A case report of hepatocellular carcinoma with hepatic and portal venous tumor thrombus and multiple intrahepatic metastasis who survived over 1 year after the operation with combined locoregional chemotherapy

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with vascular invasion and/or intrahepatic metastasis (IM) has a poor prognosis, so advanced HCC may be considered as a contraindication for hepatectomy. We experienced a case of HCC with hepatic venous and portal venous tumor thrombus and multiple IM who survived over 1 year after the operation with combined locoregional chemotherapy. (Case): A 67-year-old male patient was diagnosed with HCC with extracapsular invasion after transarterial embolization (TAE). CT scan revealed the HCC had a right portal venous tumor thrombus and multiple IM. Posterior lobectomy and thrombectomy of hepatic venous and portal venous tumor thrombus and placement of portal venous catheter ware performed. From the first day after operation the patient received continuous intravenous and intraportal 5-FU for 3 weeks. At the first month after operation, TAE and PEIT were given against residual IM. After discharge the patient received hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (MTX/CDDP/5-FU/Leucovorin). Fourteen months after operation, the patient is surviving in good physical condition.     

Four cases of successful multidisciplinary treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal venous thrombus

CASE 1: TAI and radiation therapy were performed for a lateral segment and tumor thrombus extended into the left portal branch. Then, we diagnosed a tumor thrombus that extended into the right portal branch and TAI and operation were performed. The patient died about 9 months after the diagnosis of tumor thrombus. CASE 2: An operation was performed for hepatoma involving the right lobe and the tumor thrombus extended into the right portal branch. TAI and TAE were performed for residual tumor. The patient died about 12 months after diagnosis of tumor thrombus. CASE 3: An operation was performed for hepatoma involving an anterior segment and tumor thrombus extended into the right portal branch. Then, TAI, TAE and PMCT were performed for residual tumor. The patient is alive for 33 months with recurrence after the diagnosis of tumor thrombus. CASE 4: An operation was performed for hepatoma involving a posterior segment and tumor thrombus extended into the right portal branch. For recurrent TAI and TAE, radiation therapy was performed. The patient is alive for 20 months without recurrence after the diagnosis of tumor thrombus.     

A successful case of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal venous tumor thrombus (Vp2) treated by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization

We reported a case of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal venous tumor thrombus (PVTT) (Vp2) successfully treated by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), and the tumor showed complete response and the patient survived for 28 months. A 67-year-old male was diagnosed with HCC in the area of subsegment 5 with PVTT from the P5 to the posterior branch. He was treated by segmental TACE. The tumor markers decreased within normal limits, and localized hepatic infraction in the subsegment 5 and atrophy of the PVTT were recognized. He survived for 28 months with no tumor recurrence after the first TACE. This case suggested that embolization might play a part of treatment to HCC with PVTT, if the liver function was preserved and the lesion of liver infraction was limited.     

A case report of hepatocellular carcinoma (Vp4)--an attempt to reduce residual tumor thrombus using combination therapy (hepatic arterial infusion, hepatic arterial embolization and radiation)

A 57-year-old man was found to have elevated levels of HCC markers during an observation of chronic hepatitis C. Diffused hepatoma was involved in the posterior lobe, and tumor thrombus extended into the main portal vein (Vp4). Posterior segmentectomy and tumor thrombectomy were performed. But, CT scan 45 days after the operation showed an enhancement at the residual tumor thrombus in the posterior branch. The patient received a hepatic arterial infusion of 5-FU, followed by hepatic arterial embolization. Then, we chose radiation therapy to the tumor thrombus. The most recent CT showed no enhancement at the reduced tumor thrombus. There have been almost no reports of treatment for residual portal thrombus. Careful observations are necessary in such patients.     

A case of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein invasion successfully treated by sorafenib

A 73-year-old man was followed up for HCV-associated chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), developed in segment 8 of the liver. Radiofrequency ablation (P-RFA) was used to treat the tumor in June 2004. Afterwards, the patient underwent repetitive transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) against recurrent tumors 5 times. An abdominal computed tomogram (CT) showed an infiltrative mass in the left liver with tumor thrombus invading into the umbilical portion. Transarterial infusion (TAI) therapy of cisplatin (CDDP) was performed 2 times, in January and June of 2010. The size of the main tumor was decreased according to CT, and tumor marker levels such as AFP and PIVKA-II also decreased, but tumor thrombus of the portal vein developed into the main trunk (Vp4). We started therapy with sorafenib in July, 2010. Two months later, an abdominal CT revelaed further reduction of the main tumor and a shrunken tumor thrombus of the portal vein back to the left lobe. The therapeutic effect of sorafenib against HCC with tumor thrombus of the portal vein continued for 9 months.     

