Early growth and development of reciprocal hybrids of the starry flounder Platichthys stellatus and stone flounder Kareius bicoloratus.

Larval growth and development of hybrid flounder were observed and compared with those of their parent species. The reciprocal hybrids of female starry flounder Platichthys stellatus and male stone flounder Kareius bicoloratus (hybrid Sb) and of female K. bicoloratus and male P. stellatus (hybrid Bs) both survived and grew to juveniles. Development was divided into nine stages (A-I). Many of the hybrids' traits were identical and intermediate to those of their parents. The position of the eye, however, was primarily sinistral in both hybrids (80% in Sb and 76% in Bs), a trait possessed by P. stellatus (80%) in the western Pacific Ocean. The daily growth rates of the larvae were similar. In the parent species, development was more rapid in P. stellatus than in K. bicoloratus whereas rate of development was intermediate in both Sb and Bs hybrids. The size at settlement [standard length (LS ) at stage H (mean ± s.d.)] was 9·82 ± 1·47 mm for the hybrid Sb and 9·99 ± 0·90 mm for the hybrid Bs, while the minimum age at metamorphosis (initial age at stage H) was 29 days after hatching (DAH) in both hybrids. In comparison, LS at settlement in parent species was 6·43 ± 0·25 mm for P. stellatus and 12·87 ± 1·29 mm for K. bicoloratus. Minimum age at metamorphosis for the parents was 23 DAH at stage G in P. stellatus and 34 DAH at stage H in K. bicoloratus. Thus, the timing of settlement of hybrids was different from that of their parent species. These traits may occur with high frequency in a natural habitat.

HnRNP A2/B1 proteins in nontumorous alveolar cells.

The overexpression of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) A2/B1, especially of B1, had been reported to detect preclinical lung cancer for early detection. In order to examine whether the expression of the protein is specific for lung cancer, we investigated the expression of the protein in human nonmalignant alveolar cells. Human airway cells obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were analyzed by immunostaining and Western blotting using monoclonal antibodies 4G8 (specifically reacts to A2) and 2B2 (specific to B1). In alveolar cells obtained by BAL, hnRNP A2/B1 proteins were localized primarily in the nucleus, excluding the nucleolus, although the expression of A2 protein was weaker than that of B1 protein. Staining pattern of these cells was similar to those observed in cancer cells. Western blotting with 4G8 and 2B2 demonstrated expression of A2 and B1 proteins in the airway cells. HnRNP A2/B1 proteins were apparently expressed in nonmalignant alveolar cells as well as cancer cells, although the expression in alveolar cells was weaker than that of cancer cells. More quantitative determination of A2/B1 is required to elucidate their significance in early lung cancer detection.

Thenar metastasis from lung cancer.

We report an unusual occurrence of skin metastasis to the thenar eminence. Skin metastasis reflects the progression of the primary malignancy. Biopsy should be performed from the skin lesions, even those located at uncommon sites, for patients who have a history of uncontrolled lung cancer.

Serum sialyl Lewis X-i antigen in lung adenocarcinoma and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Sialyl Lewis X-i antigen has been used as a diagnostic tool for lung adenocarcinoma. However, serum levels of the antigen are also raised in some patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) without coexistent malignancy. Expression of the antigen in serum samples of patients with lung adenocarcinoma was evaluated and compared with that of patients with IPF by Western blotting in order to establish a specific laboratory test to differentiate lung adenocarcinoma from IPF. METHODS: The pattern of antigen expression in serum samples from 23 patients with either lung adenocarcinoma or non-malignant lung disease in whom serum levels of sialyl Lewis X-i antigen (>50 U/ml) were significantly increased was studied by Western blotting. RESULTS: Thirteen of the 14 serum samples from patients with lung adenocarcinoma had a molecular weight band at 120 or 130 kD, while five of the six patients with IPF had two or three bands at <97.4 kD. The pattern of antigen expression was apparently different between the two diseases. The sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio of this test in 20 patients with lung adenocarcinoma and IPF were 92.9%, 83.3%, 5.57, and 0.09, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Western blotting analysis of serum samples from patients with raised levels of sialyl Lewis X-i antigen provides some clinical information for a differential diagnosis between lung adenocarcinoma and IPF.

Splenic metastasis of lung cancer.

Splenic metastasis from a lung cancer is infrequently noted, however, the pattern of the metastasis has not been studied, thus we conducted a retrospective study. Twelve of the consecutive 997 patients with lung cancer, who were admitted to our division, developed splenic metastasis. The pattern of splenic metastasis involved solitary nodule in 7 patients (58.3%); multiple nodules in 4, and microscopic metastasis in 1. All of the 12 patients had other abdominal organ metastasis. Splenic mass accompanying metastasis to other abdominal organs in a patient with a known lung cancer should be regarded as a metastasis.

Lung cancer patients with cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases.

Cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases (CCVD) and cancer are the leading causes of death for humans. The aim of this study was to demonstrate clinicopathological features of lung cancer patients with CCVD. Nine hundred and sixty-six patients with lung cancer were consecutively admitted to our division over a 24-year period. Among them, 254 (26.3%) patients were diagnosed as having CCVD based on medical records. One hundred and ninety-one were men and 143 were 70 years of age or older. There was a difference in smoking habit (p=0.0029) and 30 pack year or more history of smoking (p<0.0001) between lung cancer patients with or without CCVD. Among the 254 patients, 97 patients had stage IA-IIIA disease, however, 27 patients received chest irradiation or supportive care because of coexistence of CCVD. In 157 patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease, 58 patients had less intensive therapy. In multivariate analysis, existence of CCVD in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was proven to be a prognostic factor (p=0.0466). Our results imply that existing CCVD do adversely affect the outcome of NSCLC. When we decide whether or not to offer an intensive therapy which may increase treatment-related mortality, patients' medical condition including CCVD should be taken into consideration.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis in lung cancer patients.

