Diagnostic Value of GDF10 for the Tumorigenesis and Immune Infiltration in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objective:Lung squamous cell carcinoma(LUSC)is associated with a low survival rate.Evidence suggests that bone morphogenetic proteins(BMPs)and their receptors(BMPRs)play crucial roles in tumorigenesis and progression.However,a comprehensive analysis of their role in LUSC is lacking.Our study aimed to explore the relationship between BMPs/BMPRs expression levels and the tumorigenesis and prognosis of LUSC.Methods:The“R/Limma”package was utilized to analyze the differential expression characteristics of BMPs/BMPRs in LUSC,using data from TCGA,GTEx,and GEO databases.Concurrently,the“survminer”packages were employed to investigate their prognostic value and correlation with clinical features in LUSC.The core gene associated with LUSC progression was further explored through weighted gene correlation network analysis(WGCNA).LASSO analysis was conducted to construct a prognostic risk model for LUSC.Clinical specimens were examined by immunohistochemical analysis to confirm the diagnostic value in LUSC.Furthermore,based on the tumor immune estimation resource database and tumor-immune system interaction database,the role of the core gene in the tumor microenvironment of LUSC was explored.Results:GDF10 had a significant correlation only with the pathological T stage of LUSC,and the protein expression level of GDF10 decreased with the tumorigenesis of LUSC.A prognostic risk model was constructed with GDF10 as the core gene and 5 hub genes(HRASLS,HIST1H2BH,FLRT3,CHEK2,and ALPL)for LUSC.GDF10 showed a significant positive correlation with immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint expression.Conclusion:GDF10 might serve as a diagnostic biomarker reflecting the tumorigenesis of LUSC and regulating the tumor immune microenvironment to guide more effective treatment for LUSC.

Different types of tumor microvessels in stageⅠ-ⅢA squamous cell lung cancer and their clinical significance

BACKGROUND Lung cancer(LC)is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among malignant neoplasms.Improving the diagnosis and treatment of LC remains an urgent task of modern oncology.Previously,we established that in gastric,breast and cervical cancer,tumor microvessels(MVs)differ in morphology and have different prognostic significance.The connection between different types of tumor MVs and the progression of LC is not well understood.AIM To evaluate the morphological features and clinical significance of tumor MVs in lung squamous cell carcinoma(LUSC).METHODS A single-center retrospective cohort study examined medical records and archival paraffin blocks of 62 and 180 patients with stage I-IIIA LUSC in the training and main cohorts,respectively.All patients underwent radical surgery(R0)at the Orenburg Regional Cancer Clinic from May/20/2009 to December/14/2021.Tumor sections were routinely processed,and routine Mayer's hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining for cluster of differentiation 34(CD34),podoplanin,Snail and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha were performed.The morphological features of different types of tumor MVs,tumor parenchyma and stroma were studied according to clinicopathological characteristics and LUSC prognosis.Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica 10.0 software.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify potential risk factors for LUSC metastasis to regional lymph nodes(RLNs)and disease recurrence.Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to discriminate between patients with and without metastases in RLNs and those with and without disease recurrence.The effectiveness of the predictive models was assessed by the area under the curve.Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method.The log-rank test was used to compare survival curves between patient subgroups.A value of P<0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.RESULTS Depending on the morphology,we classified tumor vessels into the following types:normal MVs,dilated capillaries(DCs),atypical DCs,DCs with weak expression of CD34,"contact-type"DCs,structures with partial endothelial linings,capillaries in the tumor solid component and lymphatic vessels in lymphoid and polymorphocellular infiltrates.We also evaluated the presence of loose,fine fibrous connective tissue(LFFCT)and retraction clefts in the tumor stroma,tumor spread into the alveolar air spaces(AASs)and fragmentation of the tumor solid component.According to multivariate analysis,the independent predictors of LUSC metastasis in RLNs were central tumor location(P<0.00001),the presence of retraction clefts(P=0.003),capillaries in the tumor solid component(P=0.023)and fragmentation in the tumor solid component(P=0.009),whereas the independent predictors of LUSC recurrence were tumor grade 3(G3)(P=0.001),stage N2(P=0.016),the presence of LFFCT in the tumor stroma(P<0.00001),fragmentation of the tumor solid component(P=0.0001),and the absence of tumor spread through the AASs(P=0.0083).CONCLUSION The results obtained confirm the correctness of our previously proposed classification of different types of tumor vessels and may contribute to improving the diagnosis and treatment of LUSC.

