrate an opportunity for patients to isolate and identify items and issues that they consider to be most important to them. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians' will to consider and integrate the evaluation of HRQOL in the management of lung cancer patients is strong but meets some structural challenges (related to HRQOL assessment and interpretation of data) but also conjectural difficulties (with respect to a lack of knowledge). Training efforts are needed as well as the development of easier tools to facilitate the evaluation of HRQOL.

[Validation of the French version of the Princess Margaret Hospital Patient Satisfaction with their Doctor Questionnaire]. / Validation de la version française du Princess Margaret Hospital Patient Satisfaction with Doctor Questionnaire (PMH/PSQ-MD): le F-PMH/PSQ MD.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of patient satisfaction receives increasing attention partly due to pressure from state agencies involved in the administration of health care. Outpatients' satisfaction with their doctor is a major component of total patient satisfaction. However, a validated instrument for assessing this has not previously been available in French. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Princess Margaret Hospital Patient Satisfaction with Doctor Questionnaire (PMH/PSQ-MD) is a recently validated tool available in English for this purpose. A three-step procedure was conducted to obtain a validated French translation of the PMH/PSQ-MD. Subsequently, outpatients receiving chemotherapy, symptomatic treatment or attending a follow-up clinic were approached to participate in the study and complete the questionnaire. Acceptability and reliability (Cronbach's alpha score), as well as internal and external (Pearson correlation coefficient with the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire IV) validities were studied. RESULTS: 137 patients were approached and 116 fully completed the study. The PMH/PSQ-MD's acceptability was high (<10% of non-responders). Internal validity was also high (Cronbach's alpha score > 0.7 for each dimension). External validity in comparison with the PSQ IV was high as well. Women demonstrated higher satisfaction scores, while age had no influence on patient satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The F-PMH/PSQ-MD is a questionnaire which addresses outpatients' satisfaction with their doctor, and is now available for research purpose as well as for daily practice.

[Bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of lung cancer: an evaluation of current practice]. / L'endoscopie bronchique pour le diagnostic de cancer: évaluation des pratiques.

INTRODUCTION: Bronchoscopy is frequently practised by respiratory physicians, particularly when there is a suspicion of lung cancer. However, few guidelines are available and practice varies widely. BACKGROUND: Studies of current practice are few and unstandardised. Few data are available regarding equipment or procedure (information, prior investigations, environment, standardised reporting etc.). The evaluation of new techniques such as endobronchial ultrasound, autofluorescence bronchoscopy, transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) has been covered in recent publications. These evaluations are often undertaken without rigourous methodology (retrospective studies) but underline the feasibility of these techniques. Some, especially TBNA are nevertheless underused in practice. In the published studies evaluating practice the results of these investigations are often similar to those obtained in clinical trials even if a learning period is necessary. Complications are rare. Few studies of cost effectiveness are available but they support the use of these new techniques. VIEWPOINT: A national study under the aegis of the SLPF (French Respiratory Society) is necessary to obtain comprehensive and reliable data on the practice of bronchoscopy in the investigation of lung cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Studies evaluating current practices are few and unstandardised, and probably give only a partial survey of the success achieved and the difficulties encountered by respiratory physicians in their clinical routine.

[Spontaneous pneumomediastinum in young adults: a benign clinical entity]. / Pneumomédiastin spontané du jeune adulte: une entité clinique bénigne.

INTRODUCTION: Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is a little known cause of chest pain in young adults. The prognosis is invariably good. CASE REPORT: The authors report two cases of spontaneous pneumomediastinum with different aetiologies developing in young adults. The first occurred during strenuous sport and the second during an asthma attack. CONCLUSION: The discussion stresses the frequency of this condition in young men, its pathogenesis and natural history. In particular the authors draw on the current scientific data to explain the absence of predisposing factors and the extreme rarity of relapse of this benign disorder. Poor acquaintance with this clinical entity may lead to unnecessary diagnostic and therapeutic actions. The authors suggest a guideline for the management of this disorder.

Late pulmonary artery stump thrombosis with post embolic pulmonary hypertension after pneumonectomy.

Ten years after right pneumonectomy for primary lung cancer, a 51 year old man developed a pulmonary artery stump thrombosis which produced microemboli in the remaining lung and, in turn, led to chronic pulmonary hypertension. This case strongly suggests that prolonged postoperative thromboembolic prophylaxis should be considered in patients undergoing right pneumonectomy.

