Toshiro Futagawa

Enhanced induction of apoptosis in lung adenocarcinoma after preoperative chemotherapy with tegafur and uracil (UFT).

PurposeTo determine if the preoperative administration of tegafur and uracil (UFT) to patients with lung adenocarcinoma could induce apoptosis.MethodsWe conducted a randomized prospective study on 30 patients with lung adenocarcinoma, divided into two groups of 15 patients each. One group received UFT 600 mg/day preoperatively for 7 consecutive days and a control group received no chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The apoptotic index (AI) was determined by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) method. Expression of Ki-67 was examined by immunohistochemical staining. The concentration of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in tumor tissue was measured by chemical assay.ResultsThe AI of lung adenocarcinoma cells increased significantly in the UFT-treated group but not in the control group. A significant positive correlation was seen between the AI and the 5-FU concentrations in the tumor tissue.ConclusionsThe continuous oral administration of UFT for 7 days preoperatively resulted in enhanced apoptosis and a significant positive correlation between the AI and 5-FU concentrations in lung adenocarcinoma. Therefore, it may be possible to evaluate the effects of adjuvant chemotherapy based on the AI.

Complete resection via medial sternotomy for non-small cell lung cancer in the right upper lobe

Background:  Right upper lobectomy with right cervical and bilateral mediastinal lymph node dissection via a median approach was performed for non‐small cell lung cancer.

Lung metastases from cutaneous adenoid cystic carcinoma 23 years after initial treatment

Cutaneous adenoid cystic carcinoma (CACC) is an extremely rare neoplasm of head and neck region, and is characterized by propensity for local recurrence and perineural invasion. Late distant metastases occur usually to lungs. Although patients with lung metastases from CACC cannot be cured, long-term survival may be possible due to its slow-growing malignancy. We report a case of a 69-year-old female with lung metastases from CACC 23 years after initial surgery of scalp nodule.