Pathological assessment of mediastinal lymph nodes in lung cancer: implications for non-invasive mediastinal staging

Sphericity of lymph nodes using 3D-CT predicts metastasis in lung cancer patients

BACKGROUND

The presence of mediastinal lymph node metastasis is important because it is related to the treatment and prognosis of lung cancer. Although prevalently used, evaluation of lymph nodes is not always reliable. We introduced sphericity as a criterion for evaluating morphologic differences between metastatic and nonmetastatic nodes.

METHODS

We reviewed the cases of 66 patients with N2 disease and of 68 patients with N0-1 disease who underwent lobectomy with mediastinal dissection between January 2012 and December 2021. The sphericity of the dissected station lymph nodes, which represents how close the node is to being a true sphere, was evaluated along with the diameter and volume. Each parameter was obtained and evaluated for ability to predict metastasis.

RESULTS

Metastatic lymph nodes had a larger short-axis diameter (average: 8.2 mm vs. 5.4 mm, p < 0.001) and sphericity (average: 0.72 vs. 0.60, p < 0.001) than those of nonmetastatic lymph nodes. Short-axis diameter ≥ 6 mm and sphericity ≥ 0.60 identified metastasis with 76.2% sensitivity and 70.2% specificity (AUC = 0.78, p < 0.001) and 92.1% sensitivity and 53.9% specificity (AUC = 0.78, p < 0.001), respectively. For lymph nodes with a short-axis diameter ≥ 5 mm, sphericity ≥ 0.60 identified metastasis with 84.1% sensitivity and 89.3% specificity.

CONCLUSION

By using 3D-CT analysis to examine sphericity, we showed that metastatic lymph nodes became spherical. Our method for predicting lymph node metastasis based on sphericity of lymph nodes with a short-axis diameter ≥ 5 mm could do so with higher sensitivity than the conventional method, and with acceptable specificity.

Mediastinal Staging with Endobronchial Ultrasound in Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Is It Necessary?

Herein we examine the need for minimally invasive mediastinal staging for patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). Early NSCLC, stages 1 and 2, has a 5-year survival rate between 53 and 92%, whereas stages 3 and 4 have a 5-year survival of 36% and below. With more favorable outcomes in earlier stages, greater emphasis has been placed on identifying lung cancer earlier in its disease process. Accurate staging is crucial as it dictates both prognosis and therapy. Inaccurate staging can adversely impact surgical candidacy (if falsely "over-staged") or lead to inadequate treatment (if "under-staged"). Clinical staging utilizes noninvasive methods to evaluate the anatomic extent of disease; however, it remains controversial whether mediastinal staging of early NSCLC with radiological exams alone is sufficient. EBUS-TBNA has altered the landscape of invasive mediastinal staging and is a crucial component to improving confidence in lung cancer staging, specifically in early NSCLC. Radiographic occult lymph node metastasis identified upon review of surgical resection specimens of early NSCLC may support the argument to perform EBUS-TBNA in all cases of early-stage disease. Other data suggest that EBUS-TBNA could be spared in cases of peripheral cT1aN0 and cT1bN0 for which surgical resection with lymph node dissection is planned. By reviewing reported EBUS-TBNA outcomes in patients with early NSCLC, we aim to emphasize the necessity of staging with EBUS in this population.

PET/CT implication on bronchogenic carcinoma TNM staging and follow-up using RECIST/PERCIST criteria: a comparative study with CT

Background

To evaluate the role of PET/CT on bronchogenic carcinoma staging as well as treatment response evaluation on follow-up compared to CT study alone.

Methods

A prospective study of 60 patients confirmed histopathologically to have non-small cell bronchogenic carcinoma, 30 of them came for staging (group T) while the rest 30 came for follow-up (group F) to assess therapy response. All patients underwent PET/CT with data analysis done using the eighth edition tumor, nodal, metastatic staging (TNM) staging for group T and RECIST/PERCIST criteria for group F. The CT data alone transferred to a blind radiologist for analysis using the same parameters. The results were collected and compared.

Results

Regarding group T, 12 patients showed different TNM staging between PET/CT and CT alone, 5 cases with different T stagings, 4 cases with different N stagings, and 5 cases with different M stagings. Also, 8 cases showed different surgical stagings. Regarding group F, 9 cases showed a difference between RECIST obtained by CT and PERCIST obtained by PET/CT with most of the cases (6 cases) showed change from partial or stable response to progressive response.

Conclusion

PET/CT has a significant role in TNM staging of bronchogenic carcinoma more at T2 staging due to its ability to differentiate the tumoral mass from the nearby pulmonary reaction. Also, PET/CT makes a difference in tumoral follow-up by its ability to detect the functional changes even before structural changes. Finally, PET/CT is a very important tool in management strategy.

Interventional Pulmonology: A Brave New World

Interventional pulmonology is a dynamic and evolving field in respiratory medicine. Advances have improved the ability to diagnose and manage diseases of the airways. A shift toward early detection of malignant disease has generated a focus on innovative diagnostic techniques. With patient populations living longer with malignant and benign diseases, the role for interventional bronchoscopy has grown. In cancer groups, novel immunotherapies have improved the prospects of clinical outcomes and reignited a focus on optimizing patient performance status to enable access to anticancer therapy. This review discusses current and emerging diagnostic modalities and therapeutic approaches available to manage airway diseases.

