Diagnostic utility of CYFRA 21-1 and CEA assays in pericardial fluid for the recognition of neoplastic pericarditis

A positive cytology result in pericardial fluid is the gold standard for recognition of malignant pericardial effusion. Unfortunately, in 30-50% of patients with malignant pericardial effusion cytological examination of the pericardial fluid is negative. Tumor marker assessment in pericardial fluid may help to recognize malignant pericardial effusion. The aim of our study was to estimate the value of CYFRA 21-1 and CEA measurement in pericardial fluid for the recognition of malignant pericardial effusion. To our knowledge this is the first study on CYFRA 21-1 assessment in pericardial effusion. The examined group consisted of 50 patients with malignant pericardial effusion and 34 patients with non-malignant pericardial effusion. Median CEA concentrations in malignant pericardial effusion and non-malignant pericardial effusion were 80 ng/mL (0-317) and 0.5 ng/mL (0-18.4), respectively (p<0.001). Median CYFRA 21-1 concentrations in malignant pericardial effusion and non-malignant pericardial effusion were 260 ng/mL (5.3-10080) and 22.4 ng/mL (1.87-317.6), respectively (p<0.001). The optimal cutoff value for CYFRA 21-1 in pericardial effusion was 100 ng/mL. CYFRA 21-1 >100 ng/mL or CEA >5 ng/mL were found in 14/15 patients with malignant pericardial effusion and negative pericardial fluid cytology. We therefore strongly recommend the use of CYFRA 21-1 and/or CEA in addition to pericardial fluid cytology for the recognition of malignant pericardial effusion.     

Primary malignant lymphoma of the heart. Antemortem cytologic diagnosis

A case of primary malignant lymphoma of the heart diagnosed cytologically is reported. The patient presented with pericardial tamponade and ventricular arrhythmias and developed rapidly progressive and intractable cardiac failure. Two-dimensional echo-cardiography, which demonstrated the pericardial effusion, showed progressive impairment of the left ventricular contraction. The pericardial fluid contained malignant lymphoid cells. Despite vigorous treatment and chemotherapy, the patient died within 15 days; postmortem examination showed malignant lymphoma confined to the myocardium.     

Surgical properties and survival of a pericardial window via left minithoracotomy for benign and malignant pericardial tamponade in cancer patients

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Surgical drainage is a rapid and effective treatment for pericardial tamponade in cancer patients. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of pericardial window formation via minithoracotomy for treating pericardial tamponade in cancer patients, and to evaluate clinical factors affecting long-term survival. METHODS: Records of 53 cancer patients with pericardial tamponade treated by pericardial window formation between 2002 and 2008 were examined. Five patients were excluded due to insufficient data. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis were used for analysis. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients (64.7% male), with a mean age of 55.20 +/- 12.97 years were included. Patients were followed up until the last control visit or death. There was no surgery-related mortality and the 30-day mortality rate was 8.33%; all died during postoperative hospitalization. Morbidity rate was 18.75%. Symptomatic recurrence rate was 2.08%. Cancer type and nature of the pericardial effusion were the major factors determining long-term survival (P <0.001 and P <0.004, respectively). Overall median survival was 10.41 +/- 1.79 months. One- and 2-year survival rates were 45 +/- 7% and 18 +/- 5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Pericardial window creation via minithoracotomy was proven to be a safe and effective approach in surgical treatment of pericardial tamponade in cancer patients. Cancer type and nature of pericardial effusion were the main factors affecting long-term survival.     

