Health Outcomes with Curative and Palliative Therapies in Real World: Role of the Quality of Life Summary Score in Thoracic Oncology Patients.

BACKGROUND: For patients receiving therapy with curative or palliative intent for a thoracic malignancy, prediction of quality of life (QOL), once therapy starts, remains challenging. The role of health assessments by the patient instead of the doctor herein remains ill-defined. AIMS: To assess the evolution of QOL in patients with thoracic malignancies treated with curative and palliative intent, respectively. To identify factors that determine QOL one year after the start of cancer therapy. To identify factors that affect survival. METHODS: We prospectively included consecutive patients with a thoracic malignancy who were starting anti-cancer therapy and measured QOL with QLQ-C30 before the start of therapy, and thereafter at regular intervals for up to 12 months. A multivariate regression analysis of the global health score (GHS) and QOL summary scores (QSS) one year after the start of therapy was conducted. A proportional hazards Cox regression was conducted to investigate the effects of case-mix variables on survival. RESULTS: Of 587 new patients, 375 started different forms of therapy. Most had non-small cell lung cancer (n = 298), 35 had small cell lung cancer, and 42 had other thoracic malignancies or were diagnosed on imaging alone. There were 203 who went for a curative intent and 172 for a palliative intent strategy. The WHO score of 0-1 was more prevalent in the former group (p = 0.02), and comorbidities were equally distributed. At baseline, all QOL indices were better in the curative group (p < 0.05). The curative group was characterized by a significant worsening of GHS and QSS (p < 0.05). The palliative group was characterized by an improvement in GHS and emotional health (p < 0.05), while other dimensions of functioning remained stable. GHS at 12 months was estimated in a multivariate linear regression model (R2 = 0.23-p < 0.001) based on baseline GHS, QSS, and comorbidity burden. QSS at 12 months was estimated (R2 = 0.31-p < 0.001) by baseline QSS and therapeutic intent strategy (curative vs. palliative). The prognostic factors for overall survival were the type of therapy (curative vs. palliative intent, p < 0.001) and occurrence of early toxicity-related hospitalization (grade ≥ 3, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients with thoracic malignancies treated with curative intent experience a worsening of their QOL in the first year, whereas those receiving palliative anti-cancer therapy do not. QOL one year after the start of therapy depends on the baseline health scores as determined by the patient, comorbidity burden, and therapeutic strategy. Survival depends on therapeutic strategy and early hospitalization due to toxicity.

Primary intrathoracic synovial cell sarcoma requiring radical resection of the chest wall and diaphragm with reconstruction using titanium mesh.

Intrathoracic synovial cell sarcomas are extremely rare tumors with a high rate of recurrence after resection. We report one such case of synovial cell sarcoma arising from the chest wall, which was completely intrathoracic without an external component. The tumor was resected twice and in spite of adjuvant chemo-radiation the tumor recurred. Radical resection of the tumor with reconstruction of the chest wall and diaphragm using titanium mesh and polypropylene mesh respectively was done. A latissimus dorsi flap cover was provided. Titanium mesh is an excellent prosthesis of choice for reconstruction, as it provides stability and better cosmesis of the chest wall. Radical resection can be offered for suitable candidates, with very low morbidity and mortality. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12055-022-01378-3.

Corrigendum: Preliminary Exploration of Transpedal Lymphangiography With High-Dose Ethiodized Oil Application in the Treatment of Postoperative Chylothorax.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.754781.].

[Re-visiting the Pronopall score ten years later: A multicenter retrospective study]. / Réévaluation du score Pronopall : une étude rétrospective multicentrique.

INTRODUCTION: The Pronopall score, which distinguishes 3 prognostic groups in patients with advanced cancer, was initially proposed in 2008 and validated in a study published in 2018 but including patients between 2009 and 2010. Since the last decade, cancer management and therapeutic options have progressed. The objective of this study was to confirm the value of this score in patients with digestive and thoracic cancer. METHODS: From July 2019 to November 2020, this retrospective multi-center study included patients with digestive or thoracic cancers who fulfilled the same inclusion criteria as those used in the initial study, and in whom the Pronopall score could be calculated using its four variables (albumin serum level, LDH level, ECOG score, number of metastatic sites). Survival curves were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: One hundred patients were included. According to the Pronopall score, patients were separated into group A (score 8-10, 7 patients), group B (score 4-7, 41 patients) and group C (score 0-3, 52 patients). Median overall survival was 73 days, CI [17-129], 228 days, CI [128-328] and 575 days, CI [432-718] for groups A, B and C, respectively. Survival at 2 months was 28 % for population A, 61 % for population B, and 94 % for population C. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that the Pronopall score still allows clinically relevant discrimination of patients, score C being associated with a good prognosis compared to scores A and B.

