[Pain management, let us be simple but efficient]

The occurrence of pain during the course of bronchial carcinoma is nearly inescapable and often constitutes the main symptom for patients and those close to them. While pain control is held to be a priority of care in cancerology in the future, this goal is not always reached due to insufficient implementation of recommendations, however widely accessible. Our aim is to present the different aspects of pain treatment through the details of both pharmacological and nonpharmacological means.

[Thrombosis and lung cancer]

This relation is sometimes described as a double association: venous thromboembolism (VTE) can reveal cancer (so-called Trousseau syndrome), but cancer and its treatment are also risk factors for VTE. Lung cancer, frequent and serious, is one of the greatest purveyors of VTE, a disease that pneumologists and oncologists must often confront in diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. This article investigates the epidemiological, prevention, and treatment aspects of VTE in cancer patients, particularly those with lung cancer, but also discusses diagnostic specificities and, briefly, the possible antitumor effect of heparins.

[Fever and infectious complications in patient with lung cancer]

The respiratory infections are very frequent during lung cancer. Their diagnosis is often difficult because of the various etiologies (cancer, chemotherapy, radiotherapy) and this complexity can make discuss a preliminary bronchial exploration before any therapeutics. When it is about a located infection, germs in cause are often the same that in the community respiratory infections, in particular bacilli Gram negative, and it is thus logical to treat by the penicillin A. In front of an interstitial syndrome, it is necessary to evoke the opportunist infections, which are increasing in patients with cancer because of the multimodality therapeutic and the elongation of the survival. The neutropenic patient must be distinguished because of its specificities. The pulmonary infections lead to an important mortality. According to the patient (advanced age, underlying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]) and to the treatment (chemotherapy, pneumonectomy), prevention must be discussed as the pneumococcal and Haemophilus influenzae vaccination.

A New Catheter Technique for Thoracic Subarachnoid Neurolysis in Advanced Lung Cancer Patients

Subarachnoid neurolytic block (dorsal rhizotomy) was carried out in patients suffering from severe pain unresponsive to analgesic therapy. An intrathecal catheter technique was performed in 20 patients with lung cancer. Visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, patient satisfaction, and complications were recorded at 24 hours, 1 week, and 1, 2, and 3 months after procedure. VAS and patient satisfaction significantly decreased at measured time points (P < 0.05). Duration of procedure was 20.3 +/- 6.4 minutes; no significant complications were reported. This new intrathecal catheter technique for dorsal rhizotomy in advanced lung cancer patients was an easily performed, effective, and safe technique in this setting.

Ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy to predict postoperative pulmonary function in lung cancer patients undergoing pneumonectomy

OBJECTIVE

The American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) recommends using quantitative perfusion scintigraphy to predict postoperative lung function in lung cancer patients with borderline pulmonary function tests who will undergo pneumonectomy. However, previous scintigraphic data were gathered on small cohorts more than a decade ago, when surgical populations were significantly different with respect to age and sex compared with typical lung cancer patients undergoing pneumonectomy in 2005. We therefore revisited the use of V/Q scintigraphy in pneumonectomy patients in predicting postoperative pulmonary function and the appropriateness of current clinical guidelines.

CONCLUSION

Contrary to ACCP guidelines, we found that ventilation scintigraphy alone provided the best correlation between the predicted and actual postoperative values and recommend its use to predict postoperative lung function. However, scintigraphic techniques may underestimate postoperative lung function, so caution is required before unnecessarily preventing a patient from undergoing surgery that offers a potential cure.

Endobronchial stent for malignant airway obstructions

BACKGROUND

Endobronchial stents are used to treat symptomatic patients with benign or malignant airway obstructions.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the safety and outcome of airway stent insertion for the treatment of malignant tracheobronchial narrowing.

METHODS

The files of all patients with malignant disease who underwent airway stent insertion in our outpatient clinic from June 1995 to August 2004 were reviewed for background data, type of disease, symptoms, treatment, complications and outcome.

RESULTS

Airway stents were used in 34 patients, including 2 who required 2 stents at different locations, and one who required 2 adjacent stents (total, 37 stents). Ages ranged from 36 to 85 years (median 68). Primary lung cancer was noted in 35% of the patients and metastatic disease in 65%. Presenting signs and symptoms included dyspnea (82%), cough (11.7%), hemoptysis (9%), pneumonia (5.9%), and atelectasis (3%). The lesions were located in the left mainstem bronchus (31%), trachea (26%), right mainstem bronchus (26%), subglottis (14.3%), and bronchus intermedius (2.9%). Conscious sedation alone was utilized in 73% of the patients, allowing for early discharge. Eighteen patients (50%) received brachytherapy to the area of obstruction. Complications included stent migration (one patient) and severe or minimal bleeding (one patient each). Ninety-four percent of the patients reported significant relief of their dyspnea. Three of the four patients who had been mechanically ventilated before the procedure were weaned after stent insertion. Median survival from the time of stent placement was 6 months (range 0.25-105 months).

CONCLUSION

Stent placement can be safely performed in an outpatient setting with conscious sedation. It significantly relieves the patient's symptoms and may prolong survival.

Preoperative assessment for lung cancer surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Pulmonary resection remains the only curative treatment option for lung cancer surgery. This review summarizes recent advances in the preoperative functional evaluation of the patient with lung cancer.

RECENT FINDINGS

The workup of patients with bronchogenic carcinoma covers three areas: tumor type, tumor extent, and patient cardiopulmonary reserves. Significant advances have been made in the latter two areas. Traditionally lobectomy was regarded as the minimum resection for lung cancer; new studies are challenging this view and suggesting that segmentectomy is acceptable for stage Ia cancers < or =20 mm. An important change relating to cardiopulmonary reserves of the patient is the shift in emphasis toward early exercise testing and, in particular, the use of stair climbing as a surrogate marker of maximal oxygen consumption. New studies confirm the benefit of combined lung volume reduction surgery and lung cancer surgery in certain patients who might otherwise be excluded from surgery because of poor lung function.