A long-term survival case of unresectable hepatohilar bile duct cancer treated with radiotherapy and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy

The patient, a 79-year-old woman, underwent distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer in November 2002. The lesion was judged to be T1 N0H0POM0 and fStage IA. A hepatohilar tumor was found 1 year after gastrectomy by CT scan. Radiological examinations revealed a presence of right portal vein stenosis and left portal vein obstruction due to hepatohilar bile duct cancer. Surgical treatment was considered to be difficult because of the consequence of the tumor involved in the right hepatic artery. We performed hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy of 5-fluorouracil 1000 mg/body/week for 8 courses through the reservoir catheter. Radiation therapy was delivered concurrently with hepatic arterial infusion. The condition of the patient was good after receiving 40 Gy, Three months after the additional 20 Gy radiation, the tumor was markedly reduced in size, and was not detected 7 months thereafter. MRI showed no recurrence for three and a half years since chemo-radiation.     

A successful case of systemic chemotherapy followed by liver resection for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with highly vascular invasion and multiple pulmonary metastases

The prognosis for hepatocellular carcinoma with extrahepatic metastasis or vascular invasion is very poor. We treated a case successfully by combining chemotherapy and liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma with multiple pulmonary metastases and vascular invasion. A 56-year-old man who complained of abdominal pain in his right side was transported to the hospital by ambulance. Because CT scan revealed the rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma, he underwent emergency transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). A close examination revealed tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava and posterior segment of the portal vein branch, with multiple pulmonary metastases. We conducted right hepatic lobectomy and removal of the inferior vena cava tumor thrombus. After the operation, pulmonary metastatic lesions gradually grew larger, so the oral administration of S-1 at 120 mg per day was started. At the end of the first course, the CT scan revealed that multiple pulmonary metastases were significantly reduced, and treatment was maintained until the end of 4 courses. A prolongation of survival could be expected by combining systemic chemotherapy and liver resection for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma such as the present case.     

肝癌门静脉癌栓多排螺旋CT三维成像

目的 探讨门静脉癌栓多排螺旋CT3D成像的临床意义。方法 收集了57例门静脉3D成像,6例正常,5例肝硬化门脉高压,42例肝癌门静脉癌栓,4例肝门部淋巴结肿大患者,所有病例来源于肝脏常规双期扫描。对比剂按1.5-2ml/kg,对比剂注射流率2.5-3ml/s,门脉期延迟时间60-70s。对肝癌形成的42例门静脉癌栓进行轴位和3D成像观察,并行两组对照。结果 根据癌栓不同部位分为门脉左支(13例)、右支(20例)、主干(9例)3种类型。3D成像与轴位之间对显示门静脉癌栓没有差异性(P>0.05),但3D对显示主干栓塞形成的侧支循环优于轴位。结论 门静脉癌栓多排螺旋CT3D成像可较好地多方位显示癌栓部位及癌栓类型,CT3D成像和轴位结合可更好地对门静脉癌栓作出判断,以进一步指导临床对治疗方案的选择。     

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization prolonged survival in a patient with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma accompanied by tumor thrombus of the portal vein trunk

A 50-year-old man having an advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was admitted to our institution. An abdominal computed tomogram showed infiltrative mass in the right liver with tumor thrombus invading into the main trunk and contralateral branch of the portal vein. Repetitive transcatheter arterial chemoembolization reduced a tumor size and shrunken portal vein tumor thrombus. The tumor marker levels such as AFP and PIVKA-II decreased. During follow-up, he was diagnosed as having an impending rupture of HCC with acute abdominal pain. He was successfully treated with interventional technique. He died of liver failure 66 months after the first treatment. Although he had a highly advanced HCC with tumor thrombus of the portal vein, repetitive transcatheter arterial chemoembolization therapy may prolong survival.     

Temporary placement of inferior vena cava filter prior to transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for hepatocellular carcinoma with IVC tumor thrombus--prevention of pulmonary tumor emboli after TAE]

A 66-year-old-man with a right huge hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) extending into both the right portal vein and the right atrium underwent transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) via the right hepatic artery. Prior to the TAE, a temporary inferior vena cava (IVC) filter was placed suprarenally for prevention of pulmonary tumor emboli. When we replaced the temporary IVC filter with a new one 7 days after the TAE, the filter which was pulled out of the IVC captured a fragment of the tumor thrombus. A histopathological specimen demonstrated only ghost cells. The patient has been followed at our outpatient clinic without any tumor thrombus or pulmonary infarction for 13 months after this procedure.     