Knowledge Difference of Tumor Nutrition Risk Among Thoracic Cancer Patients, Their Family Members, Physicians, and Nurses.

To investigate the difference among patients, family members, physicians, and nurses in their ability to identify malnutrition risk in patients with thoracic cancer. The enrolled patients were evaluated by the NRS2002 nutritional risk scale. The patient-centered groups, including the patient, the primary caretaker, the physician, and the nurse, were given a questionnaire on their knowledge and understanding of nutrition therapy in cancer treatment. The incidence rate of nutritional risk in hospitalized patients with thoracic cancer was 13.8%. There were significant differences in the accuracy rate of nutritional risk assessment among the four groups (P < 0.001), in which the nurses' was 70.3%, 55.1% for the physician, 38.7% for family members, and 33.0% for patients, which was the poorest accuracy rate. No significant correlation was found between the accuracy of nutritional risk assessment and the education level and personal monthly income of each population (P > 0.05). Nearly all four groups considered it necessary to learn more about cancer nutrition therapy. For patients and their families, the main way to understand the knowledge of tumor nutrition was consultation with medical staff and information exchange between patients; for doctors, new media; and for nurses, classroom training. Nurses' assessment of nutritional risk in cancer patients achieved the highest accuracy, while the poorest accuracy originated from the patients.

Primary signet ring cell histology does not portend worse survival for early stage lung cancer following lobectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Signet ring cell (SRC) histology is considered a poor prognostic factor in various cancers. However, primary SRC lung adenocarcinoma is rare and poorly understood. METHODS: The National Cancer Database was queried to identify treatment-naïve patients who received lobectomy for primary SRC or non-SRC pT1-2N0 lung adenocarcinoma <4 cm within four months of diagnosis. SRC lung adenocarcinoma was defined by ICD-O-3 code 8490, while non-SRC lung adenocarcinoma was defined by ICD-O-3 codes 8140, 8141, 8143, 8147, 8255, 8260, 8310, 8481, 8560, and 8570-8574. The Kaplan-Meier curve and log-rank test was used to compare five-year OS between SRC versus non-SRC lung adenocarcinoma cohorts. The impact of SRC histology on risk of death was assessed using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. RESULTS: 48,399 patients were included in this study: 62 with primary SRC lung adenocarcinoma and 48,337 with non-SRC lung adenocarcinoma. The mean age of the overall cohort was 67.0 ± 9.6 years. Five-year OS following lobectomy did not differ significantly between SRC lung adenocarcinoma and non-SRC lung adenocarcinoma cohorts (SRC 73.9% vs. non-SRC 69.3%, p = 0.64). SRC histology did not significantly impact risk of death within five years after lobectomy (HR 0.89, p = 0.66). CONCLUSIONS: Following lobectomy for pT1-2N0 tumors <4 cm, patients with primary SRC lung adenocarcinoma do not experience worse five-year OS or increased risk of death within five years relative to those with non-SRC lung adenocarcinoma. Additional study, including exploration of emerging molecular profiling data, may serve to better define optimal treatment for this histopathologic group of lung adenocarcinomas.

Influential factors of psychological state and their correlation with nutritional risk in patients undergoing thoracic tumor radiotherapy / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients undergoing thoracic tumor radiotherapy, preliminarily evaluate the nutritional risk of patients, and analyze the possible influential factors of anxiety and depression and their correlation with nutritional risk, providing a theoretical basis for further formulating a personalized psychological nursing plan for patients undergoing thoracic tumor radiotherapy.Methods:A total of 121 patients who underwent thoracic tumor radiotherapy between April 2019 and March 2020 in Cancer Hospital of The University of Chinese Academy of Sciences were selected for this study. We evaluated patients' psychological statuses using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and patients' nutritional risk using the Nutrition Risk Screening. We performed univariate analysis, unconditional logistic regression analysis, and contingency analysis to analyze the factors that affected the psychological status of patients undergoing thoracic tumor radiotherapy and correlate patients' psychological status with nutritional risk.Results:Among 121 patients, 99 (81.8%) patients undergoing thoracic tumor radiotherapy would develop or had developed anxiety, and 42 (34.7%) patients were at the boundary of depression or had depression. Correlation analysis revealed that nutritional risk was correlated with the prevalence of anxiety and depression. Logistic regression analysis showed that surgery, first radiotherapy, and nutritional risk were the factors that affected the prevalence of anxiety. Marital status, location of tumors, surgery, first radiotherapy, and nutritional risk affected the prevalence of depression.Conclusion:Patients undergoing thoracic tumor radiotherapy have serious psychological problems. Nutritional risk is positively correlated with the prevalence of anxiety and depression. Surgery and first radiotherapy are the factors that affect the prevalence of anxiety and depression.

