Wenxin He

The role of survivin on overall survival of non-small cell lung cancer, a meta-analysis of published literatures

The prognostic value of survivin for survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial. The authors performed a meta-analysis of the literatures in order to clarify its impact. Published studies were identified using an electronic search in order to aggregate the available survival results. To be eligible, a study had to have dealt with survivin assessment in NSCLC patients on the primary site and have analyzed survival according to survivin expression. There were 10 eligible studies and data from eight studies where non-location specific immunohistochemistry (IHC) definition system, in situ hybridization (ISH) and RT-PCR used were combined to present the impact of survivin on overall survival (OS) of NSCLC. The level of survivin expression correlated with the OS of NSCLC patients significant (RR 1.88, 95% CI 1.31-2.70, P=0.0006). Data of seven studies were combined to demonstrate that the level of survivin correlated with the OS of NSCLC patients who had received radical surgeries (RR 1.79, 95% CI 1.45-2.20, P<0.00001). Data from three studies were combined to find that the level of nuclear survivin did not have impact on OS of NSCLC patients (RR 1.58, 95% CI 0.87-2.85, P=0.13). Positive-survivin expression might be a prognostic factor for NSCLC patients, nuclear survivin positivity could not work as a prognostic factor for NSCLC patients based on current clinical data. Larger clinical trails with widely accepted assessment methods are necessary to define the precise prognostic significance for survivin in NSCLC patients.

EGFR L858R mutation is associated with lung adenocarcinoma patients with dominant ground-glass opacity

OBJECTIVES To retrospectively identify quantitative computed tomographic (CT) features that correlate with the three major driver gene mutations in surgically resected lung adenocarcinomas with dominant ground-glass opacity (GGO) stratified by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), American Thoracic Society (ATS), and European Respiratory Society (ERS) classification in a Chinese cohort of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Surgically resected lung adenocarcinomas from Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital were enrolled. EGFR, KRAS and EML4-ALK mutations were detected by qPCR. Clinical and pathological characteristics including gender, age, TNM stage, smoking status and CT pattern were analyzed. Histologic subtype was classified according to IASLC/ATS/ERS classification. At preoperative chest CT, the percentage of GGO volume, diameter, solid volume and total tumor volume of each tumor were measured by using a semiautomated algorithm. Distribution of driver gene mutations was evaluated by using the Fisher exact test, the Students t test, and Pearson correlation analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION 788 in total and 158 GGO tumors were taken in this cohort. GGO pattern occurred at a significantly higher frequency in younger, female and non-smoking patients. EGFR/KRAS mutations and EML4-ALK fusions were similar between GGO and solid adenocarcinomas. GGO volume and diameter showed correlation with EGFR mutation. With regard to association between lung adenocarcinoma histological subtypes and GGO features, GGO proportion was significantly higher in lepidic predominant adenocarcinomas, including adenocarcinoma in situ, minimally invasive adenocarcinoma, and lepidic predominant invasive adenocarcinoma. No significant differences of driver gene mutations were found between subtypes of lung adenocarcinoma. It is important that we understand GGO lesions of lung adenocarcinoma to identify molecular biomarkers including EGFR, KRAS and EML4-ALK. These markers would offer useful information for determining the appropriate strategy to treat lung adenocarcinoma with GGO lesions detected by helical CT.

Risk factors for major adverse events of video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy for lung cancer.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors for major adverse events of VATS (Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery) lobectomy for primary lung cancer. Methods: 1806 Patients (1032 males, 57.1%) planned to undergo VATS lobectomy for stage IA-IIIA lung cancer from July 2007 to June 2012. The Thoracic Morbidity and Mortality Classification TM&M system was used to evaluate the presence and severity of complications. Postoperative complications were observed during a 30-day follow up. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to analyze the independent risk factors for major adverse events. Results: Successful rate of VATS lobectomy was 97.6% (1763/1806). Major complications occurred in 129 patients (7.3%), with a mortality of 0.3% (5/1763). Pulmonary complications contribute up to 90.7% of the major complications and 80% of mortality. Logistic regression indicated that comorbidities, elder age ≥70y, operative time ≥240min and hybrid VATS were predictors for major adverse events (P<0.05). Hybrid and converted VATS lobectomy result in higher major adverse events compared with complete VATS, 15.1%, 20.9% and 7.4% respectively (P=0.013). Conclusions: The overall complication rate and mortality of VATS lobectomy are low, while major complications sometimes occur. Pulmonary complications are the most common major complications and cause of mortality. Age ≥70y, comorbidities, operative time ≥240min and Hybrid VATS are predictors of major adverse events.

Free Rectus Abdominis Musculocutaneous Flap for Chronic Postoperative Empyema

Chronic postoperative empyema remains a challenge for thoracic surgeons. Free musculocutaneous flap transplantation may provide a good alternative option in the treatment of these refractory complications after pulmonary resections. Three patients with chronic postoperative empyemas combined with bronchopleural fistulas underwent obliteration of the empyema tracts with free rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap transplantations. Surgical treatment was a two-stage procedure that consisted of open-window thoracostomy, followed by obliteration of the pleural cavity using a free transfer of the ipsilateral, full-thickness rectus muscle flap and microanastomoses. No postoperative complications occurred, and the 3 patients resumed normal daily activities. Free rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap transplantation is safe and effective in the management of chronic postoperative empyema with bronchopleural fistula.

