Objective To investigate the effect of Astragalus Polysaccharide on peripheral circulation myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) in lung cancer and its clinical effect. Methods 100 patients with advanced non small cell lung cancer were selected and divided into 2 groups, 50 cases in the control group treated with chemotherapy aalone, 50 cases in the experiment group received injection of Astragalus Polysaccharide on the basis of the control group, peripheral blood MDSC levels, peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets levels, serum ARG I activity, TNF-α, IL-6 levels, the clinical effect and incidence of adverse reactions were compared after the treatment. Results Compared with the control group, peripheral blood levels of MDSC (Lin-HLA DR-\CD33+\CD11b+) was lower after treatment in the experiment group , peripheral blood levels of CD3+, CD4+T lymphocytes and CD4+/CD8+ were higher, and CD8+T lymphocytes level was lower after treatment, serum levels of ARG I activity, TNF-α, IL-6 levels were lower after treatment, (P<0.05) , the total effective rate in the control group(42.0%)was lower than the experiment group(64.0%), (P<0.05), the incidence of gastrointestinal reaction(40/24), 3 ~ 4 degree of leukocyte reduction(26/12), liver function damage(19/9), renal damage(17/7) in the control group were higher than the experiment group (P<0.05). Conclusion Astragalus Polysaccharide can significantly reduce the peripheral circulation MDSC (Lin-HLA DR-\CD33+\CD11b+) level in patients with lung cancer, improve T lymphocyte immune function, inhibit the activity of serum ARG I, reduce the level of TNF-αand IL-6, effectively improve the clinical efficacy, and reduce the toxic and side effects of chemotherapy.

Objective Video?assisted thoracoscopic ( VATS ) esophagectomy has been performed for more than 10 years in China. However, compared with the conventional esophagectomy via right thoracotomy, whether VATS esophagectomy has more advantages or not in the lymph node ( LN) dissection and prevention of perioperative complications is still controversial and deserves to be further investigated. The aim of this study was to explore whether there are significant differences in this issue between the two surgical modalities or not. Methods The results of lymph node dissection and perioperative complications as well as other parameters in the patients treated by VATS esophagectomy and those by conventional esophagectomy via right thoracotomy at our department from May 1,2009 to July 30,2013 were compared using SPSS 16.0 in order to investigate whether there was any significant difference between these two treatment modalities in the learning curve stage of VATS esophagectomy. Results One hundred and twenty?nine cases underwent VATS esophagectomy between May 1, 2009 and July 30, 2013, and another pared 129 cases with the same preoperative cTNM stage treated by conventional esopahgectomy via right thoracotomy were selected in order to compare the results of lymph node dissection and perioperative complications as well as other parameters between those two groups of patients. There were no significant differences in the sex, age, lesion locations and cTNM stage between these two groups. The total LN metastatic rate in the VATS esophagectomy group was 35.7% and that of the conventional esophagectomy group was 37.2% (P>0.05). The total average number of dissected lymph nodes was 12.1 vs. 16.2 ( P<0.001) . The average dissected LN stations was 3.2 vs. 3.6 ( P=0.038) . The total average number of dissected LN along the left recurrent laryngeal nerve was 2.0 vs. 3.7 ( P=0.012) . The total average number of dissected LN along the right recurrent laryngeal nerve was 2.9 vs. 3.4 (P=0.231). However, there was no significant difference in the total average number of dissected LN in the other thoracic LN stations, and in the perioperative complications between the two groups. The total postoperative complication rate was 41. 1% in the VATS group versus 42. 6% in the conventional group ( P=0.801) . The cardiopulmonary complication rate was 25.6% vs. 27.1% ( P=0.777) . The death rate was the same in the two groups (0.8%). The VATS group had less blood infusion (23.2% vs. 41.8%, P=0.001) and shorter hospital stay (15.9 days vs. 19.2 days, P=0.049) but longer operating time (161.3 min vs. 127.8 min, P<0.01). Conclusions In the learning curve stage of VATS esophagectomy, compared with the conventional esophagectomy, less LN number and stations can be dissected in the VATS group due to unskillful VATS manipulation, especially it is more difficult in the LN dissection along the left recurrent laryngeal nerve. Therefore, it is more suitable to select patients with early esophageal cancer without obvious enlarged lymph nodes for VATS esophagectomy in the learning curve stage.