Clinical Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Mexican Patients with Thoracic Malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Accumulated evidence indicates that patients with lung cancer are a vulnerable population throughout the pandemic. Limited information is available in Latin America regarding the impact of the pandemic on medical care. The goal of this study was to describe the clinical and social effect of COVID-19 on patients with thoracic cancer and to ascertain outcomes in those with a confirmed diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cohort study included patients with thoracic neoplasms within a single institution between March 1, 2020, and February 28, 2021. All variables of interest were extracted from electronic medical records. During this period, the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 (DASS-2) was applied to evaluate and identify more common psychological disorders. RESULTS: The mean age for the total cohort (n = 548) was 61.5 ± 12.9 years; non-small cell lung cancer was the most frequent neoplasm (86.9%), advanced stages predominated (80%), and most patients were under active therapy (82.8%). Any change in treatment was reported in 23.9% of patients, of which 78.6% were due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Treatment delays (≥7 days) were the most frequent modifications in 41.9% of cases, followed by treatment suspension at 37.4%. Patients without treatment changes had a more prolonged progression-free survival and overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] 0.21, p < .001 and HR 0.28, p < .001, respectively). The mean DASS-21 score was 10.45 in 144 evaluated patients, with women being more affected than men (11.41 vs. 9.08, p < .001). Anxiety was reported in 30.5% of cases, followed by depression and distress in equal proportions (18%). Depressed and stressed patients had higher odds of experiencing delays in treatment than patients without depression (odds ratio [OR] 4.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.53-13.23, p = .006 and OR 3.18, 95% CI 1.2-10.06, p = .006, respectively). CONCLUSION: Treatment adjustments in patients with thoracic malignancies often occurred to avoid COVID-19 contagion with detrimental effects on survival. Psychological disorders could have a role in adherence to the original treatment regimen. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The pandemic has placed an enormous strain on health care systems globally. Patients with thoracic cancers represent a vulnerable population, with increased morbidity and mortality rates. In Mexico, treatment modifications were common during the pandemic, and those who experienced delays had worse survival outcomes. Most treatment modifications were related to a patient decision rather than a lockdown of health care facilities in which mental health impairment plays an essential role. Moreover, the high case fatality rate highlights the importance of improving medical care access. Likewise, to develop strategies facing future threats that may compromise health care systems in non-developed countries.

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging for differentiating between benign and malignant thoracic lymph nodes: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the diagnostic performance of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) in discriminating malignant from non-malignant thoracic lymph nodes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a meta-analysis involving systematic searches of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases up through April 2020. Studies reporting thoracic DWI and lymph node evaluation were included. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were calculated. RESULTS: We evaluated six studies, involving a collective total of 356 mediastinal lymph nodes in 214 patients. Thoracic DWI had a pooled sensitivity and specificity of 92% (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 71-98%) and 93% (95% CI: 79-98%), respectively. The positive and negative likelihood ratios were 13.2 (95% CI: 4.0-43.8) and 0.09 (95% CI: 0.02-0.36), respectively. The diagnostic odds ratio was 149 (95% CI: 18-1,243), and the AUC was 0.97 (95% CI: 0.95-0.98). CONCLUSION: DWI is a reproducible technique and has demonstrated high accuracy for differentiating between malignant and benign states in thoracic lymph nodes.