Predictors of disease recurrence after radical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with stage IIb-IIIa squamous cell lung cancer:A retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND Lung cancer(LC)is a global medical,social and economic problem and is one of the most common cancers and the leading cause of mortality from malignant neoplasms.LC is characterized by an aggressive course,and in the presence of disease recurrence risk factors,patients,even at an early stage,may be indicated for adjuvant therapy to improve survival.However,combined treatment does not always guarantee a favorable prognosis.In this regard,establishing predictors of LC recurrence is highly important both for determining the optimal treatment plan for the patients and for evaluating its effectiveness.AIM To establish predictors of disease recurrence after radical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with stage IIb-IIIa lung squamous cell carcinoma(LSCC).METHODS A retrospective case-control cohort study included 69 patients with LSCC who underwent radical surgery at the Orenburg Regional Clinical Oncology Center from 2009 to 2018.Postoperatively,all patients received adjuvant chemotherapy.Histological samples of the resected lung were stained with Mayer's hematoxylin and eosin and examined under a light microscope.Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify predictors associated with the risk of disease recurrence.Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to discriminate between patients with a high risk of disease recurrence and those with a low risk of disease recurrence.Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method.The log-rank test was used to compare survival curves between patient subgroups.Differences were considered to be significant at P<0.05.RESULTS The following predictors of a high risk of disease recurrence in patients with stage IIb-IIa LSCC were established:a low degree of tumor differentiation[odds ratio(OR)=7.94,95%CI=1.08-135.81,P=0.049];metastases in regional lymph nodes(OR=5.67,95%CI=1.09-36.54,P=0.048);the presence of loose,fine-fiber connective tissue in the tumor stroma(OR=21.70,95%CI=4.27-110.38,P=0.0002);and fragmentation of the tumor solid component(OR=2.53,95%CI=1.01-12.23,P=0.049).The area under the curve of the predictive model was 0.846(95%CI=0.73-0.96,P<0.0001).The sensitivity,accuracy and specificity of the method were 91.8%,86.9%and 75.0%,respectively.In the group of patients with a low risk of LSCC recurrence,the 1-,2-and 5-year disease-free survival(DFS)rates were 84.2%,84.2%and 75.8%,respectively,while in the group with a high risk of LSCC recurrence the DFS rates were 71.7%,40.1%and 8.2%,respectively(P<0.00001).Accordingly,in the first group of patients,the 1-,2-and 5-year overall survival(OS)rates were 94.7%,82.5%and 82.5%,respectively,while in the second group of patients,the OS rates were 89.8%,80.1%and 10.3%,respectively(P<0.00001).CONCLUSION The developed method allows us to identify a group of patients at high risk of disease recurrence and to adjust to ongoing treatment.

Prediction of Tumor Microenvironment Characteristics and Treatment Response in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Pseudogene OR7E47P-related Immune Genes

Objective Pseudogenes are initially regarded as nonfunctional genomic sequences,but some pseudogenes regulate tumor initiation and progression by interacting with other genes to modulate their transcriptional activities.Olfactory receptor family 7 subfamily E member 47 pseudogene(OR7E47P)is expressed broadly in lung tissues and has been identified as a positive regulator in the tumor microenvironment(TME)of lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD).This study aimed to elucidate the correlation between OR7E47P and tumor immunity in lung squamous cell carcinoma(LUSC).Methods Clinical and molecular information from The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)LUSC cohort was used to identify OR7E47P-related immune genes(ORIGs)by weighted gene correlation network analysis(WGCNA).Based on the ORIGs,2 OR7E47P clusters were identified using non-negative matrix factorization(NMF)clustering,and the stability of the clustering was tested by an extreme gradient boosting classifier(XGBoost).LASSO-Cox and stepwise regressions were applied to further select prognostic ORIGs and to construct a predictive model(ORPScore)for immunotherapy.The Botling cohorts and 8 immunotherapy cohorts(the Samstein,Braun,Jung,Gide,IMvigor210,Lauss,Van Allen,and Cho cohorts)were included as independent validation cohorts.Results OR7E47P expression was positively correlated with immune cell infiltration and enrichment of immune-related pathways in LUSC.A total of 57 ORIGs were identified to classify the patients into 2 OR7E47P clusters(Cluster 1 and Cluster 2)with distinct immune,mutation,and stromal programs.Compared to Cluster 1,Cluster 2 had more infiltration by immune and stromal cells,lower mutation rates of driver genes,and higher expression of immune-related proteins.The clustering performed well in the internal and 5 external validation cohorts.Based on the 7 ORIGs(HOPX,STX2,WFS,DUSP22,SLFN13,GGCT,and CCSER2),the ORPScore was constructed to predict the prognosis and the treatment response.In addition,the ORPScore was a better prognostic factor and correlated positively with the immunotherapeutic response in cancer patients.The area under the curve values ranged from 0.584 to 0.805 in the 6 independent immunotherapy cohorts.Conclusion Our study suggests a significant correlation between OR7E47P and TME modulation in LUSC.ORIGs can be applied to molecularly stratify patients,and the ORPScore may serve as a biomarker for clinical decision-making regarding individualized prognostication and immunotherapy.

