An international and multidisciplinary EORTC survey on resectability of stage III non-small cell lung cancer.

Introduction: The EORTC-Lung Cancer Group initiated a Delphi consensus process to establish a consensual definition of resectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) for the use in clinical trials, including a systematic review, survey, and review of clinical cases. Here, the survey results are presented, aimed to identify areas of controversy.

Methods: A survey was distributed among the members of six international organizations related to lung cancer.

The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer Lung Cancer Staging Project: Proposals for Revision of the TNM Stage Groups in the Forthcoming (Ninth) Edition of the TNM Classification for Lung Cancer.

Introduction: The TNM classification of lung cancer is periodically revised. The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer collected and analyzed a new database to inform the forthcoming ninth edition of the TNM classification. The results are herewith presented.

The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer Lung Cancer Staging Project: Proposals for the Revisions of the T-Descriptors in the Forthcoming Ninth Edition of the TNM Classification for Lung Cancer.

Introduction: An international database was created by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer to inform on the ninth edition of the TNM classification of lung cancer. The present analyses concern its T component.

Methods: Data on 124,581 patients diagnosed with lung cancer from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2019 were submitted to the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer database.

An Overview of the Use of Anti-Angiogenic Agents in the Treatment of Thymic Epithelial Tumors.

Angiogenesis significantly influences the carcinogenesis of thymic epithelial tumors (TET). Both thymomas and thymic carcinoma (TC) overexpress VEGF-A and VEGFR-1 and -2. This review aims to provide an appraisal of the use of anti-angiogenics in the treatment of TET.

Small Airway Disease in Pre-Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Emphysema: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Small airway disease is an important pathophysiological feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Recently, "pre-COPD" has been put forward as a potential precursor stage of COPD that is defined by abnormal spirometry findings or significant emphysema on computed tomography (CT) in the absence of airflow obstruction. To determine the degree and nature of (small) airway disease in pre-COPD using microCT in a cohort of explant lobes/lungs.

True Prevalence of Unforeseen N2 Disease in NSCLC: A Systematic Review + Meta-Analysis.

Patients with unforeseen N2 (uN2) disease are traditionally considered to have an unfavorable prognosis. As preoperative and intraoperative mediastinal staging improved over time, the prevalence of uN2 changed. In this review, the current evidence on uN2 disease and its prevalence will be evaluated.

Innovative Invasive Loco-Regional Techniques for the Treatment of Lung Cancer.

Surgical resection is still the standard treatment for early-stage lung cancer. A multimodal treatment consisting of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and/or immunotherapy is advised for more advanced disease stages (stages IIb, III and IV). The role of surgery in these stages is limited to very specific indications.

Good's syndrome and COVID-19: case report and literature review.

Background: Good's syndrome (GS) is an adult-onset acquired immunodeficiency, in which patients present with thymoma and hypogammaglobulinemia (HGG). GS is characterized by low to absent peripheral B cells and impaired T-cell mediated immunity, often resulting in various (opportunistic) infections and concurrent autoimmune disorders. In this case report, we present a case of a patient with GS and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection after surgical removal of a thymoma.

Tumor Microenvironment in Thymic Epithelial Tumors: A Narrative Review.

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex and constantly changing entity. The TME consists of stromal cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and innate and adaptive immune cells. Cancer development and progression occurs through this interplay between the tumor and the adjacent stroma.

Prognostic factors and genetic markers in thymic epithelial tumors: A narrative review.

Thymic epithelial tumors (TET) are a group of rare neoplasms of the anterior mediastinum comprising thymomas and thymic carcinomas. The carcinogenesis of TET is mostly unknown. Many studies, mostly retrospective case series, have tried to establish prognostic factors in TET.

Clinical characteristics, surgical treatments, prognosis, and prognostic factors of primary tracheal cancer patients: 20-year data of the National Cancer Center, China.

Background: Tracheal cancer is a rare malignancy of which previous reports are mostly case reports or small series. Herein, we sought to evaluate the clinical characteristics, surgical treatments, and prognosis of surgically treated primary tracheal cancer patients.

Methods: Patients with primary tracheal cancer who had received surgery in our center between January 2000 and December 2020 were enrolled.

From Macroscopy to Ultrastructure: An Integrative Approach to Pulmonary Pathology.

Pathology and radiology are complimentary tools, and their joint application is often crucial in obtaining an accurate diagnosis in non-neoplastic pulmonary diseases. However, both come with significant limitations of their own: Computed Tomography (CT) can only visualize larger structures due to its inherent-relatively-poor resolution, while (histo) pathology is often limited due to small sample size and sampling error and only allows for a 2D investigation. An innovative approach of inflating whole lung specimens and subjecting these subsequently to CT and whole lung microCT allows for an accurate matching of CT-imaging and histopathology data of exactly the same areas.

Safety and Feasibility of Lung Cancer Surgery under the COVID-19 Circumstance.

The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has forced healthcare providers worldwide to adapt their practices. Our understanding of the effects of COVID-19 has increased exponentially since the beginning of the pandemic. Data from large-scale, international registries has provided more insight regarding risk factors for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections and has allowed us to delineate specific subgroups of patients that have higher risks for severe complications.

Fluorescence-Guided Thoracic Duct Dissection in Robotic en Bloc Esophagectomy.

En bloc resection of the thoracic duct compartment enhances adequate lymph node removal and may improve oncologic outcomes in esophagectomy for malignant esophageal diseases. However, it also increases the risk of postoperative chylothorax, with a reported incidence of 5% to 20%. This report describes a technique that facilitates intraoperative identification of the thoracic duct, as well as proximal and distal ligation, during robot-assisted esophagectomy by lymphangiography-guided injection of indocyanine green in the right groin in a patient in the left lateral position.

The role of the surgeon in the management of oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer: a literature review.

Objective: In this review, we aim to summarize the most recent data on the surgical management of oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Background: Approximately 60-70% of all patients with NSCLC initially present with advanced stages of cancer at time of diagnosis. These patients are generally treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these modalities.