Influence of the Levels of Arsenic, Cadmium, Mercury and Lead on Overall Survival in Lung Cancer.

The effects of heavy metals on cancer risk have been widely studied in recent decades, but there is limited data on the effects of these elements on cancer survival. In this research, we examined whether blood concentrations of the heavy metals arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead were associated with the overall survival of lung cancer patients. The study group consisted of 336 patients with lung cancer who were prospectively observed. Blood concentrations of heavy metals were measured to study the relationship between their levels and overall survival using Cox proportional hazards analysis. The hazard ratio of death from all causes was 0.99 (p = 0.94) for arsenic, 1.37 (p = 0.15) for cadmium, 1.55 (p = 0.04) for mercury, and 1.18 (p = 0.47) for lead in patients from the lowest concentration quartile, compared with those in the highest quartile. Among the patients with stage IA disease, this relationship was statistically significant (HR = 7.36; p < 0.01) for cadmium levels in the highest quartile (>1.97-7.77 µg/L) compared to quartile I (0.23-0.57 µg/L, reference). This study revealed that low blood cadmium levels <1.47 µg/L are probably associated with improved overall survival in treated patients with stage IA disease.

[Diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties in mediastinal fibromatosis. Case report]. / Trudnosci w diagnostyce i leczeniu wlókniakowatosci sródpiersia. Opis przypadku.

Mediastinal fibromatosis is a very rare mesenchymal tumor originated from fibrous tissue. A case of 26-year old men with mediastinal tumor causes respiratory insufficiency and dysphagia is described. This sympthoms occured due to esophageal impression and infiltration with occlusion of main left bronchus by mediastinal tumor. Ethiology of the tumor was established based on histopathology assesment of the tissue samples taken during explorative thoracotomy after 3 years and many other diagnostic procedures undertaken. The authors describe difficulties in diagnosis of mediastinal tumors, especially those rare observed.

The assessment of the role of baseline low-dose CT scan in patients at high risk of lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Despite the progress in contemporary medicine comprising diagnostic and therapeutic methods, lung cancer is still one of the biggest health concerns in many countries of the world. The main purpose of the study was to evaluate the detection rate of pulmonary nodules and lung cancer in the initial, helical low-dose CT of the chest as well as the analysis of the relationship between the size and the histopathological character of the detected nodules. MATERIAL/METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 1999 initial, consecutive results of the CT examinations performed within the framework of early lung cancer detection program initiated in Szczecin. The project enrolled persons of both sexes, aged 55-65 years, with at least 20 pack-years of cigarette smoking or current smokers. The analysis included assessment of the number of positive results and the evaluation of the detected nodules in relationship to their size. All of the nodules were classified into I of VI groups and subsequently compared with histopathological type of the neoplastic and nonneoplastic pulmonary lesions. RESULTS: Pulmonary nodules were detected in 921 (46%) subjects. What is more, malignant lesions as well as lung cancer were significantly, more frequently discovered in the group of asymptomatic nodules of the largest dimension exceeding 15 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The initial, low-dose helical CT of the lungs performed in high risk individuals enables detection of appreciable number of indeterminate pulmonary nodules. In most of the asymptomatic patients with histopathologically proven pulmonary nodules greater than 15 mm, the mentioned lesions are malignant, what warrants further, intensified diagnostics.

Acquired hemophilia A as a cause of recurrent bleeding into the pleural cavity - case report and literature review.

Acquired hemophilia A is a coagulation disorder caused by autoantibodies against blood coagulation factor VIII. The first sign of this disease is often massive bleeding, which can affect patients after routine procedures. The parameter which indicates the presence of this condition is isolated prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). The present article describes a case of a 32-year-old man with acute interstitial pneumonia and pleural effusion, in whom a massive hemothorax appeared after thoracocentesis; active bleeding was observed after the introduction of a chest tube. The patient was operated on, and no pinpoint bleeding was discovered during the procedure. Active bleeding was still taking place postoperatively. The patient underwent another operation after 6 days. Once more, no pinpoint bleeding was found. Prolonged APTT was observed. The activity of blood coagulation factor VIII was 3.04%. The presence of antibodies against factor VIII was confirmed, and acquired hemophilia was diagnosed. The article also includes an analysis of the literature on acquired hemophilia.

Proteomic patterns analysis with multivariate calculations as a promising tool for prompt differentiation of early stage lung tissue with cancer and unchanged tissue material.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer diagnosis in tissue material with commonly used histological techniques is sometimes inconvenient and in a number of cases leads to ambiguous conclusions. Frequently advanced immunostaining techniques have to be employed, yet they are both time consuming and limited. In this study a proteomic approach is presented which may help provide unambiguous pathologic diagnosis of tissue material. METHODS: Lung tissue material found to be pathologically changed was prepared to isolate proteome with fast and non selective procedure. Isolated peptides and proteins in ranging from 3.5 to 20 kDa were analysed directly using high resolution mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF/TOF) with sinapic acid as a matrix. Recorded complex spectra of a single run were then analyzed with multivariate statistical analysis algorithms (principle component analysis, classification methods). In the applied protocol we focused on obtaining the spectra richest in protein signals constituting a pattern of change within the sample containing detailed information about its protein composition. Advanced statistical methods were to indicate differences between examined groups. RESULTS: Obtained results indicate changes in proteome profiles of changed tissues in comparison to physiologically unchanged material (control group) which were reflected in the result of principle component analysis (PCA). Points representing spectra of control group were located in different areas of multidimensional space and were less diffused in comparison to cancer tissues. Three different classification algorithms showed recognition capability of 100% regarding classification of examined material into an appropriate group. CONCLUSION: The application of the presented protocol and method enabled finding pathological changes in tissue material regardless of localization and size of abnormalities in the sample volume. Proteomic profile as a complex, rich in signals spectrum of proteins can be expressed as a single point in multidimensional space and than analysed using advanced statistical methods. This approach seems to provide more precise information about a pathology and may be considered in futer evaluation of biomarkers for clinical applications in different pathology. Multiparameter statistical methods may be helpful in elucidation of newly expressed sensitive biomarkers defined as many factors "in one point".

