Journal of thoracic oncology : official publication of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer
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Cisplatin in combination with vinorelbine has reported an optimal activity/tolerance ratio when used in combination with radiotherapy in locally advanced unresectable non-small cell lung cancer. The currently available oral formulation of vinorelbine should be easier to use assuming a similar activity profile. An international phase II trial with vinorelbine oral and cisplatin as induction followed by oral vinorelbine and cisplatin with concomitant radiotherapy was implemented to evaluate the efficacy in terms of objective response (OR) following this combination as primary end point and duration or response, progression-free survival, overall survival, and safety as secondary endpoints. ⋯ Oral vinorelbine in combination with cisplatin is an effective combination in stage IIIA/IIIB patients. The excellent tolerance profile allowed to complete concomitant chemo-radiotherapy in 87% of patients. Oral vinorelbine in combination with cisplatin is a new and promising option that facilitates the administration of concomitant chemo-radiotherapy with high rates of treatment completion.
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The diagnosis of centrally located intrapulmonary tumors not visible on bronchoscopy may be a challenge. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has been shown to be useful for the evaluation of mediastinal lymph nodes. However, there have been no reports of the utility of EBUS-TBNA for the diagnosis of intrapulmonary tumors. ⋯ Intrapulmonary lesions not assessable by conventional bronchoscopic procedures can easily be assessed and diagnosed by EBUS-TBNA as long as it is within the reach of the EBUS-TBNA scope. EBUS-TBNA is a real-time procedure with a high yield which can be applied for the diagnosis of lung tumors.