Chia-Chuan Liu

Prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma : Analysis of clinicopathological and biological factors

OBJECTIVES:Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is rather common among the Chinese, but the therapeutic outcome is dismal. Knowledge of the prognostic factors in cancerous patients may influence therapeutic strategy. However, systemic analyses of clinicopathological and biological factors for patients with ESCC are few, and the results are controversial.METHODS:Between 1985 and 1996, 117 patients undergoing en bloc esophagectomy and gastric substitution were enrolled. None had neoadjuvant treatment. Postoperative adjuvant therapy was provided for patients at and beyond stages IIa. Clinical responses were followed routinely. Flow cytometry was used to measure DNA ploidy and synthesis-phase fraction (SPF) of the resected esophageal tissues from all patients. Immunohistochemistry was also used to examine the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), epidermoid growth factor receptor (EGFR), HER-2/neu, and p53 in the pathological sections. Clinical correlation was evaluated by χ2 with Fishers exact test, and survival by log-rank test.RESULTS:The overall survival rates were 74% for 1 yr, 48% for 3 yr, and 38% for 5 yr. TNM tumor staging, the number of diseased lymph nodes (N ≤ 3 or N > 3), degree of cell differentiation, DNA ploidy, SPF, and lymphovascular invasion were more useful than biological markers, such as PCNA, EGFR, HER-2/neu, and p53, for the prognosis of ESCC. Multivariate analysis revealed significant correlation of tumor staging and number of diseased lymph nodes with patient survival after surgery.CONCLUSIONS:En bloc esophagectomy may provide a rather satisfactory survival rate for patients with early stage ESCC. However, for patients with distant lymph node metastasis and those with more than three lymph nodes involved, radical surgical resection, even combined with postoperative chemoradiotherapy, cannot improve survival. The prognostic value of biological markers, including PCNA, EGFR, HER-2/neu, and p53, however, is limited.

Sex-associated differences in non-small cell lung cancer in the new era: is gender an independent prognostic factor?

BACKGROUND Women with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) appear to have better survival. This study aimed to evaluate sex differences in NSCLC in recent years. The true effect of gender on the overall survival was analyzed taking other prognostic factors into account. METHODS A cohort of consecutive NSCLC patients was prospectively enrolled from January 2002 to December 2005, and followed-up until December 2006. They were clinically and pathologically staged and underwent homogenous treatment algorithms. Demographics, histology, and disease stage between sexes were compared. The clinical prognostic factors to be analyzed in addition to gender included stage, age, smoking history and histology. The overall survival of females and males within relevant subgroups defined by smoking history and histology was also compared. RESULTS Of the 738 patients, 695 were analyzed with a definite stage (94.2%; 315 females and 380 males), which was similar in both sexes. Females were younger (median age: 59.5 years vs. 65.0 years; P<0.001) and more likely to have adenocarcinoma (81% vs. 60.5%; P<0.001). Patients with earlier stage, younger patients, never-smokers and females had better overall survival in univariate analyses and no significant survival difference was noted between adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Multivariate analyses demonstrated age, smoking history and gender to have a hazard ratio 1.46 (95% confidence interval, CI 1.21-1.76; P<0.001), 1.27 (95% CI 0.97-1.65; P=0.082), and 1.18 (95% CI 0.90-1.55; P=0.226), respectively. Subgroup analyses revealed the survival of never-smoker males with adenocarcinoma was similar to that of females. CONCLUSIONS There are sex-related differences in the clinico-pathologic characteristics and survival of NSCLC patients. The survival advantages of females could be attributed to the younger age and lower smoking prevalence. Never-smokers with adenocarcinoma should be given special attention regardless of sex as they imply better survival with different treatment outcomes.

Single-Incision Thoracoscopic Lobectomy and Segmentectomy With Radical Lymph Node Dissection

BACKGROUND Reports of single-incision thoracoscopic lobectomy and segmentectomy are rare. In this article, we present our experience with single-incision thoracoscopic lobectomy and segmentectomy and radical mediastinal lymph node dissection. METHODS Nineteen patients with early-stage malignancy or benign lung disease were treated with single-incision thoracoscopic lobectomy and segmentectomy at our institution between November 2010 and May 2012. The surgical approach began with a single incision at the fifth or sixth intercostal space at the anterior axillary line. A 10-mm video camera and working instruments were used at the same time in this incision site throughout the surgery. The perioperative variables and outcomes were collected and analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS For the 19 patients included in the final analysis, 14 lobectomies and 5 segmentectomies were performed successfully without need for conversion. Among the 19 patients who underwent single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), 15 cases of cancer and 4 cases of benign pulmonary disease were noted. The mean operative time was 156±46 minutes, and the median number of lymph nodes retrieved was 22.9±9.8. Average blood loss was 38.4±25.9 mL. There were no deaths 30 days after surgery, and 2 cases of atelectasis were observed. CONCLUSIONS Single-port VATS lobectomy and segmentectomy is safe and feasible for selected patients.

