Brief Report: Evaluating Early Stage Lung Cancer Survival Patterns in Patients at the Upper Age Limit for Lung Cancer Screening.

Introduction: Older individuals have an elevated lung cancer risk but may also have substantial comorbidities that preclude curative treatment options and limit the survival benefits of screening. The objective of this study was to assess early stage lung cancer survival patterns among those at the upper age limit for screening and identify older individuals who have the potential to benefit from lung cancer screening.

Methods: We identified all early stage (I or II) lung cancers diagnosed in Alberta, Canada between 2010 and 2020.

Smoking status predicts anastomotic leak after esophagectomy: a systematic review & meta-analysis.

Background: Anastomotic leak after esophagectomy is a major contributor to surgery-related morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate if positive-smoking status is associated with the incidence of this complication.

Methods: A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Library was performed on April 4th, 2023.

Endoscopic incisional therapy for benign anastomotic strictures after esophagectomy or gastrectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Studies have evaluated the efficacy of endoscopic incisional therapy (EIT) for benign anastomotic strictures. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate stricture recurrence after EIT following esophagectomy or gastrectomy.

Methods: A systematic search of databases was performed up to April 2nd, 2023, after selection of key search terms with the research team.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on esophageal cancer resource allocation: a systematic review.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic challenged global infrastructure. Healthcare systems were forced to reallocate resources toward the frontlines. In this systematic review, we analyze the impact of resource reallocation during the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis, management, and outcomes of esophageal cancer (EC) patients.

Conflict of interest disclosure by US cardiothoracic surgeons.

Background: Surgeon-industry collaboration is a key driver of advancement in surgical technology and practice. Disclosures of financial relationships between investigators and industries are important to ensure transparent and critical evaluation of literature.

Methods: All American cardiothoracic (CT) surgeons who published in three major CT surgery journals in 2019 were identified.

Health Care Utilization and Costs in Lung Cancer Screening Participants-A Propensity-Matched Economic Analysis.

Introduction: Lung cancer screening (LCS) for high-risk populations has been firmly established to reduce lung cancer mortality, but concerns exist regarding unintended downstream costs.

Methods: Mean health care utilization and costs were compared in the Alberta Lung Cancer Screening Study in a cohort undergoing LCS versus a propensity-matched control group who did not.

Results: A cohort of 651 LCS participants was matched to 336 unscreened controls.

Resource allocation during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and the impact on patients with lung cancer: a systematic review.

Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in unprecedented tolls on both economies and human life. Healthcare resources needed to be reallocated away from the care of patients and towards supporting the pandemic response. In this systematic review, we explore the impact of resource allocation during the COVID-19 pandemic on the screening, diagnosis, management and outcomes of patients with lung cancer during the pandemic.

A prospective Canadian gastroesophageal cancer database: What have we learned?

Background: Minimal literature exists on outcomes for Canadian patients with gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA). The objective of our study was to establish a prospective clinical database to evaluate demographic characteristics, presentation and outcomes of patients with GEA.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with GEA were recruited from Jan.

Changes in Sarcopenia Status Predict Survival Among Patients with Resectable Esophageal Cancer.

Background: Sarcopenia is a predictor of survival in patients with esophageal cancer. The objective of this research was to obtain insight into how changes in sarcopenia influence survival in resectable esophageal cancer.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective cohort of patients with esophageal cancer undergoing tri-modality therapy was selected.

Optimizing management for early-stage esophageal adenocarcinoma: longitudinal results from a multidisciplinary program.

Background: The management of early-stage esophageal cancer is nuanced. A multidisciplinary approach may optimize management through selection of candidates for surgical or endoscopic therapies. The objective of this research was to examine long-term outcomes of patients with early-stage esophageal cancer who undergo treatment with endoscopic resection or surgery.

Oral care reduces incidence of pneumonia after esophagectomy: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Post-operative pneumonia after esophagectomy is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality. Prior studies have demonstrated a link between the presence of pathologic oral flora and the development of aspiration pneumonia. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of pre-operative oral care on the incidence of post-operative pneumonia after esophagectomy.

Sarcopenia in Lung Cancer: A Narrative Review.

It has been over 10 years since the relationship between sarcopenia and lung cancer was first explored. Since then, sarcopenia research has progressed substantially, and the prognostic value of this condition is becoming increasingly apparent. Prior systematic reviews and meta-analyses have established sarcopenia to be negatively associated with disease-free and overall-survival, as well as a major risk factor for post-operative complications.

Probability of lung cancer in a population excluded from screening due to low PLCO risk.

