Thomas A D'Amico

Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA

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Publications (115)374.03 Total impact

  • Article: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Version 2.2013.
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    ABSTRACT: These NCCN Guidelines Insights focus on the diagnostic evaluation of suspected lung cancer. This topic was the subject of a major update in the 2013 NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. The NCCN Guidelines Insights focus on the major updates in the NCCN Guidelines and discuss the new updates in greater detail.
    Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network: JNCCN 06/2013; 11(6):645-653. · 4.41 Impact Factor
  • Article: Gastric Cancer, Version 2.2013.
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    ABSTRACT: The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for Gastric Cancer provide evidence- and consensus-based recommendations for a multidisciplinary approach for the management of patients with gastric cancer. For patients with resectable locoregional cancer, the guidelines recommend gastrectomy with a D1+ or a modified D2 lymph node dissection (performed by experienced surgeons in high-volume centers). Postoperative chemoradiation is the preferred option after complete gastric resection for patients with T3-T4 tumors and node-positive T1-T2 tumors. Postoperative chemotherapy is included as an option after a modified D2 lymph node dissection for this group of patients. Trastuzumab with chemotherapy is recommended as first-line therapy for patients with HER2-positive advanced or metastatic cancer, confirmed by immunohistochemistry and, if needed, by fluorescence in situ hybridization for IHC 2+.
    Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network: JNCCN 05/2013; 11(5):531-546. · 4.41 Impact Factor
  • Article: Thymomas and thymic carcinomas.
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    ABSTRACT: Masses in the anterior mediastinum can be neoplasms (eg, thymomas, thymic carcinomas, or lung metastases) or non-neoplastic conditions (eg, intrathoracic goiter). Thymomas are the most common primary tumor in the anterior mediastinum, although they are rare. Thymic carcinomas are very rare. Thymomas and thymic carcinomas originate in the thymus. Although thymomas can spread locally, they are much less invasive than thymic carcinomas. Patients with thymomas have 5-year survival rates of approximately 78%. However, 5-year survival rates for thymic carcinomas are only approximately 40%. These guidelines outline the evaluation, treatment, and management of these mediastinal tumors.
    Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network: JNCCN 05/2013; 11(5):562-76. · 4.41 Impact Factor
  • Article: Variability in the Treatment of Elderly Patients with Stage IIIA (N2) Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer.
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    ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION:: We evaluated treatment patterns of elderly patients with stage IIIA (N2) non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS:: The use of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation for patients with stage IIIA (T1-T3N2M0) NSCLC in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database from 2004 to 2007 was analyzed. Treatment variability was assessed using a multivariable logistic regression model that included treatment, patient, tumor, and census track variables. Overall survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier approach and Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS:: The most common treatments for 2958 patients with stage IIIA (N2) NSCLC were radiation with chemotherapy (n = 1065, 36%), no treatment (n = 534, 18%), and radiation alone (n = 383, 13%). Surgery was performed in 709 patients (24%): 235 patients (8%) had surgery alone, 40 patients (1%) had surgery with radiation, 222 patients had surgery with chemotherapy (8%), and 212 patients (7%) had surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Younger age (p < 0.0001), lower T-status (p < 0.0001), female sex (p = 0.04), and living in a census track with a higher median income (p = 0.03) predicted surgery use. Older age (p < 0.0001) was the only factor that predicted that patients did not get any therapy. The 3-year overall survival was 21.8 ± 1.5% for all patients, 42.1 ± 3.8% for patients that had surgery, and 15.4 ± 1.5% for patients that did not have surgery. Increasing age, higher T-stage and Charlson Comorbidity Index, and not having surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy were all risk factors for worse survival (all p values < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS:: Treatment of elderly patients with stage IIIA (N2) NSCLC is highly variable and varies not only with specific patient and tumor characteristics but also with regional income level.
    Journal of thoracic oncology: official publication of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer 04/2013; · 4.55 Impact Factor
  • Article: Does Pneumonectomy Have a Role in the Treatment of Stage IIIA Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer?