SUMMARY

Advances in the preoperative workup of lung cancer patients and in surgical techniques are permitting resections in previously inoperable patients. A new, simplified algorithm for the preoperative workup of lung cancer patients assessing the value of stair climbing as a surrogate marker of maximal oxygen consumption is proposed.

Lung resection for bronchogenic carcinoma after pneumonectomy: a safe and worthwhile procedure

OBJECTIVES

Patients treated surgically for lung cancer can develop either a metachronous cancer or a recurrence. The appearance of a new cancer on the remaining lung after a pneumonectomy poses unique treatment problems, and surgery is often considered contraindicated. We report on the outcome of resections for lung cancer after pneumonectomy performed for lung cancer.

METHODS

We reviewed the records of patients who underwent a resection of bronchogenic carcinoma on the remaining lung from 1990 to 2002.

RESULTS

There were 14 patients (13 males and 1 female) with a median age of 64 years (range 51-74). Median preoperative Fev1 was 1.45 (range 1.35-2.23), corresponding to 59% of predicted Fev1 (range 46-80%). Resection was performed between 11 and 264 months after pneumonectomy (median 35.5). The resections performed were: one wedge resection in 11 patients, two wedge resections in two patients and two segmentectomies in two other patients; one patient underwent a third resection. Diagnosis was metachronous cancer in 12 patients and metastasis in two patients. Complications occurred in three patients (21%), while operative mortality was nil. Mean hospital stay was 10.5 days (6-25). Two patients received chemotherapy (one after local recurrence, one after the third resection). Overall 1, 3 and 5 year survivals were 57, 46 and 30%, respectively (median 21 months). For patients with a metachronous cancer they were 69, 55 and 37% (median 57 months), respectively, while neither patient with a metastatic tumor survived 1 year (P=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Limited lung resection on a single lung is a safe procedure associated with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates. In patients with a metachronous lung cancer, long-term survival with a good quality of life can be obtained with limited resection on the residual lung.

Comparative analysis of the spirographic and hemodynamic parameters in preoperative evaluation of patients with lung cancer

Surgery is the recommended treatment for nonmicrocellular lung cancer. The spirometric tests completed with gasometric systemic blood analysis and electrocardiographic investigation are the standard in the evaluation for tolerance of lung tissue resection. The catheterization of the right heart is used to assess circulatory systems efficiency in patients qualified for pulmonary tissue resection. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the correlations between basic spirographic and hemodynamic parameters measured at rest and after exercise. The studied population consisted of 50 consecutive male patients 21 to 72 years old with bronchial carcinoma, considered to be candidates for lung tissue resection. The vital capacity, and one-second forced expiratory volume were obtained. The hemodynamic examination was performed using Swan-Ganz thermodilution catheter. The systolic, diastolic and medium central venous pressure, pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary wedge pressure were measured. Gasometric examination for peripheral arterial and mixed venous blood was performed--pH, PO2, PaCO2, SaO2. The results were subject to statistical analysis. The correlation between spirographic indicators and hemodynamic parameters were studied. Statistical analysis revealed high level of correlation between the average blood pressure in pulmonary artery, both at rest and after exercise, and ratio of one-second forced expiratory volume related to current vital capacity. The revealed correlations allow to solve regression equations making in possible to calculate likely values of the average blood pressure in pulmonary artery on the basis of spirographic values.

Comparative analysis of the gasometric and hemodynamic parameters in preoperative evaluation of patients with lung cancer

Measurements including spirographic examination, arterial blood gas tensions, standard electrocardiogram are routinely used to define risk factors for patients undergoing lung tissue resection. In some instances routine functional check-ups should be accompanied by the assessment of the hemodynamics of pulmonary circulation. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the correlations between gasometric and hemodynamic parameters measured at rest and after exercise. In case of the presence of such correlations I wanted to find the principles to provide pulmonary artery hypertension in order to avoid right heart catheterization. The gasometric parameters in systemic and in mixed venous blood (pH, PaO2, PaCO2, SaO2) as well as hemodynamic parameters of pulmonary circulation (PAP, PCWP, CVP) were measured in 50 male patients with lung carcinoma. All measurements were taken at rest and after an exercise test--5 minutes, 50 W workload on cycle ergometer in supine position. CI, PVR and SVR were calculated. The study proved statistically significant correlations between gasometric and hemodynamic parameters and made possible to calculate the regression lines equations, which help to predict pulmonary artery pressure before tissue resection.

Diagnostic value of electrocardiographic investigations in preoperative evaluation of patients with lung cancer

The pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale in patients before lung tissue resection must be predicted even if invasive studies are required. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of electrocardiographic investigation for patients with lung cancer, considered to be candidates for lung tissue resection. The study comprised 50 male patients with bronchial carcinoma before lung tissue resection. All of them had gasometric, and hemodynamic parameters of pulmonary circulation assessed at rest and after exercise. The ECG and spirographic investigations were done in all patients. It was found that 23 of 50 patients had electrocardiographic traits of right ventricle hypertrophy and only one of them had normal pulmonary circulation parameters. There were also found correlations between ECG curve and FEV1%, most of gasometric and some of pulmonary hemodynamic parameters.

[Clinical and morphologic correlations in bronchoalveolar cancer]

Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma is a variety of lung adenocarcinoma featuring peculiar morphological pattern, period of latency, long symptom-free course, no association with smoking, younger age of victims and prevalent frequency in women. While there are no reliable diagnostic criteria, radical surgery has good prognosis (3-year overall or relapse-free survival is 88.9 and 66.7%, respectively). Prognostically significant are such morphological subtypes as mucigenous and non-mucigenous carcinoma. The study included patients with stage I and II carcinoma. Regional dissemination incidence was significantly lower than in other varieties of lung adenocarcinoma.

