Albuminâ bilirubin gradeâ based nomogram of the BCLC system for personalized prognostic prediction in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background & AimsThe prognostic accuracy of individual hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patient in each Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage is unclear. We aimed to develop and validate an albuminâ bilirubin (ALBI) gradeâ based nomogram of BCLC to estimate survival for individual HCC patient.MethodsBetween 2002 and 2016, 3690 patients with newly diagnosed HCC were prospectively enrolled and retrospectively analysed. Patients were randomly split into derivation and validation cohort by 1:1 ratio. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was used to generate the nomogram from tumour burden, ALBI grade and performance status (PS). The concordance index and calibration plot were determined to evaluate the performance of this nomogram.ResultsBeta coefficients from the Cox model were used to assign nomogram points to different degrees of tumour burden, ALBI grade and PS. The scores of the nomogram ranged from 0 to 24, and were used to predict 3â and 5â year patient survival. The concordance index of this nomogram was 0.77 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.71â 0.81) in the derivation cohort and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.71â 0.81) in the validation cohort. The calibration plots to predict both 3â and 5â year survival rate well matched with the 45â degree ideal line for both cohorts, except for ALBIâ based BCLC stage 0 in the validation cohort.ConclusionsThe proposed ALBIâ based nomogram of BCLC system is a simple and feasible strategy in the precision medicine era. Our data indicate it is a straightforward and userâ friendly prognostic tool to estimate the survival of individual HCC patient except for very early stage patients.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/153250/1/liv14249_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/153250/2/liv14249.pd

Multidisciplinary Taiwan consensus for the use of conventional TACE in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment

Developed in early 1980s, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with Lipiodol was adopted globally after large-scale randomized control trials and meta-analyses proving its effectiveness were completed. Also known as “conventional TACE” (cTACE), TACE is currently the first-line treatment for patients with unresectable intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and delivers both ischemic and cytotoxic effects to targeted tumors. Although new technology and clinical studies have contributed to a more comprehensive understanding of when and how to apply this widely-adopted therapeutic modality, some of these new findings and techniques have yet to be incorporated into a guideline appropriate for Taiwan. In addition, differences in the underlying liver pathologies and treatment practices for transcatheter embolization between Taiwan and other Asian or Western populations have not been adequately addressed, with significant variations in the cTACE protocols adopted in different parts of the world. These mainly revolve around the amount and type of chemotherapeutic agents used, the type of embolic materials, reliance on Lipiodol, and the degree of selectiveness in catheter positioning. Subsequently, interpreting and comparing results obtained from different centers in a systematic fashion remain difficult, even for experienced practitioners. To address these concerns, we convened a panel of experts specializing in different aspects of HCC treatment to devise modernized recommendations that reflect recent clinical experiences, as well as cTACE protocols which are tailored for use in Taiwan. The conclusions of this expert panel are described herein

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease related to tacrolimus after pancreas transplantation

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (HVOD) describes the nonthrombotic, fibrous obliteration of the small centrilobular hepatic veins by connective tissue and centrilobular necrosis in zone 3 of the acini. Occlusion of the terminal venules of the liver might result in HVOD with the characteristic clinical findings of painful hepatomegaly, ascites, jaundice, and weight gain for more than 5% of patients. It is mainly observed after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) and is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. The incidence of HVOD is much lower after solid organ transplantation than after SCT and seems to differ from one organ to another. It has been sporadically reported after lung, renal, and liver transplantation, but has never been reported after pancreas transplantation. In general, HVOD is presumably attributed to azathioprine or tacrolimus used in solid organ transplantation. Here we describe a case of HVOD occurring after pancreas transplantation, in which tacrolimus might have played a causative role because complete recovery was observed after discontinuation of tacrolimus. Pancreas transplantation physicians should raise the suspicion of HVOD when a recipient presents with hepatomegaly, ascites, or jaundice

Hydatid Cyst of the Liver: A Case Report and Literature Review

Taiwan is nearly free from hydatid disease. We report a case of hydatid cyst of the liver in a 37-year-old man who originally lived in India and had migrated to Taiwan 2 years earlier. He presented with right upper quadrant pain and intermittent low-grade fever. Both sonography and computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a cystic lesion with vesicles at its periphery in segments 6 and 7 of the liver. A hydatid cyst was diagnosed. The patient underwent radical excision of the cyst with total removal without opening the wall. He also received pre- and postoperative oral mebendazole. Pathology showed a hydatid cyst consisting of three layers: the inner single nucleated geminal layer, the middle acellular laminated layer, and the outer pericyst originating from inflammatory and hepatic cells. This case highlights that accurate preoperative diagnosis of hydatid disease can be made from personal history, typical sonography and CT study in non-endemic areas

Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Tumor of the Pancreas: Computerized Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features