Single-incision versus multiple-incision thoracoscopic lobectomy and segmentectomy: a propensity-matched analysis.

OBJECTIVE To compare the perioperative outcomes of single-incision and multiple-incision thoracoscopic lobectomy and segmentectomy. BACKGROUND Reports of single-incision thoracoscopic lobectomy and segmentectomy for lung cancer are limited, and a comparison between single-incision and multiple-incision thoracoscopic lobectomy or segmentectomy for lung cancer has not been previously reported. METHODS From January 2005 to June 2013, a total of 233 patients with lung cancer underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy or segmentectomy via a single-incision or multiple-incision technique. A propensity-matched analysis, incorporating preoperative variables, was used to compare the short-term outcomes between single-incision and multiple-incision thoracoscopic lobectomy and segmentectomy. RESULTS Overall, 50 patients underwent single-incision thoracoscopic pulmonary resections, including 35 lobectomies and 15 segmentectomies, and 183 patients underwent multiple-incision thoracoscopic lobectomy or segmentectomy between January 2005 and December 2011. Propensity matching produced 46 patients in each group. The length of hospital stay and the complication rate were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Single-incision thoracoscopic lobectomy and segmentectomy were associated with shorter operative time (P = 0.029), more numbers of lymph nodes (P = 0.032), and less intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.017) than with the multiple-incision approach. No in-hospital mortality occurred in either group. CONCLUSIONS Single-incision thoracoscopic lobectomy and segmentectomy are feasible, and perioperative outcomes are comparable with those of the multiple-incision approach.

Subxiphoid single-incision thoracoscopic left upper lobectomy

cose (F18) (INN fludeoxyglucose [18F]) uptake in the lesion without distant metastases. Computed tomographically guided biopsy of the mass lesion was performed, and the results of histopathologic analysis of the biopsy specimen were positive for adenocarcinoma, clinical stage T1N0M0. After written, informed consent was obtained from the patient, a thoracoscopic lobectomy was performed through a small subxiphoid incision. Radical mediastinal lymph nodesampling was also carriedout.Theintensityof postoperative pain was evaluated every 8 hours by means of a visual analog scale, which ranged from 0 (painless) to 10 (worst pain ever experienced). The mean pain scores at rest were 3, 2, and 0 immediately after the operation, the day after the operation, and 2 days after the procedure, respectively. Pain was limited to the subxiphoid area. The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful, and she was discharged on the third day after surgery. The resected tumor measured 3.5 cm, and the pathologic stagewas T2aN1M0. A total of 15 lymph nodes (2 at station 4L, 3 at station 5, 3 at station 7, 1 at station 10, 1 at station 11, and 5 at station 12/13/14) were dissected, and 2 segmental lymph nodes had positive results for malignancy.

Multiinstitutional Analysis of Single-Port Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Anatomical Resection for Primary Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND Multiinstitutional analysis of single-port video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for anatomic pulmonary resection is rare. This study aimed to address the technical feasibility and applicability of single-port video-assisted anatomical resection for primary lung cancer. METHODS A total of 121 patients with primary lung cancer undergoing single-port video-assisted anatomical resection between 2011 and 2014 in 4 hospitals were included. The clinicopathologic variables and perioperative outcomes were collected and analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS Single-port VATS segmentectomies and lobectomies were performed in 24 (19.8%) and 97 (80.2%) patients, respectively. One hundred seven of 121 (88.4%) patients had adenocarcinoma and 93 of 121 (76.9%) had pathologic stage I lung cancer. The average operative time and estimated blood loss was 198.8 ± 65.4 minutes and 99.1 ± 147.6 mL, respectively. The conversion and complication rates were 2.5% (3 of 121 cases) and 14.0% (17 of 121 cases), respectively. There was no surgical mortality, and the average length of hospital stay was 6.6 ± 2.6 days. The mean resected lymph node was 22.6 ± 12.0. We also identified patient age of 60 years or more, male sex, and tumor size greater than 3 cm as unfavorable perioperative outcome predictors after single-port video-assisted anatomical pulmonary resection. CONCLUSIONS This first multiinstitutional single-port VATS study demonstrated that anatomical resection for primary lung cancer can be safely and effectively completed through a single-port VATS approach in hospitals experienced in VATS techniques.

