Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0729233 (Thoracic)
 6,478 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The rapid and widespread development of imaging techniques during the last decade has markedly modified the previous algorithms used in the staging of pulmonary carcinoma, particularly M0/M1 in the TNM classification and the directives of the American Thoracic Society. Sensitivity and specificity of each method are reviewed according to the most frequent metastatic sites of bronchopulmonary carcinoma. Presently, CT is the most efficient technique for detection and display of metastases of the contralateral lung, brain, adrenal glands and retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Ultrasound is equal or even slightly superior to CT for the detection of liver metastases. The superiority of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) over CT in the detection of brain metastases has already been demonstrated. The results of MRI using fast sequences have recently been demonstrated for imaging of thoracic, abdominal and bone metastases, but confirmation of these first results by prospective studies is needed. Skeletal survey is still obtained by radioisotope scanning.
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PMID:[Staging of pulmonary cancer, establishment of M1]. 367 84

About 30-40% of patients affected by non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) develop, during the course of their disease, bone metastases. The prognosis of these patients is poor with a median survival of less than 1 year. The therapeutic approach includes: palliative radiotherapy, and systemic therapy. In clinical practice, zoledronate is the most commonly used bisphosphonate to prevent, reduce the incidence and delay the onset of skeletal-related events in patients with metastatic NSCLC. However, an Italian Association of Thoracic Oncology (AIOT) survey, conducted to evaluate how bisphosphonates were used in clinical practice for the treatment of lung cancer bone metastases in Italy, showed that the bisphosphonates treatment is still not routine and varies in duration. Denosumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody directed against the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B (RANK)-Ligand inhibiting the maturation of pre-osteoclasts into osteoclasts and is the first example of targeted therapy for bone metastases. An exploratory analysis showed that denosumab was associated with improved overall survival compared with zoledronate in patients with bone metastases from lung cancer. Biochemical markers of bone turnover to predict what patients are at greatest risk of developing skeletal-related events, and to direct treatment of bone metastases with either bisphosphonates or denosumab, are under investigation. This review is focused on the systemic management of bone metastases from NSCLC.
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PMID:Bone metastases and non-small cell lung cancer: from bisphosphonates to targeted therapy. 2296 65

Ectopic ACTH syndrome is a rare disease often associated with severe hypercortisolism. When feasible, optimal management is surgical excision of the tumor. A 33-year-old male patient was admitted to the hospital in 1993 with clinical manifestations suggestive of Cushing's syndrome. He presented high plasma ACTH and markedly elevated urinary free cortisol excretion that was not suppressed with high-dose dexamethasone administration. Pituitary MRI scan was normal. No central-to-peripheral ACTH gradient was present in bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling. Thoracic CT scan showed a 1.7 cm nodule at the left lung. Pulmonary fine needle cytology and immunocytochemical and ultrastructural studies, together with the presence of bone metastases, led to the diagnosis of an ACTH-producing neuroendocrine carcinoma. He was initially submitted to chemotherapy and has been on treatment with octreotide LAR since 1998, having shown a favorable clinical, biochemical and imaging response. We highlight the excellent long-term response to medical therapy with octreotide LAR, without tachyphylaxis, probably due to its antiproliferative effect.
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PMID:Ectopic Cushing's syndrome caused by a pulmonary ACTH-secreting tumor in a patient treated with octreotide. 2310 52

An 8 yr old, reportedly castrated male Boston terrier presented with a history of generalized hyperesthesia and intermittent shifting leg lameness. Physical examination revealed a caudal abdominal mass and bilateral shoulder pain. A complete blood count, serum biochemistry panel, and urinalysis were unremarkable. Thoracic radiographs demonstrated bony proliferation and lysis of the third sternebra, an expansile lesion of the left tenth rib, and lucency in both proximal humeral metaphyses. Abdominal radiographs and ultrasound revealed a soft tissue mass within the caudoventral right abdomen. Ultrasonography also revealed an enlarged lymph node within the right retroperitoneal space. Exploratory laparotomy identified the mass as a retained testicle. A cryptorchidectomy, lymph node biopsy, and bilateral percutaneous core biopsies of the proximal humeri were performed. Histopathologic examination revealed malignant seminoma of the testicle with metastasis to lymph node and bone. Adjuvant chemotherapy was recommended, but it was declined by the owner. All follow-up was lost. This case highlights a unique case for causative hyperesthesia secondary to a novel site of metastasis from malignant seminoma. Metastasis to bone has not been reported in humans or dogs and represents a very unusual and aberrant variant of the normally relatively benign biological behavior of seminoma in the dog.
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PMID:An Unusual Case of Metastatic Seminoma in a Dog. 2653 60

A 69-year-old man presented initially with back pain and incomplete bilateral lower limb paralysis. The level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the patient was elevated to 167.0 ng/ml, and multiple bone metastases were detected. Thoracic laminectomy was performed in an emergency due to spinal decompression. Subsequently, the patient was diagnosed with prostate cancer from an examination of resected bone specimens. Combined androgen blockade with degarelix and bicalutamide was initiated in October 2013. Consequently, the serum PSA level decreased to <1.0 ng/ml, but thereafter gradually increased. Subsequent bicalutamide withdrawal response was not observed, and switch of anti-androgen therapy to flutamide also resulted in a poor response. Then, abiraterone (1,000 mg daily) in combination with prednisolone (10 mg daily) was initiated when the level of PSA increased to 35.9 ng/ml in June 2015. The level of PSA decreased to the lowest point of 4 ng/ml; however, PSA level increased again to 21.7 ng/ml in April 2016. Consequently, a 'steroid switch' was attempted. Abiraterone therapy was continued, but concomitant corticosteroid was switched from prednisone to dexamethasone (1.0 mg per day). Fortunately, serum PSA level decreased promptly to the lowest point of 0.6 ng/ml. In the present case report, a review of recent literature was presented and potential explanations of the mechanism underlying the 'steroid switch' were described. Pharmacokinetic differences between dexamethasone and prednisolone may partially explain why the 'steroid switch' occurs. Other mechanisms may include the activation of the glucocorticoid receptor, mineralocorticoid receptor and/or mutant androgen receptor. Corticosteroids accelerate a number of transcription factors, cellular growth factors and cytokines, which may also be potential mechanisms. The 'steroid switch' at PSA progression might be a feasible option for therapy, which may delay the development of the disease. Although the underlying mechanisms require further study, clinicians should pay attention to this phenomenon.
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PMID:PSA response following the 'steroid switch' in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer treated with abiraterone: A case report. 3025 Jun 8