Tatsuo Nakagawa

Prognostic value of body mass index and change in body weight in postoperative outcomes of lung cancer surgery

OBJECTIVESnNutritional status is associated with an effect on oncological outcomes. However, the effect of nutritional status on postoperative survival in lung cancer has not been well studied. We retrospectively analysed and evaluated the effect of preoperative body mass index (BMI) and changes in body weight on postoperative outcomes of lung cancer surgery.nnnMETHODSnA total of 1311 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer who underwent surgery between January 2001 and December 2011 were included in this study. Preoperative body weight at 4-12 weeks prior to surgery was obtained in 737 patients and the ratio of change in body weight was calculated.nnnRESULTSnThe patients were classified into four groups as follows: underweight (BMI < 18.5), normal weight (BMI from ≥18.5 to <25), overweight (BMI from ≥25 to <30) and obese (BMI ≥ 30). Postoperative survival curves of the BMI groups showed that the underweight group had a poorer prognosis than the other groups, especially for disease-free survival (DFS) (P = 0.03). Univariate and adjusted survival analyses using Coxs proportional hazards regression model showed that low BMI was a significantly poor prognostic factor in overall survival (OS) (P = 0.03 and P = 0.02, respectively) and DFS (P < 0.01 and P < 0.01, respectively). Among the BMI groups, the underweight group had a significant worse prognosis than the other groups for DFS in univariate and adjusted analyses (P = 0.04 and P < 0.01, respectively). With regard to changes in body weight, patients with a body weight loss of 3.7% or greater had a significantly poorer prognosis for OS and DFS in univariate analysis and for DFS in adjusted analyses compared with the other patients. Regarding short-term outcomes, the weight loss group had a significantly longer postoperative hospital stay than the non-weight loss group (P = 0.02) and postoperative 90-day mortality was significantly lower in the normal weight group than in the underweight group (P = 0.03).nnnCONCLUSIONSnLow BMI and significant body weight loss before surgery have a negative effect on surgical outcomes for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.

Clinical relevance of decreased oxygen saturation during 6-min walk test in preoperative physiologic assessment for lung cancer surgery

ObjectiveThe Japanese Association for Chest Surgery (JACS) has released guidelines on preoperative physiologic assessment for lung cancer surgery. However, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), which is recommended for patients with poor pulmonary function, is available only in limited institutions. We investigated the possibility of 6-min walk test (6MWT) as a substitute of maximum oxygen consumption test (VO2max) on preoperative physiologic assessment for lung cancer surgery.MethodsThe relationship between VO2max and 6MWT was retrospectively analyzed in 51 subjects other than lung cancer patients. Following the preliminary analysis, we modified the risk assessment in the JACS guidelines by substituting 6MWT for VO2max, and patients who underwent lung cancer surgery were retrospectively assessed using the modified assessment.ResultsAnalysis of the correlation between VO2max and 6MWT revealed VO2max to be significantly correlated to minimum SpO2 (SpO2min) and maximum decrease in SpO2 (ΔSpO2) during 6MWT. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that SpO2min and ΔSpO2 were predictable for a VO2max of 15xa0mL/kg/min, which is the borderline between the average- and increased-risk groups in the JACS guidelines. A total of 1,066 patients were assigned to the average- or increased-risk group according to the modified JACS guidelines using the criteria of SpO2minxa0<xa091xa0% and ΔSpO2xa0>xa04xa0%. The increased-risk group was significantly inferior to the average-risk group in Home Oxygen Therapy induction rate, cardiopulmonary-related 30- and 90-day mortality (pxa0<xa00.001).ConclusionsIn clinical practice, decreased saturation during 6MWT may be simple and substitutive for CPET in risk assessment for lung cancer surgery using the JACS guidelines.

Clinical experience of sleeve lobectomy with bronchoplasty using a continuous absorbable barbed suture

Anastomosis in bronchoplasty is usually performed using interrupted sutures, which are considered safe, reliable, and secure. However, placing interrupted sutures can be complex and time-consuming. There have been recent reports of continuous suturing using standard suture materials in bronchoplasty. We have experienced four cases of sleeve lobectomy with bronchial anastomosis in continuous fashion using a novel absorbable barbed suture device, the V-Loc™ wound closure device (Covidien, USA), which facilitates secure wound closure without knot-tying. Two patients underwent sleeve upper lobectomy and two underwent sleeve upper-middle lobectomy. Surgical approach was completely thoracoscopic in one patient and open in three. There were no intraoperative difficulties such as cutting or loosening, and a leak test was negative in all cases. One patient had pneumonia postoperatively and developed anastomotic stenosis 4xa0months after surgery, which did not require treatment. All patients were alive, without local recurrence, at a mean follow-up of 11.5xa0months postoperatively.