Primary pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma misdiagnosed as lung squamous cell carcinoma:A case report

BACKGROUND Primary pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma(PPLELC)is an uncommon subtype of squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)of the lung,closely associated with Epstein-Barr virus(EBV)infection.The pathological features of PPLELC closely resemble those of SCC,which makes it prone to misdiagnosis.Surgical intervention constitutes the primary treatment approach for PPLELC.CASE SUMMARY This report describes a 44-year-old woman who was hospitalized for 1 mo due to left chest pain.Computed tomography revealed a mass shadow in the anterior basal segment of the left lower lobe,and a subsequent needle biopsy suggested SCC.The patient underwent radical tumor resection in the lower left lobe of the lung,and postoperative pathological examination indicated lymphoepithelial carcinoma,and the test for EBV encoded small RNA was positive.Following surgery,the patient was scheduled to receive four cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy,using the paclitaxel+carboplatin regimen,but the patient refused further treatment.CONCLUSION PPLELC is an exceptionally rare subtype of lung SCC and is prone to misdiagnosis.

Colonic metastasis after resection of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the lung:A case report and literature review

Lung cancer is a common malignancy in the world;however symptomatic colonic metastasis from primary lung cancer is rare.A 64-year-old man was originally found poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of right lung and received right lower lobectomy and lymph node dissection.Three years later,the patient presented to our emergency room with the symptom of upper abdominal pain and weight loss.Abdominal palpation and computed tomography scan of the abdomen revealed a large mass measuring 7.6 cm×8.5 cm in the ascending colon.Colonoscopy and biopsy revealed poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma with similar morphological pattern to that of the previous lung cancer.Chemotherapy was given and the patient died 5mo later.Lung cancer metastatic to the colon confers a poor prognosis:overall survival ranged from 5 wk to 1year,with a median survival of 3 mo after the diagnosis of the colonic metastasis.

REVERSION OF MALIGNANT PHENOTYPES OF HUMAN LUNG SQUAMOUS CARCINOMA CELLS BY ORNITHINE DECARBOXYLASE ANTISENSE RNA

Abnormally elevated activity of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), and subsequent polyamine accumulation are intimately associated with the genesis.development and metastasis of cancer. In the present study, to control the growth of tumor cells, ODC antisense RNA was used to transfect human lung squamous carcinoma cell line LTEP-78. Compared with the parental cells, growth of the antisense transfected LTEP-78 cells arrested in G0/Gl phase and colony formation in soft agarose and tumorigenicity in nude mice were significantly reduced. Nucleic acid hybridization demonstrated that the transfectants expressed a high level of ODC antisense RNA and a significantly reduced level of endogenous ODC mRNA.The results suggest that the reversion of malignant phenotypes of human lung squamous carcinoma cells transfected with ODC antisense RNA is associated with the inhibition of polyamine biosynthesis.

Clinical applications of squamous cell carcinoma antigenimmunoglobulins M to monitor chronic hepatitis C

Hepatitis C virus(HCV) is the main cause of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis in Western countries. Over time, the majority of cirrhotic patients develop hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC), one of the most common fatal cancers worldwide- fourth for incidence rate. A high public health priority need is the development of biomarkers to screen for liver disease progression and for early diagnosis of HCC development, particularly in the high risk population represented by HCV-positive patients with cirrhosis. Several studies have shown that serological determination of a novel biomarker, squamous cell carcinoma antigen-immunoglobulins M(SCCA-Ig M), might be useful to identify patients with progressive liver disease. In the initial part of this review we summarize the main clinical studies that have investigated this new circulating biomarker on HCV-infected patients, providing evidence that in chronic hepatitis C SCCA-Ig M may be used to monitor progression of liver disease, and also to assess the virological response to antiviral treatment. In the last part of this review we address other, not less important, clinical applications of this biomarker in hepatology.

