Add BrightSurf on Google Email

International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer


Clinician communication reduced distress related to the detection of incidental nodules

A cross-sectional survey found that detailed clinician communication can alleviate patient distress associated with incidental pulmonary nodules. Patients who received accurate information about their nodule size and diagnosis had a more reassuring experience, reducing anxiety and improving overall well-being.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateMar 7, 2016

Stage increase in lung cancer more frequent after open vs. closed thoracic surgery

Research published in Journal of Thoracic Oncology found that non-small cell lung cancer patients with early-stage tumors had a higher rate of nodal upstaging and longer hospital stays when undergoing open chest surgery compared to video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). This study suggests that VATS may not be equivalent to open surge...

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateJan 11, 2016

Advanced treatment and prognosis data available for TNM classification

The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer has released new data for the TNM classification of lung cancer, which will inform the Eighth Edition of the staging manual. The new database includes 94,708 patients diagnosed worldwide from 1999-2010 and analyzes tumor size, lymph node involvement, and metastatic status.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateSep 8, 2015

No association between lung cancer risk in women and reproductive history or hormone use

The study of over 160,000 postmenopausal women revealed no significant link between lung cancer risk and reproductive history or hormone therapy. However, some subgroups showed reduced risks for specific types of lung cancer, emphasizing the need for further research into complex relationships.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateApr 8, 2015

Early stage NSCLC patients with low tumor metabolic activity have longer survival

Researchers found that patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and low tumor metabolic activity have increased overall survival. A diagnostic test using fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG/PET) can help identify patients who may benefit from post-surgical chemotherapy.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateMar 30, 2015

Concurrent chemoradiation treatment at high-volume facilities improves survival for NSCLC

Patients treated at high-volume facilities for stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have longer overall survival when receiving definitive concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Studies show improved outcomes for patients treated at these centers, regardless of academic or community status.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateMar 11, 2015

Online education tool helps bridge gaps in therapeutic decision-making for advanced NSCLC

An interactive online education tool has been developed to help practicing oncologists with therapeutic decision-making for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by providing feedback from an expert panel. The tool integrates clinical, histological, and molecular features into treatment plans, leading to a change in treatment cho...

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateFeb 26, 2015

Not all EGFR mutations are the same when it comes to therapy for NSCLC

Researchers found that rare EGFR mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have distinct impacts on disease outcome and therapy response. Classic EGFR mutations were associated with better overall survival and higher TKI therapy response rates compared to rare mutations, which were linked to tobacco smoking and poorer prognosis.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateFeb 10, 2015

Testing for EGFR mutations and ALK rearrangements is cost-effective in NSCLC

A study found that multiplexed genetic screening for EGFR and ALK gene rearrangements followed by molecularly-guided treatment is cost-effective compared to standard chemotherapy. The approach offers better outcomes in terms of quality-adjusted life years gained and life-years, making it a valuable option for patients with NSCLC.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateJan 29, 2015

Targeted next-generation sequencing reveals a high number of genomic mutations in advanced malignant

Researchers used targeted NGS to identify genetic alterations in genes involved in DNA repair, cell survival, and proliferation pathways. The study found that accumulated mutations correlate with tumor progression and decreased survival rates in patients with advanced malignant lung cancer. The results highlight the potential of NGS to...

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateDec 17, 2014

Interstitial lung disease is a significant risk factor for lung inflammation

Researchers found that pretreatment interstitial lung disease significantly increases the risk of developing symptomatic and severe radiation pneumonitis in stage I non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy. The study's results suggest that clinicians should be cautious when considering SBRT f...

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateNov 10, 2014

Prognostic factors identified for peripheral squamous cell carcinomas of the lung

Low preoperative serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen levels and absence of tumor invasion into the pleura or blood vessels are independent prognostic factors for patients with peripheral squamous cell carcinomas of the lung. These factors are associated with longer overall survival and reduced disease recurrence.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateOct 24, 2014

European multicenter harmonization study shows anaplastic lymphoma kinase immunohistochemistry testing comparable to, if not better than, fluorescence in situ hybridization testing

A European multicenter harmonization study reveals that standardized semi-quantitative anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) IHC is reliable and comparable to FISH testing for detecting ALK protein expression. The study showed 100% concordance among institutions on 15 well-characterized NSCLC specimens, making IHC a potential stand-alone test.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateOct 23, 2014

Novel software application can stratify early-stage non-small cell lung cancer patients

A novel software application, CANARY, can automatically analyze high-resolution CT images to classify early-stage non-small cell lung cancer patients into risk groups. The tool was developed at Mayo Clinic and demonstrated accurate stratification of patients into categories with different 5-year disease-free survival outcomes.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateOct 23, 2014

NCI/FDA lung cancer workshop leads to the innovatively designed clinical trials

The NCI/FDA workshop resulted in the development of two innovative clinical trials, Lung-MAP and ALCHEMIST, which employ a 'Master Protocol' approach to improve patient outcomes. These trials aim to accelerate the development of targeted therapies for lung cancer by integrating multiple sub-studies based on genomic profiles.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateSep 24, 2014

Modest acute changes in cardiac biomarkers and electrocardiogram findings following thoracic radiation therapy

Researchers found modest acute changes in cardiac biomarkers and electrocardiogram findings following thoracic radiation therapy, but no clinically significant cardiac events. The study suggests that longer follow-up and increased dose range may reveal the impact of radiation on late RT-related toxicity.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateSep 24, 2014

Less costly to screen for and treat early-stage lung than to treat late-stage lung cancer

A new study found that high-risk individuals screened for early-stage lung cancer using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) can reduce treatment costs by up to 85%, resulting in a significant reduction in mortality rates and improved patient outcomes. The average cost per-person for LDCT screening was $453, while the mean cost for diag...

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateSep 24, 2014

Increased overall survival for advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer patients is associated with availability of less toxic chemotherapy

Increased use of less toxic chemotherapy treatments in advanced NSCLC is associated with higher overall survival. The study found a significant increase in survival rates among patients receiving second-line therapy, with median overall survival ranging from 3.9 to 11.8 months.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateJul 21, 2014

Improved diagnostic performance of low-dose computed tomography screening

A recent study found that a 5-year low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening protocol can detect lung cancer effectively, with a high proportion of cancers being treated and good long-term survival rates. The results show improved diagnostic performance compared to other studies, including the National Lung Cancer Screening Trial.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateJun 16, 2014