Pulmonary lymphangitic metastasis from breast cancer. Lymphocytic alveolitis is associated with favorable prognosis

Symptom management in metastatic breast cancer

Approximately 40,000 women die as a result of breast cancer each year and many more live with advanced disease. When breast cancer recurs, the goals of treatment often shift from one of cure to controlling the disease for as long as possible while palliating symptoms interfering with the patient's functional status and quality of life. This requires ongoing discussions with the patient and family about the goals of care. Many symptoms depend on the site of metastasis, with bone being the most frequent, and commonly occur with fatigue, depression, insomnia, and pain. The purpose of this paper is to identify and provide an overview of the management of the most common symptoms in patients with breast cancer metastases.

Role of bronchoalveolar lavage in interstitial lung disease

Bronchoalveolar lavage remains an important research tool in understanding ILD. It is still an important part of the clinical management of patients with ILD. It is most useful in detecting unusual forms of ILD. It helps the clinician narrow down the possible causes of the interstitial pattern. It also can confirm a clinical impression of certain conditions. Although rarely diagnostic, it is often supportive. In conjunction with high-resolution CT scan, most patients with ILD can be diagnosed using relatively noninvasive methods.

Role of bronchoscopy in lung cancer research

The use of bronchoscopy for research into lung cancer is mostly limited by the imagination of the investigator. This technique allows the scientist direct access to tissue in a minimally invasive manner. We have discussed some of the applications of this technique in better understanding lung cancer. As we move onward in the areas of diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, the bronchoscope will remain an important research tool.