PIK3CA mutation in Chinese patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma

Objective： To investigate PIK3CA mutation in Chinese patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma （LSCC） and explore their relationship with clinicopathological profiles. Methods： Tumor samples from 123 cases of LSCC were included in this study. PIK3CA mutations in exon 9 and 20 were screened by pyrosequencing and confirmed by clone sequencing or amplification refractory mutation system （ARMS）. Denaturing performance liquid chromatography （DHPLC） was employed for evaluation of EGFR mutation in exon 19, 21 and KRAS mutation. Results： PIK3CA mutations were found in 3 （2.4%） patients. The mutation type included E545K, E452Q and H1047R. Of these three patients, one coupled with EGFR mutation, and the other two coupled with PIK3CA amplification. All the three patients shared the same clinicopathologic characteristics： male, less than 60 years old, had smoke history, stage III and carried wild-type KRAS. Conclusions： The frequency of PIK3CA mutation is low in Chinese patients with LSCC. The mutational status of PIK3CA is not mutually exclusive to EGFR mutation.

Combination of squamous cell carcinoma antigen immunocomplex and alpha-fetoprotein in mid-and long-term prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma among cirrhotic patients

BACKGROUND The combination of alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)and squamous cell carcinoma antigen immunocomplex(SCCA-IgM)have been proposed for its use in the screening of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Current screening programs for all cirrhotic patients are controversial and a personalized screening is an unmet need in the precision medicine era.AIM To determine the role of the combination of SCCA-IgM and AFP in predicting mid-and long-term appearance of HCC.METHODS Two-hundred and three cirrhotic patients(Child A 74.9%,B 21.2%,C 3.9%)were followed-up prospectively every six months to screen HCC by ultrasound and AFP according to European Association for the Study of the Liver guidelines.The estimation cohort was recruited in Italy(30.5%;62/203)and validation cohort from Spain(69.5%;141/203).Patients underwent to evaluate SCCA-IgM by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(Hepa-IC,Xeptagen,Italy)and AFP levels at baseline.Patients were followed-up for 60 mo,being censored at the time of the appearance of HCC.RESULTS There were 10.8%and 23.1%of HCC development at two-and five-years followup.Patients with HCC showed higher levels of SCCA-IgM than those without it(425.72±568.33 AU/mL vs 195.93±188.40 AU/mL,P=0.009)during the fiveyear follow-up.In multivariate analysis,after adjusting by age,sex,aspartate transaminase and Child-Pugh,the following factors were independently associated with HCC:SCCA-IgM[Hazard ratio(HR)=1.001,95%CI:1.000-1.002;P=0.003],AFP(HR=1.028,95%CI:1.009-1.046;P=0.003)and creatinine(HR=1.56495%CI:1.151-2.124;P=0.004).The log-rank test of the combination resulted in 7.488(P=0.024)in estimation cohort and 11.061(P=0.004)in the validation cohort,and a 100%of correctly classified rate identifying a low-risk group in both cohorts in the two-year follow-up.CONCLUSION We have constructed a predictive model based on the combination of SCCA-IgM and AFP that provides a new HCC screening method,which could be followed by tailored HCC surveillance for individual patients,especially for those cirrhotic patients belonging to the subgroup identified as low-risk of HCC development.

High expression of squamous cell carcinoma antigen in poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the stomach: A case report

BACKGROUND Squamous cell carcinoma antigen(SCCA)is regarded as a specific indicator of epithelial malignancies and is widely used in the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma(SCC).However,the expression of SCCA in gastric adenocarcinoma has not been studied in detail.CASE SUMMARY A 52-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for a 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm ulcer at the antrum-body junction with dull pain and fullness in the upper abdomen for 2 mo.His pre-surgery serological testing results showed 0.51 ng/mL SCCA(reference interval,<1.5 ng/mL)and 9.9 ng/mL carcinoembryonic antigen(reference range,<4.7 ng/mL).He underwent radical distal gastrectomy and Roux-en Y anastomosis and was diagnosed with poorly differentiated mucinous adenocarcinoma(Lauren classification:Diffuse)by pathological examination of the resected lesion.Immunohistochemistry showed that SCCA was highly expressed in the cytoplasm of cancer cells.After surgery,the patient received an S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy regimen for six cycles containing tegafur,gimeracil,and oteracil potassium.He showed no sign of recurrence or metastasis within 24-mo follow-up.CONCLUSION This is a frontal report of SCCA overexpression in poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the stomach.

