Long-term follow-up of voice changes after cervical mediastinoscopy

Background

Vocal cord palsy after cervical mediastinoscopy is usually reported at less than 1%. However, its incidence might be underestimated and no follow-up studies are available. Our study aimed to evaluate the incidence of voice changes after cervical mediastinoscopy and report on long-term outcomes, including quality of life, after at least one-year follow-up.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed, considering all patients who underwent cervical mediastinoscopy in our center between January 2011 and April 2016. Patients with pre-existing voice changes, voice changes only after pulmonary resection and patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemo(radio)therapy were excluded. Voice changes with full recovery within 14 days were attributed to intubation-related causes. Follow-up questionnaires, including the standardized Voice Handicap Index, were sent to patients with documented voice changes.

Results

Of 270 patients who were included for final analysis, 17 (6.3%) experienced voice changes after cervical mediastinoscopy, which persisted > 2 years in 4 patients (1.5%), causing mild to moderate disabilities in daily living. Twelve patients (out of 17, 71%) were referred for otolaryngology consultation, and paresis of the left vocal cord suggesting recurrent laryngeal nerve injury was confirmed in 10 (3.7% of our total study group). Additionally, 83% of the patients who were referred for otolaryngology consultation received voice treatment. Recovery rate after vocal exercises therapy and injection laryngoplasty was respectively 71% and 33%.

Conclusions

Voice changes after cervical mediastinoscopy is an underreported complication, with an incidence of at least 6.3% in our retrospective study, with persisting complaints in at least 1.5% of patients, leading to mild to moderate disabilities in daily living. These findings highlight the need for appropriate patient education for this underestimated complication, as well as the exploration of possible preventive measures.

Impact of time-to-treatment on survival for advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients in the Netherlands: a nationwide observational cohort study

BACKGROUND

The assumption that more rapid treatment improves survival of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not yet been proven. We studied the relation between time-to-treatment and survival in advanced stage NSCLC patients in a large multicentric nationwide retrospective cohort. Additionally, we identified factors associated with delay.

METHOD

We selected 10 306 patients, diagnosed and treated between 2014 and 2019 for clinical stage III and IV NSCLC, from the Netherlands Cancer Registry that includes nationwide data from 109 Dutch hospitals. Associations between survival and time-to-treatment were tested with Cox proportional hazard regression analyses. Time-to-treatment was adjusted for multiple covariates including diagnostic procedures and type of therapy. Factors associated with delay were identified by multilevel logistic regression.

RESULTS

Risk of death significantly decreased with longer time-to-treatment for stage III patients receiving only radiotherapy (adjusted HR, aHR >21 days: 0.59 (95% CI 0.48 to 0.73)) or any type of systemic therapy (aHR >49 days: 0.72 (95% CI 0.56 to 0.91)) and stage IV patients receiving chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy (aHR >21 days: 0.81 (95% CI 0.73 to 0.88)). No significant association was found for stage III patients treated with chemoradiotherapy and stage IV patients treated with targeted therapy. More complex diagnostic procedures often delay treatment.

CONCLUSION

Although in general it is important to start treatment as early as possible, our study finds no evidence that a more rapid start of treatment improves outcomes in advanced stage NSCLC patients. The benefit of urgent treatment is probably confounded by unmeasured patient and tumour characteristics and, clinical urgency dictating timelines of treatment. Time-to-treatment and its impact should be continuously evaluated as therapeutic strategies continue to evolve and improve.

Occult lymph node metastases in clinical N0/N1 NSCLC; A single center in-depth analysis

OBJECTIVES

Lymph node staging in patients with non-small cell lung cancer is crucial for determining prognosis and treatment. Our objective was to evaluate the clinical- to pathological agreement of guideline-concordant nodal staging in patients with resectable NSCLC and assess occurrence and distribution of occult lymph node metastases (OLM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a retrospective single center cohort study (n = 390), we analyzed all surgically treated NSCLC patients from January 2015 until April 2019. Patients were classified into sub-groups (1) mediastinal staging by PET-CT/CT-scan (IMAGE-group) or (2) invasive staging by endobronchial ultrasound and mediastinoscopy (INVAS-group). Agreement between final clinical (cN) and pathological nodal stage (pN) and the presence and location of OLM are analyzed.

