Wenhu Chen

Increased expression of the long non-coding RNA ANRIL promotes lung cancer cell metastasis and correlates with poor prognosis

BackgroundEmerging evidences indicate that dysregulated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are implicated in cancer tumorigenesis and progression. LncRNA ANRIL has been shown to promote the progression of gastric cancer. However, the role of lncRNA ANRIL in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear.MethodsExpression of lncRNA ANRIL was analyzed in 87 NSCLC tissues and three lung cancer cell lines by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The correlation of lncRNA ANRIL with clinicopathological features and prognosis was analyzed. Suppression of lncRNA ANRIL using siRNA treatment was performed in order to explore its role in tumor progression.ResultsThe expression level of lncRNA ANRIL was higher in NSCLC tissues and lung cancer cells than in adjacent non-tumor tissues and normal human bronchial epithelial cells. Higher expression of lncRNA ANRIL in NSCLC tissues was associated with higher TNM stage and advanced lymph node metastasis. Patients with high lncRNA ANRIL expression had poorer overall survival compared with low lncRNA ANRIL group. Univariate and multivariate analyses suggested that high expression of lncRNA ANRIL was an independent poor prognostic indicator for NSCLC patients. Moreover, knockdown of lncRNA ANRIL expression could inhibit lung cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro.ConclusionsOur results suggested that lncRNA ANRIL was a potential biomarker for NSCLC prognosis, and the dysregulation of lncRNA ANRIL may play an important role in NSCLC progression.Virtual SlidesThe virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1707061287149690.

Comparison of perioperative outcomes between open and minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

To compare surgical outcomes of thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy with open esophagectomy in order to study the learning curve of minimally invasive surgery for esophageal cancers.

Clinical study on postoperative recurrence in patients with pN0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BackgroundDespite increasingly radical surgery for esophageal carcinoma, many patients still develop tumor recurrence after operation. This study was designed to analyze the clinical and pathologic influencing factors of early recurrence in patients with histological node-negative (pN0 stage) esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after radical esophagectomy.MethodsA retrospective study on 112 consecutive pN0 stage ESCC patients who underwent esophagectomy with lymphadenectomy by the same surgical team from January 2004 to December 2010. There were 92 male and 20 female patients, aging from 36 to 80 years with a mean age of 60.3 years. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the independent risk factors for recurrence within 3 years after the operation.ResultsRecurrence was recognized in 45 patients (40.2%) within 3 years after operation. The median time to tumor recurrence was 17.4 months. Locoregional recurrence was found in 38 patients (33.9%) and hematogenous metastasis in 7 patients (6.3%). However, locoregional recurrence accounted for 84.4% of all relapse patients. Recurrence closely correlated with tumor location, grade of differentiation, primary tumor stage (pT) and pathologic stage (χ2 = 6.380 to 18.837, p < 0.05). The Cox multivariate analysis showed that upper/middle thoracic location (OR = 1.092, p = 0.049) and pT3-4a stage (OR = 3.296, p = 0.017) were independent risk factors for postoperative locoregional recurrence.ConclusionLocoregional recurrence was the most common recurrence pattern of patients with pN0 ESCC within 3 years after operation. Upper/middle thoracic location and pT3-4a stage were independent risk factors for locoregional recurrence of pN0 ESCC after radical esophagectomy.

Comparison of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and median sternotomy approaches for thymic tumor resections at a single institution.

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), and to compare the surgical results of VATS with the standard median sternotomy (MS) approach. Materials and Methods: Between April 2010 and April 2012, the data of 245 patients who underwent thymectomy for thymic tumors were prospectively collected. Among them, 93 patients with clinical stage I-II disease were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Resection was planned for VATS in 49 cases, and for MS in 44 cases. During operation, there were 3 conversions to open surgery because of local invasion (conversion to thoracotomy in 1 patient, and sternotomy in 2). No transfusion was required in any patient. There was no significant difference in duration or amount of postoperative chest tube drainage between the 2 groups (P>0.05). Operative time, blood loss during operation, average length of the intensive care unit stay, and length of hospital stay were significantly less in the VATS group than the MS group (P<0.05). There were no major perioperative complications or mortality. No recurrence was detected during a median follow-up of 27 months (range, 12 to 36 mo). Conclusions: VATS thymectomy for early-stage thymic tumors is safe and feasible. In comparison with standard MS, the VATS approach was associated with a shorter intensive care unit stay and hospital stay. Prospective randomized multi-institutional trials with long-term follow-up are needed to compare the oncological outcomes.