Effect of exercise on lung-perfusion scanning in patients with bronchogenic carcinoma

The aim of this study was to determine whether perfusion-scintillation scanning, used as a predictive pre-operative index of lung functionality in patients with lung cancer, is affected by the level of pulmonary blood flow (PBF). Twenty patients with primary lung cancer underwent spirometry and a radionuclide-perfusion scan (macroaggregated albumin particles labelled with 99mTechnetium) both at rest and during the last minute of a ramp-like increase in work rate until exhaustion. On average, the perfusion of the lung with the tumour was significantly reduced by the same magnitude at rest and during exercise (mean+/-SD: -9+/-6% versus -10+/-4% of the cardiac output), regardless of the extent of the tumour. However, subject-by-subject analysis revealed that in two patients, a larger decrease in the perfusion of the lung with the tumour was observed during exercise than at rest (-11% and -17%, respectively). This leads to an underestimation of predictive postoperative functional parameters if resting values are used in these patients. The use of perfusion scintigraphy at rest therefore gives a clear picture of the functionality of the lung before resection in most patients requiring surgery.

[Imaging of secondary pulmonary changes in central bronchial carcinomas by F-18-FDG PET]

AIM

The presented study was performed in order to evaluate the potential interference of secondary pulmonary changes (dystelectasis, retention pneumonia) with bronchial carcinomas in F-18-FDG-PET.

METHOD

A retrospective analysis of F-18-FDG-findings in 33 patients with bronchial carcinoma (staging) was performed. Seven out of fourteen patients with central tumor localisation had secondary pulmonary changes (thorax-x-ray, CT), which were classified as dystelectasis or atelectasis in five cases and as retention pneumonia in two cases.

RESULTS

Whereas dystelectasis and atelectasis without clinical signs of infection showed only mild to moderate FDG-accumulation (SUV 1.0-2.5; mean: 1.74), an intense FDG-uptake in the two cases with retention pneumonia (SUV 8.4 and 5.5) was observed. Despite of the typical wedge-like shape of pneumonia, differentiation between bronchial carcinoma and pneumonia can be a problem.

CONCLUSION

We suggest, that an antibiotic treatment in patients with known retention pneumonia should be performed prior to the PET-scan in order to reduce the interference of inflammatory changes.

The influence of cardiopulmonary function on outcome of veterans undergoing resectional therapy for lung cancer

BACKGROUND

The unknown but presumably poor preoperative cardiopulmonary function of U.S. Armed Forces veterans with bronchogenic cancer may dissuade surgeons performing necessary major lung resection. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between preoperative cardiopulmonary risk and the outcome of veterans undergoing pulmonary resection for bronchogenic carcinoma.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed on 79 veterans who underwent lung resection for bronchogenic cancer between March 1990 and June 1995. Preoperative cardiac function was assessed by 1) history of heart disease (myocardial infarction, previous open heart surgery, and hypertension), 2) electrocardiogram, EKG, and 3) transthoracic echocardiography, TTE (ejection fraction and left ventricular wall motion abnormalities). Pulmonary reserve was evaluated by 1) history of lung disease (active smoking, known chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD), and 2) spirometry (forced expiratory volume in 1 second, FEV1, and minute ventilation volume, MVV). Resections were performed by standard pulmonary techniques and follow-up data was available in all patients.

RESULTS

All patients were males except one, with a mean age of 66+/-1.0 yrs (range=32 to 81 yrs). Fifty-one patients (64.60%) had a history of COPD while one-third of the veterans were smoking and using excessive alcohol just prior to surgery. Twenty-four patients (29%) had abnormal preoperative EKG and only 10 (15%) had prior myocardial infarction. Eleven patients (13.9%) had undergone previous coronary bypass surgery. Average preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction was 63+/-2% (range=41 to 80%) and left ventricular wall motion abnormalities were present in only 6 patients (8%). Mean preoperative FEV1 was 2.2+/-0.1 L (range=0.6-4.1 L) and MW was 87+/-4 L/min (range=26-198 L/min). A lobectomy was performed in 68 patients (86.1%), pneumonectomy in 10 (12.7%), and wedge resection in 1 (1.2%). The most common types of cancer were squamous cell (36 patients) and adenocarcinoma (31 patients). While pulmonary complications (atelectasis, prolonged air leak, pneumonia) occurred in 8 patients (10%), only two (3%) suffered nonpulmonary complications (ischemic bowel disease). For all veterans with bronchogenic cancer, early (30-day) mortality after major lung resection was 3.9% (3/79): 1.5% (1/68) after lobectomy, and 20% (2/10) after pneumonectomy (p=not significant). Overall survival at 5 years was 39.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative cardiopulmonary risk for veterans with bronchogenic cancer is acceptable and lung resection can be performed with good outcomes in this distinct patient population.

Clinical patterns and trends of outcome of elderly patients with bronchogenic carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical characteristics and determinants of operative mortality and long-term survival of elderly patients submitted to pulmonary resection for intended cure of lung cancer.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 500 consecutive pulmonary resections performed in patients aged over 70 years from 1975 to 1996. Predictors of in-hospital mortality were identified by univariate and multivariate analyses. Determinants of long-term outcome were investigated in all survivors, with no patient being lost to follow-up.

RESULTS

Mean age was 74 +/- 3 years (maximum: 90), and 36 patients were octogenarians. The sex-ratio M:F was 5:3. History of combined cardiovascular or previous neoplastic disease was noted in 193 and 63 patients, respectively. The predominant histology was squamous cell carcinoma (n = 243), with a significantly higher incidence in male than in female. Most patients received standard procedures, while 103 patients underwent extended resections for tumors involving the mediastinum (n = 44), the chest wall (n = 33), the carina (n = 2) or had a sleeve resection of the main bronchus (n = 24). Procedures were considered to be complete and curative in 459 patients, among whom 294 had a stage I disease. There were 37 (7.4%) in-hospital deaths. Mortality rates following pneumonectomy, bilobectomy, lobectomy and lesser resection were 11:136, 4:34, 22:291, and 0:39, respectively. Age, male gender, hypertension, low FEV1 and extended procedure were identified as independent predictors of early mortality. Overall survival rates were 33.7 and 12% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the disease stage was the main prognosticator. During the follow-up period, cancer recurrence (n = 183; 39.5%) or second primary lung cancer (n = 20; 4.3%) occurred in 203 patients, among whom 18 (9%) had a second lung resection. Carcinoma in other systems occurred in 25 patients (5.3%), and major cardiovascular event in 51 (11%).

