Summary:Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are essentially ubiquitous and can infect both immunocompetent and immunocompromised hosts. However, NTM infection is surprisingly uncommon in reports from allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (alloSCT) centers that do not routinely perform allograft T-cell depletion. We reviewed medical records for all adult patients who underwent alloSCT at our center between January 1993 and December 2001. American Thoracic Society and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines Were used to define definite, probable, and possible NTM infection. Of 571 patients, 36 of 372 (9.7%) T-cell depleted and 14 of 199 (7.0%) conventional alloSCT recipients (P ¼ 0.26) had a positive culture for NTM after alloSCT. Of the 50 patients with NTM infection, 16 had definite infection and 34 had probable or possible infection. Rates of NTM infection were 5 to 20-fold higher than rates reported by other centers. Of the 16 definite infections, nine were caused by Mycobacterium haemophilum. Two patients had disseminated M. avium complex (MAC) infection and one had a vascular catheter infected by MAC. Three patients died from complications of NTM infection. Patients with probable or possible NTM infection had markedly different epidemiology, risk factors, site and species of NTM infection, and prognosis than patients with definite NTM infection.

Background Limited data are available about the physical and mental functioning of individuals diagnosed and treated for early stage lung cancer. To develop post-treatment guidelines and targeted resources for the growing number of lung cancer survivors, clinically relevant information about longer-term health-related quality of life (HQOL) is needed. The current study examines lung cancer survivors' HQOL and identifies associations between HQOL and demographic, disease and psychosocial risk factors. Methods A total of 359 individuals diagnosed and surgically treated for Stage IA or IB non-small cell lung cancer completed a post-treatment survey via mail or telephone that included the SF-36v2 as well as demographic, medical, psychological and physical symptom indices. To better understand the impact of lung cancer treatment, we examined age- and gender-adjusted differences in HQOL as compared to a demographically matched sample of older adults, most with a significant smoking history, who participated in a lung cancer screening trial. Risk factors for impairments in HQOL were also identified. Results Compared to the screening sample, lung cancer survivors reported lower physical health scores, but did not differ in terms of mental health status. Dyspnea and distressed mood were most associated with HQOL impairments. Conclusions Early stage lung cancer survivors are likely to experience mild impairment in physical functioning. They may benefit from management of distressed mood and referral to physical activity and pulmonary rehabilitation programs to promote HQOL outcomes.

Context Fatigue is the most common sequela among non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) survivors 1–6 years post-treatment and is associated with functional limitations. Objectives This study examined the prevalence, severity, and correlates of fatigue among early stage NSCLC survivors. Methods Three-hundred fifty individuals diagnosed and surgically treated for Stage IA or IB NSCLC completed a survey that included the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) to assess the prevalence and severity of fatigue. The Self-Reported Karnofsky Performance Scale (SR-KPS) was used as a measure of functional status and was compared with the severity of fatigue though chi-square analyses. Demographic, psychological, and medical correlates of fatigue were examined using logistic regression. Results The prevalence of fatigue was 57%. Forty-one percent (n = 142) of participants had mild fatigue and 16.8% (n = 59) had moderate or severe fatigue (BFI ≥ 4). Among the individuals reporting moderate or severe fatigue, 23.7% (n=14) had significant functional impairment (SR-KPS ≤ 70%) compared to 2.8% (n =8) with mild or no fatigue (χ2 = 58.1, p < 0.001). In the multi-variate analysis, NSCLC survivors with pulmonary disease (OR = 2.28), depressive symptoms (OR = 6.99), and anxiety symptoms (OR = 2.31) were more likely to report experiencing clinically significant fatigue, while those who met physical activity guidelines (OR = 0.29) reported less fatigue. Discussion Fatigue is highly prevalent among NSCLC survivors and associated with more functional impairment. A comprehensive approach to the treatment of fatigue includes the screening and management of anxious and depressive symptoms, and pulmonary disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Regular physical activity may offer benefits to lung cancer survivors, many of whom experience quality-of-life (QOL) impairments. However, little is know about lung cancer survivors' engagement in physical activity across the cancer trajectory. The current study addressed this research gap and also examined the association between lung cancer survivors' physical activity and their QOL. Methods: The study participants were 175 individuals who completed surgical treatment for early-stage nonsmall cell lung cancer 1 to 6 years previously. Participants completed a one-time survey regarding their current QOL and their engagement in physical activities currently, during the 6 months after treatment, and during the 6 months before diagnosis. Results: Participants' reported engagement in both moderate and strenuous intensity activities was lower during the post-treatment period compared

AFOP and GOP, a newly described OP form, possess clinical and pathological findings that set it apart from a COP, suggesting an emerging spectrum of OP.