CT引导下经皮肺穿刺活检诊断肺部磨玻璃样病变

目的评价CT引导下经皮肺穿刺活检(PTNB)诊断肺部恶性磨玻璃样病变(GGO)的价值。方法回顾性分析60例因肺部GGO而于我院接受CT引导下PTNB患者的临床资料。根据针道距离,分为A_1(5 cm,n=28)、B_1(5~9 cm,n=18)、C_1(9 cm,n=14)组;根据GGO在肺内的百分比,分为A_2(50%~90%,n=32)、B_2(90%,n=28)组。计算CT引导下PTNB诊断各组肺部恶性GGO的效能并比较其效能差异。结果 CT引导下PTNB诊断肺部恶性GGO的敏感度、特异度及准确率分别为87.50%(42/48)、100%(12/12)、90.00%(54/60)。对于A_1、B_1、C_1组及A_2、B_2组,其诊断效能差异均无统计学意义(P均0.05)。结论 CT引导下PTNB诊断肺部恶性GGO具有较高的敏感度、特异度和准确率,且其诊断效能与针道距离及GGO在肺内的百分比无关。     

Surgery and Prognostic Factors for Gastric Stromal Tumor

Morphologic studies of gastric stromal tumors (GSTs) indicate that mitotic counts (MCs) and tumor size are major discriminants predictive of biologic behavior. The purpose of this study is to improve the understanding of GST behavior, including the prognostic factors and surgical treatment of GSTs. A retrospective analysis (1990–1997) of the clinical course for 116 patients with GSTs was completed, with a median follow-up of 43 months. Tumors were categorized as malignant GSTs (n= 17) when the MC was > 5/50 high-power fields (HPF) and the size > 5 cm or as benign GSTs (n= 99) when the MC was ≤ 5/50 HPF and the size ≤ 5 cm, MC ≤ 5/50 HPF and size > 5 cm, or MC > 5/50 HPF and size ≤ 5 cm. None of 99 benign tumors recurred or metastasized, whereas 7 of 17 malignant tumors recurred. MCs had a close correlation with tumor size. Immunohistochemical studies using CD34, smooth muscle actin, S-100 protein, and synaptophysin have shown positive rates of 61%, 33%, 14%, and 3%, respectively. Smooth muscle actin reactivity was more common in the benign tumors (p= 0.046) and synaptophysin reactivity in the malignant tumors (p= 0.010). Univariate analysis showed that the following clinicopathologic factors were potentially related to poor survival of patients: (1) MC > 5/50 HPF (p= 0.0001); (2) severe pleomorphism (p= 0.0062); (3) necrosis (p= 0.0173); (4) marked cellularity (p= 0.0112); (5) presence of ulceration of overlying gastric mucosa (p= 0.0091); (6) tumor size > 5 cm (p= 0.0195); and (7) exogastric growth pattern (p= 0.0344). Tumors with MC > 5/50 HPF and size > 5 cm were found to be strong indicators of an unfavorable prognosis. The type of surgery and tumor site did not affect the prognosis of the patients.     

Adrenocortical Carcinoma: Is Prognosis Different in Nonfunctioning Tumors? Results of Surgical Treatment in 31 Patients

From 1980 to 1998 a series of 265 patients with adrenal tumors underwent surgery, with an adrenocortical carcinoma found in 31 (11.7%). Altogether, 17 (54.8%) patients (group A) had Cushing syndrome (n= 15) or virilization (n= 2), and 14 (45.2%) patients (group B) had nonfunctioning adrenal tumors. Tumor staging was as follows: (groups A/B): stage I, n= 5 (3/2), stage II, n= 14 (9/5), stage III, n= 5 (1/4), stage IV, n= 7 (4/3) patients. There were 12 (38.7%) men and 19 (61.3%) women (median age 51 years, range 25–73 years), and the size of the mass ranged from 3.5 to 20.0 cm (median 8.0 cm), with no differences (p= NS) between groups A and B. Two (6.4%) patients (stage IV) did not undergo surgery and received only palliative drug treatment; 6 (19.4%) were treated with debulking surgery; 15 (48.4%) had unilateral adrenalectomy; and 8 (25.8%) had an extended adrenalectomy. Eighteen (58.0%) patients underwent adjuvant postoperative mitotane treatment, and in 8 (25.8%) patients one or more reoperations for recurrence were required. Nine (29.0%) patients are still alive with a mean follow-up of 34 months; 22 (71.0%) died 2 to 60 months (median 20 months) after surgery. The overall 2- and 5-year survival rates were 62.1% and 10.3%, with no difference (p= NS) between groups A and B. The survival rates at the 1- and 3-year follow-ups were 90.3% and 32.3% (stages I and II) and 71.0% and 6.5% (stages III and IV). In conclusion, adrenocortical carcinoma remains a highly malignant tumor, and stage III–IV patients still have a poor prognosis; but nonfunctioning tumors do not seem to be more aggressive.     