Malignant pericardial effusion

OBJECTIVE: To examine the frequency and diagnostic implications of malignant pericardial effusions. STUDY DESIGN: The clinical and histologic records of pericardial effusions diagnosed cytologically as malignant were reviewed. We investigated the relationship between malignancy and type of tumor, interval between diagnosis of the primary tumor and development of the pericardial effusion, and length of survival after the onset of the effusion. RESULTS: There were 375 pericardial effusions among 23,592 effusions studied over 24 years; 65 of them were diagnosed as malignant. The mean age at onset was 53.6 years. In 92% of the cases the primary tumor was epithelial, lung the most frequent in males and breast in females. In 48% of cases the pericardial effusion constituted the first sign of malignancy. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of a pericardial effusion as malignant carried an ominous prognosis: 86% of patients died within the first year and nearly one-third within the first month. Breast carcinomas were linked with the longest survival and longest interval of latency prior to the onset of the pericardial effusion. There were two effusions associated with lymphoblastic lymphomas; they have had no recurrence 10 and 17 years after the effusion, and the patients can be considered cured.     

Characterization of IL-2-activated TILs and their use in intrapericardial immunotherapy in malignant pericardial effusion

Pericardial effusion (PE) and cardiac tamponade caused by malignant pericarditis are critical conditions in cancer patients, which still lack a recommended protocol for their long-term management. Percutaneous pericardiocentesis and simple drainage are commonly performed as the initial treatment. The aims of this study were to investigate the presence of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in malignant PE and to determine the clinical response to administering autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) into the pericardial cavity. Initially, we identified human lymphocyte antigen class-I-restricted and tumor-specific CTLs within the interleukin-2 (IL-2)-activated TILs in PEs from four patients, on the basis of interferon-γ production and lactate dehydrogenase-release assays. Clinically we observed favorable responses to the pericardial transfer of IL-2-activated autologous TILs in four patients: one male with advanced esophageal cancer, one female with recurrent lung cancer and two females with recurrent breast cancer, respectively. Autologous TILs from PEs were expanded in vitro with IL-2, characterized for CD3, CD4 and CD8 markers, checked for contamination and then infused into the patient’s pericardial space through a catheter. This was repeated biweekly. After treatment, there were no signs of recurrence of PE in either case, as determined by radiography, echocardiography and computed tomography. The only adverse effects seen were grade 1 fevers. These results suggested that intrapericardial cellular immunotherapy with autologous TILs could be a safe and effective treatment for controlling malignant pericarditis with associated cardiac tamponade, and that tumor-specific CTLs present in malignant PE might be important for tumor rejection.     

Positive effusion cytology as the initial presentation of malignancy

During a period of four years (1981 to 1984), 641 ascitic, 860 pleural and 47 pericardial fluid specimens were examined cytologically. Of these, 154 ascitic samples, 174 pleural specimens and 10 pericardial effusions, obtained, respectively, from 108, 133 and 7 patients, were found to contain malignant cells. In 7 patients, ascites, and in 18 cases, pleural effusions were the first indication of cancer. None of the positive pericardial fluids was the initial presentation of malignancy. The cytologic findings and follow-up data on these 25 patients are the subject of this study. The most common type of neoplasm in these effusions was adenocarcinoma (86% of the ascitic and 78% of the pleural fluids). Most of the malignant neoplasms in ascitic fluids were derived from ovarian tumors (5 of 7) while those in pleural effusions came mainly from lung tumors (12 of 18). Mammary carcinoma, which was the most common malignant tumor found in cases of pleural effusions, did not present initially with an effusion in any of our cases. The cytologic diagnosis was confirmed in all cases by either biopsy or strong clinical evidence. The prognosis in patients who initially presented with an effusion was poor. All of the patients with an adequate follow-up died within 29 months in cases of ascites and within 19 months in cases of pleural effusions.     