OBJETIVO: Uma meta-análise foi realizada para estabelecer o desempenho diagnóstico da ressonância magnética com imagem ponderada em difusão (DWI) na discriminação de linfonodos torácicos malignos de benignos. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: MEDLINE, EMBASE e Web of Science foram sistematicamente pesquisados até abril de 2020. Foram incluídos estudos que relatavam o uso de DWI na avaliação de linfonodos torácicos. Sensibilidade, especificidade, razão de chances de diagnóstico, valores preditivos positivos e negativos e área sob a curva (AUC) foram calculados. RESULTADOS: Foram encontrados 356 linfonodos mediastinais de 214 pacientes nos seis estudos incluídos. DWI produziu sensibilidade e especificidade combinadas de 92% (intervalo de confiança 95% [IC 95%]: 71-98%) e 93% (IC 95%: 79-98%), respectivamente. A razão de verossimilhança positiva foi de 13,2 (IC 95%: 4,0-43,8), a razão de verossimilhança negativa foi de 0,09 (IC 95%: 0,02-0,36); A razão de chances de diagnóstico foi de 149 (IC 95%: 18-1.243). A DWI teve uma AUC de 0,97 (IC 95%: 0,95-0,98). CONCLUSÃO: DWI é uma técnica reprodutível que demonstrou alta acurácia na diferenciação de estados malignos e benignos nos linfonodos torácicos.

The role of the radiologist in the assessment of thoracic changes after radiotherapy.

Radiotherapy plays a central role in the palliative and curative treatment of neoplasms of the chest wall or intrathoracic structures. However, despite technical advances, radiotherapy can alter previously normal organs and tissues, those alterations presenting as various types of imaging findings. Post-radiation alterations must be promptly recognized by radiologists, in order to avoid confusion between complications of radiotherapy and the recurrence of a tumor. This pictorial essay aims to illustrate different thoracic changes after radiotherapy.

A radioterapia tem papel fundamental no tratamento curativo ou paliativo de neoplasias da parede torácica ou intratorácicas. No entanto, mesmo com o avanço das técnicas, órgãos e tecidos vizinhos podem ser acometidos e apresentar alterações que devem ser reconhecidas pelos radiologistas, de maneira a evitar confusão com recidiva das lesões inicialmente tratadas, ou mesmo com outras complicações do tratamento oncológico. O objetivo deste ensaio iconográfico é ilustrar as diferentes consequências torácicas da radioterapia.

Exploring the Pharmacological Mechanism of Radix Salvia Miltiorrhizae in the Treatment of Radiation Pneumonia by Using Network Pharmacology.

BACKGROUND: Radiation pneumonia (RP) is the most common complication of radiotherapy to the thorax and seriously affects the survival rate and quality of life of patients. Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (RSM) is an ancient Chinese medicine, whose main pharmacological effect is to promote blood circulation and remove stasis. A growing number of studies have proved that RSM has a good effect on RP. However, the underlying mechanism is still unclear and needs to be fully elucidated. METHODS: The effective components and predictive targets of RSM were analyzed by Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database, and the related targets of RP were predicted by GeneCards database. The common targets of the two targets mentioned above were analyzed by protein-protein interaction on the STRING website, GO and KEGG analysis on the DAVID website, visualization by CytoScape3.7.0, and screening for Hubber gene by cytoHubber plug-in. RESULTS: A search of the TCMSP database revealed that RSM contains 65 chemical constituents and 165 potential protein targets. A total of 2,162 protein targets were found to be associated with RP. The top 10 hub genes were obtained by MCC algorithm for 70 common genes, including TP53, CASP3, MAPK1, JUN, VEGFA, STAT3, PTGS2, IL6, AKT1, and FOS. By analyzing the Gene Ontology, The anti-radiation pneumonia effect of RSM is that it performs molecular functions (protein homodimerization activity) in the nucleus through three biological processes (positive regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter,Extrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway in absence of ligand and lipopolysaccharide-mediated signaling pathway). Through KEGG analysis, the mechanism of RSM treatment of radiation pneumonia may be through PI3K-Akt, HIF-1, TNF signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Through network pharmacology analysis, we found the possible target genes of RSM on RP and revealed the most likely signaling pathway, providing theoretical basis for further elucidating the potential mechanism of RSM on RP.

The role of the radiologist in the assessment of thoracic changes after radiotherapy / O papel do radiologista na avaliação das alterações torácicas após radioterapia

Abstract Radiotherapy plays a central role in the palliative and curative treatment of neoplasms of the chest wall or intrathoracic structures. However, despite technical advances, radiotherapy can alter previously normal organs and tissues, those alterations presenting as various types of imaging findings. Post-radiation alterations must be promptly recognized by radiologists, in order to avoid confusion between complications of radiotherapy and the recurrence of a tumor. This pictorial essay aims to illustrate different thoracic changes after radiotherapy.