Lung squamous cell carcinoma presenting as rare clustered cystic lesions:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death.Early diagnosis is critical to improving a patient’s chance of survival.However,lung cancer associated with cystic airspaces is often misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed due to the absence of clinical symptoms,poor imaging specificity,and high risk of biopsy-related complications.CASE SUMMARY We report an unusual case of cancer in a 55-year-old man,in which the lesion evolved from a small solitary thin-walled cyst to lung squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)with metastases in both lungs.The SCC manifested as rare clustered cystic lesions,detected on chest computed tomography.There were air-fluid levels,compartments,and bronchial arteries in the cystic lesions.Additionally,there was no clear extrathoracic metastasis.After chemotherapy,the patient achieved a partial response,type I respiratory failure was relieved,and the lung lesions became a clustered thin-walled cyst.CONCLUSION Pulmonary cystic lesions require regular imaging follow-up.Lung SCC should be a diagnostic consideration in cases of thin-walled cysts as well as multiple clustered cystic lesions.

Pembrolizumab-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the lung:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND For advanced lung squamous cell carcinoma,immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)have been regarded as one of the optimal therapies.While immune-related adverse events(ir AEs)are common in ICI treatment,cutaneous toxicities are among the most common ir AEs.Most immune-related skin toxicity grades are low,and the prognosis is good.However,Stevens-Johnson syndrome(SJS)is a rare but extremely severe cutaneous adverse drug reaction with high mortality.CASE SUMMARY We report a rare case of SJS induced by pembrolizumab.The case involved a 68-year-old female who was diagnosed with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.SJS appeared after one cycle of immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy.After treatment with prednisone hormone symptoms,antiinfection,gamma globulin,and antipruritic agents,the skin toxicity of the patients gradually decreased and eventually disappeared.Although the antitumor treatment was stopped due to serious adverse reactions,the tumor of the patient remained stable for nearly half a year after one cycle of immune therapy combined with chemotherapy,which also corroborates the delayed effect of immunotherapy.CONCLUSION We believe our report can provide some references for the treatment of SJS and the treatment of immune-related adverse reactions.

Significance of the Expression of Rho-GDP Dissociation Inhibitor β,γ in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Adenocarcinoma

Objective： To study the expression of Rho-GDP dissociation inhibitor β,γ （Rho-GDIβ, Rho-GDIγ） in lung squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma and its relationship with the expression of RhoC （Ras homologus oncogenes C） and clinicopathologic parameters. Methods： Western blot assay was employed for Rho-GDIβ, Rho-GDIγand RhoC in lung squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma and non-neoplastic lung tissues of 37 cases with fresh specimens. Results： The study showed that Rho-GDIβ, Rho-GDIγ and RhoC were expressed in lung cancer and non-neoplastic lung tissues, the level in lung cancer tissue was much higher than that in non-neoplastic tissues （P〈0.001）. In lung cancer, the expression of Rho-GDIβwas much higher in patients with lymph node metastasis （P=0.021）, and the expression of Rho-GDIγ was much higher in poorly differentiated tumor than in well-differentiated and moderately differentiated tumor, but both of them were not correlated with other clinicopathologic parameters. The expressions of Rho-GDIβ and Rho-GDIγ were not correlated with the expression of RhoC. Conclusion： In lung cancer, Rho-GDIβand Rho-GDIγ may play a role in the tumorigenesis, Rho-GDIβ may promote metastasis, and Rho-GDIγ may have some relationship with differentiation.

EFFECT OF SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE AND DIETHYLDITHICARBAMATE ON THE INDUCTION OF SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA OF LUNG WITHMETHYL CHOLA

The 3rd Hospital of Wuchang District ,Wuhan 432600)The squamous cell carcinoma of lung was induced with methylcholanthrene (MCA) in iodized oil in wistar rts- During the development of the cancer, the animals were given superoxide dismutase (SOD) or its inhibitor diethyldio-carhamate (DDC). In DDC group, 3 out of 50 rats developed cancer and 4 developed atypical hyperplasia of hronchial epithelium within 35 to 40 days.In SOD group, no cancer developed in all of the 52 rats.and only one had atypical hyperplasia in the lungs. Only one of 42 control rats had cancer and 2 rats had atypical hyperplasia of bronchial epithelium . The difference in cancer frequency between groups DDC and SOD was significant (P<0.05). The results suggest that there is a synergism between DDC and MCA in the induction of lung cancer, while SOD can inhibit MCA-induced lung cancer development. The mechanism of the effect of SOD and DDC was discussed.

