The results of this study suggest that almost the third of the advanced NSCLC has neuroendocrine differentiation. The median survival time of the treated patients is longer when the tumor is associated with neuron specific enolase and chromogranin A expression.

This paper presents 4 patients with chylothorax, and one patient with bilateral chylothorax and chyloperitoneum. The chylous effusions were of benign etiology, developed as a complication of miliary tuberculosis (1 patient), after L-2 vertebral body fracture (1 patient), and idiopathic (2 patients). The diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of chylomicrons and high content of triglycerides in the effusion, ranged 11.9-29.1 mmol/l. Lymphangiography showed multiple abnormalities of lymphatic system, the obstruction of ductus thoracicus, dilatation and convulsion of lymphatic channels, but the site of lymphatic leak was not detected. The treatment included an extended period of pleural and peritoneal drainage with total parenteral nutrition (1 patient), pleurodesis using Corynebacterium parvum (2 patients), and surgical partial parietal pleurectomy with continuous drainage (1 patient). The treatment was successful in all patients.

Adverse drug reactions should be considered in patients with concomitant lung and liver disease. The mainstay of treatment is drug withdrawal and the use of immunosuppressive drugs in severe cases. Consideration should be given to monitor lung and liver function tests during long term nitrofurantoin therapy.

Pulmonary fibrosis occures in about 10% of the patients with SCTD, and possibly not due to the applied treatment regimens. Hypoxemia could be a sing of existing pulmonary fibrosis in the absence of disorders on standard chest radiography.

A transitional type of multicentric Castleman's disease may be present itself as POEMS syndrome. The effect of corticosteroid therapy in this form of the disease is unpredictable.