Resumo A radioterapia tem papel fundamental no tratamento curativo ou paliativo de neoplasias da parede torácica ou intratorácicas. No entanto, mesmo com o avanço das técnicas, órgãos e tecidos vizinhos podem ser acometidos e apresentar alterações que devem ser reconhecidas pelos radiologistas, de maneira a evitar confusão com recidiva das lesões inicialmente tratadas, ou mesmo com outras complicações do tratamento oncológico. O objetivo deste ensaio iconográfico é ilustrar as diferentes consequências torácicas da radioterapia.

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging for differentiating between benign and malignant thoracic lymph nodes: a meta-analysis / Ressonância magnética ponderada em difusão para a diferenciação entre linfonodos torácicos malignos de benignos: uma meta-análise

Abstract Objective: To establish the diagnostic performance of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) in discriminating malignant from non-malignant thoracic lymph nodes. Materials and Methods: This was a meta-analysis involving systematic searches of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases up through April 2020. Studies reporting thoracic DWI and lymph node evaluation were included. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were calculated. Results: We evaluated six studies, involving a collective total of 356 mediastinal lymph nodes in 214 patients. Thoracic DWI had a pooled sensitivity and specificity of 92% (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 71-98%) and 93% (95% CI: 79-98%), respectively. The positive and negative likelihood ratios were 13.2 (95% CI: 4.0-43.8) and 0.09 (95% CI: 0.02-0.36), respectively. The diagnostic odds ratio was 149 (95% CI: 18-1,243), and the AUC was 0.97 (95% CI: 0.95-0.98). Conclusion: DWI is a reproducible technique and has demonstrated high accuracy for differentiating between malignant and benign states in thoracic lymph nodes.

Resumo Objetivo: Uma meta-análise foi realizada para estabelecer o desempenho diagnóstico da ressonância magnética com imagem ponderada em difusão (DWI) na discriminação de linfonodos torácicos malignos de benignos. Materiais e Métodos: MEDLINE, EMBASE e Web of Science foram sistematicamente pesquisados até abril de 2020. Foram incluídos estudos que relatavam o uso de DWI na avaliação de linfonodos torácicos. Sensibilidade, especificidade, razão de chances de diagnóstico, valores preditivos positivos e negativos e área sob a curva (AUC) foram calculados. Resultados: Foram encontrados 356 linfonodos mediastinais de 214 pacientes nos seis estudos incluídos. DWI produziu sensibilidade e especificidade combinadas de 92% (intervalo de confiança 95% [IC 95%]: 71-98%) e 93% (IC 95%: 79-98%), respectivamente. A razão de verossimilhança positiva foi de 13,2 (IC 95%: 4,0-43,8), a razão de verossimilhança negativa foi de 0,09 (IC 95%: 0,02-0,36); A razão de chances de diagnóstico foi de 149 (IC 95%: 18-1.243). A DWI teve uma AUC de 0,97 (IC 95%: 0,95-0,98). Conclusão: DWI é uma técnica reprodutível que demonstrou alta acurácia na diferenciação de estados malignos e benignos nos linfonodos torácicos.

The commensal consortium of the gut microbiome is associated with favorable responses to anti-programmed death protein 1 (PD-1) therapy in thoracic neoplasms.

OBJECTIVE: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized cancer therapy for multiple types of solid tumors, but as expected, a large percentage of patients do not show durable responses. Biomarkers that can predict clinical responses to immunotherapies at diagnosis are therefore urgently needed. Herein, we determined the associations between baseline gut commensal microbes and the clinical treatment efficiencies of patients with thoracic neoplasms during anti-programmed death protein 1 (PD-1) therapy. METHODS: Forty-two patients with advanced thoracic carcinoma who received anti-PD-1 treatment were enrolled in the study. Baseline and time-serial stool samples were analyzed using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. Tumor responses, patient progression-free survival, and overall survival were used to measure clinical outcomes. RESULTS: The diversities of the baseline gut microbiota were similar between responders (n = 23) and nonresponders (n = 19). The relative abundances of the Akkermansiaceae, Enterococcaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Carnobacteriaceae and Clostridiales Family XI bacterial families were significantly higher in the responder group. These 5 bacterial families acted as a commensal consortium and better stratified patients according to clinical responses (P = 0.014). Patients with a higher abundance of commensal microbes had prolonged PFS (P = 0.00016). Using multivariable analysis, the abundance of the commensal consortium was identified as an independent predictor of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in thoracic neoplasms (hazard ratio: 0.17; 95% confidence interval: 0.05-0.55; P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Baseline gut microbiota may have a critical impact on anti-PD-1 treatment in thoracic neoplasms. The abundance of gut commensal microbes at diagnosis might be useful for the early prediction of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy responses.

