Journal of thoracic oncology : official publication of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer
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Calcifying fibrous pseudotumor (CFP) of the pleura is a rare benign lesion. Eleven cases of CFP of the pleura have been reported, and multiple nodules were present in seven cases. ⋯ Diagnosis was made by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and complete resection of all disseminated lesions was possible with followed thoracotomy. Although multiple lesions may prevent the complete resection and CFP of the pleura is considered as benign lesion, complete surgical resection of all lesions seems to be the best therapy for CFP of the pleura to reduce additional dissemination and local recurrence.
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Lung cancer symptoms can be burdensome for patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Patient Symptom Assessment in Lung Cancer (PSALC), a self-report scale for assessing SCLC symptom burden, was developed and validated previously using intravenous topotecan clinical trial data. This study cross-validates the PSALC using oral topotecan (OT) trial data. ⋯ Consistent with prior psychometric results, this cross-validation study using OT trial data showed acceptable validity, reliability, and responsiveness of the PSALC scale, further supporting its use to measure symptom burden in previously treated SCLC.
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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.