CONCLUSIONS

Male and squamous cell carcinoma are characteristic of elderly patients with resected lung cancer. Operative mortality is acceptable for standard resection, and survival figures are concordant with those reported in other series which include younger patients.

Acute changes in peak expiratory flow rate following palliative radiotherapy for bronchial carcinoma

PURPOSE

Changes in respiratory function occurring in the months and years following radiotherapy have been well documented. The changes that occur in the hours after treatment are less clear, we report a study that recorded peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in the 72 h following radiotherapy to the mediastinum and large airways.

METHODS

Fifty-six patients with carcinoma affecting the major bronchii were recruited; 39 were male, with a median age of 66 years; 49 had histologically confirmed lung cancer. The median baseline PEFR was 300 1/s (range: 120-600). Patients were asked to record home PEFR readings in the 72 h that followed the first fraction of radiotherapy. Doses ranges from an 8-Gy single fraction to 60 Gy in 30 fractions.

RESULTS

Forty-nine patients recorded a fall in PEFR (3%-60% of the baseline value) in the 24 h after radiotherapy, the mean for all 56 patients was a fall of 20.3% (95% confidence interval -15.8% to -24.8%). These lowest values occurred a median time of 6 h after treatment (range: 2-24 h). By 72 h the mean PEFR had returned to the baseline. Tumour site (central or lobar bronchus) and fraction size (<3 GY or >3 Gy) had no significant effect on the fall in PEFR (Mann-Whitney U-test P = 0.15 and P = 0.06, respectively).

CONCLUSION

We conclude that a fall in PEFR can occur after radiotherapy treatment to the mediastinum. This is of concern in patients being treated for bronchial carcinoma whose respiratory function may already be compromised.

Perfusion lung scintigraphy for the prediction of postlobectomy residual pulmonary function

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Scintigraphic prediction of the residual pulmonary function following a lobectomy is not widely employed; its accuracy is poorly known. This study aims at determining the accuracy and the clinical value of the scintigraphic prediction of postlobectomy residual function.

PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS

In this study, 41 patients with bronchial carcinoma underwent a perfusion lung scintigraphy before lobectomy; the functional contribution of each single lobe was computed by an indirect method proposed by Wernly et al.; the results of the scintigraphic prediction were compared with those of the pulmonary function tests performed 1 month after surgery.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

The linear regression analyses of predicted and observed values of FVC and FEV1 showed significant correlations (R2=0.607 and 0.749, respectively); however, an evident scatter of data was obtained, as quantified by the values of imprecision (20.70% and 18.11%, respectively) and global inaccuracy (25.50% and 22.90%, respectively). The estimates of both FVC and FEV1 were significantly better in right lung lobectomies than in left lung lobectomies (mean imprecision and global inaccuracy: 15.43% and 14.94% for the right lung, and 27.27% and 29.00% for the left lung).

CONCLUSIONS

The scintigraphic prediction of postlobectomy residual function is easily implemented by the method herein employed; it has a greater margin of uncertainty than that of pneumonectomy, especially for left lobectomies; however, the use of some safety thresholds for predicted values of FEV1 (1.2 L for upper lobectomies and 1 L for lower lobectomies) guarantees a safe clinical use of the test.

[Sleeve pulmonary arterial resection for bronchogenic carcinoma]

Two cases of bronchogenic carcinoma undergone left upper lobectomy (R 3) with bronchoplasty and sleeve pulmonary arterial resection via mid-sternotomy were reported. Both cases were squamous cell carcinoma originated in the orifice of the left upper lobe. Case 1 was stage IIIB (T2N3M0) bronchogenic carcinoma, its postoperative course was uneventful and died of distant lymphatic metastasis thirty-three months after operation. Case 2 was stage II (T2N1M0) bronchogenic carcinoma and its postoperative management was laborious because of hard expectoration of the sputum but is doing well fifteen months after operation. In order to preserve adequate pulmonary function and to maintain reasonable quality of life (QOL) for the patients with impaired pulmonary function, this angioplastic procedure seems to be acceptable. It is still under discussion to perform this procedure for the patients who would be able to withstand undergoing pneumonectomy, therefore we adopt this method only for every patient for whom it is difficult to maintain desirable QOL after pneumonectomy. Namely, for the patient whose predicted one second forced expiratory volume (FEV1.0) after pneumonectomy is less than 900 ml/m2, we'll be likely to try this angioplastic procedure at first.

Functional effects of typical lung resections for primary bronchogenic carcinoma

In 60 patients with primary bronchogenic carcinoma undergoing surgery, pulmonary function studies were performed before, and then 10 days and 3 to 6 months after typical lung resection. Preoperative profiles showed a slight restrictive pattern without air trapping and slightly disturbed gas exchange. The restrictive pattern was not related to clinical, X-ray and endoscopy findings. The alveoloarterial oxygen gradient was smaller in the patients requiring lobectomy than in pneumonectomy patients. After surgery, the volume loss was related to the amount resected, being greater after right pneumonectomy than after left pneumonectomy, smaller after bilobectomy and the least after lobectomy. The obstructive pattern remained unchanged. Diffusion of carbon monoxide decreased significantly less than the volumes after pneumonectomy, but proportionally after lobectomy and bilobectomy. Those with increased alveoloarterial oxygen gradient or increased physiologic dead space showed a significant improvement of their gas exchange after surgery.

Lung function and perfusion after bronchial and pulmonary arterial sleeve resection

Between January 1985 and December 1991, six patients underwent arterial and bronchial sleeve resections of the left upper lobe. Preoperative and postoperative spirometry, preoperative split pulmonary radionuclide ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scans and postoperative bronchoscopy were obtained in four patients. Postoperative serial digital vascular images (DVI) of the pulmonary artery were obtained in three patients and one patient had a postoperative V/Q scan. For each patient the preoperative and postoperative forced expiratory volume in is (FEV1) were determined to assess the postoperative ventilatory recovery. At bronchoscopy all patients had a patent bronchial anastomosis. At postoperative DVI, in three patients, vascularization of the residual left lung was delayed and less intense compared with the non-operated right lung. Postoperative V/Q scan, in one patient, showed reduced ventilation and perfusion of the residual lung. Preoperative and postoperative FEV1 of the four patients were 2688/1998 ml, 2154/1752 ml, 2618/2100 ml and 2277/2015 ml. Operative mortality was zero. One patient had a postoperative atelectasis of the left lower lobe. In our series, ventilation and vascularization of the reimplanted and revascularized left lower lobe were reduced. But, in our opinion, the preserved residual lung parenchyma was still a relevant advantage.