RESULTS

Agreement between cN- and pN-stage was 86.3 % in the IMAGE-group (n = 117) and 50.9 % in the INVAS-group (n = 167). Occult N1 disease was found in 33 patients (16.6 % in cN0) of which 52 % occurred in LN-regions 12-14. Occult N2 disease was found in 20 cases (6.5 % in cN0 and 12.7 % in cN1). Combined, 23.1 % of all pre-operatively cN0-staged patients (n = 46/199) had OLM (pN+), of which 12.1 % (24/199) had metastases in regions 5-6 and/or 12-14. Of all patients with OLM, 50.0 % (23/46) had primary tumors ≤30 mm.

CONCLUSION

OLM are frequently identified in clinically N0/N1 NSCLC, also in tumors <3 cm, and often in regions beyond reach of current staging techniques. These findings should be addressed when non-surgical treatment or sub-lobar resections are considered for early stage lung cancer.

Systematic and combined endosonographic staging of lung cancer (SCORE study)

Guidelines recommend endosonography for mediastinal nodal staging in patients with resectable nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We hypothesise that a systematic endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) evaluation combined with an oesophageal investigation using the same EBUS bronchoscope (EUS-B) improves mediastinal nodal staging versus the current practice of targeted positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography (CT)-guided EBUS staging alone.A prospective, multicentre, international study (NCT02014324) was conducted in consecutive patients with (suspected) resectable NSCLC. After PET-CT, patients underwent systematic EBUS and EUS-B. Node(s) suspicious on CT, PET, EBUS and/or EUS-B imaging and station 4R, 4L and 7 (short axis ≥8 mm) were sampled. For patients without N2/N3 disease determined on endosonography, surgical-pathological staging was the reference standard.229 patients were included in this study. The prevalence of N2/N3 disease was 103 out of 229 patients (45%). A PET-CT-guided targeted approach by EBUS identified 75 patients with N2/N3 disease (sensitivity 73%, 95% CI 63-81%; negative predictive value (NPV) 81%, 95% CI 74-87%). Four additional patients with N2/N3 disease were found by systematic EBUS (sensitivity 77%, 95% CI 67-84%; NPV 84%, 95% CI 76-89%) and five more by EUS-B (84 patients total; sensitivity 82%, 95% CI 72-88%; NPV 87%, 95% CI 80-91%). Additional clinical relevant staging information was obtained in 23 out of 229 patients (10%).Systematic EBUS followed by EUS-B increased sensitivity for the detection of N2/N3 disease by 9% compared to PET-CT-targeted EBUS alone.

Stereotactic radiotherapy boost after definite chemoradiation for non-responding locally advanced NSCLC based on early response monitoring 18F-FDG-PET/CT

Background and purpose

Prognosis of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer remains poor despite chemoradiation. This planning study evaluated a stereotactic boost after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (30 × 2 Gy) to improve local control. The maximum achievable boost directed to radioresistant primary tumor subvolumes based on pre-treatment fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (¹⁸F-FDG-PET/CT) (pre-treatment-PET) and on early response monitoring ¹⁸F-FDG-PET/CT (ERM-PET) was compared.

Materials and methods

For ten patients, a stereotactic boost (VMAT) was planned on ERM-PET (PTV_boost;ERM) and on pre-treatment-PET (PTV_{boost;pre-treatment}), using a 70% SUV_max threshold with 7 mm margin to segmentate radioresistant subvolumes. Dose was escalated till organ at risk (OAR) constraints were met, aiming to plan at least 18 Gy in 3 fractions (EQD₂ 84 Gy/BED 100.8 Gy).