Surgical Resection of Locally Advanced Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma After Gefitinib Therapy

First-line therapy with gefitinib prolongs progression-free survival and improves quality of life among selected patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Selected locally advanced patients may derive benefit from surgical resection after gefitinib therapy. Further clinical trials are needed to evaluate the role of gefitinib therapy followed by surgical resection.

Completion pneumonectomy for lung cancer treatment: early and long term outcomes

BackgroundTo analyze the experience of completion pneumonectomy for lung cancer at a single institution in China.MethodsFrom January 1988 to December 2007, 92 patients underwent completion pneumonectomy for the treatment of lung cancer. The indications were second primary lung cancer (n = 51), Local metastasis (n = 37) and Lung metastasis (n = 4). The median interval between the primary operation and CP was 24.4 months (1.5-145 m).ResultsThere was no intraoperative deaths. The CP procedure lasted 4.3 h (1.5-8 h). Blood loss in the CP performance was 1854.5 ml (200-9100 ml) 9 (9.78%) patients died in the postoperative period: pulmonary embolism (n = 2), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) after the multisystem failure (n = 1), respiratory failure after contralateral pneumonia (n = 5), bronchopleural fistula (BPF) with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (n = 1) 31(33.7%) patients had at least one major nonfatal complication. The 1, 3 and 5 year survival rates were 81%, 26% and 14% respectively.ConclusionsCompletion pneumonectomy for lung cancer is a safe surgical procedure for the skilled surgeon though it has a relatively higher complications and the long-term survival is acceptable.

Benign clear cell tumor of the lung.

Clear cell tumor of the lung is a rare benign tumor. Herein, we present a case of a 51-year-old man who had an abnormal pulmonary nodule occasionally found on chest roentgenogram. A computed tomographic scan showed a solitary nodule (approximately 15 mm in diameter) in the lingular segment of the left upper lobe. The patient underwent a lobectomy for the tumor. The pathologic report supported the diagnosis of clear cell tumor of the lung. The patient showed no evidence of recurrence or metastasis 2 years postoperatively.

Diagnostic and Clinical Significance of KIT(CD117) Expression in Thymic Epithelial Tumors in China

AIMS To study KIT (CD117) expression in thymic epithelial tumors in China, and investigate diagnostic and clinical significance. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) from 102 patients (3 type A, 29 type AB, 5 type B1, 22 type B2, 29 typeB3 and 16 thymic carcinomas) were examined. Immunohistochemical staining with an antic-kit monoclonal antibody was performed on a tissue microarray. Relationships between KIT positive expression and the TET clinical characteristics (WHO histologic classification and Masaoka stage system) were analysed. RESULTS The KIT positive expression rate was significantly higher in thymic carcinoma (60%, 9/16) than in thymoma (8%, 7/86), a strong correlation being found with the WHO classification, but not the Masaoka tumor stage. The overall survival for patients with KIT positive lesions was significantly worse. CONCLUSIONS KIT is a good molecule marker to differentially diagnose thymic carcinoma from thymoma, while also serving as a predictor of prognosis for TETs. Further research into KIT mutations in Chinese TETs should be conducted to assess the efficacy of targeted therapy.

Radical resection of a pulmonary blastoma involving the pulmonary artery

Pulmonary blastoma is a rare malignant lesion with a poor prognosis. We described a case of a 47-year-old woman with a large biphasic pulmonary blastoma, involving the left pulmonary artery. Under cardiopulmonary bypass, it was treated with radical left intrapericardial pneumonectomy and pulmonary thromboendarterectomy. Subsequent chemotherapy and radiotherapy was used. Three years postoperatively, the patient was clinically and radiologically free of tumor.

Surgical treatment of synchronous multiple primary lung cancers: a retrospective analysis of 122 patients

BACKGROUND Synchronous multiple primary lung cancers (SMPLC) become more common in clinical practice. To identify factors attributed to SMPLC treatment outcomes, we have reviewed our experiences with surgical resections of SMPLC and analyzed the treatment outcomes in this paper. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients who have been diagnosed as SMPLC and underwent surgical resection between 1990 and 2010. Based on EGFR and KRAS mutations, we identified 27 cases as SMPLC out of 50 cases, which were difficult to distinguish primary lung cancers from metastases. A total of 265 tumors from 122 patients were studied. RESULTS The 5-year survival rate for all patients was 40.5%. There was a significant difference in the 5-year survival between smokers and never-smokers (30.8% vs. 55.6%, P=0.011). Survival rate was also different between patients with same tumor histology and those with different tumor histology (46.9% vs. 24.8%, P=0.036). In addition, Solid nodule and pneumonectomy were associated with the worse survival (P=0.026, P=0.030). Multivariable analysis identified smoking status, stage, lymph node metastasis and pneumonectomy as significant independent predictive factors for overall survival. CONCLUSIONS Surgical treatment is a safe approach for patients with SMPLC; pneumonectomy should be avoided as far as possible given the poor prognosis. Mutational status of EGFR and KRAS may be advocated as a diagnostic criteria of synchronous lung cancer rather metastasis mainly in case of adenocarcinoma histology.