Nodal size ranking as a predictor of mediastinal involvement in clinical early-stage non-small cell lung cancer

In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, the recommended minimum requirement for an endoscopy-based mediastinal staging procedure is sampling the largest lymph node (LN) in right and left inferior paratracheal, and subcarinal stations. We aimed to analyze the percentage of cases where the largest LN in each mediastinal station was malignant in a cohort of NSCLC patients with mediastinal metastases diagnosed in the lymphadenectomy specimen. Furthermore, we investigated the sensitivity of a preoperative staging procedure in a hypothetical scenario where only the largest LN of each station would have been sampled.Prospective data of patients with mediastinal nodal metastases diagnosed in the lymphadenectomy specimens were retrospectively analyzed. The long-axis diameter of the maximal cut surface of all LNs was measured on hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections.Seven hundred seventy five patients underwent operation and 49 (6%) with mediastinal nodal disease were included. A total of 713 LNs were resected and 119 were involved. Sixty seven nodal stations revealed malignant LNs: in these, the largest LN was malignant in 39 (58%). In a "per patient" analysis, a preoperative staging procedure that sampled only the largest LN would have attained a sensitivity of 0.67; and if the largest and the second largest were sampled, sensitivity would be 0.87.In patients with NSCLC, nodal size ranking is not reliable enough to predict malignancy. In clinical practice, regardless of the preoperative staging method, systematic thorough sampling of all visible LNs is to be recommended over selective random samplings.

Ultrasound techniques in the evaluation of the mediastinum, part I: endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and transcutaneous mediastinal ultrasound (TMUS), introduction into ultrasound techniques

Ultrasound imaging has gained importance in pulmonary medicine over the last decades including conventional transcutaneous ultrasound (TUS), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), and endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS). Mediastinal lymph node staging affects the management of patients with both operable and inoperable lung cancer (e.g., surgery vs. combined chemoradiation therapy). Tissue sampling is often indicated for accurate nodal staging. Recent international lung cancer staging guidelines clearly state that endosonography (EUS and EBUS) should be the initial tissue sampling test over surgical staging. Mediastinal nodes can be sampled from the airways [EBUS combined with transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA)] or the esophagus [EUS fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA)]. EBUS and EUS have a complementary diagnostic yield and in combination virtually all mediastinal lymph nodes can be biopsied. Additionally endosonography has an excellent yield in assessing granulomas in patients suspected of sarcoidosis. The aim of this review, in two integrative parts, is to discuss the current role and future perspectives of all ultrasound techniques available for the evaluation of mediastinal lymphadenopathy and mediastinal staging of lung cancer. A specific emphasis will be on learning mediastinal endosonography. Part I is dealing with an introduction into ultrasound techniques, mediastinal lymph node anatomy and diagnostic reach of ultrasound techniques and part II with the clinical work up of neoplastic and inflammatory mediastinal lymphadenopathy using ultrasound techniques and how to learn mediastinal endosonography.

Minimally invasive mediastinal staging of non-small-cell lung cancer: emphasis on ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration

BACKGROUND

Mediastinal staging in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is crucial in dictating surgical vs nonsurgical treatment. Cervical mediastinoscopy is the "gold standard" in mediastinal staging but is invasive and limited in assessing the posterior subcarinal, lower mediastinal, and hilar lymph nodes. Less invasive approaches to NSCLC staging have become more widely available.

METHODS

This article reviews several of these techniques, including noninvasive mediastinal staging of NSCLC, endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and fine-needle aspiration (FNA), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and FNA, and the combination of EBUS/EUS.

RESULTS

Noninvasive mediastinal staging with computed tomography and positron-emission tomography scans has significant false-negative and false-positive rates and requires lymph node tissue confirmation. FNA techniques, with guidance by EBUS and EUS, have become more widely available. The combination of EBUS-FNA and EUS-FNA of mediastinal lymph nodes can be a viable alternative to surgical mediastinal staging. Current barriers to the dissemination of these techniques include initial cost of equipment, lack of access to rapid on-site cytology, and the time required to obtain sufficient skills to duplicate published results.

CONCLUSIONS

Within the last decade, these approaches to NSCLC staging have become more widely available. Continued study into these noninvasive techniques is warranted.

Enhanced intensity on preoperative double contrast-enhanced sonography as a useful indicator of lymph node metastasis in patients with gastric cancer

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive value of enhanced intensity on double contrast-enhanced sonography in assessing lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer.

METHODS

A total of 357 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled in this study. Double contrast-enhanced sonography, in which an oral ultrasound contrast agent is combined with an intravenous contrast agent, was performed preoperatively, and the data were analyzed quantitatively. The predictive ability of enhanced intensity, a quantitative double contrast-enhanced sonographic measure, for lymph node metastasis was evaluated retrospectively.

RESULTS

Compared to negative lymph node metastasis cases, the presence of thicker lesions, deeper invasion, poorer differentiation, and higher enhanced intensity were found in positive cases (P< .05). An enhanced intensity cutoff value of 16.91 dB was the best point for balancing the sensitivity and specificity (71.50% and 79.30%, respectively) for prediction of lymph node metastasis, with the highest Youden index of 0.508. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.828 (P < .001; 95% confidence interval, 0.786-0.870). In cases in which the lesions were hyperenhanced (enhanced intensity >16.91 dB), the lesions were significantly thicker and had deeper invasion, poorer differentiation, and more positive metastasis findings compared to non-hyperenhanced cases (enhanced intensity ≤16.91 dB; P < .05). On logistic regression analysis, the enhanced intensity of primary tumors and the invasion depth were significantly associated with lymph node metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Double contrast-enhanced sonography with quantitative analysis may be considered a novel alternative imaging modality for noninvasive preoperative evaluation of lymph node metastasis with good reliability.

Use of ancillary techniques in improving the yield of samples obtained at endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration of thoracic and abdominal lymph nodes

OBJECTIVES

Thoracic and abdominal lymph nodes may be enlarged in a variety of disorders. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is a well-established technique for sampling such nodes, but samples obtained are small, which may make definitive diagnosis difficult. We conducted a retrospective review to determine the contribution of ancillary techniques, such as special histochemistry (SHC), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and flow cytometry, in increasing the diagnostic yield of EUS-FNA carried out at our institution.

