Postoperative recurrence of primary lung cancer: anatomo-clinical and therapeutic study.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Even after radical resection, the rate of recurrence of non-small cell lung cancer remains high. AIM: To identify the profile of patients operated for lung cancer and to study the prognostic factors of tumor recurrence. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study including 67 cases of lung cancer with curative surgery, hospitalized between 2010 and 2016. RESULTS: The mean age was 61 years. The sex ratio was 21. The average time to diagnosis was 22 days. The average time to start treatment was 10 days. The most common histological type was adenocarcinoma (63%). Lobectomy was performed in 63% of the patients. Tumor recurrence was noted in 40% of the patients. The average time between recurrence and the surgical treatment was 12 months. The most common location of recurrence was the lung (70%). Recurrence was more common among adenocarcinoma and smokers older than 60 years. The majority of locally advanced and metastatic cancers have recurred. The average survival was 56 ± 4months. Better survival rates were observed in young patients, with less than 25 pack-years of early-stage, no lymph node involvement, and patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy. The probability of survival was 5 years for all tumor stages. CONCLUSION: The prognostic factors for recurrence after radical resection for lung cancer were: the age of patients, smoking history, histological type, tumor stage, and surgical procedure.

Pulmonary Sarcomatoid carcinoma: a surgical diagnosis and prognostic factors.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary Sarcomatoid Carcinoma (PSC) is a rare group of tumors accounting for about 0.4% of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Five subtypes were described: pleomorphic carcinoma, spindle cell carcinoma, carcinosarcoma, giant cell carcinoma and pulmonary blastoma. The diagnosis is pathological but requires a good quality sampling of the tumor. METHODS: On a series of 1582 patients operated on for lung cancer from 1992 to 2016, 43 patients were retrospectively identified as having been treated surgically for pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma. RESULTS: The population consisted of 33 males and 10 females with mean age of 55 years. Imaging findings showed a peripheral mass in the majority of cases (n=29). Careful investigation failed to discover a primitive lesion elsewhere. Six patients received induction therapy for wall involvement. Lobectomy or bilobectomy was performed in 30 patients and pneumonectomy in 11 patients. A wedge resection was performed in one patient and an exploratory thoracotomy in another. In macroscopy, the mean tumor's size was 5.2 cm (1-17.5cm). The histologic diagnoses were: pleomorphic carcinoma (n=30), carcinosarcoma (n=5), spindle cell carcinoma (n=1), giant cell carcinoma (n=3) and blastoma (n=4). Two patients died within 1 month of surgical complications and 5 died of disease within 17 months. Adjuvant therapy was performed in 6 patients. Recurrence happened in 4 patients within 12 months after operation. Median survival for all patients was 8months. CONCLUSIONS: Resection of primary pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma is associated with an acceptable survival rate if the resection is complete. The size of the tumor is the most important prognosis factor. Nevertheless, a carefully follow-up is essential.

Brain metastases of non-small cell lung cancer: prognostic factors and management.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with brain metastasis (BM) is dark. The aim of our study was to analyze the prognostic factors after the onset of BM and to evaluate the current management of BM. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study that included 100 patients diagnosed with primary NSCLC with BM. Survival was analysed using Kaplan Meier curve.Univariate survival analysis was performed to assess the prognostic value of sex, age, gender, performance status, histologic type, tumor size, BM features and treatment modality of primary lung tumor and BM. RESULTS: The median age was 57 years; 94% of the patients were male. Most patients (85%) had a PS of (0-1). BM were unique in 54% of cases, symptomatic in 40% of cases and synchronous in 72% of cases. Chemotherapy was administered to 78% of patients; pulmonary tumor surgery was performed in 5% of patients. BM surgery and panencephalic irradiation were performed in 13% and 86% of patients, respectively. The median overall survival after NSCLC diagnosis was 13.33 months. The median overall survival after BM was 10.6 months. The Control of the primary tumor was the only factor associated with better overall survival (64.95 months Vs 10.6 months (p=0.02)). CONCLUSION: Pulmonary tumor control with complete surgical excision is predictive of better overall survival in patients with NSCLC and BM.

