A sixty-five year old female was consulted for radiation therapy due to dyspnea. She was diagnosed as stage IV bronchial-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) lymphoma at 5 months ago, and then received chemotherapy for 3 months. She have distressed from dyspnea originated from main bronchus obstruction, and should be supplied with oxygen via nasal prong. She underwent 36 Gy radiation therapy to bronchial mass that obstructs left main bronchus in 18 fractions for four weeks. Dyspnea was markedly improved after radiation therapy, and follow-up chest X-ray showed near complete resolution of mass and obstructed lung parenchyma. No recurrence was detected in lung for sixteen months. We experienced that radiation therapy for BALT lymphoma was effective for tumor control.
Bronchi ; Drug Therapy ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung ; Lymphoid Tissue* ; Lymphoma* ; Oxygen ; Radiation Dosage ; Recurrence ; Thorax

PURPOSE: Several lines of evidence have indicated that the deregulation of apoptosis is involved in the mechanisms of cancer development, and somatic mutations of the apoptosis-related genes have been reported in human cancers. In addition to its role in oxidative phosphorylation, release of cytochrome c from the mitochondrial intermembrane space results in nuclear apoptosis. The aim of this study was to explore whether alteration of cytochrome c gene mutation is a characteristic of human non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the current study, to detect the somatic mutations in the DNA sequences encoding cytochrome c in 48 NSCLCs, we used polymerase chain reaction (PCR), single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP), and DNA sequencing. RESULTS: The SSCP analysis revealed no mutation in the entire coding regions and all splice sites of human cytochrome c gene in the 48 NSCLCs. CONCLUSION: The data presented here indicate that the pro-apoptotic cytochrome c may not be somatically mutated in human NSCLCs, and suggest that NSCLCs may not utilize mutational events of cytochrome c gene in the mechanisms for evading apoptosis.
Apoptosis ; Base Sequence ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; Clinical Coding ; Cytochromes c* ; Cytochromes* ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Oxidative Phosphorylation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

PURPOSE: Overexpression of COX-2, an enzyme responsible fro the synthesis of prostaglandins, is well linked to human chronic lung diseases. The mechanism by which COX-2 expression is increased or enhanced in cancer cells remains largely unknown. Any compound which can reduce COX-2 expression may be considered as an anti-cancer agent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Leptomycin B (LMB) is a metabolite of Streptomyces and a specific inhibitor of CRM1 nuclear export receptor. A549 is a human lung cancer cell line. To evaluate the effect of LMB on COX-2 expression induced by IL-1beta, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, in A549 cells, Western blot and RT-PCR assays were applied to measure COX-2 protein and mRNA expressions in response to IL-1beta, respectively. Luciferase experiments were done to measure promoter activity of COX-2, NF-kappaB or AP-1. CRM1 siRNA trasfection experiment was performed to knock-down endogenous CRM1. Biochemical protein fractionation method was also carried out to see intracellular localization of proteins. RESULTS: LMB at 9 nM strongly suppressed IL-1beta-induced expression of COX-2 protein that was attributable to decreased COX-2 transcript and promoter activity, but not mRNA stability. Distinctly, knock-down of CRM1 had no effect on COX-2 expression by IL-1beta. Moreover, LMB did not affect IL-1beta-induced phosphorylation of ERK-1/2, JNK- 1/2, and p38 MAPK or AP-1 promoter activity. In contrast, LMB blocked IL-1beta- mediated cytosolic IkappaB-alpha degradation, p65 NF-kappaB nuclear translocation, and NF-kappaB promoter activity. CONCLUSION: LMB potently down-regulates IL-1beta- induced COX-2 at transcriptional level in A549 cells, in part, through modulation of the IkappaB-alpha/NF-kappaB pathway but independent of CRM1, MAPKs and AP-1.
Active Transport, Cell Nucleus ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line ; Cytosol ; Down-Regulation* ; Humans ; Luciferases ; Lung Diseases ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; NF-kappa B ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Phosphorylation ; Prostaglandins ; RNA Stability ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Streptomyces ; Transcription Factor AP-1

PURPOSE: Our aim of research is to find novel genes that overexpressed in various samples such as cell lines and tissues that infinitely proliferate; so-called immortalized cells, cancer cells and tissues. In this study, we obtained a gene from immortalized cell line (WI-38 VA13) then identified it from various cell lines and human lung tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using suppressive subtractive hybridization (SSH) method, we obtained many genes and selected a novel gene of them. And then the novel gene fragment was amplified by PCR and ligated in T easy vector for sequencing. And finally we found a differentially expressed gene in cell lines and tissues when it was performed by reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR). RESULTS: As the result of transformation of genes that we gained using SSH, we obtained about 150 clones. And then we certificated several genes by DNA prep and confirmed it by sequencing. We examined whether the gene sequences are novel or known genes by genome homology search and we confirmed the gene expressions by RT-PCR. As a result, we identified a differentially overexpressed gene (named "clone 58") in immortalized cells, cancer cell lines and lung squamous cell carcinomas. CONCLUSION: The "clone 58" mRNA was significantly up-regulated in various human cell lines and also human lung cancer tissues compared to the normal. We suppose that this gene can carry out a specific role related to the induction of cancer and/or the mechanism of the changeover of a normal cell to an immortalized cell. In short, the discovery of our gene has an importance in the point that they are thought to have a connection with immortalization and carcinogenesis of human cells and tissues.
Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cell Line ; Clone Cells ; DNA ; Gene Expression ; Genes, vif ; Genome ; Humans* ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger

