Synchronous roentgenographically occult lung carcinoma in patients with resectable primary lung cancer

Simultaneous stereotactic body radiation therapy of a primary non-small cell lung cancer and synchronous carcinoma in situ in a medically inoperable patient: case report

The co-incidence of synchronous intraepithelial neoplasia and early stage invasive lung cancer is not a rare phenomenon. The need for curative treatment and the invasive potential of squamous cell pulmonary carcinoma in situ have been a topic of controversy. Surgical resection still remains the treatment of choice. Varieties of endoscopic techniques such as brachytherapy were developed as an alternative to surgery in selected patients. External beam radiation therapy has been used traditionally in combination with endobronchial brachytherapy in the treatment of roentgenographically occult lung cancer, and can be offered for all patients, but is handicapped, because these tumors are radiographically invisible. We report the first case of a pulmonary carcinoma in situ that was successfully treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy.

Diagnosis and treatment of bronchial intraepithelial neoplasia and early lung cancer of the central airways: Diagnosis and management of lung cancer, 3rd ed: American College of Chest Physicians evidence-based clinical practice guidelines

BACKGROUND

Bronchial intraepithelial lesions may be precursors of central airway lung carcinomas. Identification and early treatment of these preinvasive lesions might prevent progression to invasive carcinoma.

METHODS

We systematically reviewed the literature to develop evidence-based recommendations regarding the diagnosis and treatment of intraepithelial lesions.

RESULTS

The risk and timeline for progression of bronchial intraepithelial lesions to carcinoma in situ (CIS) or invasive carcinoma are not well understood. Multiple studies show that autofluorescence bronchoscopy (AFB) is more sensitive that white light bronchoscopy (WLB) to identify these lesions. In patients with severe dysplasia or CIS in sputum cytology who have chest imaging studies showing no localizing abnormality, we suggest use of WLB; AFB may be used as an adjunct when available. Patients with known severe dysplasia or CIS of central airways should be followed with WLB or AFB, when available. WLB or AFB is also suggested for patients with early lung cancer who will undergo resection for delineation of tumor margins and assessment of synchronous lesions. However, AFB is not recommended prior to endobronchial therapy for CIS or early central lung cancer. Several endobronchial techniques are recommended for the treatment of patients with superficial limited mucosal lung cancer who are not candidates for resection.

CONCLUSION

Additional information is needed about the natural history and rate of progression of preinvasive central airway lesions. Patients with severe dysplasia or CIS may be treated endobronchially; however, it remains unclear if these therapies are associated with improved patient outcomes.

Screening and early detection of lung cancer

The greatest news of the past year in this field was the first large-scale early detection trial that could prove a 20% reduction in lung cancer-related mortality by screening high-risk individuals with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT). Several expert groups and medical societies have assessed the data and concluded that LDCT screening for lung cancer is, however, not ready for large-scale population-based implementation. Too many open questions remain, such as definition of the at-risk population, timing and intervals of screening, optimal method of acquisition and interpretation of the images, how to handle (false) positive findings, and especially cost-effectiveness in relation to other lung cancer prevention strategies, mainly smoking cessation. Further analyses and several ongoing European trials are eagerly awaited. Much hope also resides in the use of biomarkers, as their use in, e.g., blood or exhaled air may provide more easy-to-use tests to better stratify high-risk populations for screening studies. While exciting research is ongoing in this domain--e.g. with microRNAs--none of the tests has yet reached sufficient validation for clinical use. Early central lung cancers are more difficult to visualise by CT. For these patients, standard bronchoscopy, complemented by autofluoresence endoscopy, has been studied in different screening and follow-up settings.

Unique diagnostic and therapeutic roles of porphyrins and phthalocyanines in photodynamic therapy, imaging and theranostics

Porphyrinic molecules have a unique theranostic role in disease therapy; they have been used to image, detect and treat different forms of diseased tissue including age-related macular degeneration and a number of different cancer types. Current focus is on the clinical imaging of tumour tissue; targeted delivery of photosensitisers and the potential of photosensitisers in multimodal biomedical theranostic nanoplatforms. The roles of porphyrinic molecules in imaging and pdt, along with research into improving their selective uptake in diseased tissue and their utility in theranostic applications are highlighted in this Review.

Value of autofluorescence bronchoscopy in patients with laryngeal cancer

BACKGROUND

Patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck constitute a high risk group for synchronous and metachronous tumours.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of white light and autofluorescence bronchoscopy in the evaluation of pre-malignant and early neoplastic lesions in patients with laryngeal cancer, who are at high risk of concomitant lung cancer.

METHODS

This prospective, cross-sectional study included 30 patients who had undergone total laryngectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. The tracheobronchial system was investigated for the presence of pre-malignant and malignant lesions, using a combination of white light and autofluorescence bronchoscopy. Biopsies were obtained from areas with a pathological appearance, and histopathological studies were performed.

RESULTS

All patients had a permanent tracheostomy. Light and autofluorescence bronchoscopy indicated that the tracheobronchial system was normal in 11 patients. A total of 27 biopsies was taken from the remaining 19 patients, and revealed invasive squamous cell carcinoma in one patient and pre-malignant changes in six.

