Lung cancer : journal of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer
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We investigate screening sensitivity, transition probability and sojourn time in lung cancer screening for male heavy smokers using the Mayo Lung Project data. We also estimate the lead time distribution, its property, and the projected effect of taking regular chest X-rays for lung cancer detection. ⋯ Although the mean sojourn time for male heavy smokers is longer than expected, the predictive estimation of the lead time is much shorter. This may provide policy makers important information on the effectiveness of the chest X-rays and sputum cytology in lung cancer early detection.
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Disseminated microvascular pulmonary tumor embolism (DMPTE) is extremely rare and invariably fatal. Typical symptoms and signs of DMPTE include shortness of breath and inadequate oxygenation. Here we demonstrate a patient with unexplained progressive pulmonary hypertension followed by sudden cardiac arrest, who finally diagnosed of DMPTE pathologically under veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) system support. ⋯ DMPTE was confirmed by pathologists. Currently, diagnosis of DMPTE is challenging and treatment is limited although advances of modern medicine. DMPTE should be kept in mind if cancer patients have dyspnea, inadequate oxygen saturation and unexplained pulmonary hypertension during their disease courses that unexpected serious consequences, like sudden cardiac arrest, may happen.
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The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of Noscapine (Nos) and Cisplatin (Cis) combination treatment in vitro in A549 and H460 lung cancer cells, in vivo in murine xenograft model and to investigate the underlying mechanism. The combination index values (< 0.6) suggested synergistic effects of Nos+Cis and resulted in the highest increase in percentage of apoptotic NSCLC cells and increased expression of p53, p21, caspase 3, cleaved caspase 3, cleaved PARP, Bax, and decreased expression of Bcl₂ and surviving proteins compared with treatment with either agent. ⋯ Our results suggest that Nos enhanced the anticancer activity of Cis in an additive to synergistic manner by activating multiple signaling pathways including apoptosis. These findings suggest potential benefit for use of Nos and Cis combination in treatment of lung cancer.
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Several attempts to increase the locoregional control in locally advanced lung cancer including concurrent chemotherapy, accelerated fractionation and dose escalation have been made during the last years. As the EGFR directed antibody cetuximab has shown activity concurrent with radiotherapy in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, as well as in stage IV NSCLC combined with chemotherapy, we wanted to investigate radiotherapy with concurrent cetuximab in locally advanced NSCLC, a tumour type often over expressing the EGF-receptor. ⋯ Induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent cetuximab and RT to 68 Gy is clearly feasible with promising survival. TOXICITY, e.g. pneumonitis and esophagitis is low compared to most schedules with concurrent chemotherapy. This treatment strategy should be evaluated in a randomised manner vs. concurrent chemoradiotherapy to find out if it is a valid treatment option.
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There is a growing awareness that symptoms frequently co-occur in 'symptom clusters' and that understanding these clusters may improve the management of unrelieved symptoms in patients. In-depth longitudinal exploration of lung cancer patients' symptom experiences is used to examine patient symptom experiences and distress across the disease trajectory of lung cancer. ⋯ Longitudinal qualitative investigation offers a valuable method for improving our understanding of patients' experiences of lung cancer and for identifying potential opportunities to improve patient quality of life.