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    ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The role of surgical resection for stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is unclear. We sought to examine outcomes after pneumonectomy for patients with stage IIIA disease. METHODS: All patients with stage IIIA NSCLC who had pneumonectomy at a single institution between 1999 and 2010 were reviewed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate long-term survival and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was used to identify clinical characteristics associated with survival. RESULTS: During the study period, 324 patients had surgical resection of stage IIIA NSCLC. Pneumonectomy was performed in 55 patients, 23 (42%) of whom had N2 disease. Induction treatment was used in 17 patients (31%) overall and in 11 of the patients (48%) with N2 disease. Perioperative mortality was 9% (n = 5) overall and 18% (n = 3) in patients that had received induction therapy (p = 0.17). Complications occurred in 32 patients (58%). Three-year survival was 36% and 5-year survival was 29% for all patients. Three-year survival was 40% for N0-1 patients and 29% for N2 patients (p = 0.59). In multivariable analysis, age over 60 years (hazard ratio [HR] 3.65, p = 0.001), renal insufficiency (HR 5.80, p = 0.007), and induction therapy (HR 2.17, p = 0.05) predicted worse survival, and adjuvant therapy (HR 0.35, p = 0.007) predicted improved survival. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term survival after pneumonectomy for stage IIIA NSCLC is within an acceptable range, but pneumonectomy may not be appropriate after induction therapy or in patients with renal insufficiency. Patient selection and operative technique that limit perioperative morbidity and facilitate the use of adjuvant chemotherapy are critical to optimizing outcomes.
    The Annals of thoracic surgery 03/2013; · 3.74 Impact Factor
  • Article: Impact of the 7th Edition AJCC Staging Classification on the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for Gastric and Esophageal Cancers.
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    ABSTRACT: The 7th edition of the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual has attempted to harmonize gastric and esophageal cancers, including management of gastroesophageal junction (GEJ)-type tumors. The treatment of complex tumor types is best guided by a staging classification that reliably groups patients according to prognosis and therapy. This article reviews and discusses these changes with the goal of elucidating key features of the staging system and outlining how these changes relate to the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology with regard to the care and treatment of patients. The 7th edition of the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual has certainly improved harmonization of gastric and distal esophageal/GEJ-type adenocarcinomas, although issues persist, particularly regarding the optimal neoadjuvant treatment for the management of GEJ carcinomas.
    Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network: JNCCN 01/2013; 11(1):60-6. · 4.41 Impact Factor
  • Article: Framing for success: nocebo effects in thoracic surgery.
    Judson B Williams, Robert M Sade, Thomas A D'Amico
    The Annals of thoracic surgery 01/2013; 95(1):9-11. · 3.74 Impact Factor
  • Article: Impact of T status and N status on perioperative outcomes after thoracoscopic lobectomy for lung cancer.
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    ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the effect of tumor size, location, and clinical nodal status on outcomes after thoracoscopic lobectomy for lung cancer. METHODS: All patients who underwent attempted thoracoscopic lobectomy for lung cancer between June 1999 and October 2010 at a single institution were reviewed. A model for morbidity including published risk factors as well as tumor size, location, and clinical N status was developed by multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: During the study period, 916 thoracoscopic lobectomies met study criteria: 329 for peripheral, clinical N0 tumors ≤3 cm and 504 for tumors that were central, clinical node positive, or >3 cm. Tumor location could not be documented for 83 patients. Conversions to thoracotomy occurred in 36 patients (4%); patients with clinically node-positive disease had higher conversion rates (11 conversions in 153 clinical N1 to N3 patients [7.2%] vs 25 in 763 clinical N0 patients [3.3%, P = .03]. Overall operative mortality was 1.6% (14 patients) and morbidity was 32% (296 patients). Although patients with larger tumors (P = .006) and central tumors (P = .01) had increased complications by univariate analysis, tumor size >3 cm (P = .17) and central location (P = .5) did not predict significantly overall morbidity in multivariate analysis. Clinical node status did not predict increased complications by univariate or multivariate analysis. Significant predictors of morbidity in multivariable analysis were increasing age, decreasing forced expiratory volume in 1 second, prior chemotherapy, and congestive heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopic lobectomy for lung cancers that are central, clinically node positive, or >3 cm does not confer increased morbidity compared with peripheral, clinical N0 cancers that are <3 cm.