CONCLUSION

Bronchoscopy is a valuable and practical tool for screening patients at high risk of lung cancer, and requires minimal intervention especially in patients with a permanent tracheostomy. Of the various bronchoscopic techniques becoming available, autofluorescence bronchoscopy shows promise for the detection of pre-invasive malignant changes of the tracheobronchial system in patients previously operated upon for laryngeal cancer.

Interventional bronchoscopy from bench to bedside: new techniques for early lung cancer detection

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death in the world, and it accounts for more deaths than breast, colon, and prostate cancer combined in the United States. From a historical perspective, the premise behind early lung cancer detection strategy is that early detection of lung cancer is justified if early treatment improves the outcome. New optical technologies such as those presented in this article allow dynamic study of these processes at the cellular level, and it is hoped that opportunities for targeted therapy will be provided in the future. Investigators are on the verge of discovering a multidimensional bronchoscopic platform that can be used to narrow in on airway structures, explore vascular flow and angiogenesis, and discover new features of bronchogenic carcinogenesis.

Bronchial Intraepithelial Neoplasia/Early Central Airways Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

An evidence-based approach is necessary for the localization and management of intraepithelial and microinvasive non-small cell lung cancer in the central airways.

METHODS

Material appropriate to this topic was obtained by literature search of a computerized database. Recommendations were developed by the writing committee and then reviewed by the entire guidelines panel. The final recommendations were made by the Chair and were voted on by the entire committee.

RESULTS

White light bronchoscopy has diagnostic limitations in the detection of microinvasive lesions. Autofluorescence bronchoscopy (AFB) is a technique that has been shown to be a sensitive method for detecting these lesions. In patients with moderate dysplasia or worse on sputum cytology and normal chest radiographic findings, bronchoscopy should be performed. If moderate/severe dysplasia or carcinoma in situ (CIS) is detected in the central airways, then bronchoscopic surveillance is recommended. The use of AFB is preferred if available. In a patient being considered for curative endobronchial therapy to treat microinvasive lesions, AFB is useful. A number of endobronchial techniques as therapeutic options are available for the management of CIS and can be recommended to patients with inoperable disease. In patients with operable disease, surgery remains the mainstay of treatment, although patients may be counseled about these techniques.

CONCLUSIONS

AFB is a useful tool for the localization of microinvasive neoplasia. A number of endobronchial techniques available for the curative treatment can be considered first-line therapy in inoperable cases. For operable cases, the techniques may be considered and discussed with the patients.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) in early central lung cancer: a treatment option for patients ineligible for surgical resection

OBJECTIVES

To review the Yorkshire Laser Centre experience with bronchoscopic photodynamic therapy (PDT) in early central lung cancer in subjects not eligible for surgery and to discuss diagnostic problems and the indications for PDT in such cases.

METHODS

Of 200 patients undergoing bronchoscopic PDT, 21 had early central lung cancer and were entered into a prospective study. Patients underwent standard investigations including white light bronchoscopy in all and autofluorescence bronchoscopy in 12 of the most recent cases. Indications for bronchoscopic PDT were recurrence/metachronous endobronchial lesions following previous treatment with curative intent in 10 patients (11 lesions), ineligibility for surgery because of poor cardiorespiratory function in 8 patients (9 lesions) and declined consent to operation in 3 patients. PDT consisted of intravenous administration of Photofrin 2 mg/kg followed by bronchoscopic illumination 24-48 h later.

RESULTS

29 treatments were performed in 21 patients (23 lesions). There was no procedure-related or 30 day mortality. One patient developed mild skin photosensitivity. All patients expressed satisfaction with the treatment and had a complete response of variable duration. Six patients died at 3-103 months (mean 39.3), three of which were not as a result of cancer. Fifteen patients were alive at 12-82 months.

CONCLUSION

Bronchoscopic PDT in early central lung cancer can achieve long disease-free survival and should be considered as a treatment option in those ineligible for resection. Autofluorescence bronchoscopy is a valuable complementary investigation for identification of synchronous lesions and accurate illumination in bronchoscopic PDT.

[Phonation bronchoscopy]

BACKGROUND

Fluorescence bronchoscopy is one of the methods of the early detection of lung cancer that involves the large airways. The method is based on the detection of the altered autofluorescence of malignantly transformed tissue, and confirmed by biopsy and histopathologic examination.

METHOD

Fluorescence bronchoscopy was performed in 18 patients, mean age of 51.2 years (male n = 12, female n = 6) due to the suspected lung cancer. Fluorescence bronchoscopy was performed using the Xillix LIFE-Lung System, Vancouver, Canada. After conventional white-light bronchoscopy, the tracheobronchial tree was illuminated by blue light (442 nm) using helium-cadmium laser, and the results of autofluorescence were classified into three classes. Normal mucosa was of green fluorescence (Class I), abnormal mucosa was red or dark brown fluorescence (Class II and II), which was the indication for performing biopsy.