EGFR mutation identifies distant squamous cell carcinoma as metastasis from lung adenocarcinoma

Lung cancer metastasis is typically determined by histologic similarity between distant and primary lesions. Herein, we present a 70-year-old Japanese woman with an adenocarcinoma in her lung and a squamous cell carcinoma in her femur; both tumors had an identical epidermal growth factor receptor mutation, G719 S. This indicated that both tumors had a common origin, despite their histologic dissimilarity. The tumor in the femur was thus identified genetically as a lung cancer metastasis. This case suggests that genetic analysis can determine whether a distant lesion is a lung cancermetastasis, particularly when the histology differs from that of the primary lesion.

Solitary pancreatic metastasis from squamous cell lung carcinoma: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Pancreatic metastases from squamous cell lung carcinoma(SCLC)are unusual.These lesions are often asymptomatic and detected incidentally or during followup investigations,occasionally several years after removal of the primary tumor.CASE SUMMARY A 56-year-old male with SCLC developed jaundice 1 mo after the cancer diagnosis.An abdominal computed tomography(CT)scan showed a mass in the pancreatic head with distention of both intra-and extrahepatic biliary ducts.Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and sphincterotomy were performed first,culminating with plastic biliary stent placement.Cytological examination of the pancreatic mass sample collected by fine-needle aspiration(FNA)under endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)guidance revealed the presence of malignant cells compatible with well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma.After liver function normalized,chemotherapy was initiated with carboplatin and paclitaxel;however,4 d later,the patient presented dysphagia.Cervico-thoracoabdominal CT showed tracheoesophageal fistula and stent migration.After replacement with a 10 cm/10 mm uncovered metallic biliary stent and treatment of the tracheoesophageal fistula with a fully covered esophageal stent,the patient was able to start oral feeding progressively.He died 9 mo after the initial diagnosis.CONCLUSION The diagnosis of pancreatic metastasis from SCLC is challenging for clinicians.EUS-FNA is the primary exam for confirmatory diagnosis.

Impact of Preoperative Serum Tumor Markers in Patients with Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background: Several previous researchers have investigated the prognostic value of serum tumor markers, especially carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Only a limited number of studies reported the usefulness of serum tumor markers for lung squamous cell carcinoma (SQ). We aimed to examine the significance of serum tumor markers for lung SQ. Methods: Eighty-five lung SQ patients who underwent surgery and followed more than 5-year were included. The ratios of 5-year survivors to all patients in groups with several clinicopathologic factors, including tumor markers, were compared. We also compared the clinicopathologic factors between central type and peripheral type SQ. Results: The majority of patients were male gender and current/ former smokers. Age, pN status, cytokeratin-19 fragment (CYFRA 21-1), squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC), and comorbid interstitial pneumonia (IP) were associated with the ratio of 5-year survivors significantly. When patients were compared based on tumor location, high p-stage and CYFRA 21-1 were related to central type SQ. Conclusion: Both SCC and CYFRA 21-1 appeared to be useful prognostic markers for patients with lung SQ. Furthermore, CYFRA 21-1 was related to central type SQ.

High Secretion of Beta-HCG by Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lung in a Postmenopausal Female

With the development of research in tumor, some of them have been found to secrete beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) ectopically and lung cancer is one of them. Generally, lung cancer secreting β-HCG is mostly undifferentiated small cell carcinoma. Here, we report a rare case of squamous cell lung cancer secreting high level of β-HCG in a postmenopausal female. The tumor secreted β-HCG, measuring 16,500 mIU/ml. The patient presented with hemoptysis and postmenopausal bleeding. Pathological examination of CT-guided biopsy and investigations could not tell whether it was primary squamous cell lung cancer or choriocarcinoma with lung metastasis, to be responsible for the high level of β-HCG. The chemotherapy in the early stage seemed to be effective, but not good in the late stage. Then she underwent a right pulmonary middle lobectomy and the pathological examination finally confirmed the diagnosis of poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. The auxiliary chemotherapy made a decreased β-HCG. Only a few reports of squamous cell lung cancer secreting that high level of β-HCG can be found in the literature.