贝伐珠单抗联合化疗治疗晚期非鳞非小细胞肺癌的临床观察

目的:观察贝伐珠单抗联合化疗对晚期非小细胞肺癌患者的疗效、安全性及影像学改变。方法:对2007年至2014年于我院治疗的晚期NSNSCLC(非鳞非小细胞肺癌non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer)患者,给予贝伐珠单抗(15 mg/kg或7.5mg/kg)联合化疗(紫杉醇175 mg/m~2,d1,卡铂AUC=5或6,d1,q3 w)6周期及贝伐珠单抗维持治疗(15 mg/kg或7.5 mg/kg,d1,q3w)。观察疗效、不良反应、肺部病灶空洞改变的情况、恶性胸腔积液的治疗效果及部分患者EGFR、KRAS基因突变状况。结果:共观察26例患者,均接受贝伐珠单抗联合化疗,17例行贝伐珠单抗维持治疗。部分缓解(partial response,PR)、疾病稳定(stable disease,SD)、疾病进展(disease progression,PD)率分别为53.8%、42.3%、3.8%。中位无进展生存期(progression free survival,PFS)为11.0个月,中位总生存期(overall survival,OS)达25.8个月。26例患者中15.4%治疗后病变发生空洞改变,空洞组的2年、3年生存率略高于无空洞组,但无统计学差异(P值分别为0.586、0.509)。13例患者伴有恶性胸腔积液,胸腔积液的疾病控制率为100%。11例患者标本可进行EGFR基因检测,敏感突变占36.4%,未突变占63.6%。对10例患者标本行KRAS基因检测,均为突变阴性。不良反应包括骨髓抑制、消化道反应、鼻衄、咯血、高血压、蛋白尿等。大多数不良反应程度较轻,可控制。结论:贝伐珠单抗联合化疗治疗晚期NSNSCLC患者疗效确切,副反应可耐受,控制恶性胸腔积液效果较好。肺部病灶空洞改变的临床意义有待进一步研究。     

"Floating arm" injury in a child with fractures of the proximal and distal parts of the humerus: a case report

Introduction

Primary malignant pericardial mesothelioma is a very rare pericardial tumor of unknown etiology.

Case presentation

A 61-year-old Caucasian woman was admitted to our hospital complaining of exertional dyspnea due to a large pericardial effusion. Intrapericardial fluid volume declined after repeated pericardiocentesis, but the patient progressively developed a hemodynamically relevant pericardial constriction. Pericardiectomy revealed a pericardial mesothelioma. Subsequently, four cycles of chemotherapy (dosage according to recently published trials) were administered. The patient remained asymptomatic, and there was no recurrence of the tumor after three years.

Conclusion

Pericardial mesothelioma should be considered and managed appropriately in non-responders to pericardiocentesis, and in patients who develop constrictive pericarditis late in their clinical course.     

留置中心静脉导管加尿激酶心包内灌洗治疗急性结核性心包炎的临床疗效观察

目的：观察留置中心静脉导管引流加尿激酶心包内灌洗治疗急性结核性心包炎的疗效。方法：自1996年1月～2009年5月对我院48例临床确诊为急性结核性心包炎伴中到大量积液的患者（病程均短于1月）,男28例,女20例,年龄14～72岁。随机分为两组,治疗组（常规抗结核、肾上腺糖皮质激素治疗的基础上给予留置中心静脉导管心包引流加心包内尿激酶灌洗治疗）或对照组（常规抗结核、肾上腺糖皮质激素治疗基础上给予留置中心静脉导管引流）。观察并比较两组穿刺并发症（心包内出血、心律失常及感染）,治疗前、后心包膜厚度的变化,拔管时心包积液的残留量,以及通过电话问询及心脏超声随访并发症,随访截止日期为2010年5月。随访期限为11～132个月。结果：治疗组与对照组比较,治疗组治疗1周及2周后心包膜厚度的变化、拔管时积液残留量及发生心包缩窄方面有明显差异（P〈0.05）,穿刺相关并发症方面无明显差异（P〉0.05）。全部治疗组患者给予尿激酶治疗后未见心包内出血及系统性出血并发症。随访期内无一例发生死亡,治疗组及对照组分别有1例（4.2%）及8例（33.3%）发生心包缩窄。结论：留置中心静脉导管加尿激酶灌洗治疗急性结核性心包炎安全、可行,心包积液引流彻底,拔管时间早,心包膜增厚程度显著减轻,心包粘连机会减少,能有效地预防患者心包缩窄的发生。     