Results

In five patients, PTV_boost;ERM was 9-40% smaller relative to PTV_{boost;pre-treatment}. Overlap of PTV_boost;ERM with OARs decreased also compared to overlap of PTV_{boost;pre-treatment} with OARs. However, any overlap with OAR remained in 4/5 patients resulting in minimal differences between planned dose before and during treatment. Median dose (EQD₂) covering 99% and 95% of PTV_boost;ERM were 15 Gy and 18 Gy respectively. Median boost volume receiving a physical dose of  ≥ 18 Gy (V18) was 88%. V18 was ≥ 80% for PTV_boost in six patients.

Conclusions

A significant stereotactic boost to volumes with high initial or persistent ¹⁸F-FDG-uptake could be planned above 60 Gy chemoradiation. Differences between planned dose before and during treatment were minimal. However, as an ERM-PET also monitors changes in tumor position, we recommend to plan the boost on the ERM-PET.

Image enhancement technology in bronchoscopy: a prospective multicentre study in lung cancer

Introduction

Patients with lung cancer may present with additional lesions in the central airways. Earlier studies have shown a relationship between vessel diameter, pattern and grade of malignancy. High-definition (HD+) bronchoscopy with image enhancement techniques (i-scan) detected more vascular abnormalities but correlation with pathology has not yet been established.

Methods

In this investigator-initiated, randomised, controlled, crossover, multicentre study in patients with suspected lung cancer, a HD+ bronchoscopy was performed with i-scan1 and i-scan2 settings in random order. Biopsies, visual grade and vascular pattern classification were obtained by endoscopists and blinded evaluation.

Results

In 107 patients, vascular patterns were classified in 48 tumours. Abrupt-ending vessels were predominantly found in squamous cell carcinoma but overall correlation between vessel pattern and histology was not significant (p=0.339). Additional lesions were detected in 35 patients (33%) with a correlation between vessel pattern and high-grade (pre-)invasive lesions (p<0.001). In 8.4% of the patients, relevant second lesions were detected which determined treatment and staging in 3% of all patients. Interobserver agreement was excellent for visual grading of the airway epithelium, but low for classifying vascular patterns. No significant detection rate difference was found by blinded and unblinded evaluation.

Conclusion

HD+ bronchoscopy with i-scan image enhancement readily detects additional lesions. In one-third of all the patients, additional lesions were detected. Their vascular pattern correlates to pathology outcome, but the interobserver correlation for vascular pattern classification is low. These lesions were relevant in 8.4% and affected treatment and work-up in 3% of the cases.

Trial registration number

NCT02285426; Results.

High definition bronchoscopy: a randomized exploratory study of diagnostic value compared to standard white light bronchoscopy and autofluorescence bronchoscopy

Background

Videobronchoscopy is an essential diagnostic procedure for evaluation of the central airways and pivotal for the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. Technological improvements have resulted in high definition (HD) images with advanced real time image enhancement techniques (i-scan).

Objectives

In this study we aimed to explore the sensitivity of HD+ i-scan bronchoscopy for detection of epithelial changes like vascular abnormalities and suspicious preinvasive lesions, and tumors.

Methods

In patients scheduled for a therapeutic or diagnostic procedure under general anesthesia videos of the bronchial tree were made using 5 videobronchoscopy modes in random order: normal white light videobronchoscopy (WLB), HD-bronchoscopy (HD), HD bronchoscopy with surface enhancement technique (i-scan1), HD with surface- and tone enhancement technique (i-scan2) and dual mode autofluorescence videobronchoscopy (AFB). The videos were scored in random order by two independent and blinded expert bronchoscopists.