Comparison of the outcomes of stereotactic body radiotherapy and surgery in elderly patients with cT1-2N0M0 non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUNDnThis study aimed to compare the outcomes of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and surgery in elderly patients with cT1-2N0M0 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).nnnMETHODSnElderly patients (≥75 years) with cT1-2 (≤5 cm) N0M0 NSCLC who were treated with SBRT (n=35) or surgery (n=183) between January 2001 and December 2011 were analyzed.nnnRESULTSnThe following radiation doses were administered: 48 Gy/4-6 fractions in 12 patients; 50 Gy/4-5 fractions in 20; and 60 Gy/8 fractions in 3. The following surgical methods were performed: pneumonectomy in 2 patients, lobectomy in 154, segmentectomy in 23, and wedge resection in 4. Patients in the SBRT group had a higher mean age, a worse performance status, and a lower percentage of forced expiratory volume in 1.0 s than those in the surgery group. The overall 5-year survival rates were 43.8% and 67.6% for the SBRT and surgery groups, respectively (p=0.057, log-rank test). Regarding tumor diameter, patients in the surgery group survived significantly longer than did those in the SBRT group (>20-mm tumors, p=0.027; >30-mm tumors p=0.043), whereas survival did not differ significantly between the groups for ≤20-mm tumors (p=0.982). Multivariate analysis confirmed the improved survival in the surgery group compared to the SBRT group for all tumors (p=0.034) and for >20-mm tumors (p=0.016).nnnCONCLUSIONSnPost-therapeutic survival among elderly patients might be better with surgery than with SBRT in NSCLC patients with tumors >20 mm.

Rib resection using a pneumatic high-speed power drill system for lung cancer with chest wall invasion: our clinical experience

Rib resection for chest wall tumors, including lung cancer with chest wall invasion, is usually performed through open thoracotomy. Resection of part of the external rib cage requires an elongated or additional incision depending on the location and extension of the tumor, eventually becoming more invasive to patients. We recently introduced a technique of rib resection using a pneumatic high-speed power drill system known as “air tome”. This novel technique is easy to perform through a small incision or even via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in selected patients. We present our clinical experience and discuss the usefulness of this technique for rib resection in patients with lung cancer and chest wall invasion.

Thoracoscopic partial resection without using a stapler. (complete republication)

Thoracoscopic partial pulmonary resection for small peripheral nodules without using a stapler has been introduced to our hospital. After partial resection was performed with electrocautery, two different methods of surface sealing were used: a coagulation method (C method) with Soft Coagulation alone, and a coagulation-suturing method (CS method) with Soft Coagulation combined with continuous suturing. The clinical outcomes of the two methods were retrospectively compared in this study. The C method was used in 19 lesions of 18 cases, and the CS method was used in 20 lesions of 19 cases. Primary lung cancer was the most frequent diagnosis (22 lesions of 21 cases). There were no differences between the two groups in the size and depth of the lesions. Operative time was longer with the CS method than with the C method. Postoperative air leakage was a complication in 4 cases with the C method, and one of them required re-do surgery, whereas only one case with the CS method had temporary air leakage. Postoperative computed tomography showed cavitation in 3 C method cases and 5 CS method cases, all without related symptoms. There were no local recurrences at resected sites. In conclusion, the C method was technically easy to perform, but air leakage may be prolonged after surgery. The CS method may have the advantage of causing less air leakage than the C method, but mastering the technique is important to shorten operative time.

