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Investigates the expression of the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein hnRNP A2/B1 in human nonmalignant alveolar cells. Use of immunostaining and Western blotting; Similarity of staining patterns of the cells to those observed in cancer cells; Need for further research to determine the role of A2/B1 in early lung cancer detection.

Background: Sialyl Lewis X-i antigen has been used as a diagnostic tool for lung adenocarcinoma. However, serum levels of the antigen are also raised in some patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) without coexistent malignancy. Expression of the antigen in serum samples of patients with lung adenocarcinoma was evaluated and compared with that of patients with IPF by Western blotting in order to establish a specific laboratory test to differentiate lung adenocarcinoma from IPF.Methods: The pattern of antigen expression in serum samples from 23 patients with either lung adenocarcinoma or non-malignant lung disease in whom serum levels of sialyl Lewis X-i antigen (>50 U/ml) were significantly increased was studied by Western blotting.Results: Thirteen of the 14 serum samples from patients with lung adenocarcinoma had a molecular weight band at 120 or 130 kD, while five of the six patients with IPF had two or three bands at <97.4 kD. The pattern of antigen expression was apparently different between the two diseases. The sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio of this test in 20 patients with lung adenocarcinoma and IPF were 92.9%, 83.3%, 5.57, and 0.09, respectively.Conclusions: Western blotting analysis of serum samples from patients with raised levels of sialyl Lewis X-i antigen provides some clinical information for a differential diagnosis between lung adenocarcinoma and IPF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the relationship between smoking and lung adenocarcinoma in female patients, we performed a retrospective chart review for 470 patients with lung adenocarcinoma at our hospital. The proportions of non-smokers were higher in female patients than those of male patients. A significant difference in smoking history was found between female and male patients. Not only active smoking but also passive smoking may influence the development of female lung adenocarcinoma, which reinforces the need for effective programmes aimed refraining from smoking and cessation among men as well as women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Older patients with lung cancer tend to have significant coexisting diseases and less aggressive treatment is often advisable.Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features of lung cancer in patients aged 80 years and over.Methods: The medical records of 966 patients with lung cancer between 1976 and 1999 were reviewed retrospectively.Results: There were 56 (5.8%) patients 80 years old or over. Thirty-nine (70%) were male, and 22 (39%) patients had poor performance status (2-4). Some of the patients had a medical history of cardiovascular disease (n = 23; 41%), cerebrovascular disease (n = 5; 9%), diabetes mellitus (n = 11; 20%), or malignant disease (n = 8; 14%). Twenty-one (35%) patients were diagnosed as having surgically resectable disease and 20 patients underwent radiotherapy, but 25 patients only received supportive care because of concomitant illnesses. Only 9 and 2 patients, respectively, had chemotherapy and surgery. There was no statistical difference in the survival rate of the two groups of patients receiving radiotherapy or supportive care.Conclusion: Adequate palliative care to provide prolonged quality survival is an appropriate primary goal of therapy for lung cancer in the octogenarian until less invasive treatments are developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report an unusual occurrence of skin metastasis to the thenar eminence. Skin metastasis reflects the progression of the primary malignancy. Biopsy should be performed from the skin lesions, even those located at uncommon sites, for patients who have a history of uncontrolled lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a letter to the editor related to the effect of comorbidity on the treatment and prognosis of elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Presents a letter to the editor on the survival of patients with lung cancer, published in the September 1, 2001 issue of the journal "Thorax."