Results

In 29 patients all videos were available for analysis. Vascular abnormalities were scored most frequently in HD + i-scan2 bronchoscopy (1.33 ± 0.29 abnormal or suspicious sites per patient) as compared to 0.12 ± 0.05 site for AFB (P = 0.003). Sites suspicious for preinvasive lesions were most frequently reported using AFB (0.74 ± 0.12 sites per patient) as compared to 0.17 ± 0.06 for both WLB and HD bronchoscopy (P = 0.003). Tumors were detected equally by all modalities. The preferred modality was HD bronchoscopy with i-scan (tone- plus surface and surface enhancement in respectively 38% and 35% of cases P = 0.006).

Conclusions

This study shows that high definition bronchoscopy with image enhancement technique may result in better detection of subtle vascular abnormalities in the airways. Since these abnormalities may be related to preneoplastic lesions and tumors this is of clinical relevance. Further investigations using this technique relating imaging to histology are warranted.

18F-FDG PET early response evaluation of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with concomitant chemoradiotherapy

The potential of (18)F-FDG PET changes was evaluated for prediction of response to concomitant chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

For 28 patients, (18)F-FDG PET was performed before treatment, at the end of the second week of treatment, and at 2 wk and 3 mo after the completion of treatment. Standardized uptake value (SUV), maximum SUV, metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were obtained. Early metabolic changes were defined as fractional change (ΔTLG) when (18)F-FDG PET at the end of the second week was compared with pretreatment (18)F-FDG PET. In-treatment metabolic changes, as measured by serial (18)F-FDG PET, were correlated with standard criteria of response evaluation of solid tumors by means of CT imaging (Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors 1.1). Parameters were analyzed for stratification in progression-free survival (PFS).

RESULTS

When compared with early metabolic nonresponders, a ΔTLG decrease of 38% or more was associated with a significantly longer PFS (1-y PFS 80% vs. 36%, P = 0.02). Pretreatment TLG was found to be a prognostic factor for PFS.

CONCLUSION

The degree of change in TLG was predictive for response to concomitant chemoradiotherapy as early as the end of the second week into treatment for patients with locally advanced NSCLC. Pretreatment TLG was prognostic for PFS.

Mediastinal staging in daily practice: endosonography, followed by cervical mediastinoscopy. Do we really need both?

OBJECTIVES

In patients with lung cancer, endosonography has emerged as a minimally invasive method to obtain cytological proof of mediastinal lymph nodes, suspicious for metastases on imaging. In case of a negative result, it is currently recommended that a cervical mediastinoscopy be performed additionally. However, in daily practice, a second procedure is often regarded superfluous. The goal of our study was to assess the additional value of a cervical mediastinoscopy, after a negative result of endosonography, in routine clinical practice.

METHODS

In a retrospective cohort study, the records of 147 consecutive patients with an indication for mediastinal lymph node staging and a negative result of endosonography were analysed. As a subsequent procedure, 124 patients underwent a cervical mediastinoscopy and 23 patients were scheduled for an intended curative resection directly. The negative predictive value (NPV) for both diagnostic procedures was determined, as well as the number of patients who needed to undergo a mediastinoscopy to find one false-negative result of endosonography (number needed to treat (NNT)). Clinical data of patients with a false-negative endosonography were analysed.

RESULTS

When using cervical mediastinoscopy as the gold standard, the NPV for endosonography was 88.7%, resulting in a NNT of 8.8 patients. For patients with fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography positive mediastinal lymph nodes, the NNT was 6.1. Overall, a futile thoracotomy could be prevented in 50% of patients by an additional mediastinoscopy. A representative lymph node aspirate, containing adequate numbers of lymphocytes, did not exclude metastases.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with a high probability of mediastinal metastases, based on imaging, and negative endosonography, cervical mediastinoscopy should not be omitted, not even when the aspirate seems representative.

Differences in metabolism between adeno- and squamous cell non-small cell lung carcinomas: spatial distribution and prognostic value of GLUT1 and MCT4

BACKGROUND

Hypoxia leads to changes in tumor cell metabolism such as increased glycolysis. In this study, we examined the spatial distribution of the glycolysis and hypoxia related markers glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4) expression in relation to the vasculature in stage I, II and resectable stage IIIA NSCLC. Furthermore, associations of these markers with survival were investigated.