Association between values of preoperative 6-min walk test and surgical outcomes in lung cancer patients with decreased predicted postoperative pulmonary function

ObjectiveWe retrospectively investigated the possibility that the 6-min walk test (6MWT) could predict surgical outcomes in lung cancer patients with decreased predicted postoperative (ppo) lung function.MethodsPatients were enrolled based on their preoperative spirometry: <60% of the ppo forced expiratory volume in 1xa0s (FEV1.0) or <u200960% of the ppo lung carbon monoxide diffusion capacity (DLco). Morbidity, oxygen inhalation required >u200910xa0days, home oxygen therapy (HOT) requirement, unexpected readmission within 90xa0days, and 90-day mortality were included as surgical outcomes. The correlations with walking distance and the minimum SpO2 (SpO2min) and maximum decrease in SpO2 (ΔSpO2) during the 6MWT were analyzed using logistic regression analysis, adjusting for age, sex, and surgical procedure.ResultsAltogether, 121 patients were analyzed. Logistic regression analysis revealed that higher ΔSpO2 and lower SpO2min were significantly correlated with a higher risk of prolonged need for oxygen inhalation and HOT, surgical morbidity, and 90-day mortality. Cut-off values of >u20094% for ΔSpO2 were significant for prolonged oxygen inhalation and surgical morbidity. Cut-off values of <u200989–91% for SpO2min were also significant for the need for prolonged oxygen inhalation, surgical morbidity, and HOT requirement. There were no significant correlations between walking distance and each surgical outcome.ConclusionsOxygen desaturation during 6MWT was a good predictor for poor surgical outcomes in lung cancer patients with decreased ppo pulmonary function.

Induction Chemoradiotherapy (50 Gy), Followed by Resection, for Stage IIIA-N2 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUNDnThe optimal therapeutic strategy for potentially resectable clinical (c-) stage IIIA-N2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial. This phase II multiinstitutional study (West Japan Oncology Group 5308L) was designed to evaluate the feasibility of induction chemotherapy with concurrent thoracic radiotherapy (50 Gy), followed by resection and postoperative consolidation chemotherapy, in IIIA-N2 NSCLC.nnnMETHODSnPatients with resectable c-stage IIIA-N2 were eligible, and pathologic confirmation of N2 disease was mandatory. Patients received chemotherapy consisting of weekly carboplatin plus paclitaxel with concurrent radiotherapy (50 Gy in 25 fractions). Unless disease progression was documented, patients underwent surgical resection, and thereafter received two courses of consolidation chemotherapy with carboplatin plus paclitaxel. The primary end point was the proportion of patients who achieved complete resection after induction chemoradiotherapy (R0 rate).nnnRESULTSnFrom December 2011 to November 2013, 40 eligible patients were enrolled. All patients completed induction chemoradiotherapy with an overall response rate of 58%, and 32 patients achieved complete resection (R0 rate, 80%) mostly with lobectomy (nxa0= 27). Twenty patients (50%) completed the study treatment, including postoperative chemotherapy. After the median follow-up period of 38 months, the progression-free survival, overall survival, and recurrence-free survival rates at 2 years were 63%, 75%, and 62%, respectively. The 30-day and 90-day mortality were 0%.nnnCONCLUSIONSnInduction chemotherapy with concurrent radiotherapy (50 Gy), followed by resection, was a feasible and promising treatment option for resectable c-stage IIIA-N2 NSCLC.

Low incidence of and mortality from a second malignancy after resection of thymic carcinoma

OBJECTIVESnPrevious studies have suggested that a second malignancy often develops after resection of thymoma; however, it remains unknown whether this is applicable to thymic carcinoma.nnnMETHODSnA retrospective chart review was performed based on our multi-institutional database of resected thymic epithelial tumours between 1991 and 2016. A second malignancy was defined as newly diagnosed after thymic tumour resection. The cumulative incidence of and related death from a second malignancy after thymic and neuroendocrine carcinoma resections were estimated using a competing risk model and were compared to those of patients undergoing a thymoma resection.nnnRESULTSnTwo hundred and thirty-eight patients were identified (thymic carcinoma 59; thymoma 179). A second malignancy developed in 1 patient (1.7%) with thymic carcinoma and in 17 patients (9.5%) with thymoma. Deaths from second malignancies were noted in 7 patients with thymoma. There was a tendency towards a lower cumulative incidence of and a lower cumulative death from a second malignancy after thymic carcinoma resection (Pu2009=u20090.139 and Pu2009=u20090.20, respectively) than after thymoma resection. The cumulative incidence of a second malignancy in patients with thymic carcinoma was 2.8% at 5u2009years and at 10u2009years (8.0% at 5u2009years and 11.8% at 10u2009years in patients with thymoma).nnnCONCLUSIONSnAfter resection of thymic and thymic neuroendocrine carcinoma, the probability of developing a second malignancy, as well as mortality from a second malignancy, is very low. A prospective study with a larger sample size is required to validate our results.