Phase 2 trial of preoperative irinotecan plus cisplatin and conformal radiotherapy, followed by surgery for esophageal cancer.

Background: Esophagectomy for locally advanced esophageal cancer (LAEC) is associated with limited survival. Trimodality therapy yields a small survival advantage, with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil regimens most frequently studied. Newer regimens may impact these poor outcomes.

Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Early-Stage Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the developed world. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents 85% of cases of lung cancer, and patients have a poor 5-year survival rate. Approximately one third of NSCLC patients present with early-stage disease that is amenable to potentially curative resection and multimodality therapy.

Gender differences in non-small-cell lung cancer survival: an analysis of 4,618 patients diagnosed between 1997 and 2002.

Background: Gender has been reported as a predictor for nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) survival. Most of the reports are limited to selected groups of patients. The magnitude of gender effect on NSCLC survival across disease stage, tumor histology, and therapies needs to be further characterized.

Coccidioidal pericarditis: implications of surgical treatment in the elderly.

Coccidioidal pericarditis, an uncommonly diagnosed entity, may evolve to a constrictive process. Constrictive coccidioidal pericarditis requires pericardiectomy and antifungal therapy. In the elderly, pericardiectomy may be complicated by coagulopathy and septic shock.