STUDY DESIGN

Between November 2005 and December 2012, 278 patients underwent EUS-FNA of enlarged thoracic and abdominal nodes at our institution. All specimens obtained were subjected to rapid on-site evaluation. Data were reviewed in all patients requiring ancillary techniques for definitive diagnosis.

RESULTS

Ancillary techniques were performed in 111 of 278 cases. IHC was performed in 24, flow cytometry in 3 and SHC staining in 84. IHC and SHC aided in reaching a definitive diagnosis in 19 of 24 and 3 cases, respectively. Flow cytometry led to a definitive diagnosis in 3 cases. A total of 80 cases were also submitted to culture for tuberculosis with 6 positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Ancillary studies in EUS-FNA of thoracic and abdominal lymph nodes can significantly improve the yield of EUS-FNA.

Diagnosis of regional node metastases in lung cancer with computer-aided 3D measurement of the volume and CT-attenuation values of lymph nodes

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to assess the usefulness of computer-aided three-dimensional (3D) measurement of volume and computed tomography (CT) attenuation values of nodes for diagnosing nodal metastases of lung cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We measured three diameters, their ratios, volume, and CT values in 3D images of 191 nodes (64 malignant; 162 of <1 cm in short diameter) in 26 consecutive patients who underwent contrast-enhanced, thin-section, multidetector row CT before surgery. We separately studied statistically significant factors in a group of all nodes and in another group of nodes of <1 cm in short diameter with logistic modeling and evaluated their diagnostic accuracy.

RESULTS

Significant factors were CT values (P < .001) and short diameter (P = .001) for the total node group, and CT values (P = .030) and 3D volume (P = .035) for the <1 cm node group. Optimal 83% accuracy was obtained with a criterion of short diameter of >7.4 mm and CT values of >103 Hounsfield unit (HU) for the total node group, whereas optimal 76% accuracy was obtained with a criterion of 3D volume of >1282 mm(3) or CT values of >103 HU for the <1 cm node group.

CONCLUSION

3D measurement may be useful for diagnosing nodal metastases.

Clinical and surgical-pathological staging in early non-small cell lung cancer

Staging is of the utmost importance in the evaluation of a patient with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) because it defines the actual extent of the disease. Accurate staging allows multidisciplinary oncology teams to plan the best surgical or medical treatment and to predict patient prognosis. Based on the recommendation of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), a tumor, node, and metastases (TNM) staging system is currently used for NSCLC. Clinical staging (c-TNM) is achieved via non-invasive modalities such as examination of case history, clinical assessment and radiological tests. Pathological staging (p-TNM) is based on histological examination of tissue specimens obtained with the aid of invasive techniques, either non-surgical or during the intervention. This review is a critical evaluation of the roles of current pre-operative staging modalities, both invasive and non-invasive. In particular, it focuses on new techniques and their role in providing accurate confirmation of patient TNM status. It also evaluates the surgical-pathological staging modalities used to obtain the true-pathological staging for NSCLC.

Optimal imaging protocols for lung cancer staging: CT, PET, MR imaging, and the role of imaging

Chest radiography, the most commonly performed imaging technique for the detection of lung disease, is limited in accurately detecting early lung cancer. The main imaging modality for the staging of lung cancer is computed tomography (CT), supplemented by positron emission tomography (PET), usually as a hybrid technique in conjunction with CT (PET/CT). Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is a useful diagnostic tool for specific indications and has the advantage of not using ionizing radiation. This article discusses the optimal imaging protocols for lung cancer staging using CT, PET (PET/CT), and MR imaging, and the role of imaging in patient management.

PET/CT in the staging of the non-small-cell lung cancer

Lung cancer is a common disease and the leading cause of cancer-related death in many countries. Precise staging of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer plays an important role in determining treatment strategy and prognosis. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), combining anatomic information of CT and metabolic information of PET, is emerging as a potential diagnosis and staging test in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The purpose of this paper is to discuss the value of integrated PET/CT in the staging of the non-small-cell lung cancer and its health economics.

A review of noninvasive staging of the mediastinum for non-small cell lung carcinoma

Lung cancer and bronchogenic carcinoma are malignancies originating from the airways and pulmonary parenchyma. Most (approximately 90%) lung cancers are classified as non-small cell lung cancer. This distinction carries important differences for staging, treatment, and prognosis. This article presents a review of mediastinal staging for patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Endobronchial ultrasound-transbronchial needle aspiration and its practical application

Endobronchial ultrasound-transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has emerged over the past decade as one of the most exciting and innovative developments in the field of respiratory medicine. This procedure allows sampling of mediastinal lymph nodes and masses in both malignant and benign disease and overcomes some of the disadvantages associated with mediastinoscopy and blind transbronchial needle aspiration. We describe the clinical use, indications for and limitations of EBUS-TBNA along with several illustrated clinical examples.

Predicting lymph node status in patients with early gastric carcinoma using double contrast-enhanced ultrasonography

INTRODUCTION

Double contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (DCUS) is a new method we used in predicting lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with early gastric cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Seventy-six patients with early gastric cancer diagnosed by gastroscope and confirmed by pathology after operation were examined using DCUS preoperatively. Group N1 included 15 patients with LNM and group N0 61 patients without LNM.

RESULTS

In group N1, 13 patients (87%) had marked hyperenhancement during early arterial phase using DCUS, and 2 patients (13%) were unmarked as hyperenhancement. In group N0, 24 patients (39%) had marked hyperenhancement during early arterial phase using DCUS, and 37 patients (61%) had unmarked hyperenhancement. The sensitivity and specificity of marked hyperenhancement in predicting LNM in patients with early gastric cancer was 86.7% and 60.7% respectively, and the Youden's index was 0.474. The κ value of this method was 0.89.

CONCLUSIONS

Double contrast-enhanced ultrasonography is a new valuable method to evaluate LNM at an early stage of gastric cancer and prognosis of early gastric cancer preoperatively.