[Bronchial fistula postpneumonectomy: predictive factors]. / Fistule bronchiques postpneumonectomies: facteurs prédictifs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine predictive factors of bronchial fistula following pneumonectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 14 years (1989-2003), we collect 58 cases of bronchial fistula following 725 consecutive pneumonectomy in the service of thoracic surgery of the Sainte Marguerite Hospital in Marseilles. There were 53 cases (91.4%) of cancers and 5 cases (8.6%) of various pathology. The average age of the patients was of 61 +/- 10 years (range 24 to 80 years). The sex ratio M/F was 8.7. The software of regression SPSS (version11.5) was used to identify the factors risk of a bronchial fistula after a univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of the bronchial fistula after a pneumonectomy was 8%.The preoperative factors which increased to a significant degree the incidence of the bronchial dent to the univariate analysis were the chronic smoking (P < 0.001), the existence of COPD (P = 0.001) and of a previous thoracic surgery (P = 0.01). Operational data like a right- side pulmonary resection (P < 0.001), the type of bronchial stup carried out (P = 0.03) as and an extended pneumonectomy to the auricule (P = 0.03) were significant risk factors. With the logistic regression the significant risk factors were the chronic smoking (P = 0.002), the existence of COPD (P = 0.003), a previous pulmonary surgery (P = 0.03) and the right - side of the pneumonectomy (P < 0.001). The indication of the pneumonectomy was retained neither by the univariate analysis, nor by the logistic regression significant risk factors. CONCLUSION: The predictive factors of a bronchial fistula after a pneumonectomy are dominated by respiratory co-morbidities. To prevent this complication, we insist on the stop of the tobacco, a better respiratory preparation and the acquisition of a protocol adapted of the bronchial stub after a pneumonectomy particularly on the right side.

[Phase III randomised trial of adjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin plus docetaxel versus cisplatin plus gemcitabine in resected non-small cell bronchial carcinoma with quality of life as the primary objective]. / Essai randomisé de phase III de chimiothérapie adjuvante par CDDP/docetaxel versus CDDP/gemcitabine dans les cancers bronchiques non à petites cellules réséqués avec la qualité de vie comme objectif principal.

BACKGROUND: Adjuvant chemotherapy improves survival of completely resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However the regimen of choice is not yet defined. METHODS: The primary objective of this comparative, open, randomised multicentre trial is to compare two chemotherapy regimens (cisplatin/docetaxel versus cisplatin/gemcitabine) in the management of resected NSCLC with quality of life (QoL) evaluated at the end of treatment as the primary objective. The secondary objectives are to study the impact of these two chemotherapy regimens on overall and relapse free survival, hematological and non-hematological toxicities, and costs. The primary judgement criterion will be the assessment of end of treatment QoL by the standardised questionnaire, EORTC QLQ-C30. Secondary judgement criteria will be Qol measured by EORTC QLQ-LC13 and SF36, overall and relapse free survival, tolerance and costs. The number of subjects needed is 75 in each group, 150 in total, to detect a difference of 10 points on the EORTC QLC-C30 scores with a standard error of 20 points (alpha 0.05; power 80%). EXPECTED RESULTS: This trial will provide clinicians with data on the impact of two currently unexplored adjuvant chemotherapy regimens on quality of life, tolerance and costs in NSCLC.

[Acute respiratory distress syndrome following inhalation of barium sulfate]. / Syndrome de détresse respiratoire aiguë après inhalation de sulfate de baryum.

INTRODUCTION: Barium sulfate (BS) is chosen to explore swallowing disorders because of its reduced osmolality allowing no adverse reaction if aspirated in the bronchial tree. CASE REPORT: A 66-years old man treated for an advanced stage mesothelioma experienced a BS aspiration during an esophagography. He developed 3 days after an acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and deceased. The post-mortem examination revealed a diffuse alveolar damage (DAD). CONCLUSION: Whereas BS aspiration is generally well tolerated, serious adverse event as a DAD would exceptionally occurs. Thus, a close watch over respiratory symptoms has to be kept after BS administration, especially in debilitated and elderly patients.

[Use of 153Sm-EDTMP to relieve pain from bone metastasis in lung cancer]. / 153Samarium-EDTMP et contrôle de la douleur liée aux métastases osseuses des cancers bronchiques.