PURPOSE: It has become clear that, together with proliferation, deregulation of apoptosis plays a pivotal role in tumorigenesis, and the somatic mutations of apoptosis-related genes have been reported in human cancers. PUMA, a pro- apoptotic member of Bcl-2 family, mediates p53-deependent and -independent apoptosis. The aim of this study was to explore whether alteration of PUMA protein expression is a characteristic of human lung cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To explore the possibility that the genetic alterations of PUMA might be involved in the development of human cancers, we analyzed the entire coding region and all splice sites of human PUMA gene in 100 human non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). RESULTS: The PCR-SSCP analysis detected no mutation in the entire coding regions and all splice sites of human PUMA gene in the 100 NSCLCs. CONCLUSION: The data presented here suggested that PUMA gene mutation may not contribute to the pathogenesis of human NSCLCs.
Apoptosis ; Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; Clinical Coding ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Puma*

PURPOSE: On-line setup procedure was performed before treatment for lung cancer patient for stereotactic radiation surgery (SRS) using recently introduced Cone Beam CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cone Beam CT was performed for 10 patients who did SRS during 18 July and 1 September, 2006 using On Board Imager (OPB) system made by Varian, USA. The treatment position of patient was corrected comparing Images obtaining from CBCT and used in treatment planning. RESULTS: Comparing the CBCT images and CT images used in treatment planning, the movement of the couch is 2.3+/-2.3 mm, 1.8+/-2.8 mm, 0.3+/-3.5 mm for vertical, lateral, and longitudinal direction. It took about 1 hr for conventional treatment procedure in image acquisition of CT before treatment and image registration. But it took about 4~7 minute in on-line setup using CBCT (1~2 min for image acquisition using CBCT, 2~3 min for CT reconstruction of 2.5 mm slice thickness, 1~2 min for on-line setup using image registration). CONCLUTION: The accurate treatment could be performed after tumor localization for SRS using CBCT images. And the consumed time for tumor localization was reduced significantly.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Radiotherapy, Image-Guided

PURPOSE: Recent progress in the surgical therapy for lung cancer is one of the best examples of the successful evolution of clinical medicine. We reviewed our experience to evaluate the surgical outcomes in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed clinical records of 236 consecutive patients with proven primary non-small cell lung cancer who underwent complete removal of the primary tumor together with hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes from 1995 to 2005. The clinical characteristics, surgical methods, and recurrence patterns were analysed. RESULTS: The patients of stage III and IV were 71 cases (35.9%) and 2 cases (1.0%) respectively, and neoadjuvant therapy was done in 62 patients. Lobectomy was the most common procedure (69.7%) performed and pneumonectomy was the least (5.6%). In 81 patients (40.9%) the recurrence was noted and the regional recurrence (27 cases, 13.6%) was less than systemic recurrence (54 cases, 27.3%). The main sites of regional recurrence were hilum (11 cases, 40.7%) and ipsilateral mediastinum (9 cases, 33.3%). CONCLUSION: These data indicated that our surgical methods were useful and effective
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* ; Clinical Medicine ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lymph Nodes ; Mediastinum ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Pneumonectomy ; Recurrence*

PURPOSE: The applicability of tumor markers still remains controversial in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) due to lower sensitivity & specificity. And, tumor markers actually have not been used determining treatment plans in NSCLC patients yet. So, we evaluated correlation between levels of serum tumor marker (CEA, NSE and Cyfra 21-1) and prognosis in NSCLC patients underwent complete surgical resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 64 NSCLC patients underwent complete surgical resection in Yongdong severance hospital from April 2002 to October 2005. Preoperative and postoperative serum levels of tumor markers (CEA, NSE, Cyfra 21-1) were measured with commercialized kits and the correlation between the serum levels of tumor markers and prognosis was evaluated. Normal cutoff values of CEA, NSE and Cyfra 21-1 were 5.0 ng/ml, 12.5 ng/ml and 3.2 ng/ml. We estimated recurrence or distant metastasis with computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, whole body bone scan, positron emission tomography and biopsy. RESULTS: Preoperative and postoperative serum levels of tumor markers were not significantly correlated with lung cancer stages and histologies. The elevated levels of postoperative CEA (p=0.0142) and Cyfra 21-1 (p=0.0105) were correlated with shortened survival time. And, the shortened disease free interval was significantly associated with the elevated level of postoperative Cyfra 21-1 (p=0.0018). The elevated level of preoperative Cyfra 21-1 (p=0.0566) had a tendency to relate the shortened survival time, but it didn't reach statistical importance. CONCLUSION: Considering previous results, especially Cyfra 21-1 may be useful prognostic factor in predicting survival times, and recurrence or metastasis. But, further study and longer follow-up period were needed to make conclusion regarding usefulness of other tumor markers
Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Biomarkers, Tumor*

Lung cancer with cyst formation is a rare entity. We report a 63-year-old man who underwent surgical treatment of primary lung cancer, which mimics benign solitary cyst. We incidentally found his pulmonary cyst by a low dose chest tomography and followed up for 2 years. Rapid growth of cyst and focal wall thickening evoke us to have a suspicion of its malignancy. Left lower lobectomy via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was performed without any preoperative pathologic confirmation. The postoperative pathological finding revealed squamous cell carcinoma with carcinoma in situ on the cyst wall. We emphasize the need for physicians to be aware of the potential of lung cancer in patients with growing pulmonary cyst.
Bone Cysts ; Carcinoma in Situ ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; Thorax

Extra-adrenal myelolipoma is a rare benign tumor which can occur in the abdomen, thorax, or even in the face. We present a case of 58-year-old woman patient with thoracic myelolipoma, which has manifested as three paravertebral masses at the level of T9 and T10. The computed tomography scan showed heterogenous enhancing masses, which contained fat component. She underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, and the pathologic examination revealed adipose tissue with many hematopoietic cells, consistent with myelolipoma.
Abdomen ; Adipose Tissue ; Female ; Humans ; Myelolipoma ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; Thorax