    The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery 11/2012; · 3.41 Impact Factor
  • Article: Does surgery improve outcomes for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma? An analysis using the surveillance epidemiology and end results registry from 1998 to 2008.
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    ABSTRACT: We examined survival associated with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell cancer (SCC) to evaluate if treatment without surgery could be considered adequate. Patients in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Registry (SEER) registry with stage II-III SCC of the mid or distal esophagus from 1998-2008 were grouped by treatment with definitive radiation versus esophagectomy with or without radiation. Information on chemotherapy is not recorded in SEER. Tumor stage was defined as first clinical tumor stage in case of neo-adjuvant therapy and pathological report if no neo-adjuvant therapy was performed. Cancer-specific (CSS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier approach and propensity-score adjusted Cox proportional hazard models. Of the 2,431 patients analyzed, there were 844 stage IIA (34.7%), 428 stage IIB (17.6%), 1,159 stage III (47.7%) patients. Most were treated with definitive radiation (n = 1,426, 58.7%). Of the 1,005 (41.3%) patients who underwent surgery, 369 (36.7%) had preoperative radiation, 160 (15.9%) had postoperative radiation, and 476 (47.4%) had no radiation. Five-year survival was 17.9% for all patients, and 22.1%, 18.5%, and 14.5% for stages IIA, IIB, and stage III, respectively. Compared to treatment that included surgery, definitive radiation alone predicted worse propensity-score adjusted survival for all patients (CSS Hazard Ratio [HR] 1.48, p < 0.001; OS HR 1.46, p < 0.001) and for stage IIA, IIB, and III patients individually (all p values ≤0.01). Compared to surgery alone, surgery with radiation predicted improved survival for stage III patients (CSS HR 0.62, p = 0.001, OS HR 0.62, p < 0.001) but not stage IIA or IIB (all p values > 0.18). Esophagectomy is associated with improved survival for patients with locally advanced SCC and should be considered as an integral component of the treatment algorithm if feasible.
    Journal of the American College of Surgeons 11/2012; 215(5):643-51. · 4.55 Impact Factor
  • Article: The Role of Radiation Therapy in Resected T2 N0 Esophageal Cancer: A Population-Based Analysis.
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    ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The prognosis of even early-stage esophageal cancer is poor. Because there is not a consensus on how to manage T2 N0 disease, we examined survival after resection of T2 N0 esophageal cancer, with or without radiation therapy. METHODS: Patients who underwent resection for T2 N0 squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma of the mid or distal esophagus, with or without radiation therapy, were identified using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results cancer registry from 1998 to 2008. The 5-year cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) after resection alone and combined resection with radiation therapy were compared using the Kaplan-Meier approach, risk-adjusted Cox proportional hazard models, and competing risk models. RESULTS: The 5-year OS of 490 T2 N0 patients was 40.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 35.2% to 45.4%). Surgical resection alone was used in 267 patients (54%) and combined therapy in 223 (46%). The 5-year OS was 38.6% (95% CI, 31.7% to 45.5%) in patients undergoing resection only and 42.3% (95% CI, 34.7% to 49.6%) for combined therapy (p = 0.48). No difference in OS was found, even after risk adjustment (hazard ratio [HR], 1.14; 95% CI, 0.87 to 1.48; p = 0.35). However, in landmark studies with left truncation for 3 and 6 months, resection only showed better OS than combined therapy (HR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.75; p = 0.04 vs HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.83; p = 0.04, respectively). No such difference for CSS was detected, even for the landmark study after 6 months (HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.98 to 1.39, p = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Combining radiation therapy with esophagectomy did not result in improved outcomes compared with esophagectomy alone for patients with T2 N0 esophageal cancer in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database.
