The Fellow on Call: The Heme/Onc Podcast

Rouleaux University Medical Center
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Dec 21, 2022 • 0sec

Episode 040: Myeloma Series, Pt.1 - Intro to Testing and MGUS

In the first episode in our highly-anticipated multiple myeloma series, we begin our discussion about introduction to testing/workup for plasma cell dyscrasias and having our initial discussion about monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Contents:- What is a plasma cell ?- What is a plasma cell dyscrasia?- What is an "SPEP"?-What is "immunofixation"?-What are "serum free light chains"?-Checking UPEP-Does everyone need a bone marrow biopsy and/or additional workup?-What is MGUS?Want to review the show notes for this episode and others? Check out our website: https://www.thefellowoncall.com/our-episodesThis episode has been sponsored by Primum. To sign up for a free account, check out: tfoc.primum.co Love what you hear? Tell a friend and leave a review on our podcast streaming platforms!Twitter: @TheFellowOnCallInstagram: @TheFellowOnCallListen in on: Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Google Podcast
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Dec 7, 2022 • 0sec

Episode 039: Hemophilia 101, Pt 4

In this episode, we discuss the acute management of the bleeding patient with acquired hemophilia. Prior to starting this episode, we highly recommend you listen to Episode 036 to review: - Approach to Hemophilia (physical exam, workup)- Review coagulation cascade Contents:- When to suspect acquired hemophilia?- Mixing studies in acquired hemophilia patients - What are Bethesda Units and why are they important?- How do we treat patients with acquired hemophilia? - How do we stabilize the acute bleed?- How do we treat the underlying cause? Want to review the show notes for this episode and others? Check out our website: https://www.thefellowoncall.com/our-episodesLove what you hear? Tell a friend and leave a review on our podcast streaming platforms!Twitter: @TheFellowOnCallInstagram: @TheFellowOnCallListen in on: Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Google Podcast
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Nov 30, 2022 • 0sec

Episode 038: Hemophilia 101, Pt 3

In this episode, we discuss the acute management of the bleeding patient with hemophilia including factor replacement. Contents:- Factor replacement guidelines for Hemophilia A vs. Hemophilia B in the patient with an acute bleed- Management of patients taking emicizumab- Alternative/adjunctive options for treatment of an acute bleedWant to review the show notes for this episode and others? Check out our website: https://www.thefellowoncall.com/our-episodesLove what you hear? Tell a friend and leave a review on our podcast streaming platforms!Twitter: @TheFellowOnCallInstagram: @TheFellowOnCallListen in on: Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Google Podcast
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Nov 16, 2022 • 0sec

Episode 037: Hemophilia 101, Pt 2

In this episode, we discuss the fundamentals and approaches to chronic management and treatment for patients with known inherited hemophilia. Contents:- What is hemophilia?- How is it inherited? - How do we grade the severity of one's hemophilia? - Chronic management of hemophilia - Mechanism of Emicizumab (Hemlibra)Want to review the show notes for this episode and others? Check out our website: https://www.thefellowoncall.com/our-episodesLove what you hear? Tell a friend and leave a review on our podcast streaming platforms!Twitter: @TheFellowOnCallInstagram: @TheFellowOnCallListen in on: Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Google Podcast
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Nov 9, 2022 • 0sec

Episode 036: Hemophilia 101, Pt 1

In this episode, we break down the initial approach to the evaluation of a patient with a suspected bleeding disorder, particularly in regards to hemophilia, including standardized bleeding assessment tools, the basics of the coagulation cascade, and mixing studies. Contents: - "The Fellow on Call" Bleeding assessment!- Important tips for your physical exam - How do we think about bleeding disorders?- What is the basic work-up of a suspected bleeding disorder- Review of the coagulation cascade- How to assess an abnormal PT/PTT Want to review the show notes for this episode and others? Check out our website: https://www.thefellowoncall.com/our-episodesLove what you hear? Tell a friend and leave a review on our podcast streaming platforms!Twitter: @TheFellowOnCallInstagram: @TheFellowOnCallListen in on: Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Google Podcast
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Oct 26, 2022 • 0sec

Episode 035: Lung Cancer Series, Pt. 12: NSCLC Capstone with Dr. Jack West (Con’t)