[The clinical value of routine preoperative surgical staging to mediastinal lymph nodes on lung cancer]

背景与目的

探讨肺癌术前常规纵隔淋巴结外科分期的临床价值。

方法

76例肺癌患者开胸术前常规行纵隔淋巴结活检，以术后病理为金标准，比对术前胸部CT和纵隔镜对肺癌纵隔淋巴结转移的诊断效能。

结果

术前胸部CT对纵隔淋巴结转移的诊断敏感性、特异性、准确性、阳性预测值和阴性预测值分别为68.5%、66.7%、68.4%、84.6%和16.7%。纵隔镜检查术则分别为87.5%、100%、84.2%、100%和60%。

结论

肺癌术前常规纵隔镜检查术对纵隔淋巴结分期的优势明显，具有极高的临床实用价值。

Mediastinal staging of NSCLC with endoscopic and endobronchial ultrasound

Mediastinal staging of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is of paramount importance. It distinguishes operable from inoperable disease, guides prognosis and allows accurate comparison of outcomes in clinical trials. Noninvasive imaging modalities for mediastinal staging include CT, PET and integrated PET-CT. Mediastinoscopy is considered the current gold standard; however, each of these techniques has limitations in sensitivity or specificity. These inadequacies mean that 10% of operations performed with curative intent in patients with NSCLC are futile, owing to inaccurate locoregional lymph-node staging. Endoscopic and endobronchial ultrasound-guided mediastinal lymph-node aspiration are important and promising innovative techniques with reported sensitivities and specificities higher than standard investigations. The role of these techniques in mediastinal lymph-node staging is evolving rapidly and early data suggest that they may diminish the need for invasive surgical staging of the mediastinum. Furthermore, these are outpatient procedures that do not require general anesthesia and may be combined safely in the same sitting, for optimal accuracy of mediastinal staging. We propose a new algorithm for the diagnosis and staging of NSCLC, based on the current evidence, which incorporates endoscopic and endobronchial ultrasound as a first investigation after CT in patients with intrathoracic disease.

A genetic mouse model for metastatic lung cancer with gender differences in survival

Lung cancer is a devastating disease with poor prognosis. The design of better therapies for lung cancer patients would be greatly aided by good mouse models that closely resemble the human disease. Unfortunately, current models for lung adenocarcinoma are inadequate due to the absence of metastases. In this study, we incorporated both K-ras and p53 missense mutations into the mouse genome and established a more faithful genetic model for human lung adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer. Mice with both mutations developed advanced lung adenocarcinomas that were highly aggressive and metastasized to multiple intrathoracic and extrathoracic sites in a pattern similar to that of human lung cancer. These mice also showed a gender difference in cancer-related death. Additionally, the presence of both mutations induced pleural mesotheliomas in 23% of these mice. This mouse model recapitulates the metastatic nature of human lung cancer and will be invaluable to further probe the molecular basis of metastatic lung cancer and for translational studies.

[Usefulness of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration in the diagnosis of mediastinal lesions]

OBJECTIVE

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is a safe and effective technique for the diagnosis of focal pancreatic lesions and enlarged abdominal lymph nodes. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of EUS-FNA in the diagnosis of mediastinal lesions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective review was performed of all consecutive cases in which EUS-FNA was used for the diagnosis of a mediastinal lesion between January 2001 and September 2003. We used a radial echoendoscope to assess the characteristics of the lesion and a linear-array echoendoscope to perform transesophageal needle aspiration with a 22-gauge needle. Histopathology of the resected specimen was considered as the gold standard in surgically treated patients whereas cytology obtained by EUS-FNA was the gold standard when surgery was not indicated.

RESULTS

EUS-FNA was performed in 59 patients with a total of 89 lesions with mean (SD) dimensions of 2.4 (2.0) cm x 1.6 (1.4) cm. Malignant lesions were larger than benign ones (short axis, 2.7 [1.4] as compared with 1.0 [0.9] cm; P< .001). The diagnosis was obtained for 53 patients (90%) and 81 lesions (91%) with a mean of 2 (1) passes per lesion. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and diagnostic accuracy of EUS-FNA were 81%, 100%, 100%, 75%, and 88%, respectively, when analyzed by lesion, and 88%, 100%, 100%, 80%, and 92% when analyzed by patient.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS-FNA is an effective technique for the diagnosis of mediastinal lesions. The likelihood of malignancy increases with size.

Usefulness of Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration in the Diagnosis of Mediastinal Lesions

OBJECTIVE

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is a safe and effective technique for the diagnosis of focal pancreatic lesions and enlarged abdominal lymph nodes. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of EUS-FNA in the diagnosis of mediastinal lesions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective review was performed of all consecutive cases in which EUS-FNA was used for the diagnosis of a mediastinal lesion between January 2001 and September 2003. We used a radial echoendoscope to assess the characteristics of the lesion and a linear-array echoendoscope to perform transesophageal needle aspiration with a 22-gauge needle. Histopathology of the resected specimen was considered as the gold standard in surgically treated patients whereas cytology obtained by EUS-FNA was the gold standard when surgery was not indicated.

RESULTS

EUS-FNA was performed in 59 patients with a total of 89 lesions with mean (SD) dimensions of 2.4 (2.0) cm x 1.6 (1.4) cm. Malignant lesions were larger than benign ones (short axis, 2.7 [1.4] as compared with 1.0 [0.9] cm; P< .001). The diagnosis was obtained for 53 patients (90%) and 81 lesions (91%) with a mean of 2 (1) passes per lesion. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and diagnostic accuracy of EUS-FNA were 81%, 100%, 100%, 75%, and 88%, respectively, when analyzed by lesion, and 88%, 100%, 100%, 80%, and 92% when analyzed by patient.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS-FNA is an effective technique for the diagnosis of mediastinal lesions. The likelihood of malignancy increases with size.