METHODS

GLUT1 and MCT4 expression were determined in 90 NSCLC fresh frozen biopsies using immunohistochemical techniques and a computerized image analysis system. Markers were analyzed for adenocarcinomas (n=41) and squamous cell carcinomas (n=34) separately. Eighty-four patients were retrospectively evaluated for relapse and survival.

RESULTS

Squamous cell carcinomas demonstrated higher GLUT1 expression, relative to adenocarcinomas. Also, in squamous cell carcinomas, GLUT1 and MCT4 expression increased with increasing distance from the vasculature, whereas in adenocarcinomas upregulation of MCT4 was already found at closer distance from vessels. In adenocarcinomas, high GLUT1 expression correlated with a poor differentiation grade and positive lymph nodes at diagnosis. High GLUT1 plus high MCT4 expression was associated with a poor disease-specific survival in only adenocarcinomas (p=0.032).

CONCLUSION

Analysis of GLUT1 and MCT4 expression on the histological level suggested a different metabolism for adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. Likely, adenocarcinomas rely mainly on aerobic glycolysis for ATP production, whereas the behavior of squamous cell carcinomas is more physiologically, i.e. mitochondrial oxidation with anaerobic glycolysis under hypoxic conditions. High GLUT1 plus high MCT4 expression indicated an aggressive tumor behavior in adenocarcinomas. This subgroup of tumors may benefit from new treatment approaches, such as MCT4 inhibitors. Since this study has an exploratory character, our results warrant further investigation and need independent validation.

EUS-FNA for the detection of left adrenal metastasis in patients with lung cancer

In patients with lung cancer, enlarged or (18)Fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography ((18)FDG-PET) positive left adrenal glands are suspected for distant metastases and require tissue confirmation for a definitive assessment. The aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) for left adrenal metastases in lung cancer patients with a suspect adrenal gland based on imaging. EUS-FNA findings of patients with (suspected) lung cancer and CT enlarged or (18)FDG-PET positive left adrenal glands were retrospectively evaluated. In the absence of metastases at EUS, clinical and radiological follow-up was obtained. In 85 patients, EUS-FNA demonstrated left adrenal metastases of lung cancer in 53 (62%), benign adrenal tissue in 25 (29%), a metastasis from colon carcinoma in 1 (1%) and a primary adrenocortical carcinoma in 1 (1%) patient. In five patients (5.9%), the aspirates contained non-representative material. EUS outcomes were false negative in two patients. Sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) for EUS-FNA of the left adrenal gland were at least 86% (95% CI 74-93%) and 70% (95% CI 50-85%). No complications occurred. EUS-FNA is a sensitive, safe and minimally invasive technique to provide tissue proof of left adrenal metastases in patients with (suspected) lung cancer and enlarged or (18)FDG-PET positive adrenal glands. Therefore, EUS-FNA qualifies as the staging test of choice for patients with lung cancer with suspected left adrenal metastases.

The role of (18)F-FDG PET in the differentiation between lung metastases and synchronous second primary lung tumours

Purpose

In lung cancer patients with multiple lesions, the differentiation between metastases and second primary tumours has significant therapeutic and prognostic implications. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the potential of ¹⁸F-FDG PET to discriminate metastatic disease from second primary lung tumours.

Methods

Of 1,396 patients evaluated by the thoracic oncology group between January 2004 and April 2009 at the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, patients with a synchronous second primary lung cancer were selected. Patients with metastatic disease involving the lungs served as the control group. Maximum standardized uptake values (SUVs) measured with ¹⁸F-FDG PET were determined for two tumours in each patient. The relative difference between the SUVs of these tumours (∆SUV) was determined and compared between the second primary group and metastatic disease group. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the ∆SUV for an optimal cut-off value.