We strongly recommend you listen to our previous episodes metastatic lung cancer (Episodes 0032 and 0033) to better be able to follow along with this conversation. Key trials mentioned in this episode include:CHECKMATE 227KEYNOTE 024Q:Do you send molecular testing (PDL1 and NGS) on the biopsy, peripheral blood or both?* Yield is highest from the tissue sample* Peripheral blood (circulating DNA) samples are dependent on the burden of disease and so often the yield is lower ** One of the benefits is that it can be sent quickly and having a fast turn-around; Tissue samples are dependent on being able to schedule a biopsy* Dr. West says he definitely sends this on a non-smoker with non-squamous lung cancer, as they are more likely to have molecular targets* Dr. West has not personally adopted the idea of sending peripheral and tissue samples for NGS testing for everyoneQ: Do you ever use Ipi/Nivo in patients with PDL1 <50% (ref: CHECKMATE 227)?* There are a lot of other options so he does not use this, as it is harder to predict the side effects with therapy like this * “Chemo-free does not mean side-effect free”Q: We understand there is a lack of randomized trial data on the use of consolidative radiation after IO based treatment in the metastatic setting. If patients have a good response to systemic treatment, when do you consider using consolidative radiation for cure?* A systemic therapy that is effective that leaves you with oligo-residual disease, radiation can be considered for the right patient** We need to balance what a radiation oncologist says he/she can radiate vs. what is actually the right thing to do** Sometimes, it’s best to give the cancer some time to “declare itself”. * A nuanced discussed, but it may be worth considering especially in patients who have disease that is ** (a) growing at a clinically meaningful rate ** (b) in patients with a few sites of disease, but otherwise great control * This is much more effective in patients with driver mutations being treated with TKIs with oligo-residual disease Q: Do you ever give chemo along with IO in patients with PDL1 >50%?* KEYNOTE 024: First study to show that IO was superior to chemo in high PDL1 patients lead to an instant change in our approach* More recent data suggests that there are differences between patients with PDL1 90% vs. someone at like 50, 60, or 70% (not all PDL1 >50% is created equal!)* If there is a patient with a lot of cancer burden, a lot of symptoms, and rapid progression of disease, you don’t want to miss an opportunity to do what is best for the patient. There is always a chance that IO may not work as monotherapy. This is a case-by-case discussion, but in cases like this, he discusses with his patient about using chemo + IO** Essentially attacking the cancer from multiple anglesQ: In patients with positive driver mutations who are initially stable on treatment, but then progress, do you repeat molecular testing at the time of progression? Do you ever treat with two TKIs at the same time?* Dr. West referenced recent abstract at ESMO 2022 by Dr. Julien Mazieres from CHU de Toulouse in France who presented data regarding the use of MET inhibitor tepotinib with osimertinib:** In the study, when screening for MET amplification, about 36% of patients were positive; at 9 months, the response rate was 54%** One limitation of this study is that every company that tests for MET amplification has a different definition of what constitutes “amplification”* Otherwise, there is mixed data about this* Molecular testing is often done on repeat biopsies in many academic centers, but that is not universally true and not the standard of careQ: TKIs have great CNS penetration. Let’s say a patient achieved a CR of CNS metastasis, but has progression of disease elsewhere. Do you continue the TKI? * He prefers, in general, to continue TKI given great CNS penetration while adding chemotherapy for other systemic metastatic sites** This is more expert opinion, not well-studied* Flare phenomenon can happen, meaning that abruptly stopping TKI may allow a clone of the cancer to begin rapidly growing if this subset of disease is responsive of treatment* Remember: Not all mutations are created equally** You DO NOT want to give EGFR and/or ALK IO even if they have a high PDL1** On the other hand, patients with KRAS and BRAFV600E do respond to IO treatmentAbout our guest:Dr. Jack West is an internationally-renowned Thoracic Oncologist. Associate Professor in the Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center. He is also the Clinical Executive Director of AccessHope. He completed his medical education at Harvard Medical School, and then trained at Brigham and Women’s Hospital before heading to Fred Hutchinson at the University of Washington. Twitter: @JackWestMD References:https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1606774 - KEYNOTE024https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1910231 - CHECKMATE227https://oncology.medicinematters.com/esmo-2022/non-small-cell-lung-cancer/insight-2-tepotinib-osimertinib-advanced-nsclc/23480600 - ESMO 2022 abstract on tepotinib with osimertinibhttps://www.thefellowoncall.com/tfocpodcast/jt7mmp342rn85wy - Episode 032https://www.thefellowoncall.com/tfocpodcast/jt7mmp342rn85wy-stczg - Episode 033Please visit our website (TheFellowOnCall.com) for more information Twitter: @TheFellowOnCallInstagram: @TheFellowOnCallListen in on: Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Google PodcastLove what you hear? Tell a friend and leave a review on our podcast streaming platforms!
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Oct 20, 2022 • 0sec

