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Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been linked to tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Objectives: The Sleep Apnea in Lung Cancer (SAIL) study (NCT02764866) was designed to determine the prevalence of OSA in patients with lung cancer. Methods: Cross-sectional study including consecutive patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer. All patients were offered home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) and administered a sleep-specific questionnaire prior to initiating oncologic treatment. Sleep study-related variables, symptoms, and epidemiologic data as well as cancer related variables were recorded. Results: Eighty-three patients were enrolled in the SAIL study. Sixty-six completed HSAT. The mean age was 68 ± 11 years and 58% were male with a mean body mass index of 28.1 ± 5.4. Forty-seven percent were current smokers, 42% former smokers, and 11% never smokers with a median tobacco consumption of 51 pack-years. Fifty percent had COPD with a mean FEV1 of 83 ± 22.6% of predicted and a mean DLCO of 85.5 ± 20.1%. Adenocarcinoma was the most common histologic type (46.7%), followed by squamous cell (16.7%) and small cell (16.7%). Most patients were diagnosed at an advanced stage (65% in stages III–IV). The vast majority (80%) had OSA (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] > 5), and 50% had moderate to severe OSA (AHI > 15) with a mean Epworth Sleepiness Score of 7.43 ± 3.85. Significant nocturnal hypoxemia was common (Median T90: 10.9% interquartile range 2.4–42.2). Conclusions: Sleep apnea and nocturnal hypoxemia are highly prevalent in patients with lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study that assesses the relationship between lung cancer risk and emphysema detected on low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) of the chest. The data from a prospective cohort of 1,166 former and current smokers who participated in a lung cancer screening study were used. The results suggest that the presence of emphysema on LDCT is an independent risk factor for lung cancer.

Introduction: Many patients with COPD are underdiagnosed, including patients with coexisting lung cancer., Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of COPD prevalence and outcomes among all patients diagnosed with lung cancer at our institution during a 2-year period. Patients with known COPD (group A) were compared with those who received a diagnosis of COPD at the time of their oncologic workup (group B)., Results: A total of 306 patients were diagnosed with lung cancer during the study period, including 87 with COPD (28.6%). Sixty percent of patients with coexisting lung cancer and COPD were unaware of their obstructive airways disease prior to the lung cancer diagnosis. Patients in group A were older (74+9 vs 69+9 years; P =0.03), had more severe obstruction (% of predicted forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV 1 %] 55+17 vs 71+13; P =0.04), more emphysema (91% vs 65%; P =0.02), and worse diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide 59+19% vs 72+22%; P =0.01) than patients in group B, but the latter had more advanced lung cancer (27.3% vs 13.8% stage IV disease; P =0.01) and consumed more outpatient resources ( P =0.03). Overall mortality was similar (56% vs 58%). However, stage-adjusted mortality showed a trend toward greater mortality in group B patients (1.87 [0.91-3.85]; P =0.087)., Conclusion: COPD infradiagnosis is common in patients with coexisting lung cancer and is associated with more advanced cancer stage, greater outpatient resource consumption, and may be associated with greater stage-adjusted mortality., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) is one of several technological advances which have broadened the indications for bronchoscopy in the diagnostic workup of lung cancer. The technique facilitates bronchoscopic sampling of peripheral pulmonary nodules as well as mediastinal lymph nodes, although wide availability and expertise in endobronchial ultrasonography has limited its application in routine clinical practice to the former. ENB in this setting is quite versatile and may be considered an established alternative to more invasive techniques, especially in selected patients with underlying pulmonary disease or comorbidities at high risk for complications from computer topography-guided fine needle aspiration or surgical resection. Nodule sampling may be performed with a variety of instruments, including forceps, cytology brushes, and transbronchial needles. Although samples are generally small, they are often suitable for molecular analysis., Competing Interests: Disclosure LS served as a paid consultant for Covidien, owner of Superdimension in 2013. The author reports no other conflicts of interest in this work.