Prognostic factors for second-line chemotherapy of metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have been conduct¬ed to determine prognostic factors of second-line chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic factors for survival in patients receiving second-line treatment for advanced NSCLC. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 71 patients with metastatic NSCLC who received second-line chemotherapy from January 2006 to January 2013. RESULTS: The mean age was 57 years. All patients were male. The performance status was 0 or 1 in 90.1% of cases. Sixty-four patients received a first line platinum-based chemotherapy. The second line chemotherapy regimen was docetaxel in 31 cases and pemetrexed in 18 cases. Fourteen patients (19.71%) had received third-line chemotherapy. The median overall survival was 13.5 months. Age older than 65 years (p=0.025), advanced T stage (T4 versus T3 and T2; p=0.01), advanced N stage (N3 versus N2 and N1; p=0.001), lower level hemoglobin (p=0.05) and non-responders who showed progression with first-line chemotherapy (p=0.04) were significant negative predictors in univariate analysis for overall survival (OS). The multivariate analysis showed that age≥ 65 years (HR=2.15; 95% CI[1.26-2.44]), advanced N stage (HR=2.273; 95% CI [1.26-2.44]) were independent prognostic factors for OS. CONCLUSION: Age and advanced N stage were important factors in predicting the outcome of advanced NSCLC patients who were undergoing second-line chemotherapy.

Advanced Lung Cancer Inflammation index: a prognostic score in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Recent studies have identified that inflammation had a significant association with cancer development and progression. AIM: To explore the relationship between ALI score and prognosis of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: we conducted a retrospective study of 41 patients with metastatic NSCLC diagnosed between January2010 and January2012. ALI was calculated as body mass index x serum albumin/neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio. Patients were divided as low inflammation (ALI≥23.2) and high inflammation (ALI<23.2) groups. RESULTS: Mean age was 56.3 years, 100% were male, and 49% had adenocarcinoma. The overall survival was 8.9months. Median ALI was 23.2. The median overall survival was 6.7 months and 11.3 months respectively in patients with ALI score<23.2 and ≥23.2 (p=0.043). On multivariate analysis, ALI score < 23.2 remained significantly associated with worse outcome. CONCLUSION: Lower ALI (<23.2) was significantly associated with worse overall survival in metastatic NSCLC. The assessment of the ALI is inexpensive and widely available; it could help in identifying patients with poor prognosis in clinical routine practice.

Assessment of eating behavior after smoking cessation.

Background Weight gain is very frequent after smoking cessation and constitutes an obstacle to the decision to quit smoking. Aim To assess the impact of smoking cessation on the weight and eating behaviour. Methods This was a prospective study that included thirty four smokers. A questionnaire allowing the assessment of the eating behaviour was given to all smokers at the first consultation and at one month of smoking cessation. Results The mean age was 40.32 years. Thirty two smokers were males. The mean weight had increased by 1.7 kg at 1 month of smoking cessation (p=0.00). The increase of weight was significativelly associated with the female gender, the age of smoking initiation and the consumption of cigarettes per day. The waist and hip circumferences had also increased (p=0.00). The calories intake had increased from 3875.70 Calories to 4168.85 Calories (p=0.03). Snacking had increased from de 73.5% to 82.4% (p= 0.263). The intake of lipids and carbohydrates had not changed. The intake of protein had decreased from 14.57% to 13.5% (p= 0.041). An increase of the intake of fiber (p= 0.033), zinc (p= 0.033), and vitB9 (p= 0.044) had been noted. Conclusion The weight gain is an unwanted effect of smoking cessation which justifies a global care.

[Impact of tobacco on bronchopulmonary affections: magnitude of the problem]. / Impact du tabagisme sur les affections brochopulmonaires : ampleur du problème.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco smoking is frequent in the world affecting 20 à 50% of the population but with a decrease in occidental countries due to a huge effort based on sensiblisation and anti-tobacco decisions. AIM: To review the impact of tobacco on bronchopulmonary affections. METHODS: A narrative review of literature RESULTS: In the next future, yearly tobacco-related deaths could increase from 4.2 millions in 2000 to 10 millions in 2025-2030 making smoking as the main evitable cause of deaths by respiratory diseases. Lung cancer is the leading killer cancer. Tobacco is the most frequent cause of respiratory diseases. It is responsible of 80 to 90% of deaths by chronic obstructive pneumobronchopathiy (COPD) and 80 to 85% deaths by bronchopulmonary cancer. CONCLUSION: Tobacco is a « chronic disease ¼ necessitating management with advices and medical treatment.

