Sclerosing Pneumocytoma: A Host for a Typical Carcinoid With Pleural Metastasis-A Wolf in Sheep`s Clothing.

Sclerosing pneumocytoma (SP) is a rare primary lung tumor. Typical carcinoids (TCs) count for 2% of lung malignancies. A description of a combined neoplasm of SP with a nodal and pleural metastasized TC has, to our knowledge, never been published.

An unusual case of mediastinal mass and bilateral nodules.

A 23-year-old woman presented with a mediastinal paraganglioma and multiple pulmonary chondromas following antral gastric resection for gastrointestinal stromal tumor. These tumors form the Carney triad, a rare disorder of unknown genetic background. First described in 1977, approximately 120 cases have been documented in the literature.

Effect of phrenic nerve palsy on early postoperative lung function after pneumonectomy: a prospective study.

Background: The issue of phrenic nerve preservation during pneumonectomy is still an unanswered question. So far, its direct effect on immediate postoperative pulmonary lung function has never been evaluated in a prospective trial.

Methods: We conducted a prospective crossover study including 10 patients undergoing pneumonectomy for lung cancer between July 2011 and July 2012.

Long term survival after trimodal therapy in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Principles: Trimodal therapy results in long term survival in a small fraction of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma, particularly in patients having epithelial histology, R0-resection and no nodal involvement. This study analyses the outcome after trimodal therapy including extrapleural pneumonectomy.

Methods: From 2000 to 2005 41 patients with histologically verified malignant pleural mesothelioma were included.

Putative cancer stem cells in malignant pleural mesothelioma show resistance to cisplatin and pemetrexed.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a lethal cancer of the mesothelium with high chemotherapeutic resistance via unknown mechanisms. A prevailing hypothesis states that cancer stem cells (CSCs) persist in tumors causing relapse after chemotherapy, thus, rendering these cells as critical targets responsible for tumor resistance and recurrence. We selected candidate CSC markers based on expansion under hypoxic conditions, a hallmark for the selection of chemoresistant cells; and investigated the expression of CSC markers: CD133, Bmi-1, uPAR and ABCG2 in three MPM cell lines and normal mesothelial cells by quantitative RT-PCR.

Inhibition of tissue transglutaminase sensitizes TRAIL-resistant lung cancer cells through upregulation of death receptor 5.

Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) is implicated in cellular processes such as apoptosis and cell migration. Its acyl transferase activity cross-links certain proteins, among them transcription factors were described. We show here that the TG2 inhibitor KCC009 reversed resistance to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing factor (TRAIL) in lung cancer cells.

Comparison of procalcitonin and CrP in the postoperative course after lung decortication.

Objective: The objective of this prospective study was to compare the clinical value of procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CrP) plasma concentrations in their postoperative course after decortication.

Methods: Twenty-two patients requiring surgery for pleural empyema were chosen for this prospective study. Routine blood samples including CrP and PCT plasma concentrations were taken before the operation and on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 7th postoperative day.

Reduction of airspace after lung resection through controlled paralysis of the diaphragm.

Objectives: Residual airspace following thoracic resections is a common clinical problem. Persistent air leak, prolonged drainage time, and reduced hemostasis extend hospital stay and morbidity. We report a trial of pharmacologic-induced diaphragmatic paralysis through continuous paraphrenic injection of lidocaine to reduced residual airspace.

CACNA2D2-mediated apoptosis in NSCLC cells is associated with alterations of the intracellular calcium signaling and disruption of mitochondria membrane integrity.

The CACNA2D2 gene, a new subunit of the Ca(2+)-channel complex, was identified in the homozygous deletion region of chromosome 3p21.3 in human lung and breast cancers. Expression deficiency of the CACNA2D2 in cancer cells suggests a possible link of it to Ca(2+) signaling in the pathogenesis of lung cancer and other cancers.