Background: Several randomized trials demonstrated have reduced lung cancer mortality with screening using computed tomography. However, there remains debate about the optimal approach for determining screening eligibility, and no evidence yet exists reporting lung cancer rates in those excluded from screening due to too low of a personalized risk.

Methods: This study was based on the Alberta Lung Cancer Screening Study, which received 1737 applicants and enrolled 850 based on the NLST criteria or a PLCO risk ≥ 1.

Sarcopenia reduces overall survival in unresectable oesophageal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Sarcopenia measured through body composition analysis is emerging as an important prognosticator among various malignancies, including oesophageal cancer. Skeletal muscle index (SMI) as determined by the third lumbar vertebrae on cross-sectional CT images has been demonstrated as a predictor of overall survival in oesophageal cancer, using pre-defined cut off values for sarcopenia. However, this is largely within the setting of resectable disease.

Sarcopenia Determined by Skeletal Muscle Index Predicts Overall Survival, Disease-free Survival, and Postoperative Complications in Resectable Esophageal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Sarcopenia has been identified as a prognostic factor among certain types of cancer. In esophageal cancer, patients are at increased risk of malnutrition and sarcopenia, ultimately contributing to poor outcomes. A systematic review was conducted to determine whether sarcopenia, defined by the skeletal muscle index, is predictive of overall survival, disease-free survival, and postoperative complications in resectable esophageal cancer.

Stigma in Early-Stage Lung Cancer.

Background: The phenomenon of lung cancer stigma has been firmly established in the literature. However, studies have predominantly focused on patients with advanced disease, whose experiences may differ from patients with earlier stage, surgically resectable lung cancer and an improved prognosis.

Purpose: The objective of the study was to examine the stigma experienced in a Canadian population with early-stage, resectable lung cancer.

Development and application of an electronic synoptic report for reporting and management of low-dose computed tomography lung cancer screening examination.

Background: Interpretation of Low Dose CT scans and protocol driven management of findings is a key aspect of lung cancer screening program performance. Reliable and reproducible methods are needed to communicate radiologists' interpretation to the screening program or clinicians driving management decision.

Methods: We performed an audit of a subset of dictated reports from the PANCAN study to assess for omissions.

Competency Assessment for Laparoscopic Anti-Reflux Surgery: Design and Delphi Review, a Collaboration With the American Foregut Society.

Background: Laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery, including hiatus hernia repair, is a common operation performed by both general and thoracic surgeons and an important learning objective for surgical trainees. This study aimed to design a competency assessment instrument for laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery.

Method: A comprehensive competency assessment instrument was designed by a process of logical analysis by four expert thoracic surgeons with an interest in foregut surgery, and then reviewed informally by a panel of experts.

Clinical Validation of the Canada Lymph Node Score for Endobronchial Ultrasound.

Background: The Canada Lymph Node Score (CLNS) uses 4 sonographic criteria to predict the risk of malignancy in lymph nodes during endobronchial ultrasound. The CLNS may play a role in identifying targets for biopsy or rebiopsy during invasive mediastinal staging for lung cancer. However the CLNS has not yet been prospectively validated in routine clinical practice.

USPSTF2013 versus PLCOm2012 lung cancer screening eligibility criteria (International Lung Screening Trial): interim analysis of a prospective cohort study.

Background: Lung cancer is a major health problem. CT lung screening can reduce lung cancer mortality through early diagnosis by at least 20%. Screening high-risk individuals is most effective.

Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Metastasizing to a Solitary Fibrous Tumor: An Unprecedented Case of Tumor-to-tumor Metastasis.

Background: Tumor-to-tumor (TMT) metastasis is a rare phenomenon in which a primary malignancy undergoes metastasis to an additional synchronous or metachronous primary tumor.

Case Report: This is a case report of a tumor-to-tumor metastasis from a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the esophagus to a solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) of the right posterior neck, in a 70-year-old-male with a solitary right vertebral artery. After appropriate work-up and involvement of the necessary specialties, the patient underwent a complex surgical resection with negative margins.

Two-Year Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Study of Integrated Smoking Cessation in a Lung Cancer Screening Program.

Introduction: Smoking cessation activities incorporated into lung cancer screening programs have been broadly recommended, but studies to date have not exhibited increased quit rates associated with cessation programs in this setting. We aimed to determine the long-term effectiveness of smoking cessation counseling in smokers presenting for lung cancer screening.

Methods: This was a randomized control trial of an intensive, telephone-based smoking cessation counseling intervention incorporating lung cancer screening results versus usual care (information pamphlet).