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration and liquid-based thin-layer cytology

BACKGROUND

Optimal management of patients with lung cancer requires accurate cell typing of tumours and staging at the time of diagnosis. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided lymph node aspiration as a method of diagnosing and staging lung cancer is a relatively new technique.

AIM

To report the use of liquid-based-thin-layer cytology for the processing and reporting of these specimens.

METHODS

The specimens obtained from 80 patients were processed using the ThinPrep system, with the remainder of the samples being processed as a cell block.

RESULTS

40 of the 81 procedures yielded malignant cells (30 non-small cell carcinoma, 8 small-cell carcinoma and 2 combined small-cell carcinoma/non-small-cell carcinoma). The cell blocks were found to contain sufficient material to allow the immunohistochemical characterisation of tumour cells with a range of antibodies.

CONCLUSION

The use of liquid-based-thin-layer cytological techniques provides high-quality specimens for diagnostic purposes. When used in conjunction with cell blocks, sufficient material may be obtained to allow immunohistochemical studies to confirm the tumour cell type. Given the current move towards centralisation of pathology services, this approach gives the pathologist high-quality specimens without the need for direct onsite support at the time of the procedure.

Comparison of results of computed tomography and radiography with histopathologic findings in tracheobronchial lymph nodes in dogs with primary lung tumors: 14 cases (1999–2002)

OBJECTIVE

To compare results of computed tomography (CT) and radiography with histopathologic findings in tracheobronchial lymph nodes (TBLNs) in dogs with primary lung tumors.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

ANIMALS

14 client-owned dogs.

PROCEDURES

Criteria for inclusion were diagnosis of primary lung tumor, use of thoracic radiography and CT, and histologic confirmation of TBLN status. Medical records were reviewed for signalment; history; and physical examination, clinicopathologic, radiographic, CT, surgical, and histopathologic findings.

RESULTS

Tracheobronchial lymphadenopathy was not identified via radiography in any dogs. Tracheobronchial lymphadenopathy was diagnosed in 5 dogs via CT. Six dogs had histologic confirmation of metastasis to TBLNs. Radiographic diagnosis yielded 6 false-negative and no false-positive results for tracheobronchial lymphadenopathy. Computed tomography yielded 1 false-negative and no false-positive results. Sensitivity of CT for correctly assessing TBLN status was 83%, and specificity was 100%. Positive predictive value was 100%, and negative predictive value was 89%. Dogs with lymphadenopathy via CT, histologic confirmation of TBLN metastasis, or primary tumors with a histologic grade > 1 had significantly shorter survival times than their counterparts.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Results of CT evaluation of TBLN status were in agreement with histopathologic findings and more accurate than use of thoracic radiography for evaluating TBLNs in dogs with primary lung tumors. Computed tomography imaging should be considered as part of the staging process to more accurately assess the TBLNs in dogs with primary lung tumors.

Lymph node size and metastatic infiltration in non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Preoperative lymph node staging of lung cancer by CT relies on the premise that malignant lymph nodes are larger than benign ones. Lymph nodes > 1 cm in size are regarded as metastatic nodes. The surgical approach and potential application of neoadjuvant therapy regimens are dependent on this evaluation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a morphometric study, hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes from 256 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were analyzed. The lymph nodes were counted, the largest diameter of each lymph node was measured, and each lymph node was analyzed for metastatic involvement by histopathologic examination. The frequency of metastatic involvement was calculated and correlated with lymph node size. Preoperative CT scans of 80 patients were retrospectively analyzed by a staff radiologist. Lymph node size was measured, and lymph nodes were evaluated due to radiologic criteria. The radiologic evaluation was compared to the histopathologic diagnosis.

RESULTS

A total of 2,891 lymph nodes were present in the 256 specimens examined for this study. One hundred thirty-nine patients had a pN0 status, whereas 117 patients had lymph nodes that were positive for cancer. Two thousand four hundred eighty-six lymph nodes (86%) were tumor-free, while 405 (14%) showed metastatic involvement on histopathologic examination. The mean (+/- SD) diameter of the nonmetastatic lymph nodes was 7.05 +/- 3.75 mm, whereas infiltrated nodes had a diameter of 10.7 +/- 4.7 mm (p = 0.005). One thousand nine hundred fifty-three of the tumor-free lymph nodes (79%) and 170 of the metastatic lymph nodes (44%) were < 10 mm in diameter. Of 139 patients with no metastatic lymph node involvement, 101 (77%) had at least one lymph node that was > 10 mm in diameter. Of 127 patients with metastatic lymph node involvement, 12% had no lymph node that was < 10 mm. The independent radiologic evaluation of the CT scans of 80 patients yielded a sensitivity of 57.1% and a specificity of 80.6%.

CONCLUSION

Lymph node size is not a reliable parameter for the evaluation of metastatic involvement in patients with NSCLC.

Staging of non-small cell lung cancer: imaging of intrathoracic disease

This article reviews the contribution of diagnostic imaging to the intrathoracic staging of non-small cell lung cancer. The principle features of the current staging system are discussed along with the relative roles of the various imaging modalities in the evaluation of the primary tumour and metastatic disease. The emerging role of positron emission tomography with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) as a clinically useful, potentially cost effective, complementary imaging technique is also reviewed.

Mediastinal lymph node staging in suspected lung cancer: comparison of positron emission tomography with F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose and mediastinoscopy

BACKGROUND

In patients with bronchogenic carcinoma, mediastinal lymph node staging is essential for determining treatment options. In this retrospective analysis we compared the results of positron emission tomography (PET) using F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose with those of mediastinoscopy in nodal staging for suspected bronchogenic carcinoma.

