Yuki Nakajima

Routine genetic testing of lung cancer specimens derived from surgery, bronchoscopy and fluid aspiration by next generation sequencing

After the development of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), genetic testing of EGFR became required for effective treatment of lung cancer. Initially, the testing was conducted separately for each mutated region. However, many EGFR mutations have since been identified that determine the efficacy of EGFR-TKIs. Therefore, genetic testing of EGFR by next generation sequencing (NGS) may be a suitable strategy for lung cancer. Here we examined the applicability of the NGS method in regard to sensitivity, time and cost. A total of 939 specimens were obtained from 686 lung cancer patients at our hospital. DNA and RNA were simultaneously extracted from specimens derived from surgery, bronchoscopy, and fluid aspiration. Specimens included cerebrospinal fluid, pleural effusion, abdominal fluid, and pericardial effusion. From RNA, target regions (EGFR, KRAS, ALK fusion and RET fusion) were enriched by RT-PCR and sequenced with MiSeq. From DNA, PCR or PCR-RFLP conventional methods were performed. NGS and conventional methods were carried out routinely per week. Among the total 939 specimens, 38 specimens could not be examined with NGS. Among these, 34 specimens were analyzed by conventional testing with simultaneously extracted DNA. The remaining four specimens could not be tested with either method. Compared with the conventional method, the concordance rate of mutations was 99% (892/901), excluding specimens with NGS failure. The time period required from processing of specimens to results was 4 days, and the cost per sample was sufficiently low. In conclusion, the genetic testing with NGS method was useful for lung cancer treatment. The cost, sensitivity and time were able to tolerate routine examinations.

Video-assisted lobectomy for a lung cancer patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

OBJECTIVESnThis retrospective study was conducted to see whether a video-assisted lobectomy is beneficial in lung cancer patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease regarding preservation of pulmonary function compared to lobectomy by standard thoracotomy.nnnSUBJECTS AND METHODSnBetween 1982 and 2002, 67 patients who underwent lobectomy for primary lung cancer showed 55% or less of preoperative forced expiratory volume in one second/vital capacity. Among them, 25 patients were enrolled in this retrospective study. The remaining 42 patients were excluded because of no presence of a postoperative pulmonary function test. Nine of 25 patients underwent a video-assisted lobectomy between 1994 and 2002 and the remaining 16 patients who underwent a lobectomy by standard thoracotomy between 1982 and 1994 were employed as a historical control. Perioperative conditions and changes in pulmonary function were compared between two groups.nnnRESULTSnA parameter of chest wall damage was minor in video-assisted lobectomy compared to that in lobectomy by standard thoracotomy. Changes between pre- and postoperative percent of vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second and maximal ventilatory volume showed significantly minor deterioration or even improvement in video-assisted lobectomy patients. Predicted postoperative pulmonary function tended to be underestimated for postoperative values in video-assisted lobectomy patients.nnnCONCLUSIONSnVideo-assisted lobectomy seemed to be profitable in preservation of pulmonary function in lung cancer patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Prediction of postoperative pulmonary function should be revised due to the underestimation for postoperative values in video-assisted lobectomy, which could offer profitable surgical treatment for lung cancer patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Surgical Treatment of Superior Sulcus Tumors

PurposeTo access the clinical outcome of patients with superior sulcus tumor.MethodsWe reviewed the records of 16 patients who underwent surgery for a superior sulcus tumor between 1988 and 2003, focusing on the type of surgery.ResultsAll 16 patients underwent en bloc lung and chest wall resection, which was done as pneumonectomy in 1 patient and lobectomy in 15. Complete resection was achieved in 11 patients, but incomplete resection was done in 5 patients because microscopic examination revealed positive surgical margins. Eight patients underwent partial vertebrectomy and 1 patient had combined resection of the subclavian artery. There was no postoperative mortality. All patients received pre- or postoperative adjuvant therapy, or both. The overall 5-year survival rate was 31.0%. The 5-year survival rate was higher after complete resection than after incomplete resection (59.3% vs 0%, P = 0.08). Patients who underwent complete resection for vertebral invasion and those who did not had 5-year survival rates of 66.7% and 0%, respectively (P = 0.17). Patients who underwent preoperative induction therapy followed by complete resection and those who did not had 5-year survival rates of 80% and 0%, respectively (P = 0.009).ConclusionAlthough superior sulcus tumors are still complex, preoperative induction therapy followed by complete resection seemed effective for prolonging survival.

Easy Diagnosis of Aortic Invasion in Patients with Lung Cancer Using Cine Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Selecting the proper treatment strategy for locally advanced lung cancer, such as T4 tumors, is difficult. Therefore, obtaining an accurate diagnosis of T4 tumors is required. It can be difficult to determine whether the tumor invades adjacent structures. We describe the case of a patient easily diagnosed to be without aortic invasion using cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We herein report the case of an 80-year-old male who presented a lung tumor. The transbronchial lung washing cytology findings were consistent with those of adenocarcinoma. In addition, the computed tomography findings indicated suspected aortic invasion of the lung tumor, as the mass girdled the descending aorta beyond 120° adjoining at a length of 10 cm. However, cine MRI display clearly demonstrated a clear area of isolation between the aorta and lung tissue based on differences in the heart rhythm from the patients respiratory movements. Therefore, the lesion was clinically diagnosed as a stage IIB (T3N0M0) tumor. Radiation was administered due to the patients advanced age and comorbidities such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He remains alive without disease progression 6 months after the therapy. Our findings, therefore, indicate the usefulness of easily diagnosing the absence of aortic invasion in patients with lung cancer using cine MRI without the need for a special software program.

A case of coelomic cysts of the mediastinum.

Coelomic cysts are rare cysts of mesothelial origin. They are generally unilocular and can develop in various sites. We describe a case of a multicystic lesion discovered incidentally in the anterior mediastinum of a 41-year-old man. Immunohistochemistry confirmed multiple coelomic cysts of the mediastinum.

Possibility of determining the degree of adhesion of the lymph node to the pulmonary artery preoperatively

BackgroundTo make a preoperative determination of the degree of adhesion of the lymph node (LN) to the pulmonary artery (PA) in patients with lung cancer.MethodsWe investigated clinical parameters, including sex, age, smoking, stage, histology and surgical procedure, and performed an image analysis using CT scanning.ResultsThe data for sex, age, smoking, stage, histology and the surgical procedure were identical between the “adhesion” and “no adhesion” groups. However, three of the five analyzable cases in the adhesion group clearly showed the disappearance of the fat plane on minimum intensity projection (minIP) computed tomography (CT). In particular, sites on more than three slices demonstrated the disappearance of the fat plane. On the other hand, five of the eight analyzable cases in the no adhesion group showed no disappearance of the fat plane. Therefore, one central slice adequately reflected the fat plane in the cases in the no adhesion group.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that it is necessary to obtain a careful diagnosis of the extent of attachment of the LN to the PA using modern diagnostic imaging in order to preoperatively assess the degree of adhesion of the LN to adjacent structures.