Transarterial Chemo And Radioembolization (Yttrium90) Of Hepatic Metastasis Of Neuroendocrine Tumors: Single Center Experience

The aim of this study was to present our single center experience with short ( 3 months) follow-up results of patients who underwent transarterial radioembolization with yttrium-90 microsphere (Y-90) or transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatic metastasis of neuroendocrine tumors (hmNETs). The results of 14 patients treated with either Y-90 or TACE were reviewed retrospectively. Clinical, laboratory, and imaging follow-up was performed. Efficacy was assessed by clinical and morphologic response. Survival was estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Eight patients receiving 12 TACE treatments and 6 patients receiving 7 Y-90 treatments. Response rates were similar with two treatments at short-term follow-up, but there were a lower response rate and higher being progressive disease in the TACE group than Y-90 group at intermediate-term follow-up. However, progression-free survival was lower in Y-90 group (7.5 months) than TACE group (18 months). Regarding our limited experience, both Y-90 treatment and TACE have advantages and disadvantages in treatment of patients with hmNETs, however, randomized controlled studies, are needed.WoSScopu

Takayasu arteritis in children: preliminary experience with cyclophosphamide induction and corticosteroids followed by methotrexate

To review the results of our treatment protocol in the last 7 years. Six patients (4 girls, 2 boys) with an age range of 12 to 17 years were diagnosed with Takayasu arteritis (TA) during this period. Patients were allocated to receive (1) oral steroids and methotrexate (MTX) (12.5 mg/m(2)/week) if they had disease limited to one side of the diaphragm only without pulmonary disease involvement (two patients); and (2) oral steroids and oral cyclophosphamide (CYC) (maximum total dose 150 mg/kg) followed by oral MTX for maintenance as above if the disease was more widespread (four patients). One patient died of pulmonary vasculitis during the first month of therapy. The remaining three patients with involvement of both the thoracic and abdominal aorta and branches received the second protocol for 12 to 18 months. All entered remission. Aortic bypass, aortorenal bypass, balloon dilatation, and unilateral nephrectomy were performed in these patients. The presented single-center experience suggests that CYC induction and corticosteroids followed by MTX is an effective and safe treatment for childhood T