252 例胸膜恶性肿瘤的临床病理分析

目的：探讨胸膜恶性肿瘤的病理类型、肿瘤所占比例、临床病理特征及鉴别诊断。方法：结合病理形态学及免疫组化方法对 252 例胸膜恶性肿瘤进行诊断及鉴别诊断。结果：252 例胸膜恶性肿瘤包括胸膜穿刺活检120 例,胸腔镜活检25 例,伴有胸膜转 移的恶性胸水107 例;男性143 例,女性109 例,年龄19-87 岁,平均年龄59.9 岁。临床主要症状是胸闷、气短、咳嗽、胸痛等。CT 表现为胸膜增厚、胸水(90%)、多发或单发胸膜结节和原发器官占位性病变。活检病例中,转移性癌86 例(34.1%),包括肺腺癌64 例(25.4%),小细胞癌11 例(4.4%),鳞癌11 例(4.4%),恶性间皮瘤47 例(18.7%),滑膜肉瘤9 例(3.6%),非霍奇金淋巴瘤3 例(1.2%); 恶性胸水病例病例中转移性癌95 例(37.7%),包括肺腺癌85 例(33.7%),小细胞癌6 例(2.4%),鳞癌2 例(0.8%),乳腺腺癌2 例 (0.8%),恶性间皮瘤8 例(3.2%),非霍奇金淋巴瘤4 例(1.6%)。结论：胸膜恶性肿瘤中以转移性腺癌多见,其次为恶性间皮瘤,结合 形态学及免疫组织化学检测不同标志物的表达有助于诊断胸膜恶性肿瘤的种类。     

A case report of a 24-year-old male with a large hemorrhagic pericardiai effusion

Although bloody pericardial effusion often suggests neoplasia,such an event is not rare in tuberculosis (TB),especially in those countries with a high TB disease burden.Meanwhile,TB accounts for 50％ and greater than 90％ of large pericardial effusions in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative and HIV-positive patients,respectively.Here we report a case of a 24-year-old HIV-negative male who presented with fever and hemorrhagic pericardial effusion.The patient was given presumptive anti-TB treatment before diagnosis was established.Eventually the patient responded well to the anti-TB treatment at the last follow-up and the diagnosis was confirmed by aspirated pericardial fluid culture on LowensteinJensen (LJ) medium.     

Evaluation of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer in Primorsko-Goranska and Istarska County--a twenty years retrospective study

Colorectal cancer is the second most common malignant disease in developed countries, with about one million new cases worldwide every year, accompanied with high mortality rate. We examined the survival rate and recurrence (occurrence of distant metastases and/or local recurrence) of patients with colorectal cancer in Primorsko-Goranska and Istarska County who received adjuvant chemotherapy, compared to those who did not in the period since 1980. until 1999. This study involves 483 patients with colorectal cancer stages II and III of Primorsko-Goranska and Istarska County, which were underwent curative resections of colorectal cancer at the Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, and then treated with chemotherapy (288) or without Chemotherapy (195). We analyzed the five year survival rate and the recurrence of malignant disease in the adjuvant treatment group in comparison with not treated group with chemotherapy, depending on the stage of disease, degree of histological differentiation, patient age and location of cancer (colon or rectum). After follow-up of 60 months died 44.79% (129/288) of patients who received chemotherapy and 53.33% (104/195) of patients who did not receive chemotherapy. The relative risk of death (from any cause) in chemotherapy-treated group versus the group without chemotherapy was 0.82 (p < 0.008). Recurrence of malignant disease in the chemotherapy group was 38.54% (111/288), and in the group without chemotherapy was 46.15% (90/195). The relative risk of recurrence of malignant disease in the chemotherapy group versus the group without chemotherapy was 0.78 (p < 0.001). There was no difference in treatment efficacy regard to the localization of the tumor, but there were differences in efficiency with respect to disease stage, grade and age. Chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil and leukovorin ameliorate the survival and reduces recurrence and distant metastases in patients with colorectal cancer stages II and III.     

