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Introduction: Long-term data on outcomes of operable stage III NSCLC are scarce., Methods: Individual patient data from 368 patients enrolled in one phase III and two phase II trials were pooled and outcomes after applying the eighth (denoted with an asterisk [*]) versus the sixth TNM staging edition were compared. Patients were treated with either preoperative radiotherapy following 3 cycles of induction chemotherapy (trimodal) or neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone (bimodal)., Results: With the sixth version, the 5- and 10-year survival rates were 38% and 28% for stage IIIA, respectively, and 36% and 24% for stage IIIB, respectively. Factors associated with improved 5-year overall survival were younger age, R0 resection, and pathologic complete remission (pCR) (p = 0.043, p < 0.001 and p = 0.009). With the eighth TNM staging version, 162 patients were moved from stage IIIA to IIIB*. The 5- and 10-year survival rates were 41% and 29% for stage IIIA*, respectively, and 35% and 27% for stage IIIB* patients, respectively. There was no difference in the bi- versus trimodal group with regard to median overall survival (28 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 21-39 months] and 37 months [95% CI: 24-51 months], p = 0.9) and event-free survival (12 months [95% CI: 9-15 months] versus 13 months [95% CI: 10-22 months], p = 0.71)., Conclusions: We showed favorable 10-year survival rates of 29% and 27% in stage IIIA* and IIIB*, respectively. Younger age, R0 resection, and pathologic complete response were associated with improved long-term survival. Outcomes using the sixth versus eighth edition of the TNM classification were similar in operable stage III NSCLC., (Copyright © 2018 International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. All rights reserved.)

Background: Sleeve lobectomy is a valid alternative to pneumonectomy for the treatment of centrally located operable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but concern has been evoked regarding a potentially increased risk of bronchial anastomosis complications after induction therapy. This study examined the impact of induction therapy on airway healing after sleeve lobectomy for NSCLC., Methods: Bronchial anastomosis complications were recorded with respect to the induction regimen applied (neoadjuvant chemotherapy vs chemoradiotherapy) in a consecutive series of patients with sleeve lobectomy for NSCLC., Results: Ninety-nine patients underwent sleeve resection, 28 of them after induction therapy. Twelve patients received chemotherapy alone, and 16 patients had radiochemotherapy. There were no significant differences in postoperative 90-day mortality (3.6% vs 2.8%) and morbidity (54% vs 49%) for patients with and without induction therapy. Bronchial anastomosis complications occurred in 3 patients (10.8%) with neoadjuvant therapy and in 2 (2.8%) without (p = 0.3). In the induction therapy group, two bronchial stenoses occurred after radiochemotherapy and one bronchopleural fistula after chemotherapy alone. In patients without induction therapy, one bronchial stenosis and one bronchopleural fistula were observed. All bronchial stenoses were successfully treated by dilatation, and both bronchopleural fistulas occurring after right lower lobectomy were successfully treated by reoperation and completion sleeve bilobectomy with preservation of the upper lobe., Conclusions: Sleeve lobectomy for NSCLC can be safely performed after induction chemotherapy and radiochemotherapy with mortality and incidence of airway complications similar to that observed in nonpretreated patients. The treatment of airway complications does not differ for patients with and without induction therapy., (Copyright © 2013 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Induction radiochemotherapy, followed by resection, for T4 non-small cell lung cancer, has shown promising long-term survival but may be associated with increased postoperative morbidity and death, depending on patient selection. Here, we determined the effect of induction radiochemotherapy on pulmonary function and whether postinduction pulmonary function changes predict hospital morbidity and death and long-term survival., Methods: A consecutive prospective cohort of 72 patients with T4 N0-2 M0 non-small cell lung cancer managed by radiochemotherapy, followed by resection, is reported. All patients underwent thoracoabdominal computed tomography or fusion positron emission tomography-computed tomography, brain imaging, mediastinoscopy, echocardiography, ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy, and pulmonary function testing before and after induction therapy. Resection was performed if the postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second and diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide exceeded 30% predicted and if the postoperative maximum oxygen consumption exceeded 10 mL/kg/min., Results: The postoperative 90-day mortality rate was 8% (lobectomy, 2%; pneumonectomy, 21%; p=0.01). All deaths after pneumonectomy occurred after right-sided procedures. The 3-year and 5-year survival was 50% (95% confidence interval, 36% to 62%) and 45% (95% confidence interval, 31% to 57%) and was significantly associated with completeness of resection (p=0.004) and resection type (pneumonectomy vs lobectomy, p=0.01). There was no correlation between postinduction pulmonary function changes and postoperative morbidity or death or long-term survival in patients managed by lobectomy or pneumonectomy., Conclusions: In properly selected patients with T4 N0-2 M0 non-small cell lung cancer, resection after induction radiochemotherapy can be performed with a reasonable postoperative mortality rate and long-term survival, provided the resection is complete and a right-sided pneumonectomy is avoided. Postinduction pulmonary function changes did not correlate with postoperative morbidity or death or with long-term outcome., (Copyright © 2012 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The implementation of new techniques of imaging in the daily practice of the radiation oncologist is a major advance in these last 10 years. This allows optimizing the therapeutic intervals and locoregional control of the disease while limiting side effects. Among them, positron emission tomography (PET) offers an opportunity to the clinician to obtain data relative to the tumoral biological mechanisms, while benefiting from the morphological images of the computed tomography (CT) scan. Recently hybrid PET/CT has been developed and numerous studies aimed at optimizing its use in the planning, the evaluation of the treatment response and the prognostic value. The choice of the radiotracer (according to the type of cancer and to the studied biological mechanism) and the various methods of tumoral delineation, require a regular update to optimize the practices. We propose throughout this article, an exhaustive review of the published researches (and in process of publication) until December 2011, as user guide of PET/CT in all the aspects of the modern radiotherapy (from the diagnosis to the follow-up): biopsy guiding, optimization of treatment planning and dosimetry, evaluation of tumor response and prognostic value, follow-up and early detection of recurrence versus tumoral necrosis. In a didactic purpose, each of these aspects is approached by primary tumoral location, and illustrated with representative iconographic examples. The current contribution of PET/CT and its perspectives of development are described to offer to the radiation oncologist a clear and up to date reading in this expanding domain., (Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier SAS.)

