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Abstract: The pathogenesis of thymolipoma is controversial and unclear despite numerous reports. A case report of thymolipoma with cytogenetic analysis is herein presented. The lesion demonstrated a translocation involving the HMGA2 gene on chromosome 12q15, which is seen in two thirds of solitary lipomas. This finding supports the theory that this case of thymolipoma is a neoplasm of thymic fat. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: The bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) are phytogenetically conserved proteins, which are essential for embryonic development. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) was recently shown to be expressed in a small sample of lung carcinomas. Studies have suggested that BMP-2 may enhance tumor growth. The present study examined which BMP family members are expressed in non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC). Furthermore, the frequency of BMP-2 overexpression and the types of lung carcinomas expressing BMP-2 were determined. Methods: Tissue samples were obtained from the operating room and frozen in liquid nitrogen. Samples included metastatic NSCLC, benign lung tumors, adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, bronchioloalveolar, and neuroendocrine carcinomas. Paired normal lung tissues served as the controls. The BMP-2, BMP-4, BMP-6, BMP-7, and growth differentiation factor 5 (GDF-5) expressions were examined by Western blot analysis. Results: The BMP-4, BMP-6, BMP-7, and GDF-5 were infrequently expressed in NSCLC. The BMP-2 was expressed in 41 of 42 NSCLC with minimal expression in normal lung tissue; BMP-2 was expressed 17 fold higher than that of normal lung tissue. The BMP-2 was over-expressed in all subtypes of NSCLC, including neuroendocrine carcinomas. The BMP-2 expression was similar between squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas; however, bronchioloalveolar carcinomas tended to have a lower level of expression. The BMP-2 was not significantly expressed in benign lung tumors. Conclusions: Bone morphogenetic protein-2 is the predominant family member expressed in NSCLC. The BMP-2 is overexpressed in the majority of human lung carcinomas independent of cell type. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Excision of a pulmonary nodule by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery can be difficult when the lesion is deep to the pleural surface. As lung staples are applied, the lung lesion may retract centrally, making continued localization by palpation impossible. We describe a thoracoscopic lung clamp with a novel open end allowing gentle retraction and continuous localization of the nodule during a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery biopsy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose We sought to evaluate whether tumor response using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) performed as part of the routine care during chemoradiation therapy (CRT) could forecast the outcome of unresectable, locally advanced, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods and Materials We manually delineated primary tumor volumes (TV) of patients with NSCLC who were treated with radical CRT on days 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36, and 43 on CBCTs obtained as part of the standard radiation treatment course. Percentage reductions in TV were calculated and then correlated to survival and pattern of recurrence using Cox proportional hazard models. Clinical information including histologic subtype was also considered in the study of such associations. Results We evaluated 38 patients with a median follow-up time of 23.4 months. The median TV reduction was 39.3% (range, 7.3%-69.3%) from day 1 (D1) to day 43 (D43) CBCTs. Overall survival was associated with TV reduction from D1 to D43 (hazard ratio [HR] 0.557, 95% CI 0.39-0.79, P =.0009). For every 10% decrease in TV from D1 to D43, the risk of death decreased by 44.3%. For patients whose TV decreased ≥39.3 or <39.3%, log-rank test demonstrated a separation in survival ( P =.02), with median survivals of 31 months versus 10 months, respectively. Neither local recurrence (HR 0.791, 95% CI 0.51-1.23, P =.29), nor distant recurrence (HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.57-1.08, P =.137) correlated with TV decrease from D1 to D43. Histologic subtype showed no impact on our findings. Conclusions TV reduction as determined by CBCT during CRT as part of routine care predicts post-CRT survival. Such knowledge may justify intensification of RT or application of additional therapies. Assessment of genomic characteristics of these tumors may permit a better understanding of behavior or prediction of therapeutic outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]