Establishment of permanent peritoneal PleurX catheter as palliative treatment of malignant ascites.

Introduction: Refractory malignant ascites (RMA) is a manifestation of end-stage cancer disease with a major impact on quality of life due to the symptom burden and need for repeated hospitalisations. We previously described the implantation of the permanent PleurX catheter as a treatment of RMA. The present study aimed to evaluate and describe our experience with the permanent PleurX catheter system in the largest cohort to date.

Outcome of Incidental Pulmonary Nodules in a Real-World Setting.

Objectives: Early diagnosis of lung cancer is imperative to improve survival. Incidental pulmonary nodules (IPN) may represent early stages of lung cancer and appropriate follow-up and management of these nodules is important, but also very resource demanding. We aim to describe the results of the CT-based follow-up on a cohort of patients with IPN in terms of detected malignancies, the proportion undergoing invasive procedures, and the subsequent outcome.

Can visual assessment of blood flow patterns by dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography distinguish between malignant and benign lung tumors?

Background: Dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (DCE-CT) is a tool, which, in theory, can quantify the blood flow and blood volume of tissues. In structured qualitative analysis, parametric color maps yield a visual impression of the blood flow and blood volume within the tissue being studied, allowing for quick identification of the areas with the highest or lowest blood flow and blood volume.

Purpose: To examine whether DCE-CT could be used to distinguish between malignant and benign lung tumors in patients with suspected lung cancer.

Mediastinal staging in Non-Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma: computed tomography versus F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography and computed tomography.

Background: After the diagnosis Non-Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma (NSCLC) has been established, consideration must turn toward the stage of disease, because this will impact directly on management and prognosis. Staging is used to predict survival and to guide the patient toward the most appropriate treatment regimen or clinical trial. Distinguishing malignant involvement of the mediastinal lymph nodes (N2 or N3) from the hilar lymph nodes, or no lymph nodes (N0 or N1) is critical, because malignant involvement of N2 or N3 lymph nodes usually indicates non-surgically resectable disease.

Characterization of pulmonary lesions in patients with suspected lung cancer: computed tomography versus [¹⁸F] fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography.

Pulmonary nodules are of high clinical importance, given they may prove to be an early manifestation of lung cancer. Pulmonary nodules are small, focal, radiographic opacities that may be solitary or multiple. A solitary pulmonary nodule is a single, small (<-30 mm in diameter) opacity.

Complete pathologic response in lung tumors in two patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer treated with erlotinib.

Introduction: Patients with non-small cell lung cancer with a sensitizing mutation in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are likely to respond to treatment with an EGFR inhibitor. In some patients, residual tumor tissue can be visualized for several years without any signs of progression.

Methods: Two patients with pathologically verified adenocarcinoma of the lung and multiple bone metastases were monitored after start of treatment with erlotinib by examining clinical parameters and imaging of lung tumors and bone metastases.

High resolution spiral CT for determining the malignant potential of solitary pulmonary nodules: refining and testing the test.

Background: A solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) may represent early stage lung cancer. Lung cancer is a devastating disease with an overall 5-year mortality rate of approximately 84% but with early detection and surgery as low as 47%. Currently a contrast-enhanced multiple-row detector CT (MDCT) scan is the first examination when evaluating patients with suspected lung cancer.