Episode 034: Lung Cancer Series, Pt. 11: NSCLC Capstone with Dr. Jack West

Lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer and so it is fitting that we start the first of our disease-specific oncology series with this diagnosis. This week, we begin to round out our NSCLC series with the first of two episodes where we interview Dr. Jack West from City of Hope!We strongly recommend you listen to our previous episodes on early stage lung cancer (Episodes 026 and 029) to follow along in this discussion. Key trials mentioned in this episode include:ADAURA Trial IMPOWER010CHECKMATE816Q: We’ve previously discussed that adjuvant cisplatin doublet chemotherapy is used for tumors > 4cm and/or nodal involvement. Given that PD-L1 status and EGFR status can also potentially change adjuvant therapy choices, how do you employ these tests in your practice?* Different approaches at every center/with different thoracic oncologists. * Dr. West does NOT recommend sending broad NGS testing on everyone if it is not going to change management. * It it may influence management, at the very least, PDL1 and EGFR should be performed because of implications on adjuvant treatment options (See Episode 026 for treatment discussions): ** ADAURA Trial: Adjuvant Osimertinib x3 years for EGFR+ patients** IMPOWER010: In patients with PDL1 >50%, patients did better with 1 year of immunotherapy (atezolizumab) after adjuvant therapy* In patients with higher risk disease, can consider sending broad NGS, particularly looking for ALK and other mutations; remember that EGFR and ALK+ patients do NOT respond to immunotherapy well. This is important because we don’t want to give someone side effects that they would not otherwise had (these patients are getting treatment adjuvantly AKA after their disease is already resected!)Q: What are limitations of the ADUARA Trial? * The ADUARA suggested disease-free survival advantage with use of osimertinib, but we don’t know final overall survival data yet.*Limitations:** Three years of therapy** Very expensive drug** More data presented at ESMO 2022 on efficacy; Dr. West stated that there appears to be drop off in survival after stopping drug. Overall survival data not yet available * Just because patients can get osimertinib does NOT mean that they are not eligible for chemotherapy**Adjuvant chemotherapy for patients provides long-term benefit** JBR.10 Trial: Older trial, but showed that patients who got adjuvant treatment (in this case vinorelbine plus cisplatin) had prolonged disease-free and overall survival in early-stage non–small-cell lung cancer.** Follow up study suggested that EGFR+ patients trended towards longer survival Q: What are your thoughts on Checkmate 816 with the use of neoadjuvant nivolumab in addition to the platinum doublet? Do you think pathologic CR was an appropriate surrogate endpoint for the trial?* Complete path CR is a new end-point, but it does correlate with PFS. We cannot always for traditional endpoints, such as overall survival data, to mature because doing so may result in us withholding therapy that may be very beneficial. * Biggest benefit to neoadjuvant treatment is that more patients are able to get the full regimen. Many have complications after surgery and never are able to then get/benefit from chemotherapy. Supported by data from NATCH trial Q: What are your thoughts on induction chemoradiation vs. chemotherapy alone?* Dr. West prefers to not use radiation pre-operatively, with some exception (for instance, pancoast tumor) Tune in next week for part 2 of this discussion!About our guest:Dr. Jack West is an internationally-renowned Thoracic Oncologist. Associate Professor in the Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center. He is also the Clinical Executive Director of AccessHope. He completed his medical education at Harvard Medical School, and then trained at Brigham and Women’s Hospital before heading to Fred Hutchinson at the University of Washington. Twitter: @JackWestMD References:https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)02098-5/fulltext - IMPOWER 010 Trial https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2027071- ADAURA Trial https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4032958/ - NATCH Trial https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMoa043623 - JBR.10 Trialhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3033998/ - Follow up to JBR.10 Trial looking at influence of EGFR status on chemotherapy responsehttps://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2202170 - CHECKMATE 816 https://www.thefellowoncall.com/tfocpodcast/episode-001disclaimer-wfhgf-ml3b6-9m66a-8rrc4-k8w87-x7xdd-wrzye-4xg8x-t73gt-cxc5s-nmg8f-cfyd6-hgs35-5pcwx-tf6dh-trggt-xzkt7-923gg-rpjzx-6s36p-hk27n-bbpgx-jymml-9lfam-76m4s - Episode 026https://www.thefellowoncall.com/tfocpodcast/episode-001disclaimer-wfhgf-ml3b6-9m66a-8rrc4-k8w87-x7xdd-wrzye-4xg8x-t73gt-cxc5s-nmg8f-cfyd6-hgs35-5pcwx-tf6dh-trggt-xzkt7-923gg-rpjzx-6s36p-hk27n-bbpgx-jymml-9lfam-76m4s-6xae9-ws6nt-ntn8g - Episode 029Please visit our website (TheFellowOnCall.com) for more information Twitter: @TheFellowOnCallInstagram: @TheFellowOnCallListen in on: Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Google PodcastLove what you hear? Tell a friend and leave a review on our podcast streaming platforms!
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Oct 12, 2022 • 0sec

