Journal of thoracic oncology : official publication of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)-guided transbronchial biopsy (TBB) using a novel 3.4-mm thin bronchoscope and a 1.4-mm ultrasonic probe for peripheral pulmonary lesions. ⋯ The EBUS-TBB using a 3.4-mm thin bronchoscope and a 1.4-mm radial probe is feasible, accurate, and safe for the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions.
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The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical performance/ implementation of integrated F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) for differentiation of pulmonary pathology in an approach of outpatient fast track assessment. ⋯ In this outpatient fast track setting, PET/CT provides valuable information for diagnosing lung cancer, with a high positive predictive value, and is useful for clinical decision making.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Erlotinib monotherapy for stage IIIB/IV non-small cell lung cancer: a multicenter trial by the Korean Cancer Study Group.
Erlotinib (Tarceva, OSI Pharmaceuticals, Melville, NY) is an oral, epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has antitumor activity and good tolerability in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In particular, higher response rates have been reported in Asian patients than in Western patients. The aim of this study conducted by the Korean Cancer Study Group was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of erlotinib monotherapy as a palliative treatment for advanced NSCLC patients in Korea. ⋯ Erlotinib monotherapy showed significant antitumor activity and an acceptable tolerability profile as a palliative treatment in advanced NSCLC patients in Korea, especially in females, never smokers, and patients with adenocarcinoma histology.
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Detection of nonsmall cell lung cancer at the intraepithelial stage is believed to improve cure rates. New bronchoscopic technologies, including white light videobronchoscopy (WLB), autofluorescence imaging (AFI), and narrow band imaging (NBI), are aiming to diagnose airway neoplasia at a preinvasive stage. ⋯ NBI is an alternative to AFI in the detection of early lung cancers because it has a comparatively higher specificity without significantly compromising the sensitivity.
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Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is used mostly in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to sample mediastinal lymph nodes that are visible on computed tomography (CT). We sought to determine the efficacy of EBUS-TBNA in sampling enlarged hilar lymph nodes in this patient population. ⋯ No complications occurred. In experienced hands, EBUS-TBNA of enlarged hilar lymph visible on CT or hilar nodes that are PET scan-positive can provide diagnostic results similar to those for central mediastinal nodes.