Effects of Intracavitary Administration of Endostar Combined with Cisplatin in Malignant Pleural Effusion and Ascites

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of intracavitary administration of recombinant human endostatin (Endostar) combined with cisplatin chemotherapy in treating malignant pleural effusion and ascites. Forty-five patients with malignant pleural effusion and ascites were divided into the EP group (n = 23), who received Endostar and cisplatin intracavitarily, and P group (n = 22), who were intracavitarily treated with cisplatin only. Pleural effusion and ascites were completely drained before treatments. The treatment was administered once a week; two treatments were considered as one course. The outcome quality of life as well as toxicity were evaluated. The objective overall response and disease control rates were, respectively, 78.3 % (18/23) and 87.0 % (20/23) in EP group. In contrast, these parameters were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in P groups: 40.9 % (9/22) and 59.1 % (13/22), respectively. The improvement rate of Karnofsky Performance Status was 87.0 % (20/23) in EP group versus 59.1 % (13/22) in P group (p < 0.05). All patients tolerated the combined treatment well, and no severe adverse effects were observed. Intracavitary injection of Endostar combined with cisplatin is effective and safe to treat malignant pleural effusion and ascites.     

A Statistical Review of Malignant Testicular Tumours Based on the Experience of the Ontario Cancer Foundation Clinics, 1938-1961

For the 827 patients with malignant testicular tumours registered at the Ontario Cancer Foundation''s regional clinics in the period 1938-1961, the probability of surviving for five years after treatment was 59.8%; for the 731 patients who received all or part of their initial treatment at the clinics or were not treated anywhere, five-year survival probability was 62.7%. Most deaths from testicular cancer took place in the first two years after treatment, and 90% of recorded recurrences were diagnosed before the third anniversary. Survival rates were strongly influenced by histological type and extent of disease, and to some degree by age. Survival did not seem to be closely correlated with delay after first symptom, site or size of primary lesion, ectopia, surgical treatment of the abdominal nodes, site or dosage of radiation, or chemotherapy. The survival rates in this series of cases compare favourably with those of other large series.     

Combination percutaneous cryotherapy and iodine-125 seed implantation for unresectable malignant thymoma: Experience in 19 patients

Thymomas are the most common tumors of the mediastinum. These tumors often compress vital mediastinal organs and severely impact the quality of life of thymoma patients. To avoid the side effects of chemoradiotherapy, some patients with unresectable malignant thymomas have opted to undergo cryotherapy in our hospital. We reviewed the cryosurgery, nursing and follow-up records of our hospital for the past 8 years, and evaluated the safety and efficiency of cryotherapy in 19 patients with unresectable malignant thymomas. No severe complications involving the vital organs surrounding the tumor occurred during or after cryosurgery. The most common side effect was pleural effusion, which occurred in 11 patients and healed after drainage within 1 week. Cough, mediastinal and pericardial effusions, pneumothorax, mild fever and chest tightness also occurred and resolved 1 week after symptomatic treatment. Since our patients had high KPS scores and mild myasthenia gravis symptoms before the treatment, myasthenia gravis did not occur after the treatment. The progression-free survival of the patients was 14–29 months (median, 18 months), and did not differ between patients with large tumors and those with small tumors (P = 0.6753). In conclusion, cryotherapy is a safe and efficient method for the treatment of unresectable malignant thymoma.     