We report 4 patients with stage IVA thymic tumors who underwent extrapleural pneumonectomy and thymectomy with venous confluence resection using a temporary percutaneous venous jugular-femoral bypass technique. The superior vena cava was replaced in 2 patients, and the innominate vein was resected in 2 patients. Complete tumor resection was obtained in all patients. There was no 90-day postoperative mortality. One patient died at 6 months postoperatively of an unrelated cause, without recurrent disease, and 3 are alive and disease-free with a follow-up ranging from 19 to 80 months. Extrapleural pneumonectomy can be combined with thymectomy and venous confluence resection for stage IVA thymic tumors., (Copyright © 2011 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas are frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage. Their treatment remains controversial, and has to be multidisciplinary. External beam radiotherapy is a recognized treatment option after radical curative surgery in order to improve local control. Different adjuvant treatment options have been studied in order to improve the outcome of these patients. We review in this paper the different prognostic factors indicating an adjuvant treatment and the interest of treatment intensification in bad prognostic patients., (2010 Société française de radiothérapie oncologique (SFRO). Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.)

Squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck are neoplasic diseases for which locoregional control remains very important, given its particular pattern of failure. Treatment of early stage disease involves surgery or radiation therapy. Locally advanced disease is treated either with concurrent chemoradiotherapy or surgery followed by radio-chemotherapy, according to each center's expertise. Recent research has demonstrated that the overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is associated with tumor progression. Based on this research, a new type of anticancer therapy, so-called "targeted therapies" represent important additions to the current therapeutic arsenal in the management of head and neck cancers, based on results of a phase III trial combining radiotherapy and immunotherapy with cetuximab.