[Lung cancer with venous thrombo-embolism: clinical characteristics]. / Maladie veineuse thromboembolique en cas de cancer bronchopulmonaire : approche clinique.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the most common malignancy diagnosed in patients with venous thrombo-embolism (VTE). AIM: To investigate clinical, biological, radiological features and survival of lung cancer patients with VTE. METHODS: Retrospective case-control study investigating biologic, clinical course and survival of 25 patients lung cancers with VTE (Group M) and 50 lung cancers without VTE (group T). RESULTS: The frequency of the VTE was 5.88% with 2.58% pulmonary embolism (PE). The mean age was 58 years ± 9.8 in group M and 57.9 years ± 9.6 in group T. No significant difference concerning medical or surgical history for both groups was found. The dyspnea and chest pain were at equal frequency (63.6%). Regarding the clinical probability of the PE, it was no significant differences between the two groups. A rate of D-dimer > 0.7µg/l was more frequent among group M (75% vs 20%; p = 0.054). The most common histological type was nonsmall cell lung cancer (88%). A stage IV was significantly more frequent in group M (86.4% vs. 52.3%; p = 0.007). The mean period of survival in Group M was 10.6 ± 1.2 month and 20.2 + 1.8 month in group T; p = 0.38. CONCLUSION: The VTE associated to lung cancer is under diagnosed. Prospective studies are needed to establish more adapted scores.

[Palliative chemotherapy of non small lung cancer in Tunisia. Prospective study of the cost and impact on the quality of life]. / Chimiothérapie palliative des cancers bronchiques non à petites cellules (CBNPC) métastatiques en Tunisie: etude prospective du coût et impact sur la qualité de vie.

BACKGROUND: Bronchopulmonary cancer is actually the first cancer in the world. In Tunisia, recent statistics are alarmous. The most bronchopulmonary cancer in tunisian series are diagnosis at metastatic states. AIM: To evaluate the cost of the global treatment by chemotherapy in patients with metastatic non small lung cancer and its impact over the quality of life in Tunisia. METHODS: It's a prospective study lead between January 2006 and Juin 2007 to evaluate the quality of life for patients hading metastatic non small lung cancer treated by palliative chemotherapy in Ibn Nafiss department in Abderrahmen Mami hospital.The evaluation of the quality of life is inspired by the questionnaire of EORTC: QLQC30 version 3 translated in en Arab language, filled before chemotherapy, after the le 3rd cycle, and at the end of the first ligne. The study of the cost is effected for the 2 protocols whose the most used in first ligne : Cisplatin-Vinorelbine (P-V) and Cisplatin- Gemcitabine (P-G) RESULTS: 30 patients had benefit from palliative chemotherapy based on P-V (18 cases) or P-G (12 cases). All patients had responded for the questionnaire in the opportunity moments. After 3 cycles of chemotherapy, we note an improve of the symptomatic, physical, activity, emotional and global health scales. In opposition, we note a deterioration of cognitive and social scales without any supplementary improvement(no significant difference) if we add other cycles in the twice protocols. At the same level of the benefit in term of quality of life and survival without supplementary toxicity, the choice is made by the less cost's protocol in other words P-V. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm the benefit from chemotherapy in term of survival and quality of life in our context, however, the important cost of the chemotherapy necessitate to rationalize the indications and the le choice of the treatments in this palliative indication.

[Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. A review of 3 cases]. / L'aspergillose broncho-pulmonaire allergique. A propos de 3 cas.