    The Annals of thoracic surgery 10/2012; · 3.74 Impact Factor
  • Article: Smoking status and survival in the national comprehensive cancer network non-small cell lung cancer cohort.
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    ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were to evaluate survival among current smokers, former smokers, and never smokers who are diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: The study included patients who participated in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network's NSCLC Database Project. Current, former, and never smokers were compared with respect to overall survival by fitting Cox regression models. RESULTS: Data from 4200 patients were examined, including 618 never smokers, 1483 current smokers, 380 former smokers who quit 1 to 12 months before diagnosis, and 1719 former smokers who quit >12 months before diagnosis. Among patients with stage I, II, and III disease, only never smokers had better survival than current smokers (hazard ratio, 0.47 [95% confidence interval, 0.26-0.85] vs 0.51 [95% confidence interval, 0.38-0.68], respectively). Among patients with stage IV disease, the impact of smoking depended on age: Among younger patients (aged ≤55 years), being a never smoker and a former smoker for ≥12 months increased survival. After age 85 years, smoking status did not have a significant impact on overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who were smoking at the time of diagnosis had worse survival compared with never smokers. Among younger patients with stage IV disease, current smokers also had worse survival compared with former smokers who quit >12 months before diagnosis. It is likely that tumor biology plays a major role in the differences observed; however, to improve survival, it is prudent to encourage all smokers to quit smoking if they are diagnosed with NSCLC. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
    Cancer 09/2012; · 4.77 Impact Factor
  • Article: Optimal management of malignant pleural effusions (results of CALGB 30102).
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    ABSTRACT: The optimal strategy to achieve palliation of malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) is unknown. This multi-institutional, prospective, randomized trial compares 2 established methods for controlling symptomatic unilateral MPEs. Patients with unilateral MPEs were randomized to either daily tunneled catheter drainage (TCD) or bedside talc pleurodesis (TP). This trial is patterned after a previous randomized trial that showed that bedside TP was equivalent to thoracoscopic TP (CALGB 9334). The primary end point of the current study was combined success: consistent/reliable drainage/pleurodesis, lung expansion, and 30-day survival. A secondary end point, survival with effusion control, was added retrospectively. This trial randomized 57 patients who were similar in terms of age (62 years), active chemotherapy (28%), and histologic diagnosis (lung, 63%; breast, 12%; other/unknown cancers, 25%) to either bedside TP or TCD. Combined success was higher with TCD (62%) than with TP (46%; odds ratio, 5.0; P = .064). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that patients treated with TCD had better 30-day activity without dyspnea scores (8.7 vs. 5.9; P = .036), especially in the subgroup with impaired expansion (9.1 vs. 4.6; P = .042). Patients who underwent TCD had better survival with effusion control at 30 days compared with those who underwent TP (82% vs. 52%, respectively; P = .024). In this prospective randomized trial, TCD achieved superior palliation of unilateral MPEs than TP, particularly in patients with trapped lungs.
    Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network: JNCCN 08/2012; 10(8):975-82. · 4.41 Impact Factor
  • Article: First-line systemic therapy practice patterns and concordance with NCCN guidelines for patients diagnosed with metastatic NSCLC treated at NCCN institutions.
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    ABSTRACT: The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) allow many systemic therapy options for patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This analysis uses the NCCN NSCLC Outcomes Database to report on first-line therapy practice patterns and concordance with NCCN Guidelines. The analysis was limited to patients diagnosed with metastatic NSCLC between September 2006 and November 2009 at 1 of 8 participating NCCN Member Institutions. Patient characteristics, regimens used, and guidelines concordance were analyzed. Institutional variation and changes in practice over time were also measured. A total of 1717 patients were included in the analysis. Of these, 1375 (80%) were treated with systemic therapy, most often in the form of a carboplatin-based doublet (51%) or carboplatin-based doublet with targeted therapy (17%). Overall, 76% of patients received care that was concordant with NCCN Guidelines. Among patients with good performance status (n = 167), the most common reasons for not receiving first-line therapy were that therapy was not recommended (39%) or death occurred before treatment (33%). The most common reason for receiving nonconcordant drug therapy was the administration of pemetrexed or erlotinib before its incorporation into the NCCN Guidelines for first-line therapy (53%). Most patients in this cohort received care that was concordant with NCCN Guidelines. The NSCLC Outcomes Database is a valuable resource for evaluating practice patterns and concordance with NCCN Guidelines among patients with NSCLC.
    Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network: JNCCN 07/2012; 10(7):847-56. · 4.41 Impact Factor
  • Article: Thoracoscopic segmentectomy for lung cancer.
    Chi-Fu Jeffrey Yang, Thomas A D'Amico
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    ABSTRACT: Lobectomy has long been considered the standard procedure for early-stage lung cancer, and minimally invasive techniques have been demonstrated to be associated with superior outcomes compared with lobectomy by thoracotomy. The use of segmentectomy is under investigation for selected patients with small tumors, and the use of minimally invasive strategies is applicable as well. In this review, we analyzed studies that have compared (1) thoracoscopic segmentectomy versus the open approach, (2) thoracoscopic segmentectomy versus thoracoscopic lobectomy, and (3) thoracoscopic segmentectomy versus thoracoscopic lobectomy versus thoracoscopic wedge resection. When compared with open segmentectomy, preliminarily, thoracoscopic segmentectomy was found to have equivalent oncologic results, with shorter hospital length of stay, reduced rates of morbidity, and lower cost. When compared with thoracoscopic lobectomy, thoracoscopic segmentectomy had equivalent rates of morbidity, recurrence, and survival. Preliminarily, thoracoscopic segmentectomy was found to result in greater preservation of lung function and exercise capacity than the thoracoscopic lobectomy.
    The Annals of thoracic surgery 06/2012; 94(2):668-81. · 3.74 Impact Factor
  • Article: Induction chemoradiation is not superior to induction chemotherapy alone in stage IIIA lung cancer.
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    ABSTRACT: The optimal treatment strategy for patients with operable stage IIIA (N2) non-small cell lung cancer is uncertain. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to test the hypothesis that the addition of radiotherapy to induction chemotherapy prior to surgical resection does not improve survival compared with induction chemotherapy alone. A comprehensive search of PubMed for relevant studies comparing patients with stage IIIA (N2) non-small cell lung cancer undergoing resection after treatment with induction chemotherapy alone or induction chemoradiotherapy was conducted using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) standards. Hazard ratios were extracted from these studies to give pooled estimates of the effect of induction therapy on overall survival. There were 7 studies that met criteria for analysis, including 1 randomized control trial, 1 phase II study, 3 retrospective reviews, and 2 published abstracts of randomized controlled trials. None of the studies demonstrated a survival benefit to adding induction radiation to induction chemotherapy versus induction chemotherapy alone. The meta-analysis performed on randomized studies (n=156 patients) demonstrated no benefit in survival from adding radiation (hazard ratio 0.93, 95% confidence interval 0.54 to 1.62, p=0.81), nor did the meta-analysis performed on retrospective studies (n=183 patients, hazard ratio 0.77, 95% confidence interval 0.50 to 1.19, p=0.24). Published evidence is sparse but does not support the use of radiation therapy in induction regimens for stage IIIA (N2). Given the potential disadvantages of adding radiation preoperatively, clinicians should consider using this treatment strategy only in the context of a clinical trial to allow better assessment of its effectiveness.
    The Annals of thoracic surgery 06/2012; 93(6):1807-12. · 3.74 Impact Factor
  • Article: Needs assessment for an errors-based curriculum on thoracoscopic lobectomy.
