Biomedical subjects

Mylene T Truong

Publications and source records attributed to Mylene T Truong.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Interobserver and intraobserver variability in measurement of non-small-cell carcinoma lung lesions: implications for assessment of tumor response.

PURPOSE: Response of solid malignancies to therapy is usually determined by serial measurements of tumor size. The purpose of our study was to assess the consistency of measurements performed by readers evaluating lung tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group was composed of 33 patients with lung tumors more than 1.5 cm. Bidimensional (BD) and unidimensional (UD) measurements were performed on computed tomography (CT) scans according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria and the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), respectively. Measurements were performed independently by five thoracic radiologists using printed film and were repeated after 5 to 7 days. Inter- and intraobserver measurement variations were estimated through statistical modeling. RESULTS: There were 40 tumors with an average size of 1.8 to 8.0 cm (mean, 4.1 cm). Analysis of variance showed a significant difference (P <.05) among readers and among the measured nodules for UD and BD measurements. Interobserver misclassification rates were more than intraobserver misclassification rates using either progressive disease or response criteria. The probability of misclassifying a tumor with the WHO criteria or RECIST was greatest with interobserver measurements when criteria for progression (43% BD, 30% UD) were used and lowest with intraobserver measurements when criteria for response (2.5% BD, 3.0% UD) were used. In addition, interobserver misclassification rates were more than intraobserver misclassification rates for both regular and irregular tumors. CONCLUSION: Measurements of lung tumor size on CT scans are often inconsistent and can lead to an incorrect interpretation of tumor response. Consistency can be improved if the same reader performs serial measurements for any one patient.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Lung cancer screening.

Low-dose CT screening for lung cancer is a complex and controversial topic. This article reviews the history of lung cancer screening trials and addresses the principles and confounding biases associated with screening. Chest radiography was initially used for lung cancer screening in the 1970s. In the mid-1990s helical single-detector CT came into use, followed by helical multidetector CT, the current method of screening. Results from prevalence studies and a few single-arm incidence studies have raised concerns about overdiagnosis and the high rate of nodule detection. Follow-up studies and further investigation are needed. To this end, a randomized, controlled trial sponsored by the National Cancer Institute is underway to evaluate disease-specific mortality.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Primary thoracic sarcomas.

Primary sarcomas of the thorax are rare. The diagnosis is established only after sarcomalike primary lung malignancies and metastatic disease have been excluded. Primary sarcomas of the thorax are classified according to their histologic features and constitute a large group of tumors that occur in the lung, mediastinum, pleura, and chest wall. Angiosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and mesothelioma (sarcomatoid variant) are the most common primary intrathoracic sarcomas. Ewing sarcoma, primitive neuroectodermal tumor, chondrosarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, osteosarcoma, synovial sarcoma, and fibrosarcoma usually arise in the chest wall. Although primary thoracic sarcomas commonly manifest as large, heterogeneous masses, they have a wide spectrum of radiologic manifestations, including solitary pulmonary nodules, central endobronchial tumors, and intraluminal masses within the pulmonary arteries. The different histologic types of sarcomas are frequently indistinguishable at radiologic analysis. However, differences in clinical presentation and the location of the tumor, as well as morphologic features such as calcification within the mass and rib involvement, can be useful in suggesting the appropriate diagnosis. For example, a large rib mass in a child with fever and malaise indicates a Ewing sarcoma, a mass with a calcified matrix is likely a chondrosarcoma or osteosarcoma, and a pulmonary artery mass is likely a leiomyosarcoma.

Adult↗