Episode 033: Lung Cancer Series, Pt. 10: Metastatic NSCLC with driver mutations

Lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer and so it is fitting that we start the first of our disease-specific oncology series with this diagnosis. This week, we continue our discussion on metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, focusing on NSCLC with driver mutations. * The approach to treatment of a patient with widespread metastatic NSCLC (mNSCLC) is very different than a patient without distant disease, which highlights why we do what we do:- Important to complete staging (discussed in prior episodes) to determine the extent of disease- Important to check molecular testing (looking for mutations in the cancer cells) and IHC for tumor proportion score (TPS) helps determine treatment options - If your molecular testing is identified in a driver mutation gene, there are targeted options for this! *Driver mutations are predictive of response to an oral therapy and a LACK of response to immune therapy (particularly in EGFR and ALK mutated patients) * EGFR Mutation:- Pay attention to the types of mutation in EGFR (not all are the same):-- Exon 19 deletion -- Exon 19 L858R-- Exon 21 T790M-- Exon 20 Insertion (Osimertinib [see below] cannot be used for this mutation)- Osimertinib is first-line standard of care for patients with EGFR-- Used to be a second-line agent. Many patients with EGFR mutations receiving earlier generation TKIs would develop resistance and when these tumors were sequenced, they would have Exon 21 T790M mutations. Osimertinib was effective even with this mutation and had superior overall survival data compared to chemotherapy (AURA3 Trial)--Now it is used in first-line setting for patients with EGFR mutation based on the FLAURA trial --- In this study, patients received osimertinib as first line vs. older generation EGFR-targeting TKIs (erlotinib or gefitib) and Osimertinib had better outcomes: ---- Showed that the median OS was 38.6 months with Osi vs. 31.8 months; also improved brain penetration! ---- Also effective in patients with metastatic disease to the brain: ----- Only 6% of patients had CNS progression with Osi vs. 15% with others- What if a patient is on Osi and later develops new brain mets?-- If there is progression within just the brain (and good control in other sites of the body) you can refer patient to Radiation Oncology for SRS-- Remember, based on discussion with Dr. Osmundson in our RadOnc lectures (Episode 028), it is important to HOLD Osimertinib if patient is going to get radiation to minimize the side effects- What is patient had progression of disease in several sites throughout the body?-- Management is less straightforward. -- In many of these cases, you can consider:--- Consolidative radiation - If small amounts of disease--- Changing therapy - If there has been widespread progression; likely would change to chemotherapy (without IO, since lower predictive response to IO with EGFR mutation)---- No clear guidelines if you should continue the TKI---- Remember that IO + TKIs can cause increased risk of side effects, such as pneumonitis and hepatitis. DO NOT DO THIS!* ALK Mutation:- There are many options for ALK mutations-- The first generation drug is crizotinib--- Lots of side effects —> “It is crazy to start with crizotinib”--- Studies for later generation TKIs were compared to crizotinib -- Many people today will use third generation ALK-inhibitor alectinib (Important trials: ALEX Trial and J-ALEX Trial)--- With alectinib, PFS 34.8 months, RR 83%, less CNS progression (12% vs 45%)--- 5 year OS rate 62.5%- What to do with disease progression while on ALK inhibitor?-- In ALK, you can actually switch to another ALK inhibitor and many will respond well--- Of course, with each change, you may expect not as great of a response * Lots of other mutations!- TFOC recommends just looking these up!-- Link to NCCN Guidelines on NSCLC; Page 41 has full list!- Another way to think about this, when do we NOT do TKIs as first line: -- KRAS G12C-- EGFR Exon 20 Insertion-- HER2- How do you counsel a patient when considering/starting a TKI? -- Patients with highest chance of having a targeted mutation are younger non-smokers with adenocarcinoma-- Set expectations: great outcomes overall, but still not a cure. -- Remembering the drugs: All TKIs usually end in “-nib” -- In general, the way we recommend remembering this: “Fatigue, GI, Derm (skin/nail changes)”; rarely pneumonitis References:* AURA3 Trial - https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1612674Established osimertinib was better than chemo for patients with EGFR mutation and acquired Exon 21 T790M resistance mutation* FLAURA Trial - https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1713137 Established osimertinib as first-line agent for patients with EGFR mutation * ALEX Trial - https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1704795Helped establish alectinib as superior for ALK mutations compared to crizotinib * J-ALEX Trial - https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(17)30565-2/fulltextHelped establish alectinib as superior for ALK mutations compared to crizotinib * NCCN Guidelines on NSCLC - https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/guidelines-detail?category=1&id=1450 Please visit our website (TheFellowOnCall.com) for more information Twitter: @TheFellowOnCallInstagram: @TheFellowOnCallListen in on: Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Google PodcastLove what you hear? Tell a friend and leave a review on our podcast streaming platforms!
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Oct 5, 2022 • 0sec

