Higher serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels are reportedly associated with better survival in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Therefore, whether vitamin D supplementation can improve the prognosis of patients with NSCLC was examined (UMIN000001869). A randomized, double-blind trial comparing vitamin D supplements (1,200 IU/day) with placebo for 1 year after operation was conducted. The primary and secondary outcomes were relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS), respectively. Prespecified subgroup analyses were performed with stratification by stage (early vs. advanced), pathology (adenocarcinoma vs. others), and 25(OH)D levels (low, <20 ng/mL vs. high, ≥20 ng/mL). Polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor (VDR) and vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) and survival were also examined. Patients with NSCLC ( = 155) were randomly assigned to receive vitamin D ( = 77) or placebo ( = 78) and followed for a median of 3.3 years. Relapse and death occurred in 40 (28%) and 24 (17%) patients, respectively. In the total study population, no significant difference in either RFS or OS was seen with vitamin D compared with the placebo group. However, by restricting the analysis to the subgroup with early-stage adenocarcinoma with low 25(OH)D, the vitamin D group showed significantly better 5-year RFS (86% vs. 50%, = 0.04) and OS (91% vs. 48%, = 0.02) than the placebo group. Among the examined polymorphisms, DBP1 (rs7041) TT and CDX2 (rs11568820) AA/AG genotypes were markers of better prognosis, even with multivariate adjustment. In patients with NSCLC, vitamin D supplementation may improve survival of patients with early-stage lung adenocarcinoma with lower 25(OH)D levels. .
These preliminary results suggest that thoracoscopic thymectomy for Masaoka stage I and II thymoma is technically feasible and safe, and it is less invasive for the patient. Nevertheless, this procedure requires further investigation in a large series with a longer follow-up.
Objective. The aim of this study was to review HIV-negative patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis to analyze the correlations between clinical characteristics and chest computed tomography (CT) findings. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed medical records of 16 HIV-negative patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis diagnosed at our institution, and clinical characteristics of the patients with nodules or masses without ground-glass attenuation (GGA)/consolidation type were compared with those of patients with inclusive GGA or consolidation type. Results. Host status was immunocompromised (81.2%) in most of the patients, and 6 (37.5%) were asymptomatic. The most frequent radiologic abnormalities on chest CT scans were one or more nodules (87.5%), GGA (37.5%), and consolidations (18.8%). Most lesions were located in the lower lung. Levels of hemoglobin and platelets were significantly lower in patients with inclusive GGA or consolidation type. Although the differences were not significant, patients with inclusive GGA or consolidation type tended to have a C-reactive protein level of ≥1.0 mg/dL. Conclusion. If a patient with anemia and thrombocytopenia shows GGA or consolidation in the lung, pulmonary cryptococcosis should be given careful consideration.
We report a rare case of breast hemangioma found in a 70-year-old Japanese female. Before seeking medical attention, the patient noticed a hard mass in her right breast but denied associated symptoms. A mammography revealed a well-circumscribed, highly dense, lobular nodule located in the middle inter portion of the right breast. To verify this finding, we used ultrasonography which revealed an irregular, iso-echoic nodule measuring 10 mm in the same portion. Based on these findings, we suspected a malignancy and performed a core needle biopsy. Unexpectedly, a histological examination of the biopsy displayed normal vasculature, adipose, and mammary tissues. In order to make an accurate diagnosis, the mass was surgically excised under general anesthesia and sent to pathology. Pathological findings of the mass were positive for breast hemangioma, and the patient has had no recurrence of the disease for the past 24 months.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1477-7819-12-313) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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