title: Distinct features of distant metastasis and lymph node stage in lung adenocarcinoma patients with epidermal growth factor receptor gene mutations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The influence of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status on distant and lymph node metastasis is not fully understood.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-five consecutive patients with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma, who had been examined for the EGFR mutation status, were retrospectively analyzed with regard to numbers of distant metastasis and clinical stage of lymph node metastasis at the time of diagnosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  While EGFR mutation status did not influence the presence or absence of distant metastasis in the lung, brain, or liver, patients with EGFR mutations demonstrated a significantly greater number of metastatic lesions in the lung (median: 85 vs. 4, P=0.01) and the brain (11 vs. 3.5, P=0.04). On the other hand, patients with EGFR mutations showed a significantly lower lymph node staging (P<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of EGFR mutations in patients with lung adenocarcinoma correlates with lower lymph node stage and a greater number of metastatic lesions in the lung and brain.
authors: Division of Respiratory and Allergy Medicine, Komaki City Hospital, Komaki, 1-20, Johbushi, Komaki City 485-8520, Japan. yasuyasuyasu29@yahoo.co.jp
authors: Yasunori
authors: Y
authors: Enomoto
authors: Kazuto
authors: K
authors: Takada
authors: Eri
authors: E
authors: Hagiwara
authors: Eiji
authors: E
authors: Kojima
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000556:secondary*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: C512478:EGFR protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors
keywords: Brain metastasis; Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR); Lung adenocarcinoma; Lymph node stage; Pulmonary metastasis