The aim of this study was to analyze the computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of intraductal papillary mucinous tumor (IPMT) of the pancreas. The cases of eight patients with pathologically proven IPMT (1 papillary hyperplasia, 7 adenocarcinoma) of the pancreas were retrospectively reviewed. There were five men and three women with ages ranging from 42 to 82 years. Imaging studies included six thin-section dynamic CT scans, seven MRI scans, one MR cholangiopancreatography scan, and two endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography scans. There was only one benign IPMT, which presented as a unilocular cyst in the pancreatic body with no mural nodules and no dilatation of the main pancreatic duct (MPD). All seven patients with malignant IPMT had multilocular cysts with papillary projections in the pancreatic head and/or uncinate process accompanied by dilated MPD (5 diffuse, 2 segmental). Communication between the cystic lesions and the MPD were evident in all seven patients. One patient had small mural nodules in the branch ducts of the pancreatic body and five had a bulging papilla with a patulous orifice. A mass effect resulting in biliary obstruction was shown in one patient. One patient had a ruptured cyst with mucin leakage into the right anterior pararenal space following sono-guided aspiration. In conclusion, the main imaging feature of IPMT in our patients was a multilocular cyst with papillary projections located in the pancreatic head and uncinate process. Although CT and MRI cannot differentiate mucin content from pancreatic juice, communication between the cystic lesion and the dilated MPD and a bulging papilla with a patulous orifice are characteristics of IPMT

Primary Malignant Melanoma of the Esophagus

Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus is an uncommon but aggressive tumor with fatal prognosis. We present 2 male patients with a history of dysphagia for a period of time and describe the imaging features of esophagograms and chest computed tomography (CT) scan. Both were proved by endoscopic biopsy. One of them underwent surgical resection. Primary malignant melanomas of the esophagus should be included in the differential diagnosis of bulky and polypoid masses that expand the esophagus without causing obstruction on esophagograms and chest CT scan

Initial clinical radiological findings and staging to predict prognosis of primary hepatic angiosarcoma: A retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVE:Primary hepatic angiosarcoma (PHA) is extremely rare and most patients die within 12 months of diagnosis. The object of the study is to determine the association of initial clinical-radiological features and staging with outcomes in patients with PHA. METHODS:The medical records of adult patients with PHA were retrieved from an electronic medical record database and a pathology database and retrospectively reviewed. During 10 years, 22 eligible patients were included. Data extracted focused on the information before the first formal treatment with a pathological proof, including demographic characteristics, medical history, laboratory data, preliminary images, histopathological records, treatment, and follow-up survival period. Two radiologists blindly re-analyzed preliminary images of all 22 patients together and recorded tumor features and imaging stage based on the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 8th edition tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) Staging System for hepatocellular carcinoma. A radiologist compiled the initial clinical data and preliminary image stage to analyze the association with patients' survival outcome. RESULTS:Higher aspartate aminotransferase (AST), higher total bilirubin (TB), lower albumin (ALB), longer prothrombin time (PT) and lower platelet count of serum relative to the normal reference range were more common in patients who survived ≤ 90 days (all P < 0.05). Overall survival was much better in patients with single PHA than in those with other tumor patterns of multiple PHA (all P < 0.05). Overall survival determined by preliminary imaging showed significant differences between stage I and stage III (P = 0.044), stage I and stage IV (P = 0.011), and stage III and IV (P = 0.047). No patients were at stage II. CONCLUSIONS:Initial serum levels of ALT, TB, ALB, and PT, platelet count, single mass in liver, and preliminary imaging staging could help predict survival outcomes of patients with PHA

Metastatic polyp of the gallbladder from renal cell carcinoma

Abstract Background Gallbladder metastasis from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is extremely rare. The purpose of this study is to clarify the characteristics of metastatic RCC to gallbladder. Methods The pooled data for analysis were collected from the case of metastatic RCC to gallbladder encountered by our institution along with sporadic cases reported in literature from 1991 to 2015. Results A total of 50 cases of metastatic RCC to gallbladder were recruited for study. Fifty-seven percentage of the primary RCC was from the right kidney and 43% from the left. The median interval between diagnoses of primary and metastatic RCC to gallbladder was 36 months, with the longest duration up to 324 months. Most (70%) were asymptomatic. The size of metastatic RCC to gallbladder ranged from 0.8 cm to 9 cm, with median of 2.6 cm. Majority (91%) of the metastatic RCCs presented as a polypoid mass with narrow stalk, and 82% were hypervascular lesion. The overall 1 year, 3 year and 5 year survival rate was 91.5%, 76.2% and 59.3% respectively, with a median of 26.5 months. Number of the metastatic site, timing of gallbladder metastasis, symptom, tumor size and operation type of cholecystectomy seemed to have no impact on survival. Conclusions Metastatic RCC to the gallbladder should be taken into account for a gallbladder polypoid mass with narrow hypervascular stalk during the diagnosis and/or follow-up of primary RCC. Gallbladder metastasis from RCC is not necessarily to be an advanced stage with poor outcome, and cholecystectomy is recommended whenever possible