METHODS

From March 1997 to June 2001, 102 patients (86 male,16 female, age 62 +/- 9 years) underwent both PET and mediastinoscopy for radiologically suspected mediastinal lymph node disease in bronchogenic carcinoma. Total body emission scans were acquired 90 to 150 minutes after injection of 230 MBq of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose. Mediastinoscopic evaluation of lymph node stations was performed according to the method of Mountain and Dresler (1R, 1L, 2L, 2R, 4L, 4R,7). Patients were eligible if surgical staging was performed within 6 weeks after the PET scan. RESULTS. Of the 102 patients, benign lesions were diagnosed in 15. In 87 patients malignant disease was proven by histology, and bronchogenic carcinoma was found in 82. Of 469 nodal stations analyzed, malignancy was documented by histology in 84. In PET analysis 79 true-positive and 304 true-negative samples were found. Five lymph node stations were false negative, and 81 samples were false positive. False-positive findings in PET frequently were seen in inflammatory lung disease. The sensitivity of PET was 94.1%, specificity was 79% with a diagnostic accuracy of 81.6%. The positive predictive value of PET was 49.3%, and the negative predictive value was 98.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with positive PET scan results histologic verification appears necessary for exact lymph node staging. In view of the negative predictive value mediastinoscopy can be omitted in patients with bronchogenic carcinoma whose PET scan results were negative.

Lymph node staging of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in patients with and without neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy: histomorphologic analysis

In patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, the preoperative clinical staging of the N category is primarily based on the lymph node size. Lymph nodes > 10 mm are considered to be tumor-infiltrated. This histopathologic study investigated the correlation of lymph node size and metastatic infiltration in esophageal carcinoma of patients with and without neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy. The specimens of 40 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus were included in a prospective morphometric study. Half of these patients (n = 20) received preoperative radiochemotherapy. The number of resected lymph nodes were counted, and the largest diameter of each node was measured. Metastatic involvement of each node was analyzed by histologic examination. The frequency of lymph node metastases was calculated and correlated to the lymph node size. A total of 1196 lymph nodes with an average of 29.9 nodes per patient were resected and analyzed; 129 lymph nodes (10.8%) showed metastatic infiltration. The average size of 1067 tumor-free lymph nodes was 5.1 +/- 3.8 mm in maximum diameter, whereas the average size of 129 metastatic lymph nodes was 6.7 +/- 4.2 mm (p = 0.00006). Of all resected lymph nodes, 761 (63.6%) were < or = 5 mm in maximum diameter. Only 9.3% (n = 111) of all resected lymph nodes were > 10 mm in maximum diameter. There was no significant correlation between lymph node size and the frequency of nodal metastases. No difference in size could be demonstrated between patients with and without neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy. Diagnostic imaging techniques using size as the criterion of nodal infiltration cannot exactly assess the nodal status of patients with esophageal carcinoma. This is also true for patients after neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy. Therefore, evaluation of the nodal status in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus is entirely based on pathohistologic analysis after a well defined lymphadenectomy.

[Imaging of lung cancer: role of radiology]

The aim of this review is to discuss the imaging available for diagnostic, therapy and follow-up for lung cancer management.

Mediastinal lymph node sampling following positron emission tomography with fluorodeoxyglucose imaging in lung cancer staging

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the predictive accuracy as well as the rates of false-positive and false-negative results of CT and positron emission tomography (PET)-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) imaging in detecting the metastatic intrathoracic lymph nodes in patients with suspected or proven non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Our other objective was to determine the need for routine invasive sampling procedure in confirming PET/CT staging results.

METHODS

The results of CT and PET-FDG scanning in 77 patients with suspected or proven NSCLC were correlated with the histologic findings of hilar/mediastinal lymph node sampling using mediastinoscopy, open biopsy, thoracotomy, or thoracotomy with resection. Patients were then classified into resectable and unresectable groups based initially on PET results and compared to histologic findings.

RESULTS

The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CT and PET for detecting metastatic lymphadenopathy were 68%, 61%, 63%, and 87%, 91%, and 82%, respectively. A change of management with routine sampling following PET was seen in five of six patients (83%) with false-positive findings (13%) but in none of four patients (9%) with false-negative findings.

CONCLUSION

The false-positive findings of PET-FDG imaging affected selection of treatment in 83% of patients. However, false-negative results did not change management in any patient. This could potentially prevent unnecessary invasive thoracotomy, mediastinoscopy, or other sampling procedures in patients with negative PET results.

Mediastinal lymphadenopathy in patients with or without previous malignancy: EUS-FNA-based differential cytodiagnosis in 153 patients

OBJECTIVE

Mediastinal lymphadenopathy (ML) is a cause for concern, especially in patients with previous malignancy. The investigation of choice is thoracic CT with a variable sensitivity and specificity requiring tissue diagnosis. We used endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) for cytodiagnosis of ML in patients with and without previous malignancy. The cause, distribution of lesions, and incidence of second cancers were investigated.

METHODS

Linear echoendoscopes and 22-gauge needles for cytology were used for EUS-FNA. A cytological diagnosis of malignancy was accepted, and histology or consistent follow-up of at least 9 months confirmed benign results.

RESULTS

One hundred fifty-three patients underwent EUS-FNA between November 1997 and November 1999 (mean age, 60 yr; range, 13-82 yr; 105 men). Cytology was adequate in 150 patients. Final diagnosis was malignancy in 84 and benign in 66 patients (sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy: 92%, 100%, 95%, respectively). In 101 patients without previous cancer cytology identified 48 malignant (lung, 41; extrathoracic, 7) and 51 benign lesions (inflammation, 35; various, 9; sarcoidosis, 7) (sensitivity, specificity, accuracy: 88%, 100%, 94%). Fifty-two patients had prior malignancy, mostly in extrathoracic sites. Cytology revealed recurrences in 21 patients, second cancer in 9 and benign lesions in 21 patients (inflammatory, 11; sarcoidosis, 8; tuberculosis, 1; abscess, 1) (sensitivity, specificity, accuracy: 97%, 100%, 98%).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients without previous cancer malignant ML originates from the lung >80%. In those with previous malignancy recurrence of extrathoracic sites is the major cause. Benign lesions and treatable second cancers occur in a significant frequency, emphasizing the need for tissue diagnosis. EUS-FNA is a safe and minimally invasive alternative for cytodiagnosis in the mediastinum.