Results

A total of 37 patients (21 metastatic disease, 16 second primary cancer) were included for analysis. The ∆SUV was significantly higher in patients with second primary cancer than in those with metastatic disease (58 vs 28%, respectively, p < 0.001). The area under the ROC curve was 0.81 and the odds ratio for the optimal cut-off was 18.4.

Conclusion

SUVs from ¹⁸F-FDG PET images can be helpful in differentiating metastatic disease from second primary tumours in patients with synchronous pulmonary lesions. Further studies are warranted to confirm the consistency of these results.

Transesophageal endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration for the mediastinal staging of extrathoracic tumors: a new perspective

BACKGROUND

Several extrathoracic tumors metastasize to the mediastinum. Mediastinoscopy is the standard method to obtain tissue proof of mediastinal spread, but drawbacks are its invasiveness, requirement for general anesthesia and costs. Transesophageal endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is indicated in lung cancer staging guidelines as a minimally invasive alternative for surgical staging. The diagnostic values in patients with suspected mediastinal metastases and various (previous) extrathoracic malignancies were assessed.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Consecutive patients with suspected mediastinal metastases (on computed tomography or positron emission tomography) and an (previous) extrathoracic malignancy underwent EUS-FNA.

RESULTS

Seventy-five patients with current (n = 14) or previously diagnosed (n = 61) extrathoracic malignancies were evaluated. EUS-FNA detected mediastinal malignancies in 43 patients (57%) [metastases of extrathoracic tumors, n = 36 (48%); second malignancy (lung cancer), n = 7 (9%)]. Mediastinal metastases were found at subsequent surgical staging in seven patients or during follow-up (one patient). In seven patients, an alternative diagnosis was established. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and negative predictive value of EUS-FNA for mediastinal staging were 86%, 100%, 91% and 72%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

EUS-FNA is a minimally invasive mediastinal staging method for patients with extrathoracic malignancies to confirm nodal metastatic spread and therefore may qualify as an alternative for surgical staging.

[Tiotropium, a long-acting bronchodilating agent for the treatment of COPD]

The goals of COPD management according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guideline are: prevention of disease progression, relief of symptoms, improvement of exercise tolerance and the quality of life, prevention and treatment of exacerbations and complications, and reduction of mortality and adverse effects. These correspond to the goals formulated in the Dutch 'National transmural agreements on COPD'. Bronchodilators play a key role in the pharmacological treatment and with the availability of tiotropium, a long-acting anticholinergic bronchodilator, it has become important to decide at what moment this is indicated in COPD management. In comparative studies, tiotropium was an effective long-acting bronchodilator that had a favourable effect not only on lung function but also on the other parameters indicated in the GOLD guideline. When maintenance treatment with bronchodilators is needed, one should consider a long-acting bronchodilator. In view of the additive positive effects, tiotropium is the bronchodilator of choice. In case of severe symptoms, a combination of tiotropium with a long-acting beta2-sympathicomimetic agent is recommended.

A critical appraisal of prognostic and predictive factors for common lung cancers

The outlook for patients with lung cancer remains poor despite advances in the understanding of the pathology and biology of this disease. To optimize treatment protocols prognostic data are essential. The current era with molecular research on mRNA expression analysis and proteomics will lead to a plethora of new molecular markers, which are likely to be correlated, at least in part, with each other and with disease activity, progression and survival. However, although the number of prognostic factors analysed in published systematic reviews on lung cancer is large, the scope of these factors in individual studies is often narrow. In daily practice prognostic factors other than general TNM staging are not implemented. To assess the efficacy of new prognostic factors for the management of individual patients with non-small cell lung cancer, studies with clinically relevant modelling are required. In this review arguments are provided to use a model combining radiological and histopathological growth rate, histopathological diagnosis and molecular characteristics as markers for metastatic capacity, tumour volume doubling time and expected response to targeted therapy. This may reveal time-related predictive information useful for treatment guidance of the individual patient.