Clinical characteristics of patients with Aspergillus species isolation from respiratory samples: Comparison of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis and colonization.

Background: With advancements in anti-fungal drugs, it has become more important to correctly diagnose chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA); however, it is not easy to distinguish CPA from colonization when Aspergillus species are isolated from respiratory samples. The aim of the study was to clarify the particular clinical characteristics of patients with CPA vs. those with colonization.

Brain metastasis effectively treated with erlotinib following the acquisition of resistance to gefitinib: a case report.

Introduction: Non-small-cell lung cancer harboring an activated epidermal growth factor receptor mutation exhibits a good response to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors; however, clinicians often experience treatment failure following the development of resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Case Presentation: We here report a case of a 56-year-old Japanese woman with non-small-cell lung carcinoma with a secondary T790M mutation associated with resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor that maintained sensitivity of brain metastases to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor. An autopsy showed that the primary focus had a T790M mutation; however, no mutations of T790M were found in the brain metastases.

The Frequency of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation of Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer according to the Underlying Pulmonary Diseases.

Background. Although epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) are effective in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation, EGFR-TKIs have a risk of inducing fatal interstitial lung disease (ILD). The selection of chemotherapy based on the EGFR mutation status is recommended, however, the frequency of EGFR mutation in patients with ILD and the efficacy and safety of EGFR-TKI in patients with ILD and EGFR mutation are unknown.

The prevalence of pulmonary fibrosis combined with emphysema in patients with lung cancer.

Background And Objective: Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) is a unique disorder of the upper lobe, whereas emphysema is usually associated with lower lobe fibrosis. Although CPFE might increase the risk of lung cancer, the prevalence of CPFE in patients with lung cancer and the incidence of lung cancer in patients with CPFE are unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of CPFE in lung cancer patients and to assess the clinical features of these patients.

[Clinical analysis of 12 cases of pneumothorax during intensive chemotherapy for malignant neoplasms].

Twelve cases of pneumothorax during intensive chemotherapy for malignant neoplasms were found in a retrospective study of patients being treated at our hospital in the period 2001-2009. All of the patients were men, and their diseases were lung cancer (9 cases), gastric cancer (2 cases) and esophageal cancer (one case). Operation for pneumothorax was performed 9 times in 7 patients(twice in two patients).

[Comparison of three prediction rules for prognosis in community acquired pneumonia: Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI), CURB-65, and A-DROP].

Unlabelled: Several severity scores have been proposed to predict patient outcome and guide initial management of patients with community acquired pneumonia (CAP). The Japan Respiratory Society (JRS) has proposed new predicting scores, A-DROP system (score 0-5, Age : male 70 years and more, female 75 years and more, BUN > 21 mg/dl, SpO2 < 90% or PaO2 < 60 Torr, confusion, systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg). We aimed to compare the predictive value of these instruments regarding 30-day mortality.

[Electronic clinical pathway for community acquired pneumonia (e-CP CAP)].

Clinical pathway is a useful strategy for the management of risk and cost for medical care. We developed an electronic clinical pathway (e-CP) for community acquired pneumonia (CAP). We programmed all medical procedures, including physical and laboratory examinations, medical care, prescriptions, diets, limitations of activities, and patient education on a computer.