Metastatic involvement of the peritoneum is not a very rare autopsy finding. Clinically, however, peritonitis carcinomatosis from a lung cancer is infrequently encountered and the pattern of the metastasis has not been studied. A total of 1041 patients with lung cancer who were admitted to our division over a 26-year period were retrospectively analyzed. Twelve (1.2%) of the 1041 patients with advanced lung cancer developed peritoneal carcinomatosis in their clinical courses. The incidence of peritoneal carcinomatosis was high in patients with large cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Six and 9 of the 12 patients had metastases in intra-abdominal sites and pleural seeding, respectively. The median survival time from the diagnosis of peritoneal carcinomatosis was 2 months. Ascites accompanying metastasis to abdominal organs and pleural seeding in a patient with a known lung cancer would be regarded as a metastasis.

Patterns of brain metastasis in lung cancer.

Brain metastasis as the only site of spread in lung cancer was studied. Ninety-two (13.1%) of 701 lung cancer patients had brain metastasis at the time of diagnosis. Eighteen and 16 patients had small primary lesion and were N0-1 disease, respectively. Thirty-two patients had sole brain metastasis. Patients with sole brain metastasis had more favorable survival than patients with other metastatic sites (p=0.0165). Brain metastasis may occur even with small primary lesion and/or without regional lymph node involvement. Well-planned surgery or stereotactic radiosurgery will result in enhanced survival.

Lung cancer in middle-aged patients.

Clinicopathological features of middle-aged lung cancer patients were investigated in 1016 consecutive patients. Among them, 22.8% of patients were in their forties and fifties. The preponderance of adenocarcinomas and the higher female/male ratio in middle-aged groups compared with the older group were findings similar to those observed in younger patients. Smoking habit increased according to the age groups. Middle-aged patients had a propensity for advanced stage, however, survival was not inferior to younger patients. Middle-aged patients consisted of two different groups of patients, whose characteristics were similar to those observed in either younger or elderly patients.

Lung cancer in the octogenarian.

BACKGROUND: Older patients with lung cancer tend to have significant coexisting diseases and less aggressive treatment is often advisable. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinicopathological features of lung cancer in patients aged 80 years and over. METHODS: The medical records of 966 patients with lung cancer between 1976 and 1999 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: There were 56 (5.8%) patients 80 years old or over. Thirty-nine (70%) were male, and 22 (39%) patients had poor performance status (2-4). Some of the patients had a medical history of cardiovascular disease (n = 23; 41%), cerebrovascular disease (n = 5; 9%), diabetes mellitus (n = 11; 20%), or malignant disease (n = 8; 14%). Twenty-one (35%) patients were diagnosed as having surgically resectable disease and 20 patients underwent radiotherapy, but 25 patients only received supportive care because of concomitant illnesses. Only 9 and 2 patients, respectively, had chemotherapy and surgery. There was no statistical difference in the survival rate of the two groups of patients receiving radiotherapy or supportive care. CONCLUSION: Adequate palliative care to provide prolonged quality survival is an appropriate primary goal of therapy for lung cancer in the octogenarian until less invasive treatments are developed.

Lung cancer patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The aim of this study is to evaluate characteristics in lung cancer patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Among 966 lung cancer patients admitted to our division over a period of 24 years, 73 patients were diagnosed as having COPD. There were 68 (93.2%) men and 5 women; of the tumors 43 (58.9%) were squamous cell carcinomas. Although 41 (56.2%) patients had stage IA-IIIA, only 11 (15.1%) had surgery. Coexistence of COPD was proved to be a prognostic factor (p=0.0451). Adequate palliative care to provide quality survival would be the primary goal of therapy for lung cancer patients with COPD.

Late recurrence of small-cell lung cancer: a case report.

A 67-year-old man was admitted with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). The patient was given four courses of platinum-containing chemotherapy followed by chest irradiation, and good partial response (PR) was obtained. The patient did well for 4 years, until he sought treatment for a painful subcutaneous tumor. Chest computed tomography scan revealed the mass extending from the tumor in lung parenchyma with osteolytic lesion of the third rib bone. Pathologic examination of the subcutaneous lesion revealed SCLC. The patient was given two courses of the same combination chemotherapy administered as initial therapy. Regression of the mass was observed, and the response was evaluated as a good PR. How to approach late recurrence of SCLC is discussed.

Disseminated metastasis of neuroblastomatous component in immature mediastinal teratoma: a case report.

A 17-year-old man with high levels of serum AFP and hCG was diagnosed as having primary mediastinal GCT. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy decreased the biomarkers, but the mass showed further growth. Pathological examination of the resected mass revealed a mixture of immature and mature teratomas. Six months after the surgery, the patient died of a dissemination of neuroblastomatous cells, which were similar to those in the immature neural component of the primary tumor. A disseminated metastasis of neuroblastoma in immature mediastinal teratoma is a rare complication. Serum NSE can be a useful marker in detecting the metastasis.