Role of transesophageal endosonography-guided fine-needle aspiration in the diagnosis of lung cancer

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Bronchoscopic methods fail to diagnose lung cancer in up to 30% of patients. We studied the role of transesophageal endosonography (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA; EUS-FNA) in such patients.

DESIGN

Prospective study. The final diagnosis was confirmed by cytology, histology, or clinical follow-up.

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENTS

Thirty-five patients (30 male and 5 female; mean age, 60.9 years; range, 34 to 88 years) with suspected lung cancer in whom bronchoscopic methods failed. Patients with a known diagnosis, recurrence of lung cancer, or mediastinal metastasis from an extrathoracic primary were excluded.

INTERVENTIONS

EUS and guided FNA of mediastinal lymph nodes.

RESULTS

The procedure was uneventful, and material was adequate in all. The final diagnosis by EUS-FNA was malignancy in 25 patients (11 adenocarcinoma, 10 small cell, 3 squamous cell, and 1 lymphoma) and benign disease in 9 patients (5 inflammatory, 2 sarcoidosis, and 2 anthracosis). Another patient with a benign result had signet-ring cell carcinoma diagnosed on pleural fluid cytology (probably false-negative in EUS-FNA). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values were 96, 100, 97, 100, and 90%, respectively. There were no complications. Reviewing the EUS morphology, the nodes were predominantly located in levels 7 and 8 of American Thoracic Society mediastinal lymph node mapping (subcarinal and paraesophageal region). In seven patients, the punctured nodes were < 1 cm (four malignant and three benign), which are difficult to sample by other methods. The malignant nodes had a hypoechoic, homogenous echotexture.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS-FNA is a safe, reliable, and accurate method to establish the diagnosis of suspected lung cancer when bronchoscopic methods fail, especially in the presence of small nodes.

Evaluation of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose whole body positron emission tomography imaging in the staging of lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection of lung cancer remains the treatment of choice in appropriately staged disease, but conventional imaging techniques have limitations. Positron emission tomography (PET) may improve staging accuracy.

METHODS

We studied whole body and localized thoracic PET in staging lung cancer. Standardized uptake value was calculated for the primary lesion. Ninety-seven patients under consideration for surgical resection were included. PET, computed tomography, and clinical staging were compared to stage at operation, biopsy, or final outcome. Mean follow up was 17.5 months.

RESULTS

PET detected all primary lung cancers with two false-positive primary sites. Sensitivity and specificity for N2 and N3 mediastinal disease was 20% and 89.9% for computed tomography and 70.6% and 97% for PET. PET correctly altered stage in 26.8%, nodal stage in 13.4%, and detected distant metastases in 16.5%. PET missed 7 of 10 cerebral metastases. PET altered management in 37% of patients. PET staging (p<0.0001) and standardized uptake value (p<0.001) were the best predictors of time to death apart from operative staging.

CONCLUSIONS

PET provides significant staging and prognostic information in lung cancer patients considered operable by standard criteria. Routine use of PET will prevent unnecessary operation and may be cost effective.

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy: the Edinburgh experience

One hundred fifty video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) endoscopic hilar dissection lobectomy procedures are presented. Median blood loss was 65 mL and correlated with operative time (P < .0001) which averaged 144 minutes. Conversion to open thoracotomy was required in a further 20 patients (11.8%). One VATS patient (0.67%) died at 4 days from a catastrophic pulmonary embolus and 2 patients died within 30 days of surgery from pulmonary embolism and adrenal failure (overall 30-day mortality, 2%). Serious complications occurred in 3 cases: bronchopleural fistula (1) and requirement for ventilation (2). Air leakage (>4 days) occurred in 17 patients, correlated (P < .0003) with the presence of either adhesions or fissural fusion (11.3%), and resulted in prolonged hospitalization compared with patients without air leakage (11.1 vs 6.7 days; P < .0004). Open thoracotomy patients required 42% more morphine (P < .001) and 25% more nerve blocks than VATS patients (P < .001) who were 33% more likely to sleep following surgery (P < 0.01). Follow-up of 97 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (2,634 months total: mean 27) revealed 14 recurrences: 10 systemic and 4 (28.6%) within the thorax. No port site or pleural recurrences occurred. Stage analysis showed survival free of lung cancer-related death of 94% at 36 months for Stage I, 57% for Stage II, and 25% for Stage III.

Is there a role for video-assisted thoracoscopy in the staging of non-small cell lung cancer?

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of video-assisted thoracoscopy (VAT) in the staging of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

In 30 patients (18 male, 12 female, median age 62 (50-78) years) VAT was used to assess the operability of NSCLC in cases where doubt existed after conventional staging investigations had been performed.

RESULTS

VAT was used to assess direct tumour invasion of adjacent organs in 17 patients (mediastinal invasion in 14 and chest wall invasion in 3 patients). In 4 patients with limited respiratory reserve, VAT confirmed the need only for lobectomy prior to thoracotomy. Mediastinal lymph node biopsy was performed in 5 patients with significant (> 1.5 cm) lymphadenopathy on CT scan. VAT was also used to assess bilateral lesions in 4 patients with suspected synchronous tumours. Conversion to thoracotomy was necessary in 4 patients for technical reasons. Successful resection was possible in 17 of the remaining 26 cases, while unnecessary thoracotomy was avoided in 9 patients (30%) with unresectable or benign disease. In 4 patients deemed inoperable on CT scan, VAT staging enabled subsequent resection.