Episode 032: Lung Cancer Series, Pt. 9: Metastatic NSCLC without driver mutations

Lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer and so it is fitting that we start the first of our disease-specific oncology series with this diagnosis. This week, we start our discussion on metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, focusing on NSCLC without driver mutations. * The approach to treatment of a patient with widespread metastatic NSCLC (mNSCLC) is very different than a patient without distant disease, which highlights why we do what we do:- Important to complete staging (discussed in prior episodes) to determine the extent of disease- Important to check molecular testing (looking for mutations in the cancer cells) and IHC for tumor proportion score (TPS) helps determine treatment options * Choosing a treatment is based on:- Histology - cannot use pemetrexed or bevacizumab in squamous cell - Platinum - Carboplatin is usually used (as opposed to our prior discussions about using Cisplatin because of LACE pooled analysis data)-- Why is Cisplatin not a great idea? Cisplatin should not be used if patients have (***high yield to know cisplatin eligibility criteria!!***): --- Poor performance status--- Patients with eGFR <60--- If a patient has baseline hearing loss--- If a patient has baseline neuropathy--- Patients with NYHF class III+--If patient is getting “palliative” / non-curative setting, you want to spare patients these terrible potential side effects -Immunotherapy - All patients with mNSCLC should have IO considered for treatment, unless they have contraindications. Considerations include: -- Patients with EGFR and ALK mutations - patients with these mutations do NOT respond well to IO so should not use-- TPS score:--- Patients with score >50% can get IO monotherapy (spared chemotherapy)---- KEYNOTE 024: approval for pembrolizumab monotherapy in patient with PDL1>50%----- Study compared pembro to platinum doublet----- OS 70% vs. 50% at one year---- IMPOWER110: approval for atezolizumab monotherapy----- Study compared atezo to chemotherapy----- OS 64.9% vs 50% at 12 months--- Patients with score <50% can get IO + chemotherapy---- KEYNOTE 189: Showed that the addition of Pembrolizumab to carboplatin/pemetrexed followed by pembro/pemetrexed maintenance in mNSCLC with adenocarcinoma histology had impressive benefits---- Carbo/taxol/pembro for squamous histology--- Lots of other trials, check out NCCN for a comprehensive list * Putting this all together: - In PDL1 >50% WITHOUT SYMPTOMS: IO alone- In PDL1 >50% WITH SYMPTOMS: Chemo + IO- In PDL1 <50%: -- Lots of options, but usually some combination of chemotherapy + IO-- Many people use Pembro, as it was first to market* Management of mNSCLC to the brain: - Recommend discussion with radiation oncology about role of SRSPlease visit our website (TheFellowOnCall.com) for more information Twitter: @TheFellowOnCallInstagram: @TheFellowOnCallListen in on: Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Google PodcastLove what you hear? Tell a friend and leave a review on our podcast streaming platforms!
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Sep 28, 2022 • 0sec

