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A. Kerpel-Fronius



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    SC13 - Interaction of COPD and Lung Cancer - Consequences for Early Diagnosis and Management (ID 337)

    • Event: WCLC 2016
    • Type: Science Session
    • Track: Radiology/Staging/Screening
    • Presentations: 1
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      SC13.03 - Limitation by COPD for Diagnostic Procedures (ID 6651)

      11:00 - 12:30  |  Author(s): A. Kerpel-Fronius

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      Abstract:
      Limitation by COPD for Diagnostic Procedures Ostoros, Gy. Varga, J. and Kerpel-Fronius A. National “Korányi” Institute for Pulmonology Hungary, Budapest Lung cancer and COPD are smoking dependent diseases. Smoking cessation is crucial before and during the diagnostic procedures because of the consequences of smoking (e.g. sputum retention, mucociliary dysfunction and potential other more serious complications after the procedures). Severe obstructive or restrictive pulmonary disorders limit the diagnostic possibilities in patients with malignant pulmonary diseases. The screening of lung cancer with low-dose CT has become the gold standard in the past decade. The two imaging-based phenotypes of COPD can be well distinguished by this technique. CT screening can also help to identify non-diagnosed emphysema patients and may lead to early treatment of the disease. It has been showed that non-smoker emphysema patients have a similar risk of lung cancer as smokers with emphysema. Thus, patients with emphysema may be an eligible subgroup for a more intensive lung cancer screening program. However, once a suspicious lesion is found severe COPD, it can limit the choices available for differential diagnosis seriously - CT guided lung biopsies in COPD patients carry a higher risk of haemorrhage and pneumothorax. Patients with severe COPD and respiratory failure with decreased oxygen saturation limit the indication of diagnostic bronchoscopic procedures as well. The examination of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a non invasive process. There are efforts to discriminate lung cancer and COPD with EBC. Lung tumours have influence on lung function. Besides the severity of COPD, the result of the lung function test (LFT) depends on the size and position of the pulmonary tumour as well. In the case of a big central tumour or a huge amount of pleural fluid, the LFT will show rather restrictive than obstructive character. A small peripheral malignancy will not change the shape and volume of the LFT. If the tumour is in the trachea or compresses it's wall, the inspiratory phase of the flow-volume chart could be flat. Sometimes the lung tumours could lead a misdiagnosis of COPD. A centrally located small tumor which is not visible on the chest X-ray but compresses the trachea or any of the pulmonary vessels can cause breathlessness, fatigue and decreased oxygen saturation. A mediastinal conglomerate of lymph nodes can cause similar symptoms. Low physical activity, obesity, smoking and comorbidities are significant negative factors for risk stratification before any pulmonary diagnostic procedure as well. Pulmonary rehabilitation can improve functional reserves if functional capacity is at borderline. Pulmonary rehabilitation has positive effect on cardiovascular function, metabolism, muscle-function and lung mechanics. As for lung function parameters, we need to focus on forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV~1~) and diffusion capacity (DL~CO~). We can follow the common agreement of minimum criteria of the European Society of Chest Surgeon and European Respiratory Society for risk stratification before a diagnostic pleuroscopy. Based on this protocol, FEV~1~ and DL~CO~ need to be >35%pred. In the case of 35%pred< FEV~1 ~and DL~CO~<75%pred, we need to consider VO~2~/kg during a cardiopulmonary exercise test. If VO~2 ~is~ ~<10 ml/kg/min, the patient need a pulmonary rehabilitation program to improve functional reserves. Regarding lung function, we need to focus on lung mechanics and lung kinematics as well. Lung mechanics can be monitored by resting functional reserve capacity (FRC) and residual volume (RV). Lung kinematics can be monitored by chest expansion. Improved resting or dynamic hyperinflation and lung kinematics of the patients with chest physiotherapy and complex pulmonary rehabilitation is also suggested. As a general effect of rehabilitation, training programs can improve the cardiovascular response, oxygen uptake and the metabolism. We may also focus on physical activity, which is a general prognostics marker. Physical activity can be monitored by pedometer. Obesity can influence the complications of the surgical procedure and it has some effect on lung mechanics as well. If we have time, in case of an obese patient we may also consider improving their body composition before the invasive procedure. To sum up, comorbidities have to be considered before an invasive diagnostic procedure of lung cancer. Patients with impaired pulmonary hemodynamics, ischemic heart disease, diabetes or obesity have to be carefully evaluated. de Torres JP. Casanova C. et al. : Exploring the impact of screening with low-dose CT on lung cancer mortality in mild to moderate COPD patients: A pilot study. Respiratory Medicine, 107, 5, 702-707. 2013. Wiener RS. Schwarcz LM. et al. Population-Based Risk of Complications Following Transthoracic Needle Lung Biopsy of a Pulmonary Nodule. Annals of Internal Medicine, 155, 3, 137-144. 2011. GOLD-www.goldcopd.org Brunelli, A. Charloux, A. et al : ERS/ESTS clinical guidelines on fitness for radical therapy in lung cancer patients Eur. Resp. J., 34, 1, 2009.

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