Search

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related mortality in the USA. Surgical resection is the standard treatment for resectable disease; however, a significant percentage of patients with otherwise resectable lung cancer may have other comorbidities, precluding surgical resection. In patients with Stage I non-small-cell lung cancer, conventional external-beam radiotherapy is typically offered as treatment in medically inoperable, high-risk patients with reported 5-year survival rates of 10-30%. An emerging technology in the treatment of lung tumors is radiofrequency ablation, which is a thermal ablative technique and may be applicable in high-risk patients with lung cancer. In this article we will review the principles of radiofrequency ablation, the common devices in use, the experimental background, the results of 'ablate and resect' studies and the clinical experience with radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of lung neoplasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a bridge to reoperative lung transplantation (LT) on outcomes and survival. A total of 1960 LT recipients transplanted a second time between 2005 and 2017 were analyzed using the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN). Of these recipients, 99 needed ECMO as a bridge to reoperative LT. Mean age was 50 ± 14 years, 47% were females, and the group with ECMO was younger [42 (30-59) vs. 55 (40-62) years]. In both univariate and multivariable analyses (adjusting for age and gender), the ECMO group had greater incidence of prolonged ventilation >48 h (83% vs. 40%, P < 0.001) and in-hospital dialysis (27% vs. 7%, P < 0.001). There were no differences in incidence of acute rejection (15% vs. 11%, P = 0.205), airway dehiscence (4% vs. 2%, P = 0.083), stroke (3% vs. 2%, P = 0.731), or reintubation (20% vs. 20%, P = 0.998). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed the ECMO group had reduced 1-year survival (66.6% vs. 83.0%, P < 0.001). After covariate adjustment, the ECMO group only had increased risk for 1-year mortality in the 2005-2011 era (HR = 2.57, 95% CI = 1.45-4.57, P = 0.001). For patients who require reoperative LT, bridging with ECMO was historically a significant predictor of poor outcome, but may be improving in recent years., (© 2020 Steunstichting ESOT. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

This study evaluated the impact of Medicaid eligibility expansion (ME) on lung transplant (LT) listings and Medicaid coverage. Data on LT candidates aged 18-64 were obtained from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (N = 9153). The impact of ME was evaluated by comparing LT listings in 2011-2013 with listings in 2014-2016, as well as comparing states that had and had not adopted ME in 2014. LT listings increased by 7.7% nationally post-ME. In ME states, LT listings increased by 15.2%, whereas nonexpansion states decreased by 1.5%. LT candidates with Medicaid increased after ME nationally (8.3% vs. 9.9%, P = 0.006) and in ME states (9.7% vs. 11.5%, P = 0.036), but not in nonexpansion states (6.6% vs. 7.7%, P = 0.170). Following multivariable adjustment, LT listings in ME states had 58% greater odds for Medicaid compared to nonexpansion states (P < 0.001). Expansion of Medicaid provided greater healthcare access and increased LT listings, but only within states that adopted eligibility expansion., (© 2019 Steunstichting ESOT.)

Esophageal cancer continues to be a lethal disease with the majority of patients presenting at an advanced stage. The incidence of adenocarcinoma is rising. Although Barrett's esophagus has been well characterized, specific pathways to the development of adenocarcinoma remain undefined. Current treatments for locoregional esophageal cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these modalities. Optimal surgical treatment strategies include appropriate patient selection, accurate staging and risk assessment, selection of an appropriate surgical approach, and the use of multimodality treatment. This article provides an update on the myriad of options for managing esophageal cancer and outlines the surgical technique for minimally invasive esophagectomy used at our center., (Copyright © 2010 Surgical Associates Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)