RESULTS

Normal endoscopy findings were established in 15 patients by conventional bronchoscopy. In the same group, by fluorescence bronchoscopy, Class I of fluorescence (normal finding) was found in 9 patients, while Class II changes occurred in 6 patients. Histopathologic analysis of bronchial mucosa with Class II changes was performed detecting planocellular carcinoma in situ in one patient. Tumor-like changes were detected in 3 patients by conventional bronchoscopy, and were determined as Class III changes by fluorescence bronchoscopy. By the biopsy of these chages carcinoma was documented in 2 patients while in one patient metaplasia of epithelium and granulation tissue around aspirated foreign body was detected.

CONCLUSION

Fluorescence bronchoscopy is one of the methods for detecting metaplasia, carcinoma in situ and cancerous changes of bronchial epithelium in the large airways. However, the high rate of falsely positive findings represents a limitation of this method.

Bronchoscopic treatment of patients with intraluminal microinvasive radiographically occult lung cancer not eligible for surgical resection: a follow-up study

Bronchoscopic treatment (BT) has a curative potential for patients with intraluminal microinvasive radiographically occult lung cancer (ROLC). We report the long-term follow-up in a group of 32 patients, ineligible for surgery, in whom ROLC was diagnosed and treated with BT. Tumors were strictly <or=1 cm in size, intraluminally located in the central airways, with no bronchial wall invasion or extraluminal tumor growth on high resolution CT (HRCT), with visible distal margin under conventional and autofluorescence bronchoscopy (AFB). BT was given with curative intent and consecutive patients were treated with photodynamic therapy (five patients), Nd-YAG laser therapy (one patient), electrocautery (24 patients) and argon plasma coagulation (two patients). Follow-up evaluation at 3-4 months interval included HRCT scans, both conventional and AFB, including biopsies and brush cytology for histological evaluation. The average follow-up period was 5 years (range: 2-10 years). In three patients local recurrence was again successfully treated with electrocautery. Sixteen patients died during follow-up. Eight of the nine patients who died due to lung cancer had a previous resection of a more advanced stage lung cancer up to 5 years before BT of the ROLC. The remaining seven patients cause of death was not related to lung cancer. Sixteen patients are still alive without any tumor recurrence. These data showed that BT is an effective treatment modality for high-risk patients with ROLC, who are not eligible for surgical resection.

The clinical value of lung imaging fluorescence endoscopy for detecting synchronous lung cancer

Some patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) will also have a synchronous malignant lesion. The lung imaging fluorescence endoscopy (LIFE) has proven better than conventional white light bronchoscopy (WLB) for visualizing premalignant lesions or early stages of lung cancer. In this study, the additional value of LIFE in diagnosing synchronous lung cancers as well as the impact of these findings on definite therapy was analyzed. Seventy-two patients with recently diagnosed NSCLC or pulmonary lesions highly suspect of lung cancer were studied. Patients underwent WLB, followed by LIFE. Apart from the primary lesions, additional abnormal and suspicious lesions seen at WLB and LIFE were scored separately and biopsied. Sixty-nine patients had NSCLC and three patients had small cell lung carcinoma. Apart from the primary lesion, one up to six additional endobronchial lesions were visualized in 48 patients by WLB and/or LIFE. High-grade dysplastic lesions were detected in ten patients, three of whom were eligible for surgery of the primary tumor after completion of the investigations. Three other patients (4.3%) had synchronous cancers (NSCLC). In one patient, the lesion was visualized by LIFE and by WLB. The other two malignant lesions were detected only by LIFE. In these three latter patients, diagnostic work-up and definite treatment was changed, as a result of detection of synchronous lesions. In conclusion, LIFE has additional value in detecting synchronous malignant lesions in patients with primary lung cancer. The detection of these lesions changed diagnostic work-up and definite treatment plan. Therefore, LIFE should be used in the work-up of patients with primary lung cancer.

Postoperative fluorescence bronchoscopic surveillance in non-small cell lung cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Second lung primaries occur at a rate of 1% to 3% per patient-year after complete resections for non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Fluorescence bronchoscopy appears to be a sensitive tool for surveillance of the tracheobronchial tree for early neoplasias.

METHODS

Patients who were disease-free after complete resection of a NSCLC were entered into a fluorescence bronchoscopy surveillance program. All suspicious lesions were biopsied along with two areas of normal mucosa to serve as negative controls.

RESULTS

A total of 73 fluorescence bronchoscopies were performed after conventional bronchoscopy in 51 patients at a median of 13 months postresection. The majority (46 of 51) of patients had stage I or II NSCLC, whereas 10% (5 of 51) had stage IIIA. Three intraepithelial neoplasias and one invasive carcinoma were identified in 3 of 51 patients (6%), all current or former smokers. Of the four lesions identified, three were in the 20 patients with prior squamous cell carcinomas. No intraepithelial neoplasias were identified by white-light bronchoscopy, whereas two of three were detected by fluorescence examination. The one invasive cancer detected was apparent on both white-light and fluorescence bronchoscopic examinations.

CONCLUSIONS

Surveillance with fluorescence bronchoscopy identified lesions in 6% of postoperative NSCLC patients thought to be disease-free. Patients with prior squamous cell carcinomas appear to be a population that may warrant future prospective study of postoperative fluorescence bronchoscopic surveillance.