Regional lung function following upper sleeve lobectomy for bronchogenic carcinoma

Regional lung function of the operated side following upper sleeve lobectomy (n = 8) and simple upper lobectomy (n = 7) for lung cancer was evaluated. Regional ventilation was studied with Krypton 81m and regional pulmonary blood flow was studied with Technetium 99m. Measurements were taken from 12 to 24 months after operation. The ventilation rate of the operated side following right upper sleeve lobectomy (n = 5) was 42.9 +/- 6.7% and the perfusion rate was 37.4 +/- 4.6%. The regional ventilation rate of the operated side after simple right upper lobectomy (n = 3) was 45.9 +/- 10.5% and the perfusion rate was 46.2 +/- 5.2%. For the patients with left upper sleeve lobectomy (n = 3), these ratios were 29.9 +/- 11.1% and 19.2 +/- 3.6%, respectively. For the patients with simple left upper lobectomy (n = 4), these ratios were 27.3 +/- 4.5% and 22.3 +/- 3.3%. There were no statistical differences between the group with upper sleeve lobectomy and that with simple upper lobectomy. Regional function improved gradually with time. In conclusion, the regional lung function of the operated side following sleeve lobectomy was well preserved and showed no difference when compared with the regional function after simple lobectomy for lung cancer.

[The scintigraphic prediction of residual lung function after lobectomy in patients with bronchial carcinoma]

The scintigraphic prediction of residual pulmonary function after pneumonectomy has been validated in a number of studies while scintigraphy is not standardized in case of lobectomy. This study was aimed at investigating the accuracy of the scintigraphic prediction of post-lobectomy lung function using Wernly method. We examined 43 patients with bronchial carcinoma: 20 of them underwent pneumonectomy and 23 underwent lobectomy. The pulmonary function data (vital capacity, CV, and forced expiratory volume in one second, VEMS) predicted by quantitative lung scan were compared with those observed in the postoperative follow-up. A good correlation between predicted and observed data was obtained in both the pneumonectomized group (r = 0.77 and 0.78 for CV and VEMS, respectively; p < 0.005) and the lobectomized group (r = 0.74 and 0.79 for CV and VEMS, respectively: p < 0.005). It can be concluded that the method used for the scintigraphy prediction of post-lobectomy pulmonary function is as accurate as the post-pneumonectomy method and can be used reliably in the clinical practice.

Breast engorgement, false positive pregnancy tests, and ectopic gonadotrophin production with bronchogenic carcinoma

Entopic and ectopic production of hCG is recognized to occur in a number of differing neoplasms. We describe two women in the fifth decade of life who presented with breast engorgement and false positive pregnancy tests because of ectopic hCG production in bronchogenic carcinomas. HCG served as a useful tumor marker in both women. In one patient, the recognition of elevated hCG levels led to identification of an occult, early stage bronchogenic carcinoma that was resected for cure. A search for an occult neoplasm should be undertaken in nonpregnant patients with elevated hCG levels. Because of the increasing prevalence of bronchogenic carcinoma in young women, recognition of this syndrome may become more common and facilitate the earlier diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma in such patients.

Preoperative risk evaluation for lung cancer resection: predicted postoperative product as a predictor of surgical mortality

We assessed the capacity to predict surgical mortality, complications, and functional loss by using the results of resting and exercise respiratory function. Measurements were made before and 4 mo after lung resection in 54 consecutive patients with bronchogenic carcinoma. Predicted postoperative (ppo) FEV1 and DLCO were derived using quantitative lung perfusion scans when baseline FEV1 was < 55% predicted, and by proportional loss of pulmonary segments (total = 19 segments) when FEV1 was > 55% predicted. The patients were aged 67 +/- 7 (mean +/- SD) yr, with an FEV1 of 76 +/- 23% predicted, FEV1/FVC of 55 +/- 13%. and DLCO of 85 +/- 22% predicted. Eleven of the patients had pneumonectomy, 29 had lobectomy, 12 had wedge resection, and two had no resection. Wilcoxon and stepwise logistic regression analyses were used to determine which indices best predicted outcome. Postoperative values were correlated (r = 0.87, p < 0.0001) with actual 4/12 postoperative values of FEV1% and of DLCO (r = 0.56, p < 0.0001). The best predictors (all p < 0.05) for each outcome, in order of usefulness, were as follows. For surgical mortality: (1) the predicted postoperative product (PPP) of ppo FEV1% x ppo DLCO%; (2) ppo DLCO%; (3) ppo FEV1%, and (4) RV, FRC, and SaO2 on the maximal step exercise test. For respiratory complications: body mass index (BMI) (for patients undergoing lobectomy or wedge resection only). For cardiac complications: (1) age; (2) SaO2 at baseline and on the maximal step exercise test; (3) PaO2; (4) PaCO2; and (5) minute ventilation at maximal exercise.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Pain assessment and therapy in bronchial carcinoma]

In the period from 1983-1991 133 patients (102 men, 31 women) with lung cancer were treated in our pain clinic for 8083 days. Pain was associated with tumour infiltration in 86% of patients and related to therapy in 15%. Even in 6 of 8 patients who were admitted with a diagnosis of "postthoracotomy syndrome" and in all 4 patients with "postradiation syndrome" local recurrence was diagnosed during follow-up. All 17 cases of brachial plexus lesions were caused by local tumour spread. Symptomatic treatment according to WHO guidelines resulted in good pain relief in 92% of patients and on 82% of days. The incidence of dyspnea decreased from 51% of the patients to 16%. Strong opioids were used on 56% of treatment days. Parenteral or spinal administration of opioids was necessary on 3% of days only.