[Program of early detection of pulmonary neoplasms by the computed tomography - preliminary Szczecin experience]. / Program wczesnego wykrywania nowotworów pluc za pomoca tomografii komputerowej-- wstepne doswiadczenia Szczecina.

INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer (LC) remains one of the most serious epidemiological and clinical challenges both in the world and Poland. Results of LC therapy are far from satisfaction. One of the reasons of high LC mortality is its late detection. Currently, few centers in the world conduct LC screening programs based on low-dose spiral computed tomography (CT) of the chest. There have been no such programs in Poland up to date. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The program of LC early detection based on CT for citizens of Szczecin aged 55-65, who smoked at least 20 pack/years, was introduced on May 1st 2008 and was planned for 3 years. There were 3647 subjects examined till December 31st 2008. Algorithm of further action for detected lesions was based on the IELCAP and NELSON trial protocols. RESULTS: There were 25 malignancies detected, including 21 LC (17 females and 4 males) up to date (70% were in stage I TNM). In contrast - there was only 16.8% stage IA LC detected in the comparable group diagnosed on the symptoms basis. Fifty seven patients were treated surgically, of whom 16 underwent lobectomy or pneumonectomy coupled with radical mediastinal lymphadenectomy. There were 3 wedge resections and 2 segmentectomies performed, too. Perioperative mortality was 0%. There were 32 benign lesions of different clinical importance resected as well (tuberculoma, hamartoma, inflammatory, mycotic and sarcoidal lesions). In our group 1365 lesions were detected in 996 persons - they are followed up in accordance with the IELCAP algorithm. CONCLUSIONS: Early LC detection program initiated in Szczecin resulted in significant increase of stage IA TNM detected patients subsequently treated radically. There was also a large number of small non malignant lesions detected.

[Non-small cell lung cancer in patient with visceral total inversion]. / Niedrobnokomórkowy rak pluca u chorego z zespolem calkowitego odwrócenia trzewi.

This article reports a case of non-small cell lung cancer in a 74-year-old man with visceral total inversion. The epidemiology and main anatomical differences present in this rare syndrome, as well as basic information on lung cancer, are explored. We present diagnostic procedures and their results and describe the surgical technique of lung cancer treatment performed in this rare case. The perioperative period and the histopathological findings are analysed. Finally, references to similar cases found in worldwide literature are discussed.

Additional pulmonary resections after pneumonectomy: actual long-term survival and functional results.

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary resections after pneumonectomy due to metastases or metachronous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are rare because of the high potential risk of the second procedure and uncertain long-term results. On the basis of our series (largest in Europe) we tried to assess the long-term survival of patients treated in stage IV NSCLC. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was carried out on 18 patients treated at our department by pneumonectomy followed by additional resection in the years 1981-2002 (15 males and 3 females, 44-69 years, mean 57). Eleven pneumonectomies were performed on the right side and seven on the left. Twelve squamous cell carcinomas and six adenocarcinomas were diagnosed. All patients were staged postoperatively as IIB-IIIA (four were N2). Their WHO status ranged between 0 and 1. The second surgical procedure (16 wedge resections, 2 chest wall resections) was performed 4-106 months later (mean 26). The patients staged N2 were radiated postoperatively. RESULTS: There were no early postoperative deaths. The morbidity rate after second surgery was comparable to that observed after ordinary wedge resection. Histology of the lesions removed during the second operation was the same as after pneumonectomy in all patients. The pulmonary function tests (PFT) results worsened significantly but still reached 56-63% of the predicted values. Sixteen resected tumors of the remaining lung were staged T1 (<3cm), 2 - T3 (<3cm but infiltration of the parietal pleura on an area of 2-4cm(2)). Three patients revealed N2 disease (they were all N0 after pneumonectomy). All patients were considered M1 after second surgery. WHO status after the second procedure remained the same in 8 patients (44%) and worsened in 10 patients (56%). The survival rates were as follows: 11 patients survived 2 years (61%) while 8 patients survived 5 years (44%). The majority of patients died due to lung cancer (70%) but all the rest (30%) due to circulatory or respiratory insufficiency. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in 5-year survival for N0-N1 vs N2 status (63% vs 14% - 1 patient) and also regarding the time interval between surgeries: less than 12 months vs more than 12 months (0% vs 63%). CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary resections performed after pneumonectomy due to NSCLC are rare procedures but with an acceptable perioperative risk. The second procedure should be limited to wedge resection. The prognosis is poor for patients with N2 status and for those treated by second surgery earlier than 12 months after the first procedure.