Rapid onsite evaluation uses a very small proportion of total material aspirated at endobronchial or endoscopic ultrasound in the investigation of suspected thoracic malignancy.

INTRODUCTION: The objectives were: to measure the proportion of aspirated material used to make direct slides for rapid onsite evaluation (ROSE) at endobronchial (EBUS) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in suspected thoracic malignancy; and to correlate pass weights with ROSE category and needle size. METHOD: All EBUS and EUS cases for possible thoracic malignancy October 2018-May 2019 were included. All material from each pass was expelled into a Petri dish. One drop of material was placed on each of two slides; one used for ROSE, the other fixed and remaining material processed to cell block. Dish and slides were weighed before and after this procedure on a sensitive balance and weight of aspirate and slide material calculated. When ROSE identified malignancy, slide production ceased but target sampling for ancillary studies continued. RESULTS: ROSE accuracy was 96.8%. Mean percentage by target of aspirated material used to make direct slides for ROSE was 1.9% in malignant cases and 3.6% in non-malignant cases (P = .027 for difference). Mean percentage by pass was 5.9%. Mean weight of a single aspirate was 128.8 mg. Mean weight of aspirates insufficient on ROSE (175.7 mg) was significantly higher than the mean weight of benign or malignant aspirates (117.1 and 114.0 mg, respectively). Mean weight of aspirates using 22G needles (132.6 mg) was significantly higher than that for 25G needles (87.1 mg). CONCLUSION: Material made into direct slides at EBUS and EUS and used in part for ROSE uses a tiny proportion of aspirated material with over 98% processed to cell block and available for ancillary testing in malignant cases.

Postoperative Radiotherapy for Completely Resected Masaoka/Masaoka-Koga Stage II/III Thymoma Improves Overall Survival: An Updated Meta-Analysis of 4746 Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Our systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) on completely resected Masaoka/Masaoka-Koga (M/MK) stage II/III thymomas. METHODS: We systematically searched four online databases and included studies that compared surgery alone versus surgery plus a PORT for completely resected M/MK stage II/III thymoma. The multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival were evaluated as the primary and secondary end points, respectively. We performed a subgroup analysis for OS with respect to M/MK stage II, III, and inseparable II/III cases. A generic inverse variance meta-analysis using a random model was conducted. RESULTS: Five studies including 4746 patients (among them, 2408 patients received PORT) met our selection criteria. A meta-analysis of these five studies revealed that PORT was associated with a significantly better OS (HR = 0.68, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.57-0.83, p < 0.001, I2 = 0%, p for heterogeneity = 0.97). Subgroup analyses for M/MK stage II disease (HR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.44-0.91, p = 0.01, I2 = 0%, p for heterogeneity = 0.80) and M/MK stage III disease (HR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.55-0.95, p = 0.02, I2 = 0%, p for heterogeneity = 0.84) revealed similar results. PORT was not associated with an improved disease-free survival (HR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.70-1.33, p = 0.83, I2 = 0%, p for heterogeneity = 0.72). CONCLUSIONS: Currently available evidence from observational studies suggests PORT for patients with completely resected M/MK stage II/III thymoma. A randomized trial is warranted.

Preliminary Exploration of Transpedal Lymphangiography With High-Dose Ethiodized Oil Application in the Treatment of Postoperative Chylothorax.

