The role of postoperative radiotherapy in stage II and III thymoma: a Korean multicenter database study.

Background: Complete resection is a standard treatment for patients with Masaoka-Koga stages II and III thymoma, however the role of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) is controversial. We analyzed data collected from 4 Korean hospitals to determine the effectiveness of PORT in stage II and III thymoma patients.

Methods: Between January 2000 and December 2013, 1,663 patients underwent surgery for thymic tumors at the 4 hospitals.

Tumor size as a prognostic factor in limited-stage thymic epithelial tumors: A multicenter analysis.

Objective: The prognostic significance of tumor size in thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) has not been fully evaluated. We aimed to clarify the prognostic value of tumor size in limited-stage and advanced-stage TETs.

Methods: Clinical records of patients with completely resected TETs were retrospectively collected from 4 tertiary centers between January 2000 and February 2013.

Prediction of postoperative pulmonary complications using preoperative controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score in patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer.

Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) significantly impact surgical outcome. We investigated the predictive ability of controlling nutritional status (CONUT) for PPC after lung resection in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We retrospectively reviewed data of 922 patients with NSCLC who underwent complete resection from January 2016-December 2017.

Factors Affecting the Number of Stapler Cartridges in Complete Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery Lobectomy for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

Background: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy has become the major surgical option for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Endoscopic instruments such as stapler cartridges are essential for VATS procedures. In this study, we investigated the factors that affect the number of stapler cartridges used in VATS lobectomy.

Predictors of post-thymectomy long-term neurological remission in thymomatous myasthenia gravis: an analysis from a multi-institutional database.

Objectives: Thymectomy is the treatment of choice for thymomatous myasthenia gravis (MG) for both oncological and neurological aspects. However, only a few studies comprising small numbers of patients have investigated post-thymectomy neurological outcomes. We examined post-thymectomy long-term neurological outcomes and predictors of thymomatous MG using a multi-institutional database.

Tumor microenvironment dictates regulatory T cell phenotype: Upregulated immune checkpoints reinforce suppressive function.

Background: Regulatory T (T) cells have an immunosuppressive function in cancer, but the underlying mechanism of immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is unclear.

Methods: We compared the phenotypes of T cell subsets, including T cells, obtained from peripheral blood, malignant effusion, and tumors of 103 cancer patients. Our primary focus was on the expression of immune checkpoint (IC)-molecules, such as programmed death (PD)-1, T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing (TIM)-3, T cell Ig and ITIM domain (TIGIT), and cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen (CTLA)-4, on T cells in paired lymphocytes from blood, peritumoral tissue, and tumors of 12 patients with lung cancer.

Impact of Lymph Node Dissection on Thymic Malignancies: Multi-Institutional Propensity Score Matched Analysis.

Introduction: Surgical resection is a standard treatment for thymic malignancies. However, prognostic significance of nodal metastases and lymph node dissection remains unclear. The aim of this study is to determine prognostic significance of nodal metastases and the role of lymph node dissection (LND) in thymic malignancies.

Validation of the T descriptor in the new 8th TNM classification for non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: To validate new proposals for the revision of T descriptors and to compare the prognostic value of the seventh and forthcoming eighth edition of the tumor, node and metastasis (TNM) classification for lung cancer.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 1,316 patients with non-small lung cancer who underwent pulmonary resection between 1999 and 2012. Patients who had a positive nodal status or distant metastasis were excluded.

Prognostic factors for resected non-small cell lung cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: For diabetic patients with lung cancer, blood glucose levels and medications such as metformin and statins may influence survival.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine prognostic survival factors for diabetic patients with resected non-small cell lung cancer.

Patients And Methods: Between January 2005 and December 2013, 301 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who underwent curative resection for non-small cell lung cancer were identified and reviewed retrospectively.

Extent of Mediastinal Lymphadenectomy and Survival in Superficial Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the utility of total mediastinal lymphadenectomy (ML) in superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods: The medical records of 129 patients who underwent esophagectomy and lymph node dissection for pathologically confirmed pT1 ESCC between July 2006 and December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Limited ML, such as traditional 2-field or transhiatal esophagectomy, was performed in 42 patients (group 1), and total ML, including the bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve nodes, was performed in 87 patients (group 2).

Limited thymectomy as a potential alternative treatment option for early-stage thymoma: A multi-institutional propensity-matched study.

Objectives: For early-stage thymoma, complete thymectomy has classically been regarded as the standard treatment protocol. However, several studies have shown that limited thymectomy may be an alternative treatment option for thymoma. This study compared perioperative outcomes, survival, and recurrence rates between patients undergoing limited thymectomy and complete thymectomy.

Pulmonary fissure development is a prognostic factor for patients with resected stage I lung adenocarcinoma.

Background: Pulmonary fissure differs among patients, but the relationship between pulmonary fissure development and survival in patients with resected lung adenocarcinoma has not been evaluated. In this study, we analyzed the effect of fissure development on prognosis in patients with stage I lung adenocarcinoma.

Methods: From January 2009 to December 2012, data, including pulmonary fissure development, were collected prospectively for all lung cancer, and this was a retrospective study of prospectively collected data.

