Pleural and peripheral lung lesions: comparison of US- and CT-guided biopsy.

Purpose: To retrospectively compare the outcome of computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography (US) guidance when sampling a consecutive series of peripheral lung or pleural lesions.

Materials And Methods: Institutional review board approval was obtained, and the informed consent requirement was waived. From January 2000 to August 2011, 711 thoracic biopsies were performed at two institutions.

Ipilimumab (MDX-010) in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.

Introduction: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the main causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Although new therapies have become available, innovative treatments are still needed for advanced disease. Ipilimumab , a monoclonal antibody targeting cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4), enhances the immune response against the tumor mass and has been proven effective against malignant melanoma.

The administration of gefitinib in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer after the failure of erlotinib.

Purpose: Recent studies have demonstrated that erlotinib therapy may be considered an option for patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer who experienced disease progression after treatment with gefitinib, particularly in patients in whom the disease had been stabilized for a long time prior to gefitinib therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the disease control rate and toxicity of gefitinib in patients whose disease progressed after erlotinib therapy.

Methods: From May 2005 to August 2006, 15 patients received a 250 mg/day dosage of gefitinib after having disease progression while taking erlotinib at a dose of 150 mg/day.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous injection of triamcinolone acetonide for treating capsular contracture in patients with augmented and reconstructed breast.

Objectives: To evaluate ultrasound (US)-guided treatment of capsular contracture (CC) in patients with reconstructed/augmented breast.

Methods: Twenty-five patients with grade IV CC were treated with peri-implant US-guided injection of triamcinolone acetonide. Before/after treatment, maximum capsular thickness (MCT) was measured by ultrasound and pain assessed with visual analogue score (pain-VAS).

[Possible connection between gastroesophageal reflux and interstitial pulmonary fibrosis in patients with systemic sclerosis].

Interstitial lung disease represents the main cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic sclerosis. The mechanisms leading to interstitial lung disease are poorly understood and thus current strategies have little effect on this progressive and fatal disease. Therefore, it appears relevant the importance to assess the possible risk factors involved in its pathogenesis.

Phase II trial of irinotecan and raltitrexed in chemotherapy-naive advanced colorectal cancer.

Background: Irinotecan and raltitrexed are active agents in advanced colorectal cancer (ACC) and preclinical data suggest a remarkable synergistic activity. Phase I studies demonstrated that single-agent full dose of both drugs can be administered with moderate toxicity. The aim of this phase II trial was to assess the activity and tolerability of the combination in untreated ACC.

Non-small cell lung cancer: from cytotoxic systemic chemotherapy to molecularly targeted therapy.

Surgery is the only method of cure in lung cancer. Seldom its application with radical intent is possible. Despite the efforts aimed at integrating all the therapeutic strategies, the overall outcome of the management of this disease remains disappointing.