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    ABSTRACT: Research suggests a benefit from a skills curriculum emphasizing error prevention, identification, and management. Our purpose was to identify common errors committed by trainees during simulated thoracoscopic lobectomy for use in developing an error-based curriculum. Twenty-one residents (postgraduate years 1 to 8) performed a thoracoscopic left upper lobectomy on a previously validated simulator. Videos of the procedure were reviewed in a blinded fashion using a checklist listing 66 possible cognitive and technical errors. Of the 21 residents, 15 (71%) self-reported completing the anatomic lobectomy; however, only 7 (33%) had actually divided all of the necessary structures correctly. While dissecting the superior pulmonary vein, 16 residents (76%) made at least one error. The most common (n=13, 62%) was dissecting individual branches rather than the entire vein. On the bronchus, 14 (67%) made at least one error. Again, the most common (n=9, 43%) was dissecting branches. During these tasks, cognitive errors were more common than technical errors. While dissecting arterial branches, 18 residents (86%) made at least one error. Technical and cognitive errors occurred with equal frequency during arterial dissection. The most common arterial error was excess tension on the vessel (n=10, 48%). Curriculum developers should identify skill-specific technical and judgment errors to verify the scope of errors typically committed. For a thoracoscopic lobectomy curriculum, emphasis should be placed on correct identification of anatomic landmarks during dissection of the vein and airway and on proper tissue handling technique during arterial dissection.
    The Annals of thoracic surgery 05/2012; 94(2):368-73. · 3.74 Impact Factor
  • Article: Lymphovascular invasion in non-small-cell lung cancer: implications for staging and adjuvant therapy.
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    ABSTRACT: Lymphovascular space invasion (LVI) is an established negative prognostic factor and an indication for postoperative radiation therapy in many malignancies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate LVI in patients with early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer, undergoing surgical resection. All patients who underwent initial surgery for pT1-3N0-2 non-small-cell lung cancer at Duke University Medical Center from 1995 to 2008 were identified. A multivariate ordinal regression was used to assess the relationship between LVI and pathologic hilar and/or mediastinal lymph node (LN) involvement. A multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship of LVI and other clinical and pathologic factors on local failure (LF), freedom from distant metastasis (FFDM), and overall survival (OS). Kaplan-Meier methods were used to generate estimates of LF, FFDM, and OS in patients with and without LVI. One thousand five hundred and fifty-nine patients were identified. LVI was independently associated with the presence of regional LN involvement (p < 0.001) along with lobar (versus sublobar) resections (p < 0.001), and an open thoracotomy (versus video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery). LVI was not independently associated with LF on multivariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.23, p = 0.25), but was associated with a lower FFDM (HR 1.52, p = 0.005) and OS (HR 1.26, p = 0.015). In addition, multivariate analysis showed that LVI was strongly associated with increased risk of developing distant metastases (HR = 1.75, p = 0.006) and death (HR = 1.53, p = 0.003) in adenocarcinomas but not in squamous carcinomas. LVI is associated with an increased risk of harboring regional LN involvement. LVI is also an adverse prognostic factor for the development of distant metastases and long-term survival.
    Journal of thoracic oncology: official publication of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer 05/2012; 7(7):1141-7. · 4.55 Impact Factor
  • Article: Effect of increasing experience on dosimetric and clinical outcomes in the management of malignant pleural mesothelioma with intensity-modulated radiation therapy.
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    ABSTRACT: To assess the impact of increasing experience with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) after extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). The records of all patients who received IMRT following EPP at Duke University Medical Center between 2005 and 2010 were reviewed. Target volumes included the preoperative extent of the pleural space, chest wall incisions, involved nodal stations, and a boost to close/positive surgical margins if applicable. Patients were typically treated with 9-11 beams with gantry angles, collimator rotations, and beam apertures manually fixed to avoid the contalateral lung and to optimize target coverage. Toxicity was graded retrospectively using National Cancer Institute common toxicity criteria version 4.0. Target coverage and contralateral lung irradiation were evaluated over time by using linear regression. Local control, disease-free survival, and overall survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Thirty patients received IMRT following EPP; 21 patients also received systemic chemotherapy. Median follow-up was 15 months. The median dose prescribed to the entire ipsilateral hemithorax was 45 Gy (range, 40-50.4 Gy) with a boost of 8-25 Gy in 9 patients. Median survival was 23.2 months. Two-year local control, disease-free survival, and overall survival rates were 47%, 34%, and 50%, respectively. Increasing experience planning MPM cases was associated with improved coverage of planning target volumes (P=.04). Similarly, mean lung dose (P<.01) and lung V5 (volume receiving 5 Gy or more; P<.01) values decreased with increasing experience. Lung toxicity developed after IMRT in 4 (13%) patients at a median of 2.2 months after RT (three grade 3-4 and one grade 5). Lung toxicity developed in 4 of the initial 15 patients vs none of the last 15 patients treated. With increasing experience, target volume coverage improved and dose to the contralateral lung decreased. Rates of pulmonary toxicity were relatively low. However, both local and distant control rates remained suboptimal.