Three-Dimensional Ground Glass Opacity Ratio in CT Images Can Predict Tumor Invasiveness of Stage IA Lung Cancer.

Purpose: We investigated the relationship between various parameters, including volumetric parameters, and tumor invasiveness according to the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC)/American Thoracic Society (ATS)/European Respiratory Society (ERS) classification.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 99 patients with completely resected stage IA lung adenocarcinoma. The correlation between several parameters [one-dimensional ground glass opacity (1D GGO) ratio, two-dimensional (2D) GGO ratio, three-dimensional (3D) GGO ratio, 1D solid size, 2D solid size, and 3D solid size] and tumor invasiveness according to IASLC/ATS/ERS classification was investigated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Tumor perimeter and lobulation as predictors of pleural recurrence in patients with resected thymoma.

Objectives: Recurrence of resected thymoma frequently occurs during follow-up, with pleural recurrence as the most common type. The aim of our study was to identify risk factors for pleural recurrence after complete resection of thymoma by investigating clinical, radiological, surgical, and pathological findings.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective study was performed with 309 patients who had undergone complete resection of thymoma between January 2000 and December 2013.

Safety of thoracoscopic surgery for lung cancer without interruption of anti-platelet agents.

Background: Perioperative bleeding concerns have led to the general recommendation that antiplatelet agents (APAs) be discontinued 7-10 days preoperatively, but this could increase the risk of perioperative cardiovascular events. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the safety of APA continuation during thoracoscopic surgery for lung cancer.

Methods: Between January 2009 and February 2015, 164 patients taking APAs underwent curative resection.

Autophagy contributes to the chemo-resistance of non-small cell lung cancer in hypoxic conditions.

Background: The development of chemo-resistance in non-small lung cancer is a major obstacle in treating patients. Hypoxia is a commonly faced microenvironment in solid tumor and suggested to be related to both autophagy and chemo-resistance.

Methods: In this study, we investigated the role of hypoxia-induced autophagy in acquiring chemo-resistance in both cancer cell (A549) and human cancer tissue

Results: Hypoxic exposure (1 % O2) of A549 cell stimulated autophagic induction in cancer cells, shown by increase of LC3BI to LC3BII conversion and decrease of p62/sequestosome1 in Western blot, increased GFP-LC puncta in confocal microscopy, and increased number of double-membrane autophagic vacuoles in electron micrographs.

Value of 18F-FDG PET/CT for Predicting the World Health Organization Malignant Grade of Thymic Epithelial Tumors: Focused in Volume-Dependent Parameters.

Purpose: We investigated whether preoperative parameters of 18F-FDG PET/CT were correlated with the World Health Organization (WHO) classification and/or Masaoka staging of thymic epithelial tumors.

Patients And Methods: We reviewed 61 patients retrospectively who were diagnosed with thymic epithelial tumors after surgical resection and PET/CT. A volume of interest was drawn on the primary lesion, using an SUV cutoff of 2.

Analysis of Unexpected Conversion to Thoracotomy During Thoracoscopic Lobectomy in Lung Cancer.

Background: Since anatomical lung resection by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) was first introduced, VATS has played a major role in lung cancer. However, conversion to thoracotomy is a major concern because an unexpected thoracotomy increases the risk of potentially adverse outcomes. Therefore, we compared patients who were and were not converted to thoracotomy and identified the risk factors for thoracotomy conversion.

64Cu-ATSM Hypoxia Positron Emission Tomography for Detection of Conduit Ischemia in an Experimental Rat Esophagectomy Model.

Background: We designed a hypoxia-imaging modality to detect ischemia of the gastric conduit after esophagectomy.

Materials And Methods: A rat esophagectomy model was created using 12-16-week-old, 300-350 g male Sprague-Dawley rats. In the operation group (n=6), partial gastric devascularization was performed by ligating the left gastric artery and the short gastric arteries and an esophagogastric anastomosis was performed.

Surgical Treatment of Postpneumonectomy Syndrome with Tissue Expanders in Children.

Postpneumonectomy syndrome (PPS) is a rare late complication of pneumonectomy. It occurs more often in children than in adults, and is characterized by respiratory failure resulting from bronchial compression caused by severe mediastinal shift. Various methods have been used to treat PPS, including aortopexy and the insertion of plastic balls, silastic implants, and saline-filled breast prostheses.

Prognostic effect of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in patients with resected Non small cell lung cancer.

Background: The role of tumor matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial. In this study, we investigated the prognostic value of tumor MMP-9 expression and other clinicopathologic factors in patients with completely resected NSCLC.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent complete resection of pathological stage I-IIIA NSCLC at Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea, between 1998 and 2009.

Trainees Can Safely Learn Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery Lobectomy despite Limited Experience in Open Lobectomy.

Background: The aim of this study was to establish whether pulmonary lobectomy using video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) can be safely performed by trainees with limited experience with open lobectomy.

Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from 251 patients who underwent VATS lobectomy at a single institution between October 2007 and April 2011. The surgical outcomes of the procedures that were performed by three trainee surgeons were compared to the outcomes of procedures performed by a surgeon who had performed more than 150 VATS lobectomies.