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics of patients with bilateral synchronous multiple primary non?small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC) and identify the prognostic indicators associated with survival. Methods From January 2010 to December 2014, clinicopathological data of 96 patients with bilateral synchronous multiple primary NSCLC, who met the modified Martini?Melamed criteria and underwent radical surgical resection, were retrospectively reviewed. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan?Meier method, and the clinical parameters associated with survival were analyzed using a log?rank test. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to identify the risk factors for this cancer. Results Of the 96 patients, two patients who died of severe postoperative complications were excluded, and 94 patients were analyzed. Of the 94 cases, a two?stage operation was performed in 93 patients, while a single?stage bilateral surgery was performed in only one patient using video?assisted thoracic surgery ( VATS) . 79 patients had 2 tumors and the other 15 patients had 3 or more tumors. There were 82 patients with synchronous tumors located in different lobes and 12 patients had at least two tumors located in the same lobe. Seventy?six patients were found to have multiple lung adenocarcinoma and 12 patients had multiple squamous cell
carcinoma ( SCCs) . Five patients had adenocarcinoma and SCC, and one patient had adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma simultaneously. Univariate analysis showed that the large maximum tumor diameter, highest pT stage and lymph node involvement were associated with an unfavorable DFS ( P<0.01 for all ) , while female gender, small maximum tumor diameter, early highest pT stage and pN0 were associated with a better overall survival ( OS) . Multivariate analysis showed that highest pT stage and lymph node metastasis were independent prognostic factors for DFS and OS. Patients with a lower highest pT stage and negative lymph node metastasis had longer DFS and OS ( P<0. 05 for both ) . Conclusions The diagnosis for patients with bilateral synchronous multiple primary NSCLCs should be made very carefully. Two stage surgical treatment is safe, reasonable and effective for patients with bilateral synchronous multiple primary NSCLCs in a relatively early stage. The highest pT stage and pN status are important predictors for long?term survival. Adequate pulmonary tissue resection with complete resection of multiple nodules and systematic lymphadenectomy are suggested.

Objective:To explore the feasibility, safety and effectiveness of anatomical partial lobectomy.Methods:The clinical data of 3 336 patients with lung nodules underwent anatomical partial lobectomy in our center from November 2013 to November 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. We set the safety margin distance according to the imaging feature of the lesion. The surgeons then anatomically detached the major vessels and bronchus in this region, resected the targeted lung tissue along the plane, and completed the resection of anatomical pulmonary lobe and clean and sampling of systemic lymph nodules.Results:A total of 668 cases were multiple nodules and 2 668 cases were solitary pulmonary nodules. According to the postoperative pathological results, 283 cases were benign, 1 197 cases were preinvasive lesions (including 38 cases of atypical adenomatous hyperplasia, 445 cases of adenocarcinoma in situ and 714 cases of minimally invasive adenocarcinoma), 1 713 cases were invasive adenocarcinoma, 73 cases were non-adenocarcinoma and 70 cases were metastatic carcinoma. Among 1 786 invasive primary lung cancers, 11 cases received preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and their postoperative pathologic diagnoses were stage ypIA. Other 1 775 cases who did not receive postoperative neoadjuvant treatment included 1 587 cases in stage ⅠA, 112 cases in stage ⅠB, 3 cases in stage ⅡA, 18 cases in stage ⅡB, 37 cases in stage ⅢA, 9 cases in stage ⅢB, 9 cases in stage Ⅳ. The average operation time was (127.3±55.3) minutes, and the mean postoperative hospital stay was (4.8±2.4) days. The incidence rate of complications (grade>2) was 1.1%(38/3 336), and no death occurred during 30 days after operation.Conclusion:Anatomic partial lobectomy has good clinical applicability, safety and effectiveness, which is worthy of clinical application and recommendation.

Objective Video?assisted thoracoscopic ( VATS ) esophagectomy has been performed for more than 10 years in China. However, compared with the conventional esophagectomy via right thoracotomy, whether VATS esophagectomy has more advantages or not in the lymph node ( LN) dissection and prevention of perioperative complications is still controversial and deserves to be further investigated. The aim of this study was to explore whether there are significant differences in this issue between the two surgical modalities or not. Methods The results of lymph node dissection and perioperative complications as well as other parameters in the patients treated by VATS esophagectomy and those by conventional esophagectomy via right thoracotomy at our department from May 1,2009 to July 30,2013 were compared using SPSS 16.0 in order to investigate whether there was any significant difference between these two treatment modalities in the learning curve stage of VATS esophagectomy. Results One hundred and twenty?nine cases underwent VATS esophagectomy between May 1, 2009 and July 30, 2013, and another pared 129 cases with the same preoperative cTNM stage treated by conventional esopahgectomy via right thoracotomy were selected in order to compare the results of lymph node dissection and perioperative complications as well as other parameters between those two groups of patients. There were no significant differences in the sex, age, lesion locations and cTNM stage between these two groups. The total LN metastatic rate in the VATS esophagectomy group was 35.7% and that of the conventional esophagectomy group was 37.2% (P>0.05). The total average number of dissected lymph nodes was 12.1 vs. 16.2 ( P<0.001) . The average dissected LN stations was 3.2 vs. 3.6 ( P=0.038) . The total average number of dissected LN along the left recurrent laryngeal nerve was 2.0 vs. 3.7 ( P=0.012) . The total average number of dissected LN along the right recurrent laryngeal nerve was 2.9 vs. 3.4 (P=0.231). However, there was no significant difference in the total average number of dissected LN in the other thoracic LN stations, and in the perioperative complications between the two groups. The total postoperative complication rate was 41. 1% in the VATS group versus 42. 6% in the conventional group ( P=0.801) . The cardiopulmonary complication rate was 25.6% vs. 27.1% ( P=0.777) . The death rate was the same in the two groups (0.8%). The VATS group had less blood infusion (23.2% vs. 41.8%, P=0.001) and shorter hospital stay (15.9 days vs. 19.2 days, P=0.049) but longer operating time (161.3 min vs. 127.8 min, P<0.01). Conclusions In the learning curve stage of VATS esophagectomy, compared with the conventional esophagectomy, less LN number and stations can be dissected in the VATS group due to unskillful VATS manipulation, especially it is more difficult in the LN dissection along the left recurrent laryngeal nerve. Therefore, it is more suitable to select patients with early esophageal cancer without obvious enlarged lymph nodes for VATS esophagectomy in the learning curve stage.