Evaluation of high-risk lung resection candidates: pulmonary haemodynamics versus exercise testing. A series of five patients

We compared the value of exercise testing and measurement of pulmonary haemodynamics (PH) in the pre-operative assessment of 5 patients (mean age: 64 years, 3 men) with clinical stage I or II bronchogenic carcinoma and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. They were considered at high risk due to poor pulmonary function tests (PFT); (one or more of the following): (1) radionuclide calculated postlobectomy FEV1 < 30% predicted, (2) diffusion capacity or transfer factor < 60% predicted, combined with a fall in PaO2 on maximal exercise of > 5 mm Hg, (3) a PaCO2 at rest of > 45 mm Hg. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) during symptom-limited cycle ergometry and PH were measured in these 5 patients. They were considered eligible for lobectomy if they fulfilled at least one of the two criteria: (1) mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) of < 35 mm Hg and pulmonary vascular resistance of < 190 dyn.s.cm-5 at moderate exercise (40 W), (2) a VO2max of > or = 15 ml/kg/min. Six months postoperatively PFT and VO2max were measured again. PAP40W was 21, 38, 38, 46 and 52 mm Hg, respectively, which would have excluded 4/5 patients from surgery. VO2max was 21.7, 14.9, 13.4, 19.2 and 18.6 ml/kg/min, respectively, which would have excluded 2/5 patients. Expressed in percent predicted, however, VO2max was > or = 69% in all 5 patients, indicating only mild impairment of exercise capacity in the 2 patients with < 15 ml/kg/min VO2max. Therefore all 5 patients were offered surgery and underwent lobectomy. Apart from 1 prolonged air leak no complications occurred, the mean hospital stay was 16 days (13-21).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Lung cancer surgery in the octogenarian

From 1981 through 1991, 40 patients 80 years of age or older underwent thoracotomy for curative resection of bronchogenic carcinoma. There were 22 males and 18 females with a mean age of 82.7 years (range 80-88). In three patients, the operation was aborted due to unexpected metastatic disease discovered at the time of thoracotomy. The remaining 37 patients underwent 5 pneumonectomies, 26 lobectomies and 6 segmentectomies or wedge resections. Three of these patients (1 pneumonectomy, 1 lobectomy, and 1 wedge resection) underwent concomitant en bloc chest wall resection. The overall operative mortality rate (in hospital or within 30 days) was 15% (6/40) while there was a 16% mortality rate (6/37) for resected patients. Complications occurred in 18 of 40 patients (45%) but were major in only 12 (30%). Major complications included respiratory insufficiency (6), pneumonia (4), prolonged air leak (2), stroke (1), urinary retention prostatectomy (1), and one unexplained sudden death 2 weeks following discharge. Postoperative stay in the 34 operative survivors averaged 14 +/- 8.8 days (range 3-47). Univariate analysis revealed that neither gender, extent of lung resection, preoperative NYHA class, history of heart disease nor chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were predictive of operative mortality in the 37 patients undergoing lung resection. Age was the only predictor of mortality (survivors 82.2 +/- 2.2, non-survivors 84.3 +/- 2.6; P < 0.05). The need for chest wall resection approached but did not quite achieve significance (P < 0.08). Actuarial survival for all 40 patients at 1 and 3 years is 55% and 40%, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Major pulmonary resection by video assisted mini-thoracotomy. Initial experience in 35 patients

Video-assisted thoracic surgery is emerging as a viable approach to increasingly complex intrathoracic therapeutic procedures. From February to July 1993, 35 patients (25 male, 10 female; mean age = 60 years, range: 17-74) underwent a major pulmonary resection using a video-assisted technique: lobectomy (n = 30) or pneumonectomy (n = 5). Pathology disclosed bronchogenic carcinomas (n = 26), metastases (n = 3), and miscellaneous disorders (n = 6). All procedures required one 10.5 mm port for the video-camera, one 3.5 to 5 cm utility thoracotomy through which surgical instrumentation was inserted and the operative specimen removed, and one occasional supplementary 12 mm port. Lung resections were performed with separated dissection and division of each component of the pedicle. The mean operative time was 145 min (SD: +/- 17). There were two postoperative deaths (5.7%) that were not directly related to the technique. Seven patients (20%) experienced non-fatal complications. After lobectomy, the mean duration of chest tube placement was 7.3 days (SD: +/- 1.6). The mean hospital stay was 11 days (SD: +/- 3). All the patients experienced minor postoperative chest pain. We conclude that video-assisted lung resections are technically feasible without an increased risk.

Pulmonary resection after pneumonectomy in patients with bronchogenic carcinoma

Eight patients with a previous pneumonectomy for bronchogenic carcinoma underwent an additional resection because of a second primary carcinoma in the remaining lung. One patient died of pulmonary embolism in the postoperative period. The postoperative course was otherwise uneventful except for prolonged air leak. Two patients died after 3 months (bone metastasis) and 5 months (recurrent small-cell carcinoma). Two patients were alive at the time this article was written but had evidence of recurrence after 18 months (distant metastasis) and 21 months (local recurrence at the site of positive resection margins). Three patients were alive and doing well without evidence of disease after 16, 17, and 40 months. After careful selection, even patients with a previous pneumonectomy may be good candidates for additional resection of a second primary bronchogenic carcinoma.

[Clinical course of paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis]

A 49-year-old woman presented with increasing memory loss without dementia. The EEG showed slow activity over the temporal lobe. MRT revealed temporal areas of increased signal intensity without gadolinium enhancement. The diagnosis of limbic encephalitis was made after detection of a bronchial carcinoma. A MRT control examination after chemotherapy showed resolution of the abnormalities. This observation may indicate that chemotherapy has modified that part of the immunological system responsible for induction of limbic encephalitis.