胃癌合并门静脉癌栓的CT表现

为了提高对胃癌合并门静脉癌栓CT表现的认识,回顾性分析1990年5月23日~2005年9月18日7例经胃镜、手术病理及临床确诊的胃癌合并门静脉癌栓患者的资料。7例患者均行CT平扫加增强检查。CT检查均显示胃病变区胃壁明显不规则增厚,3例患者出现肝转移灶。门脉癌栓栓子发生的部位主要位于门脉主干段(7例),其中2例累及左、右分支;1例累及肠系膜上静脉;1例同时累及肠系膜上静脉和脾静脉。7例患者中有5例癌栓未见明显强化,2例患者增强后癌栓轻度强化。5例患者癌栓的所在门脉主干明显扩张,门脉血流阻断,5例患者扩张的门脉主干周围可见明显强化迂曲的侧枝血管影,其中2例出现大量腹水。研究结果显示,虽然绝大部分门静脉癌栓由原发性肝癌引起,但门静脉癌栓也可以是由进展期胃癌形成,密切结合临床资料,两者鉴别诊断并不困难。     

A case of successful second look operation for hepatocellular carcinoma with right atrial tumor thrombus

We report a case of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with right atrial tumor thrombus treated by interferon (IFN)-combinated chemotherapies and second look operation. A case was a 56-year-old man who had right upper abdominal and back pain. The abdominal CT revealed an early enhanced lesion in the posterior segment of the liver with right atrial tumor thrombus. The patient underwent 2 courses of IFN-β/adriamycin combination therapy and followed by surgical resection. Due to severe congestive live, we only surgically resected tumor thrombi at right atrium, inferior vena cava, and right hepatic vein. Additionally, we closed posterior branch and right hepatic vein to prevent from a tumor progression. Following 16 months of IFN/5-FU and IFN/S-1 therapy, we performed a right posterior sectionectomy of the liver. Twelve months after the second operation, liver tumor relapsed and we performed transcatheter arterial chemoembolizatin, followed by IFN-combinateted chemotherapies. Thereafter, we continued chemotherapy for 14 months. The tumor progressed into the bile duct, and he died after 3 years and 8 months from the initial treatment. The case suggests that some patients with HCC with major vascular invasion and tumor thrombus can gain a long-term survival by multifocal treatment including surgery and chemotherapy.     

Good response in case of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal tumor thrombs--a case report of interdisciplinary local therapy]

A 56-year-old male patient with chronic C type hepatitis had HCC which invaded right portal vein trunk (Vp3). In August 2000, we performed intrahepatic artery infusion chemotherapy with CDDP and 5-FU under subcutaneous interferon alpha treatment. In addition, we used chemoradiation therapy for portal tumor thrombus in HCC. As the result of such therapy, the size of HCC and portal tumor thrombus reduced and the level of PIVKA-II decreased. There were no side effects except fever due to interferon alpha treatment. In February 2001, we performed devascularization and RFA therapy for HCC in S7 of liver under laparoscope. The level of PIVKA-II was within the normal range. It is important to perform interdisciplinary therapy appropriate for the HCC status.     

A case report of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombus responding to DSM-TACE (degradable starch microspheres-transcatheter arterial chemoembolization)

A 56-year-old man was revealed to be HCC with portal vein tumor thrombus. Curative operation was impossible because we recognized many daughter lesions in the liver. Tumor marker was very high. DSM-TACE was conducted as the first line therapy. There was no remarkable side effect. After two-course, the size of HCC was decreased in CT and tumor marker was normalized. Generally speaking, a prognosis of HCC with portal vein tumor thrombus is poor. Hence, DSM-TACE is one of the effective therapies for HCC with portal vein tumor thrombus.     

肾癌腔静脉癌栓的诊断与治疗

背景与目的：肾癌可侵犯肾静脉,形成癌栓延伸至腔静脉,甚至右心房。肾癌腔静脉癌栓临床处理困难,但是在根治性肾切除时取尽癌栓,患者可获得长期生存。本文报告我们处理肾癌腔静脉癌栓的体会。方法：回顾性分析1995年5月～2003年10月经手术治疗的14例肾癌腔静脉癌栓患者的临床资料,包括术前诊断、手术方法和患者的预后。结果：B超发现腔静脉癌栓9例,漏诊5例;CT诊断癌栓12例,漏诊2例;8例MR1检查均发现腔静脉癌栓并对癌栓范围显示清楚。14例中肝下腔静脉癌栓12例、肝内膈下和膈上腔静脉癌栓各1例,术后随访时间6～37个月,13例无瘤生存,1例(ⅢC患者)于术后23个月因癌死亡。结论：B超和CT是诊断肾癌腔静脉癌栓常用方法,MR1判断癌栓范围较B超和CT准确。对没有淋巴和远处转移的肾癌腔静脉癌栓患者外科治疗能获良好的远期效果。     

A case of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus treated by transarterial chemoembolization therapy using cisplatin (CDDP) with DSM and SAP-MS

A 78-year-old woman with advanced HCC had been treated by transarterial chemoembolization with epirubicin, however, tumor progression was not controlled and a tumor thrombus was found in the portal vein trunk. A new treatment method for transarterial chemoembolization using CDDP with DSM and SAP-MS was introduced. Marked regression of hepatic lesions and portal vein tumor thrombus was observed after two sessions. No adverse effect was found. The patient has been controlled without tumor recurrence and elevation of tumor marker for 14 months. A new treatment protocol will be useful for patients with far advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus.     

Hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus in the portal and hepatic veins treated successfully with hepatectomy and chemotherapy--a case report

A 39-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. She had good liver function with clinical Stage I. Abdominal ultrasonographic study and CT scan revealed a huge tumor of 12 cm in diameter in the left lobe of the liver, with tumor thrombi in the portal and hepatic veins. A chest CT scan demonstrated multiple bilateral lung metastases from 5 to 10 mm in size. An extended left hemihepatectomy with extirpation of the portal and hepatic venous tumor thrombi was performed. On postoperative day 7, low-dose cisplatin (10 mg/day-5 days/week) and 5-fluorouracil (250 mg/day-continuous for 7 days/week) were administered intravenously. Four weeks after chemotherapy, CT scan revealed no recurrence in the liver and no change in the lung metastases. The patient is now being treated on an outpatient basis with no change in the metastatic tumors.     

Effectiveness of radiation therapy to the venous thrombosis between the inferior vena cava and right ventricle

In the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a tumor thrombus occurrence between the hepatic vein and right ventricle is life threatening. We studied the effectiveness of radiation therapy to the venous thrombosis between the inferior vena cava and right ventricle. CASE 1: A 66-year-old man who suffered from no hepatic viral infection had hepatectomy of the huge HCC (over 20 cm) and recurrence at the post dperated liver and lung. After transarterial embolization, he suffered from dispnea and was found with tumor thrombus from the left hepatic vein to right atrium. Radiation therapy to the tumor thrombus was done and dispnea disappeared. He died by pneumonia at 5 months after the radiation. CASE 2: A 74-year-old woman who had hepatecomy and RFA for multiple HCC. For the recurrence of HCC, TAE and RFA were performed. After the tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava, mammarian cancer was found and radiation therapy was performed. She died after 4 months from lung edema, but no growth of tumor thrombus was found. CASE 3: A 79-year-old man who had TAE, hepatectomy, RFA and MCT for multiple hepatoma. After these treatments, tumor thrombus at the right ventricle was found. Although he suffered from portal tumor thrombosis, lung metastases, bone metastases and colon cancer after the radiation therapy, he is still alive at the 19 month of treatments. Radiation therapy is safe and effective for venous tumor thrombosis of HCC.     

Sustained complete remission with reductive surgery plus percutaneous isolated hepatic perfusion (PIHP) for bilobar multiple hepatocellular carcinoma with portal venous tumor thrombus--a case report

For patients with multiple bilobar hepatocellular carcinoma (m-HCC) and/or advanced portal venous tumor thrombus (Vp3, 4), there has been no effective therapy, and the survival of more than 6 months was exceptional. Under these circumstances, we have developed a dual treatment (dual Tx) that combines reductive hepatectomy with percutaneous isolated hepatic perfusion (PIHP) for such patients. This dual Tx offers the high-rate of mid- and long-term survival in a subset of patients who had previously a dismal prognosis. Herein, we report a patient with Vp4 m-HCC who was successfully treated with dual Tx and survived for more than 2 years with a complete remission of hepatic tumors. A 53-year-old man had main tumors in the right lobe liver and multiple bilobar intrahepatic metastases (IM) with portal venous tumor thrombus reaching the portal trunk. He underwent an extended right hepatectomy with portal venous tumor thrombectomy, and subsequently PIHP twice in a 3-month period after reductive hepatectomy. After dual Tx, he had sustained complete remission for more than 2 years. He died because of obstruction of the superior vena cava by recurrent tumors in the mediastinum. His clinical course after treatment strongly indicates that the dual Tx should become a major treatment option for patients with Vp3, 4 m-HCC.     

A case of unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma successfully treated by gemcitabine and S-1 combination chemotherapy

A 52-year-old male was presented with obstructive jaundice and liver dysfunction. He was diagnosed as hilar cholangiocarcinoma involving the confluence of the right and left hepatic duct and bifurcation of the main portal vein trunk. Swollen lymph nodes in the hepatoduodenal ligament were also detected. ERBD tubes were placed in each B2, 3, and 5 branch. GEM and S-1 combination chemotherapy was carried out for four months. As a reduction in the primary tumor and lymph nodes was observed on CT scan surgical exploration was conducted, and an extended left hepatectomy with partial resection of the portal vein and regional lymph node dissection was achieved. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient remained free of recurrence, 34 months after the original diagnosis was made, and 29 months after surgical resection. Thus, GEM and S-1 combination chemotherapy is one of the options for the management of advanced hilar cholangiocarcinoma.