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics of patients with bilateral synchronous multiple primary non?small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC) and identify the prognostic indicators associated with survival. Methods From January 2010 to December 2014, clinicopathological data of 96 patients with bilateral synchronous multiple primary NSCLC, who met the modified Martini?Melamed criteria and underwent radical surgical resection, were retrospectively reviewed. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan?Meier method, and the clinical parameters associated with survival were analyzed using a log?rank test. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to identify the risk factors for this cancer. Results Of the 96 patients, two patients who died of severe postoperative complications were excluded, and 94 patients were analyzed. Of the 94 cases, a two?stage operation was performed in 93 patients, while a single?stage bilateral surgery was performed in only one patient using video?assisted thoracic surgery ( VATS) . 79 patients had 2 tumors and the other 15 patients had 3 or more tumors. There were 82 patients with synchronous tumors located in different lobes and 12 patients had at least two tumors located in the same lobe. Seventy?six patients were found to have multiple lung adenocarcinoma and 12 patients had multiple squamous cell
carcinoma ( SCCs) . Five patients had adenocarcinoma and SCC, and one patient had adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma simultaneously. Univariate analysis showed that the large maximum tumor diameter, highest pT stage and lymph node involvement were associated with an unfavorable DFS ( P<0.01 for all ) , while female gender, small maximum tumor diameter, early highest pT stage and pN0 were associated with a better overall survival ( OS) . Multivariate analysis showed that highest pT stage and lymph node metastasis were independent prognostic factors for DFS and OS. Patients with a lower highest pT stage and negative lymph node metastasis had longer DFS and OS ( P<0. 05 for both ) . Conclusions The diagnosis for patients with bilateral synchronous multiple primary NSCLCs should be made very carefully. Two stage surgical treatment is safe, reasonable and effective for patients with bilateral synchronous multiple primary NSCLCs in a relatively early stage. The highest pT stage and pN status are important predictors for long?term survival. Adequate pulmonary tissue resection with complete resection of multiple nodules and systematic lymphadenectomy are suggested.

Objective:To explore the feasibility, safety and effectiveness of anatomical partial lobectomy.Methods:The clinical data of 3 336 patients with lung nodules underwent anatomical partial lobectomy in our center from November 2013 to November 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. We set the safety margin distance according to the imaging feature of the lesion. The surgeons then anatomically detached the major vessels and bronchus in this region, resected the targeted lung tissue along the plane, and completed the resection of anatomical pulmonary lobe and clean and sampling of systemic lymph nodules.Results:A total of 668 cases were multiple nodules and 2 668 cases were solitary pulmonary nodules. According to the postoperative pathological results, 283 cases were benign, 1 197 cases were preinvasive lesions (including 38 cases of atypical adenomatous hyperplasia, 445 cases of adenocarcinoma in situ and 714 cases of minimally invasive adenocarcinoma), 1 713 cases were invasive adenocarcinoma, 73 cases were non-adenocarcinoma and 70 cases were metastatic carcinoma. Among 1 786 invasive primary lung cancers, 11 cases received preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and their postoperative pathologic diagnoses were stage ypIA. Other 1 775 cases who did not receive postoperative neoadjuvant treatment included 1 587 cases in stage ⅠA, 112 cases in stage ⅠB, 3 cases in stage ⅡA, 18 cases in stage ⅡB, 37 cases in stage ⅢA, 9 cases in stage ⅢB, 9 cases in stage Ⅳ. The average operation time was (127.3±55.3) minutes, and the mean postoperative hospital stay was (4.8±2.4) days. The incidence rate of complications (grade>2) was 1.1%(38/3 336), and no death occurred during 30 days after operation.Conclusion:Anatomic partial lobectomy has good clinical applicability, safety and effectiveness, which is worthy of clinical application and recommendation.