CONCLUSIONS

Video-assisted thoracoscopy appears to have a complementary role in staging NSCLC when other methods are equivocal. It has the potential for increased sensitivity over conventional staging methods.

Lymph node staging in non-small cell lung cancer: evaluation by [18F]FDG positron emission tomography (PET)

BACKGROUND

A study was undertaken to investigate the accuracy of positron emission tomography (PET) with 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) in the thoracic lymph node staging of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

Forty six patients with focal pulmonary tumours who underwent preoperative computed tomographic (CT) and FDG-PET scanning were evaluated retrospectively. Thirty two patients had NSCLC and 14 patients had a benign process. The final diagnosis was established by means of histopathological examination at thoracotomy, and the nodal classification in patients with lung cancer was performed by thorough dissection of the mediastinal nodes at surgery.

RESULTS

FDG-PET was 80% sensitive, 100% specific, and 87.5% accurate in staging thoracic lymph nodes in patients with NSCLC, whereas CT scanning was 50% sensitive, 75% specific, and 59.4% accurate. The absence of lymph node tumour involvement was identified by FDG-PET in all 12 patients with NO disease compared with nine by CT scanning. Lymph node metastases were correctly detected by FDG-PET in three of five patients with N1 disease compared with two by CT scanning, in nine of 11 with N2 disease compared with six by CT scanning, an in all four with N3 nodes compared with two by CT scanning.

CONCLUSIONS

FDG-PET provides a new and effective method for staging thoracic lymph nodes in patients with lung cancer and is superior to CT scanning in the assessment of hilar and mediastinal nodal metastases. With regard to resectability, FDG-PET could differentiate reliably between patients with N1/N2 disease and those with unresectable N3 disease.

Is it possible to differentiate malignant mediastinal nodes from benign nodes by size? Reevaluation by CT, transesophageal echocardiography, and nodal specimen

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To reevaluate whether it is possible to reliably differentiate malignant mediastinal lymph nodes from benign nodes by size, and to determine the frequency of metastases to normal-sized mediastinal lymph nodes that directly affects the sensitivity for detecting malignant mediastinal lymph nodes (N2 nodes) on CT.

DESIGN

Prospective study of patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

SETTING

Department of Radiology and First Department of Surgery, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine.

PATIENTS

We examined 40 patients with non-small cell lung cancer, who underwent thoracotomy because of operable stage (stage I, II, IIIA) in preoperative staging, using CT and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Lymph nodes 10 mm or greater in short-axis diameter on CT and TEE were considered abnormal. Furthermore, lymph node size was measured by TEE and nodal specimens in long- and short-axis diameter in each patient. Two hundred eight mediastinal lymph nodes were dissected and N2 nodes were present in 28% of patients (11/40); in 7 of these 11 patients (64%), mediastinal lymph node metastases were misdiagnosed on CT because of normal-sized N2 nodes. Furthermore, in 73% of N2 nodes, nodal size was normal on TEE. There were no significant difference in both diameters between malignant mediastinal lymph nodes and benign nodes on TEE and nodal specimens.

CONCLUSIONS

It is not possible to reliably differentiate malignant mediastinal nodes from benign nodes by size alone, and we should be aware of high frequency of normal-sized N2 nodes in patients with operable stage of lung cancer.

Bronchogenic carcinoma: incidence of metastases to normal sized lymph nodes

BACKGROUND

The incidence of metastases to mediastinal lymph nodes was evaluated in patients with normal sized mediastinal nodes on the computed tomographic (CT) scan who underwent thoracotomy. The use of hilar lymph nodes in predicting mediastinal lymph node metastases was also assessed.

METHODS

Ninety patients with non-small cell lung cancer who later underwent thoracotomy wer prospectively examined by CT scanning. Lymph nodes with a short axis diameter of 10 mm or more were considered abnormal.

RESULTS

Mediastinal lymph node metastases were present at thoracotomy in 19 patients (21%). In 14 these lymph node metastases were misdiagnosed because the nodes were normal in size on the CT scan. In only one of the 19 patients with N2 nodes was an N1 lymph node enlarged, and four of the 19 patients with N2 nodes had metastases to these mediastinal nodes without N1 disease ("skipping metastases").

CONCLUSIONS

Metastases in normal sized nodes seen on the CT scan are a major problem in staging. Hilar lymph nodes did not help to predict reliably the presence or absence of metastases to the mediastinal lymph nodes.

Ultrasonic assessment of hemidiaphragmatic movement: an indirect method of evaluating mediastinal invasion in non-small cell lung cancer

This preliminary study aimed to assess the potential value of diaphragmatic ultrasound (DUS) in evaluating phrenic nerve involvement indirectly, in the non-invasive pre-operative staging of mediastinal invasion in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A prospective study of 30 patients with NSCLC comparing the findings of diaphragmatic ultrasound, chest radiograph, computed tomography (CT) thorax and mediastinoscopy was performed. In all cases adequate quantitiative assessment of hemidiaphragmatic excursion was obtained. There was discordance in four of 30 patients between DUS and chest radiograph. Three of nine patients with extensive mediastinal disease on CT had abnormal DUS, and two of eight patients with indeterminate mediastinal disease on CT had abnormal DUS and were later found to be non-resectable. No abnormal cases of DUS were found in those cases with normal mediastinal CT. There was no clear relationship between the site, size and side of the primary tumour on CT, or its pleural or diaphragmatic contiguity, and hemidiaphragmatic excursion. There was concordance between DUS and mediastinoscopy in 17 of 21 patients. Two patients had normal mediastinoscopy and abnormal DUS but were not resectable at thoracotomy. No patient with abnormal DUS was resectable. DUS may be of potential value in the pre-operative staging of NSCLC and is therefore worthy of further evaluation.