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of bone metastasis from lung cancer is palliative in nature with elimination of pain being the primary goal. Management is based on pharmacologicalmethods (steroids, morphine, and pamidronate) and radiotherapy. However, other treatments have been developed including the systemic radiopharmaceutical 153Sm-EDTMP. CASE REPORTS: We report data from 6 lung cancer patients with bone metastases treated with 153Sm-EDTMP. Demographic and therapeutic data, pain evaluation by visual analogue scale (VAS) and change in opioid analgesia requirements (expressed as intravenous morphine equivalent) as well as survival were studied. Pain associated with bone metastasis (median VAS = 8 [7-9], median morphine dose = 167 mg [100-800 mg]) did not significantly improve (median VAS after 153Sm-EDTMP = 8.5 [5-10], median morphine dose after 153Sm-EDTMP = 185 mg [30-2 200 mg]) in this group of patients. CONCLUSION: Our results combined with current data in the literature concerning the use of this treatment in the treatment of bone pain associated with metastatic lung cancer suggest that at present its use cannot be recommended outside the context of clinical of clinical trials.

Positive thyroid transcription factor 1 staining strongly correlates with survival of patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung.

This study investigated the relation between positive thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF1) staining and survival of patients affected by primary adenocarcinoma (ADC) of the lung. Pathological tissue from consecutive ADC patients was collected from 2002 to 2004. The anti-TTF1 antibody (8G7G3/1, dilution of 1/200) was used. Thyroid transcription factor 1 staining was assessed for each tumour as positive or negative. Probability of survival was estimated by Kaplan-Meier and difference tested by log-rank test. A Cox's regression multivariate analysis was carried out. In all, 106 patients were studied (66% male, 69% PS0-1, 83% with stage III or IV). Tumours expressed positive TTF1 staining in 66% of cases. Multivariate analysis demonstrated an independent lower risk of death for patients whose tumour expresses positive TTF1 staining (HR = 0.51, 95% CI 0.30-0.85; P = 0.01) and higher grade of differentiation (HR = 0.40, 95% CI 0.24-0.68; P = 0.001). In conclusion, positive TTF1 staining strongly and independently correlates with survival of patients with primary ADC of the lung.

CYFRA 21-1 level predicts survival in non-small-cell lung cancer patients receiving gefitinib as third-line therapy.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) as gefitinib emerged as an accepted treatment in second- or third-line setting in NSCLC. However, clinical surrogate markers of EGFR-TKI activity in NSCLC patients remain to be identified and we studied the prognostic value of CYFRA 21-1 in this setting. Serum samples from 53 patients with NSCLC receiving gefitinib after failure of at least a platinum-containing regimen were prospectively collected from January 2002 to December 2003. Multivariate analysis demonstrated an independent negative impact on survival for a level of CYFRA 21-1 higher than 3.5 ng ml(-1) (HR=2.45, 95% CI 1.13-5.29; P=0.02). In conclusion, CYFRA 21-1 is a tool available to predict the survival of NSCLC patients receiving gefitinib as third-line therapy in an independent manner. In case of a CYFRA 21-1 level higher than 3.5 ng ml(-1), treatment with gefitinib needs further evaluation giving its relative poor effect on survival.

Dehiscences of the bronchial joining after pneumonectomy for cancers: Incidence, gravity and risk factor.

Objectives To assess the incidence, severity and risk factors of bronchial fistula following pneumonectomy for cancer. Patients and methods From 1989 to 2003, 690 consecutive patients underwent a pneumonectomy for thoracic cancer in Sercive of Thoracic Surgery of the Teaching Hospital of Sainte Marguerite in Marseilles (France). The M/F sex ratio was 5,44 . Mean age was 59+/-9,9 years [16 - 81]. Clinical and surgical variables were studied retrospectively, and their possible association with the occurrence of a bronchial fistula was assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results Fifty one patients (7,7%) experienced a bronchial fistula. This complication accounted for 56% (45/80) of the cases of reoperation and 25,5% (13/51) of early deaths. At univariate analysis, the following factors were identified as statistically significant: tobacco consumption (p<0,003), presence of COPD (p =0,02), preoperative radiotherapy (p=0,03), previous thoracic surgery (p=0,03), right side of the resection (p<0,001), hand-fashioned bronchial suture (p=0,05) and squamous cell histology (p= 0,04). Multivariate logistic regression analysis disclosed tobacco consumption (p=0,002), presence of COPD (p=0,01), previous thoracic surgery (p=0,03), extended procedures (p=0,05), right pneumonectomy (p<0,001) and squamous cell histology (p=0,02) as independent predictors of bronchial fistula. Conclusion The occurrence of a bronchial fistula following pneumonectomy is a frequent life threatening event, especially in cases of right sided resections and extended procedures. Tobacco cessation, preoperative rehabilitation, and reinforcement of the bronchial suture are possible means of prevention.