BACKGROUND: Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a rare affection, initially described in 1952. Its pathophysiology incriminate several mechanisms in relation with the organism of the patient and the bronchial colonisation by the fongic agent. AIM: To report three cases of ABPA. CASES REPORT: Three patients had been treated for ABPA in Ibn Nafiss department in Abderrahmen Mami hospital in Ariana. ABPA had been discovered in the three cases by a cortico dependant asthma, refractory for different therapeutics. Positive diagnosis reposed in the 3 patients at 6 major and one minor criterion. Treatment was essentially based in corticotherapy. CONCLUSION: Positive diagnosis of ABPA is actually well established, however, its treatment, although based on corticotherapy, remind not clearly codified. Association of antifongic treatment may improve the prognosis.

[Thoracic manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus]. / Manifestations thoraciques du lupus érythémateux systémique.

BACKGROUND: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease. The respiratory system is more commonly involved in SLE than in any other collagen vascular disease. AIM: To study the pleuropulmonary manifestations of SLE. METHODS: Retrospective study including 10 patients hospitalized between January 2000 and December 2008 for pleuro-pulmonary manifestation revealing or complicating the SLE. RESULTS: Nine women and only one man aged between 21 and 67 years-old were included in this study. Two patients had already SLE and for the other patients the pleuro-pulmonary manifestations were revealing the SLE. Pleural effusion was the most common manifestation witch represents 50% of the patients. For the other patients we find one case of interstitial pneumonia, one case of pulmonary embolism, on case of pneumonia, on case of pulmonary haemorrhage and on case of pulmonary hypertension. All these patients were treated by corticoids and only one patient takes high doses of corticoids for managing a massive pulmonary haemorrhage. The evolution was favourable for 9 patients, one patient dead because of massive pulmonary haemorrhage complicated with acute respiratory failure. CONCLUSION: Pleuro-pulmonary involvement in SLE is common and may be life threatening, in which case prompt and aggressive treatment is mandatory.

[Neoplasic vena cava syndrome]. / Le syndrome cave supérieur néoplasique.

BACKGROUND: Vena cava superior syndrome results of an obstruction of superior vein cava(SVC)and/or brachiocaphalic venous troncs by extrinsic compression and/or by tumoral or cruoric thrombosis. The bronchopulmonary cancer represents the most frequent aetiology. AIM: The aim of this study is to establish clinical, radiological, evolutive profiles and modalities of treatment of neoplasic vena cava superior syndrome independently of its histological type. METHODS: It is a retrospective study about 20 patients presenting vena cava superior syndrome complicating primary bronchopulmonary cancer, hospitalised between January 2000 and December 2007 in Ibn Nafiss department in Abderrahmen Mami hospital. RESULTS: All patients were males with an average of 57,8 years. Vena cava superior syndrome had revealed cancer in 60% of cases. It was metachrone in 40% of the patients. The most frequent histological type was small cell lung cancer. Treatment was proceeded in 2 steps, symptomatic and etiologic for the bronchopulmonary cancer. CONCLUSION: The bronchopulmonary cancer is the most frequent aetiology of vena cava superior syndrome. Its treatment is actually well codified.

[Adjuvant chemotherapy in resected non small cell lung cancer: preliminary results about 8 cases]. / Chimiothérapie Adjuvante Des Cancers Bronchopulmonaires Non A Petites Cellules Opérés: Résultats Préliminaires A Propos De 8 Cas.

AIM: Report the preliminary results of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients surgically treated for non small lung cancer. METHODS: It's a prospective study about 12 patients surgically treated between January 2005 and December 2007.8 patients had benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy. The protocol had been based at 4 cycles of Cisplatine. RESULTS: Our 8 men patients, aged for the mean of 59 years with a Performans Status at 1, had benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy after curative surgery. Six patients considered us II B stage, had benefit immediately for surgically treatment. Adjuvant chemotherapy protocol had been based of Cisplatin and Vinorelbine (5 patients) and Cisplatin and Gemcitabine (1 patient). The 4 cycles can be administered without any limiting toxicity only for one patient who's received 2 cycles of Cisplatin and Gemcitabine in front of the severity of digestive side effects. Two patients considered us IIIB stage, had been surgically treated after neo adjuvant chemotherapy based at Cisplatin and Vinorelbine. Histological response was complete for twice of them. The same chemotherapy was stopped after 2 cycles us adjuvant, in front of haematological side effects. Two patients did at 4 and 15 months of neoplasic progression. The six other patients had been still on life with a move back of 33 months. CONCLUSION: Post operative adjuvant chemotherapy is the standard treatment for the II A and II B stages and probably for IB stage. For none immediately operative patients (IIIA and some III B), articulation of chemotherapy with surgery must be clarified.