Characteristics of integrated 18F-FDG PET/CT in Pulmonary Cryptococcosis.

Background: Pulmonary cryptococcosis is an uncommon cause of pulmonary nodules found by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) scans. It is rarely reported but may mislead interpretation. Purpose: To describe the 18F-FDG PET/CT findings of pulmonary cryptococcosis. Material and Methods: The 18F-FDG PET/CT images of seven patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis were evaluated. Results: The 18F-FDG PET/CT exams showed single or multiple nodular lesions. The standardized uptake values (SUV) in early images varied significantly for the seven patients (ranging from 2.2 to 11.6). Delayed SUVs showed significant increases in four patients. Conclusion: Pulmonary cryptococcosis mimics primary or metastatic lung cancer on 18F-FDG PET/CT scan. Tissue confirmation should be considered for any suspicious pulmonary nodules found on 18F-FDG PET/CT scan with an SUV score higher than 2.5, in order to avoid overdiagnosis or overstaging.

Transbronchial needle aspiration accurately diagnoses subcentimetre mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes detected by integrated positron emission tomography and computed tomography

Objective and background:  Integrated PET and CT (PET/CT) is accurate in detecting hilar‐mediastinal metastases. However, it has a moderate positive predictive value, necessitating pathological verification, especially in situations in which the result would make a difference to treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) for hilar‐mediastinal lesions suspicious on PET/CT.

Multimodality Treatment and Long-Term Follow–Up of the Primary Pulmonary Lymphoepithelioma-Like Carcinoma

INTRODUCTION Primary pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) is a very rare subtype of non-small-cell lung cancer. Most cases are reported in Southeast Asia and are associated with Epstein-Barr virus infections. Because of its rare incidence, the optimal treatment and the results of long-term follow-up are not well understood. This study is an attempt to discover the multimodality treatment results of the primary pulmonary LELC. METHODS This retrospective study enrolled 21 patients with primary pulmonary LELC treated at 2 hospitals with a multimodality approach, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy. RESULTS The median follow-up time is 5.9 years and the median survival is 6.4 years. The median overall survival for patients with stage III and with stage IV disease is 3.4 years. In early-stage primary pulmonary LELC, surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy provided good treatment outcome. Advanced primary pulmonary LELC is relatively more chemosensitive and radiosensitive. CONCLUSION Patients with primary pulmonary LELC showed better prognosis than those with other types of non-small-cell lung cancer and achieved longer survival under multimodality treatment. This disease character is similar to that of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Accurate pathologic diagnosis is recommended before the treatment. For advanced diseases, platinum-based doublet chemotherapy can be considered the first-line treatment. Radiation dose should consider tumor location, and 5000 to 7000 cGy is frequently applied for pulmonary LELC.

Transition from a multiport technique to a single-port technique for lung cancer surgery: is lymph node dissection inferior using the single-port technique? †

OBJECTIVES The feasibility and radicalism of lymph node dissection for lung cancer surgery by a single-port technique has frequently been challenged. We performed a retrospective cohort study to investigate this issue. METHODS Two chest surgeons initiated multiple-port thoracoscopic surgery in a 180-bed cancer centre in 2005 and shifted to a single-port technique gradually after 2010. Data, including demographic and clinical information, from 389 patients receiving multiport thoracoscopic lobectomy or segmentectomy and 149 consecutive patients undergoing either single-port lobectomy or segmentectomy for primary non-small-cell lung cancer were retrieved and entered for statistical analysis by multivariable linear regression models and Box-Cox transformed multivariable analysis. RESULTS The mean number of total dissected lymph nodes in the lobectomy group was 28.5 ± 11.7 for the single-port group versus 25.2 ± 11.3 for the multiport group; the mean number of total dissected lymph nodes in the segmentectomy group was 19.5 ± 10.8 for the single-port group versus 17.9 ± 10.3 for the multiport group. In linear multivariable and after Box-Cox transformed multivariable analyses, the single-port approach was still associated with a higher total number of dissected lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS The total number of dissected lymph nodes for primary lung cancer surgery by single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) was higher than by multiport VATS in univariable, multivariable linear regression and Box-Cox transformed multivariable analyses. This study confirmed that highly effective lymph node dissection could be achieved through single-port VATS in our setting.