乳腺癌新辅助化疗的研究进展

乳腺癌是一种女性最常见的恶性肿瘤,近年来我国乳腺癌的发病率呈逐年上升趋势。研究证实,新辅助化疗不仅可使不能手术的晚期乳腺癌患者获得手术机会,而且也增加了部分患者的保乳概率,但是约20%的乳腺癌患者不能从新辅助化疗中获益,并影响后续治疗效果。因此,制定合理的、个体化的新辅助化疗方案对于提高乳腺癌患者的生存质量和改善其预后尤为重要。目前,研究已发现的NCT相关的预测因子主要包块肿瘤类型、分子分型、ER、PR、Ki67等,而HER2、TOP2A、P53、PRAP单独作为预测因子的还存在争议。本文主要对乳腺癌新辅助化疗的现状、各种预测因子的作用及其不足之处进行了综述。     

超声心动图检测胎儿心包积液的临床价值

目的：探讨超声心动图检测胎儿心包积液的临床意义。方法：2007-2010年在我院检查行超声心动图检查的高危孕妇473例,同时设对照组,检测孕龄在20-40周无明显高危妊娠因素的孕妇472例,并将产前超声检查结果和胎儿尸检或分娩后超声心动图检查结果进行对照。结果：1.高危组检出72例心包积液,检出率12.5%,对照组检出13例心包积液,检出率3%,两组胎儿心包积液检出率间差别有统计学意义（x2=39.57,P〈0.05）。2.85例心包积液中,孤立性心包积液38例,伴其他心脏畸形或者其他系统畸形47例,其中孤立性心包积液预后良好。结论：超声心动图能够敏感地检出胎儿心包积液;心包积液程度并不是最重要的,其伴随心脏畸形或者其他畸形决定预后。     

超声心动图检测胎儿心包积液的临床价值

目的:探讨超声心动图检测胎儿心包积液的临床意义。方法:2007-2010年在我院检查行超声心动图检查的高危孕妇473例,同时设对照组,检测孕龄在20-40周无明显高危妊娠因素的孕妇472例,并将产前超声检查结果和胎儿尸检或分娩后超声心动图检查结果进行对照。结果:1.高危组检出72例心包积液,检出率12.5%,对照组检出13例心包积液,检出率3%,两组胎儿心包积液检出率间差别有统计学意义(x2=39.57,P<0.05)。2.85例心包积液中,孤立性心包积液38例,伴其他心脏畸形或者其他系统畸形47例,其中孤立性心包积液预后良好。结论:超声心动图能够敏感地检出胎儿心包积液;心包积液程度并不是最重要的,其伴随心脏畸形或者其他畸形决定预后。     

Evaluation of serum and pleural levels of soluble B7-H4 in lung cancer patients with pleural effusion

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of sB7-H4 and CEA in both serum and pleural effusion of lung cancer patients.

Methods: Levels of sB7-H4 and CEA in 90 patients with malignant pleural effusion due to lung cancer and 58 patients with benign pleural effusion were measured by ELISA.

Results: The sB7-H4 and CEA levels in pleural effusion, serum and their ratio (F/S) were higher in lung cancer group than that in benign group (p?<?0.01). The diagnostic efficiency of sB7-H4 combined CEA was superior to either sB7-H4 or CEA.

Conclusions: Measurement of sB7-H4 and CEA might be useful diagnostic value for malignant effusion.     

Survival of patients with malignancy-associated effusions

For a better understanding of the prognosis after the onset of a malignancy-associated effusion in patients known or subsequently shown to have cancer, survival time was compared with the findings and the date of the first cytologic diagnosis of an effusion. The number of patients studied was 254; 171 had a pleural and 83 a peritoneal effusion. The average survival time was 25.5 weeks, which was about equal for both sites of effusions. After two years, only 6% of all patients were alive. When the cytologic diagnosis of the effusion was "malignant," only 4% survived after two years; when the cytologic diagnosis was "suspicious for malignancy" and "nonmalignant," these figures were 5% and 7%, respectively. This indicates that a cytologic diagnosis of benign or nonmalignant is not a good indicator of a better prognosis in cancer patients for whom benign causes of the effusion have been excluded. There appeared to be a prognostic relationship between the length of the interval from the initial diagnosis of cancer to the time of examination of the first sample of the effusion: a longer interval was correlated with a better survival. When survival time was viewed in relation to therapy, patients whose pleural effusions were only treated by aspiration were found to have a particularly short average survival (13.9 weeks).