[Rare localization of sarcoma in an adolescent: thoracic Ewing sarcoma]. / Localisation rare du sarcome de l'enfant: sarcome d'Ewing thoracique.

BACKGROUND: Ewing Sarcoma is considered as primitive neuro ectodermic tumor. It's the most frequent osseous tumor in children and adolescent. It was localised frequently at long osseous and pelvis, however, it can be arising from the rib. AIM: this article aimed to show that Ewing sarcome could arise twely from thorax. CASE REPORT: We report the case of 15-year-old girl, admitted in our hospital because of left scapular pain with important weight loss. Chest X ray showed dense left latero tracheal opacity with mediastinal limits. Bronchofiberoscopy was performed and it showed no abnormalities. Thoracic CT scan and MRI noted left posteroir expansif mediastinal process infiltrating D2, D3 and homolateral conjugation's canal. This process was associated at vertebral metastasis in D1, D4 and D8.Rapid clinical aggravation, with installation for medullar compression was noted. The patient had benefit for three cures of decompress radiotherapy and treated by laminectomy of dorsal vertebras in neurosurgery department. Morphologic aspects and immunohistochimical study for the operator piece concluded at Ewing sarcoma of the children considered as primitive neuro ectodermic tumor. Six cures of chemotherapy had been prescribed with well recuperation of the motor failure. She still on life since 7 months. CONCLUSION: Even rare, thoracic localisation of Ewing sarcoma in not exceptional, it is necessary to evocate it in front of mediastinal mass.

Pulmonary metastases revealing choriocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Uterin choriocarcinoma is a trophoblastic tumour characterised by high metastasis potential. Pleuropulmonary metastasis can reveal rarely the neoplasm. AIM: Repport a new case. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 31-years-old woman, with no pathological antecedent, admitted in our department for thoracic pain and haemoptysis occurring two months after delivery of a did in child-birth. Chest X ray and thoracic CT scan showed several bilateral opacities. A diagnosis of metastatic choriocarcinoma was confirmed by plasmatic level of beta human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta HCG) superior to 4000 UI/ml. Gynaecological exam revealed latero-uterine mass. Abdomino-pelvien ultra sound and CT scan showed tissular latero uterine and hepatic masses. Brain CT scan had been normal. Patient died after 3 cures of chemotherapy because of acute respiratory failure caused by massive pulmonary embolism. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of choriocarcinoma must be evocated in front of several pulmonary opacities occurring in genital activity women and necessities the dosage of level of BHCG.

Association deep veinous thrombosis with pulmonary tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary tuberculosis has been reported as a risk factor for deep venous thrombosis. AIM: In the present study we reported, physiopathological, epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic features of the association of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS: This is a retrospective study done in our department between January 2000 and December 2007. It is about 14 cases of confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis associated with deep venous thrombosis. RESULTS: It is about 14 men. The mean age was 40 years old. Pulmonary tuberculosis was confirmed by the presence of acido-alcoolo-resistant bacillus on the sputum at direct exam in 12 cases (81, 8%) and in the bronchial aspiration in 2 cases (18%). Phlebitis occurred within a mean of 20 days after the diagnosis of tuberculosis. It was confirmed by doppler deep venous ultrasound of inferior members. All patients received anti-tuberculosis drugs in association with anticoagulant treatment. Etiologic investigations showed positive anti-phospholipids antibodies in one case, and decrease in C and S proteins for 2 patients in which phlebitis was complicated by arterial pulmonary embolism. We had difficulties for controlling prothrombin level in 4 cases and we must prescribe low molecular weight heparin for 6 months in one case. CONCLUSION: A lot of attention should be done, in the follow up of pulmonary tuberculosis especially in severe presentation; because of the deep venous thrombosis's risk occurrence. Prophylactic anticoagulant treatment should be done in some cases, when the risk is higher.