Objective: To preliminarily explore the safety and effectiveness of transpedal lymphangiography (TL) with high-dose ethiodized oil application (>20 ml) in the treatment of high-output postoperative chylothorax. Methods: From 1 July 2020 to 1 July 2021, a total of 7 patients with high-flow postoperative chylothorax (> 1,000 ml/d) were retrospectively reviewed in a single center. Clinical data, including surgery types, technical and treatment success of TL, and adverse events of TL, were collected and analyzed. Results: Seven patients (5 cases of non-small cell lung cancer; 2 cases of esophageal carcinoma) with a median age of 62 years (range: 30-70 years) occurred postoperative chylothorax after tumor resection with mediastinal lymphadenectomy. All patients received conservative treatment including total parenteral nutrition and somatostatin administration for a median of 20 days (range: 15-31 days) that failed to cure the chylothorax, so TL was performed as a salvage. Before TL, the median daily chyle output was 1,500 ml/day (range: 1,100-2,000 ml/day). The technical success rate of TL was 100% (7/7), with the median volume of ethiodized oil of 27.6 ml (range: 21.2-30.0 ml) injected in TL. Ruptured thoracic duct was identified in 5 patients (5/7, 71%) in fluoroscopy and chest CT after TL. The treatment success rate of TL was 86% (6/7). In 6 patients, the thoracic drainage was removed after a median of 7 days (range: 4-13 days) from TL performance. No adverse event of TL was reported. Conclusion: Transpedal lymphangiography with high-dose ethiodized oil application (>20 ml) is a feasible, safe, and effective modality for the treatment of high-flow (> 1,000 ml/day) postoperative chylothorax.

Low-grade chondrosarcoma mimicking breast cancer.

Chondrosarcomas are rare cartilage-like mesenchymal tumors. Some rib-sited tumors can mimic other common tumors. We present the case of a 24-year-old female with chondrosarcoma of the fourth left rib, mimicking breast cancer. Complete resection with chest wall reconstruction was performed successfully with good prognostic results. Physicians should bear in mind the possibility of a primary chest wall tumor mimicking breast cancer that needs a different therapeutic strategy. Complete surgical resection and chest wall reconstruction is the mainstay of treatment for chondrosarcoma.

CT-guided percutaneous biopsies of mediastinal and paramediastinal masses in the lateral decubitus position.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous parasternal puncture is a common procedure that allows sampling of mediastinal lesions. The trans-pulmonary route is sometimes mandatory in the dorsal position and is associated with complications such as pneumothorax. METHODS: Our study explored the efficacy of the lateral decubitus position in avoiding the trans-pulmonary route. Sixteen patients were included between 2005 and 2019. In three patients, the procedure was intended to place fiducial markers. RESULTS: No pneumothorax or hematoma occurred. Access to the lesion was not possible in 1 patient. A histological diagnosis was made for all patients undergoing sampling. This technique seems to be safe and efficient. KEY POINTS: • Parasternal access to mediastinal and paramediastinal lesions whenever a trans-pulmonary crossing is mandatory in the dorsal position is safe, simple, and efficient in the lateral decubitus position.

Lesion measurement on a combined "all-in-one" window for chest CT: effect on intra- and interobserver variability.

PURPOSE: A newly developed image processing technique fuses conventional windows into a single 'All-In-One' (AIO) window. This study aims to evaluate variability of CT measurement of lesions in thoracic oncology patients on this novel AIO-window. METHODS: Six radiologists with different levels of expertise measured 368 lesions of various size, origin and sharpness. All lesions were measured twice on the AIO-window and twice on the conventional window settings. Intraclass correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman plots were used to assess intra- and interobserver variability. RESULTS: Overall intra-observer agreement for lesion diameters on the AIO-window and conventional window settings was 0.986 (95% Confidence interval (CI): 0.983-0.989) and 0.991 (95% CI 0.989-0.993) respectively. For interobserver agreement this was 0.982 (95% CI 0.979-0.985) (AIO) and 0.979 (95% CI 0.957-0.982) (conventional). For both the AIO and conventional windows, intra- and interobserver agreement were dependent on size, sharpness and reader experience. Measurement variability decreased with increasing lesion size. Regarding sharpness, inter- and intra-observer agreement ranged from 0.986-0.989 (AIO) and 0.985-0.992 (conventional) for well-defined lesions and from 0.978-0.983 (AIO) and 0.974-0.991 (conventional) for ill-defined lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Lesion diameters were consistently smaller on the AIO-window compared to conventional window settings. Overall intra- and interobserver variability rates were similar for the AIO-window and conventional window settings. We conclude that the AIO-window offers a reliable and reproducible alternative for measurement of thoracic lesions.