Comparison of complete and minimal mediastinal lymph node dissection for non‐small cell lung cancer: Results of a prospective randomized trial

To compare surgical results, pathological staging, and survival between complete and minimal mediastinal lymph node dissection for non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Vascular endothelial growth factor C is an indicator of lymph node metastasis in thoracic esophageal squamous cellcarcinomas and its role in long-term survival after surgery

To define the role of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF‐C) on lymph node (LN) metastasis of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and to investigate its impact on overall survival.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the esophagus: report of two cases and review of the Chinese literature

Squamous cell carcinoma is the major pathology type of esophageal cancer in China, where adenocarcinoma is rare and adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is more rare comparing to the western countries. We report the surgical and pathologic findings of two cases of primary ACC of the esophagus, and review of the Chinese literature of this tumor.Virtual slidesThe virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1507582238843246

Incidence and risk factors for acute lung injury after open thoracotomy for thoracic diseases

BACKGROUND Acute lung injury (ALI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after open thoracotomy. The purpose of the study was to identify the incidence and risk factors for ALI so as to prevent its occurrence and improve surgical results. METHODS A prospective controlled study was carried out in 364 patients undergone open thoracotomy. Fifty-eight high risk elderly patients and 56 young patients as matched controls were prospectively entered into the study. The two groups were compared to identify the possible risk factors for ALI. RESULTS ALI occurred exclusively in elderly patients, accounted for 2.7% of the whole series (10/364) and 7.9% of elderly patients (10/127). The mortality for patients with ALI was 30%, significantly higher than those without (1.0%, P=0.001). Upon univariate analysis, increased age, obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), poor spirometry, and positive fluid balance on postoperative day 1 were associated with increased risk of developing ALI. Upon multivariate analysis, only poor spirometry and excessive positive fluid balance on postoperative day 1 were revealed as independent risk factors for ALI. CONCLUSIONS ALI after open thoracotomy has a high mortality. COPD and excessive positive fluid balance on the first postoperative day are significant predictors, suggesting stringent patient selection and timely conservative fluid management may be helpful in reducing this extremely devastating complication.

CT staging and preoperative assessment of resectability for thymic epithelial tumors

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine the computed tomography (CT) features potentially helpful for accurate staging and predicting resectability of thymic epithelial tumors (TET). METHODS One hundred and thirty-eight consecutive TET patients undergoing surgical resection from April 2010 to November 2011 were prospectively entered into a database. All patients were staged according to the Masaoka-Koga staging system. The relationship between CT features with tumor staging and complete resection was reviewed after surgery. RESULTS Surgico-pathological staging was stage I in 63, stage II in 32, stage III in 32, and stage IV in 11 patients. Preoperative CT staging was highly consistent with postoperative surgico-pathological staging (Kappa =0.525). Tumor shape, contour, enhancement, with or without invasion of the adjacent structures (mediastinal fat, mediastinal pleura, lung, pericardium, mediastinal vessels, phrenic nerve), and presence of pleural, pericardial effusionor intrapulmonary metastasis were correlated with Masaoka-Koga staging (P<0.05). However, tumor size, internal density or presence of calcification was not associated with staging (P>0.05). Tumor size, presence of calcification and mediastinal lymph node enlargement were not correlated with complete tumor resection (P>0.05). Tumor shape, contour, internal density, enhancement pattern, and invasion of adjacent structures were related to complete resection of the primary tumor in univariate analysis (P<0.05). However, upon multivariate logistic regression, only absence of artery systems invasion was predictive of complete resection (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Clinical staging of TET could be accurately evaluated with CT features including tumor shape, contour, enhancement pattern, with or without invasion of adjacent structures, and presence of pleural, pericardial effusion or intrapulmonary metastasis. Absence of arterial system invasion on CT was the only predictive feature for predicting complete resection of TET.