Minimum spanning tree, integrated optical density and lymph node metastasis in bronchial carcinoma

Surgical specimens comprising 80 primary lung carcinoma (lobes and lungs) were expanded by insufflation of air into the main bronchi, and fixed with buffered formalin for 24 h. After the usual tissue procedures, 3-4 microns thick histological sections of the tumour mass were Feulgen stained and various nuclear features such as integrated optical density (IOD), area, form factor, etc. were measured using an automated image analysing system (VISIAC). The geometrical centres of the nuclei were defined as vertices and the corresponding minimum spanning tree (MST) was calculated according to the distance between the vertices. The tumour mass was measured by serial sections of the surgical specimens; the lymph node stage was defined according to the rules of the UICC. Non-tumour infiltrated lymph nodes of the same case served as controls for the IOD and MST. The results revealed a DNA index of 1.1-3.0, a malignancy index (Böcking) 0.90-1.08 and a percentage of S-phases 10-23% (confidence limits). Only 19% of the bronchial carcinoma were found to be not aneuploid. Based upon the weighted MST, the distance of neighbouring cells, the IOD of the centre cells and IOD/area of neighbouring cells revealed statistically significant differences between tumours with and without lymph node metastases. The more advanced the lymph node stage, the 'closer' was the 'packing' of the tumour cells.

[Clinical study on patients with lateral position test (LPT) for determining the relative function on each lung]

Comparing the lateral position test (LPT) on 20 patients of lung cancer with bronchospirometry of tracheal intubation, the authors found that the VC, oxygen uptake were in high positive correlation, while VE were in moderate positive correlation. Therefore, they conclude that LPT could substitute the complicated tracheal intubation for determining the relative function of each lung before the total pneumonectomy.

Physiological effect of endobronchial radiotherapy in patients with major airway occlusion by carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Endobronchial radiotherapy by a high dose rate remote after-loading technique (high dose rate brachytherapy) has become an established treatment for major airway occlusion by inoperable carcinoma of the bronchus. Only limited objective data on its effect on pulmonary physiology and on radiographic and bronchoscopic appearances are available. The aim of this study was to make a detailed assessment of patients before and after high dose rate brachytherapy to determine which investigations were useful and to generate data for comparing this with other methods of treatment.

METHODS

Twenty patients with major airway obstruction by inoperable lung cancer underwent a detailed assessment before receiving endobronchial radiotherapy (15 Gy at 1 cm in a single fraction) and six weeks after treatment. This included chest radiography, computed tomography of the thorax, bronchoscopy including an obstruction index, five minute walking tests, isotope ventilation and perfusion lung scanning, and full lung function tests with maximum inspiratory and expiratory flow-volume loops.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients (mean age 69 years) completed the study. Symptomatic improvement occurred in 17 patients. A collapsed lobe or lung, seen on the chest radiograph in 13, reexpanded in nine. Bronchoscopic appearances improved in 18, the mean obstruction index decreasing from 6.2 to 2.8. The isotope scans showed significant increases in the percentage of total lung ventilation (V) and perfusion (Q) measured over the abnormal lung (V 17.7% to 27.7%, Q 15.1 to 21.9%). Five minute walking distance (305 to 329 m), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1 1.45 to 1.61 l), forced vital capacity (FVC 2.17 to 2.48 l) and ratio of forced expiratory to forced inspiratory flow rate at 50% vital capacity (FEF50/FIF50 0.58 to 0.88) all increased significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

Endobronchial radiotherapy led to subjective benefit in most cases in terms of symptoms and bronchoscopic and radiological appearances. There was objective improvement in spirometric indices and in exercise tolerance with increased pulmonary ventilation and perfusion and evidence of decreased intrathoracic airway obstruction.

[Metal endoprostheses for endoscopic therapy in malignant bronchial tumors]

Self-expanding metal stents were implanted in the trachea or main bronchus in 12 patients (eleven men, one woman; mean age 60 +/- 8 years) with nonresectable bronchial carcinoma (n = 11) or tracheal metastasis of a hypernephroma (n = 1). They all had pulmonary complications caused by tumour stenoses (group I: severe dyspnoea [n = 6], group II: retention pneumonia [n = 4] or lung abscess [n = 2] after unsuccessful antibiotic treatment). The procedure was undertaken after local anaesthesia with a flexible bronchoscope (in the first three cases still with a rigid bronchoscope under general anaesthesia) under fluoroscopic control. Immediate reduction in dyspnoea occurred in five of the six patients in group I. In five of the six patients in group II antibiotics cured the infection after stent placement. The therapeutic effect was immediate in severe dyspnoea and retention of secretions. The clinical improvement lasted longer in patients with abscess and retention pneumonia than those with dyspnoea (41 +/- 16 vs. 26 +/- 10 days). If strict indications are observed in cases with malignant bronchial stenosis, implantation of self-expanding stents provides rapidly effective, well-tolerated palliation.

[Measurement of the blood flow velocity in the pulmonary arteries using the magnetic resonance technique]

MR blood velocity measurements were performed by the RACE technique in a plane perpendicular to the flow of the pulmonary arteries. MR findings were correlated with those of perfusion scintigraphy, Doppler US and right heart catheter (thermodilution). The ratio of MR blood flow measurements of right and left pulmonary arteries correlated well with the results of perfusion scintigraphy (RPA to LPA) and Doppler. Poor correlation was found when comparing MR blood flow measurements with right heart catheter since absolute flow measurements can be superimposed by neighboring blood vessels in complex anatomic situations.

The place for bilobectomy in bronchogenic carcinoma

From 1978 to 1988, 148 bilobectomies (21 upper and middle and 127 lower and middle) were performed for bronchogenic carcinoma. A conservative procedure was mandatory in 29 patients in whom a pneumonectomy was not functionally feasible while bilobectomy was deliberately performed in 119 patients with near normal lung function. Overall mortality was 6% compared to 4% and 3%, respectively, following pneumonectomies and lobectomies. Preoperative functional status did not significantly influence mortality. The complication rate was 55%. The incidence of bronchopleural fistula electively observed after lower and middle lobe resection was significantly higher (11%) compared to 4% after pneumonectomy and 1.4% after lobectomy (P less than 0.01). The overall 5-year survival was 43% and was similar to that observed at comparable TNM stage after other pulmonary resections. Residual right pulmonary function demonstrated by perfusion isotopic scan was 24% +/- 10 in 21 long-term survivors. These results indicate that bilobectomy can reasonably be considered in patients requiring more than a lobectomy but in whom lung conservation is mandatory despite a significant increase in morbidity. The risk appears justifiable regarding late survival results and functional benefit of the remaining right lobe.