    International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics 05/2012; 83(1):362-8. · 4.59 Impact Factor
  • Article: The management of patients with stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer with N2 mediastinal node involvement.
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    ABSTRACT: Patients with stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer, determined based on involvement of ipsilateral mediastinal lymph nodes, represent the most challenging management problem in this disease. Patients with this stage disease may have very different degrees of lymph node involvement. The pathologic confirmation of this involvement is a key step in the therapeutic decision. The difference in the degree of lymph node compromise has prognostic and treatment implications. Based on multiple considerations, patients can be treated with induction chemotherapy, chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery, or definitive chemoradiotherapy without surgery. Data derived from clinical trials have provided incomplete guidance for physicians and their patients. The best therapeutic plan is achieved through the multidisciplinary cooperation of a team specialized in lung cancer.
    Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network: JNCCN 05/2012; 10(5):599-613. · 4.41 Impact Factor
  • Article: Outcomes after surgical management of synchronous bilateral primary lung cancers.
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    ABSTRACT: Distinguishing between synchronous primary lung cancers and metastatic disease in patients with bilateral lung masses is often difficult. The objective of this study is to examine outcomes associated with a strategy of performing staged bilateral resections in patients without N2 disease based on invasive mediastinal staging and without distant metastases. Patients undergoing resections of bilateral synchronous primary lung cancer at our institution between 1997 and 2010 were reviewed. Perioperative complications were graded according to National Cancer Institute guidelines. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using a log-rank test. End points included overall survival, disease-free survival, operative death, cancer recurrence, and postoperative complications. Resections of bilateral synchronous primary lung cancers were performed in 47 patients. Forty-five patients (96%) had at least a unilateral thoracoscopic approach; 28 (60%) had bilateral thoracoscopic approaches. The median postresection length of stay was 3 days. Thirteen patients (28%) had a postoperative complication; only 3 (6%) were grade 3 or higher. There was 1 perioperative death (2%). Eleven patients received adjuvant therapy; only 3 patients in whom adjuvant therapy was indicated did not receive the recommended treatment. The overall 3-year survival was 35%. Survival of patients whose bilateral tumors had identical histology did not differ from patients whose histology was different (p = 0.57). Three-year disease-free survival was 24%. Aggressive surgical treatment of apparent synchronous bilateral primary lung cancer can be performed with low morbidity. Most patients tolerate the bilateral surgeries and adjuvant therapy. Overall survival is sufficiently high to support this aggressive approach.
    The Annals of thoracic surgery 02/2012; 93(4):1055-60; discussion 1060. · 3.74 Impact Factor

Institutions

  • 2002–2013
    • Duke University Medical Center
      Durham, NC, USA
  • 2012
    • University of Kentucky
      Lexington, KY, USA
    • Emory University
      • Department of Radiation Oncology
      Atlanta, GA, USA
    • Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
      Seattle, WA, USA
  • 2002–2012
    • Duke University
      • • Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery
      • • Department of Surgery
      Durham, NC, USA
  • 2010
    • Weill Cornell Medical College
      • Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery
      New York City, NY, USA
  • 2005
    • Roswell Park Cancer Institute
      • Department of Thoracic Surgery
      Buffalo, NY, USA