Episode 031: Lung Cancer Series, Pt. 8: Surgical considerations in early stage NSCLC

Lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer and so it is fitting that we start the first of our disease-specific oncology series with this diagnosis. This week, we sit down with Thoracic Surgeon, Dr. Jane Yanagawa to discuss surgical considerations in treatment of NSCLC. * How do you choose what type of surgical resection to do?- Considerations: --Lung anatomy --Location of the nodule within lung--Lymph node involvement-Options: --Pneumonectomy: removal of whole lung --Lobectomy: remove a whole lobe--Segmentectomy/sublobar resection: part of a lobe* What does “adequate margins” mean? And how do you know if it’s enough?- If you’re removing the whole lobe, it does not matter as much - If you’re doing a segmentectomy, you want to have samples evaluated while in the OR because if there is signs of more disease that initially thought, you would take this one step further and do a lobectomy. - Need to consider the patient’s situation - how good is their status * Why does preoperative workup matter?- Pulmonary function tests: Surgeons are looking at the %FEV1 and %DLCO to then predict what their function would be AFTER surgery. After surgery, they want to ensure patient has %FEV1 or %DLCO >40%. - Lung anatomy: In patients with COPD and endobronchial lesions, sometimes they also get V/Q scans to evaluate ratio- Cardiac echo: Important in pneumonectomy where removal of lung tissue will also remove a significant amount of blood vessels. Want to rule out pulmonary hypertension pre-operatively. - Pulmonary hypertension can also affect someone’s survival while they’re ventilating with only one lung during the procedure (“single lung ventilation”). - Smoking status: Smoking can increase complications by ~60%. - Pre-habilitation: Encouraging patients to be fit prior to surgery with walking, nutrition, +/- pulmonary rehabilitation* What is “VATS”?- VATS stands for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery; it is not, in itself, a procedure. But a VATS allows for minimally invasive surgery through the use of a camera. - It involves three incisions (axilla, lowest part of mid-axillary line, one posterior)* In what scenario is a mediastinoscopy warranted? - Needed after EBUS if there is still high index of suspicion for cancer involvement in lymph nodes, even if lymph nodes are negative from EBUS* What is “systematic lymph node sampling”?- An organized way to sample lymph nodes, including all lymph nodes that are along the way, not just the ones that may be involved * As a surgeon, how do you determine if a patient is okay for surgery if the mass is invading another structure?- Need to take the anatomy into consideration - are there major blood vessels or nerves there, for instance, which can impact outcome and recovery.* When should we consider induction chemotherapy from a surgeon’s perspective?- Lots of changes in this sphere coming; lots of discrepancy between institutions when there is N2 disease - In Dr. Yanagawa’s opinion, anyone with N2 disease should get neoadjuvant therapy * If there is neoadjuvant chemoradiation given, how does that effect your surgery?- Radiation increases scar tissue in the lung tissue. But what is worse is that radiation neoadjuvantly may make wound healing more difficult. She does not prefer radiation pre-operatively- Chemotherapy also adds scar tissue*How does neoadjuvant IO therapy affect scar tissue formation?- The hilum and lymph nodes are more swollen, but does not translate to more complications - She has even seen patients who had gotten IO for another cancer and then get lung cancer, she can still appreciate swollen nodes!* How long after surgery is it safe to start adjuvant therapy?- If patient has a complication from surgery, would not start right away. It is important to discuss with the surgeon about when it is okay to proceed with adjuvant therapy. - If patient has good recovery/without complications, okay to start about 4 weeks after- There is no good guidance yet about when it is safe to start IO after surgery About our guest: Jane Yanagawa, MD is an Assistant Professor of Thoracic Surgery at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. She completed medical school at Baylor College of Medicine, after which she went to UCLA for her surgical residency. She went onto Memorial Sloan-Kettering for her Thoracic Surgery Fellowship. In addition to her practice as a thoracic surgeon at UCLA, Dr. Yanagawa also sits on the NCCN NSCLC guidelines committee! We are so grateful she was able to join us despite her very busy schedule! Please visit our website (TheFellowOnCall.com) for more information Twitter: @TheFellowOnCallInstagram: @TheFellowOnCallListen in on: Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Google Podcast

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