Objective To explore the relationship between the lymph node metastasis and clinicopathological features in patients with clinical stage T1a non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC ) . Methods Clinicopathological data of a total of 418 patients who underwent lobectomy and systematic lymph node dissection were retrospectively analyzed.Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between lymph node metastasis and clinicopathological features.Resulst Lymph node metastasis was observed in 25 patients.There were 122 patients who were diagnosed as ground glass opacity with no lymph node metastasis.399 patients had subcarinal dissection, among them 7 patients were found to have lymph node metastasis.Univariate analysis showed that gender, smoking history, diameter of lymph node, ground glass opacity ( GGO ) , differentiation of the tumor and tumor site were the factors affecting lymph node metastasis ( all P<0.05) .Logistic regression analysis showed that diameter of lymph node, differentiation of the tumor and the site of lesion were independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis of NSCLC. Conclusions Tumor in the left lung, poor differentiation, and diameter of lymph nodes ≥1 cm on the preoperative CT image are independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis of NSCLC, hence we should pay attention before surgery and systematic lymph node dissection should be done.For patients with poor differentiation and lymph nodes≥1 cm, subcarinal lymph nodes dissection is recommended for the sake of higher possibility of lymph node metastasis.For patients with ground glass opacity≤2 cm, the lymph node metastasis is extremely rare, therefore, selective lymph node dissection is reconmmended.

Objective To explore the relationship between the lymph node metastasis and clinicopathological features in patients with clinical stage T1a non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC ) . Methods Clinicopathological data of a total of 418 patients who underwent lobectomy and systematic lymph node dissection were retrospectively analyzed.Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between lymph node metastasis and clinicopathological features.Resulst Lymph node metastasis was observed in 25 patients.There were 122 patients who were diagnosed as ground glass opacity with no lymph node metastasis.399 patients had subcarinal dissection, among them 7 patients were found to have lymph node metastasis.Univariate analysis showed that gender, smoking history, diameter of lymph node, ground glass opacity ( GGO ) , differentiation of the tumor and tumor site were the factors affecting lymph node metastasis ( all P<0.05) .Logistic regression analysis showed that diameter of lymph node, differentiation of the tumor and the site of lesion were independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis of NSCLC. Conclusions Tumor in the left lung, poor differentiation, and diameter of lymph nodes ≥1 cm on the preoperative CT image are independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis of NSCLC, hence we should pay attention before surgery and systematic lymph node dissection should be done.For patients with poor differentiation and lymph nodes≥1 cm, subcarinal lymph nodes dissection is recommended for the sake of higher possibility of lymph node metastasis.For patients with ground glass opacity≤2 cm, the lymph node metastasis is extremely rare, therefore, selective lymph node dissection is reconmmended.

Objective The role of planned neoadjuvant radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy in the non?radical resection of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was unclear. The study aimed to evaluate their therapeutic effect and analyze the prognostic factors. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who received neoadjuvant radio therapy ( 33 patients) and concurrent chemoradiotherapy (119 patients) from January 2004 to December 2016 in our single?institution database.The survival rates were calculated by Kaplan?Meier method. The prognostic factors were analyzed by using Log rank test and Cox proportional hazards model. Results The median follow?up was 29.8 months. One hundred and one patients survived more than 3 years. The rates of overall survival (OS) and disease?free survival ( DFS) at 3 years were 63.9% and 55.6%, respectively.The rates of complete, partial and minimal pathological response of the primary tumor were 50.3%, 38.4%, 11.3%, the corresponding 3?year OS were 75.5%, 57.4%, 27.3%( P＜0.001) and 3?year DFS were 72.0%, 44.7%, 17.6%(P＜0.001), respectively.The postoperative lymph node metastasis rate was 27.0%. The 3?year OS and DFS of the lymph node positive group was 45.6% and 32.8%, significantly lower than 70.8% and 63.7%of the negative group (both P＜0.001).The 3?year OS and DFS of pathologic stage Ⅰ,Ⅱ,ⅢA,ⅢB andⅥ A were 76.2%, 57.4%, 64.7%, 35.0%, 33.3%( P＜0.001) and 70.1%, 49.3%, 41.2%, 22.1%, 33.3%(P＜0.001), respectively.The operation?related mortality was 3.3%. Multivariate analysis showed that chest pain, postoperative respiratory failure, pathological differentiation, more than 15 lymph node dissection and ypTNM stage were the independent prognostic factors of OS ( P＜0.05 for all). Conclusions The planned neoadjuvant radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for the non?radical resection of advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma could result in favorable survival. The chest pain, postoperative respiratory failure, pathological differentiation, the number of lymph node resection and ypTNM stage are the independent prognostic factors of the prognosis of these patients.