Predictability of FEV1 after pulmonary resection for bronchogenic carcinoma

The aim of this study was to review the reliability of prediction of postoperative FEV1 in patients with bronchogenic carcinoma using a Tc-99m perfusion scan and simple spirometry. Over a 27-month period, 40 patients without known recurrent disease had their FEV1 measured. One quarter of the postoperative values for FEV1 differed from predicted values by less than 5% (2/11 pneumonectomies, 5/23 lobectomies, 3/6 segmental resections) and half differed by no more than 10% of predicted FEV1 (4/11 pneumonectomies, 12/23 lobectomies, 3/6 segmentectomies). One tenth of the predicted values differed by more than 30% and up to 760 mls (1/11 pneumonectomies, 2/23 lobectomies, 1/6 segmentectomy). Disease recurrence, phrenic nerve paralysis, exacerbation of obstructive pulmonary disease and poor collaboration during spirometry explained the most severe erroneous results. Age, preoperative smoking, tumour stage and histology, absence of symptoms at the time of diagnosis and adjuvant radiotherapy showed no statistically significant effect on predictability. Twenty-one patients had a postoperative Tc-99m pulmonary scan simultaneous to the spirometric control. Overestimation of postoperative FEV1 was associated with heterogeneous distribution of ventilation and perfusion.

Observations on the predictive value of perfusion lung scans on post-irradiation pulmonary function among 210 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma

As a component of treatment planning for thoracic irradiation (RT), 210 bronchogenic carcinoma patients seen at the Fox Chase Cancer Center from 1983 to 1990 underwent quantitative perfusion scans, superimposition of their RT treatment fields onto these scans, and pulmonary function testing. These studies were used to prospectively estimate the influence of the planned thoracic irradiation on pulmonary function, as measured by the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). Among the 156 patients with unresected lesions, the mean pre-RT FEV1 was 1.71 +/- 0.67 liters (+/- standard deviation), and the mean percentage of total lung perfusion within the treatment field was 31.0 +/- 12.1%. Mean values for the 54 patients treated post-operatively were 1.79 liters (pre-RT FEV1) and 28.8% (% perfusion within RT field). Using this technique, the prospectively predicted post-RT FEV1 is the product of the pre-RT FEV1 (1% of total lung perfusion within the treatment field). The mean predicted post-treatment FEV1 for the nonoperative patients was 1.15 +/- 0.43 liters and 1.25 +/- 0.41 liters for the postoperative patients. Forty-three nonoperative and 19 postoperative patients had FEV1 determinations following RT, at a mean post-RT interval of 11 months for nonoperative patients and 23 months for post-operative patients. Among nonoperative patients, 53% had no change in post-RT FEV1, 19% improved, while 22% had readings declining toward the predicted value. Only 5% had readings below predicted. Among postoperative patients, 37% had no change or improvement, 37% declined toward the predicted, 10% declined to predicted, and 11% had values worse than predicted. This technique of superimposing RT fields onto lung perfusion scans predicts for a degree of pulmonary impairment which is observed in only a minority of patients (10%) and which is rarely exceeded (6%).

Prediction of postoperative pulmonary function following thoracic surgery for bronchial carcinoma

At present surgery is accepted as the most effective mode of therapy for carcinoma of the lung. Because the lack of respiratory reserve is the major determinant of postoperative function, it is useful to identify the patient, who is at significant risk. Eighteen patients with lung cancer (mean age = 56 +/- 6.5 years) were studied preoperatively (preop) and postoperative (postop) (three to four months after lung resection) by spirometry, measurement of arterial blood gases, and quantitative lung scanning (99mTc). A predicted postoperative value of some variables was calculated by the formula: postop value = preop value x % function of regions of lung not resected. The correlation coefficient between the predicted (pred) and postoperatively observed (observ) values VC = vital capacity, FEV1 = forced expiratory volume in 1 second) is: VC pred/VC observ r = 0.83 p less than 0.001 FEV1 pred/FEV1 observ r = 0.82 p less than 0.001. The authors' results agree with earlier reports and show that the method used can accurately predict the postoperative respiratory function in patients undergoing lung resection (pneumonectomy or lobectomy). A predicted FEV1 of 0.8 L does not permit a surgical program, because, below this level, carbon dioxide retention becomes more frequent and exercise intolerance is increasingly severe (poor quality of life). The method proposed to predict the postoperative respiratory function is simple and routinely useful. The authors choose a perfusion instead of ventilation scan, because the former provides similar predicted postoperative data, and can be done routinely.

[Lung function following sleeve bronchoplastic lobectomy for bronchogenic carcinoma]

Twenty-five patients who underwent upper sleeve lobectomy for lung cancer were studied by spirometric examination to evaluate postoperative pulmonary function, including Vital Capacity (VC), %Vital Capacity (%VC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1.0), and Forced Expiratory Volume in one second as a percentage of the forced vital capacity (FEV1.0%). The results of the patients with bronchoplasty were compared with those of patients with lobectomy alone and of patients with pneumonectomy. Lung function was periodically examined postoperatively following bronchoplasty. VC, %VC and FEV1.0 were decreased postoperatively in the patients with upper sleeve lobectomy, while FEV1.0% was increased. There were no differences in postoperative %VC or FEV1.0% between the patients with bronchoplasty and those with upper lobectomy alone. However, the postoperative %VC of the patients with pneumonectomy was significantly decreased compared with patients who underwent postoperative %VC of the patients with pneumonectomy was significantly decreased compared with patients who underwent bronchoplasty or lobectomy alone. %VC in the patients with bronchoplasty was decreased at 3 months after operation, but it to gradually returned to the preoperative value by 13 to 24 months after operation.