Efficacy and Safety of Preoperative Lobar or Segmental Ablation via Transarterial Administration of Ethiodol and Ethanol Mixture for Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Clinical Study

Transarterial embolization (TAE) using various thrombotic substances for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) performed on many patients has resulted in a better survival rate. We evaluated the efficacy and clinical safety of using an Ethiodol–ethanol mixture as the embolizer for treatment of HCC and the possibility of a surgical approach for inoperable tumors after TAE. Twenty patients with HCC who underwent TAE and tumor resection were included in the study. Initially, eight had increased retention rate of indocyanine green dye via intravenous injection (0.5 mg/kg) at 15 minutes (ICGR15), and six had an insufficient residual volume that precluded them from undergoing tumor resection. TAE was performed by slowly infusing the mixture of Ethiodol and ethanol into the artery supplying the tumor until dual hepatic artery and portal vein embolization was achieved. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase increased after embolization, but all biochemistry studies reverted to normal within 2 weeks. A decreased tumor size (n= 15), improved ICG (n= 8), and increased volume of the nonembolized lobe (n= 10) were noted. The operations performed were right lobectomy (n= 11), extended right lobectomy (n= 3), left lobectomy (n= 2), extended left lobectomy (n= 2), and wedge resection (n= 2), which included patients who did not want to undergo major hepatectomy. Complete tumor necrosis was found in seven cases. All patients survived with no associated complications. The 1-year survival rate was 95%. Transarterial Ethiodol and ethanol administration creating dual hepatic artery and portal vein embolization was a safe and efficacious method for treating HCC. It effectively decreases tumor size, causes compensatory hepatic hypertrophy, and improves the ICGR15, which allows a wider range of patients to undergo liver surgery and achieve better survival.     

Does Microvascular Invasion Affect Outcomes After Liver Transplantation for HCC? A Histopathological Analysis of 155 Consecutive Explants

Macroscopic vascular invasion (macroVI) is associated with poor outcomes after liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Whether microvascular invasion (microVI) is associated with the same adverse prognosis is unclear. One hundred and fifty-five consecutive patients with confirmed HCC after LT from March 1991 to 2004 at our institution were reviewed. Patients had to satisfy Milan criteria to be accepted for LT. They were followed with surveillance images every 3 months while on the waiting list. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated by Kaplan–Meier analysis. Demographic, tumor, and histopathologic characteristics were tested for their prognostic significance. Median follow-up after LT was 30 months. Overall graft survival rates were 87, 74, and 65% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. All recurrences (22/155, 14%) developed within 4 years after LT with an overall 5-year DFS of 79%. Vascular invasion, either microVI or macroVI, was more likely in patients with multicentric HCC (n ≥ 3, p < 0.001) and larger tumor size >4 cm (p = 0.04). Tumor size >5 cm (p = 0.04), advanced pathological TMN stage (p = 0.007), microVI (p = 0.001), and macroVI (p < 0.001) predicted poor tumor-free survival on univariate analysis, but only macroVI was significant in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio 54.2, 95% confidence interval 11, 266). Furthermore, only macroVI was a significant predictor of mortality after LT (p = 0.01). Macrovascular invasion is strongly associated with high rates of recurrence and diminished survival after LT whereas microVI is not an independent risk factor. Presented at the 2005 American Transplant Congress, Seattle, WA, May 20–23, 2005.     

Prognostic variables in invasive breast cancer: Contribution of comedo versus noncomedo in situ component

Background: Many invasive breast cancers are accompanied by a variety of noninvasive components. Histological distinctions have been made between these components, but to understand their importance, it is essential to examine their molecular biology. Methods: Proliferative indices, oncoproteins, and steroid receptor expression were compared for invasive breast cancers containing comedo-type ductal carcinoma in situ (n=35), noncomedo-type ductal carcinoma in situ (n=34), and pure invasive cancers (n=49). Ploidy, S-phase fraction, Ki-67 staining, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and the expression of HER-2/neu and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were evaluated in these tumors. Results: The comedo-invasive subgroup differed significantly from the noncomedoinvasive subgroup, demonstrating significantly higher mean ploidy (1.6 vs. 1.3;p=0.0156), S-phase fraction (7.9% vs. 4.3%;p=0.0066), Ki-67 staining (20.3% vs. 12.0%;p=0.0058), and HER-2/neu values (2,247 fm/mg vs. 1,014 fm/mg;p=0.0412) and lower ER (76 fm/mg vs. 339 fm/mg;p=0.006) and PR values (99 fm/mg vs. 265 fm/mg;p=0.0608). A higher percentage of comedo-invasive carcinomas demonstrated aneuploidy (71%;p=0.0158), elevated levels of S-phase fraction (75%;p=0.0016) and Ki-67 staining (55%;p=0.0512), overexpression of HER-2/neu oncogene (47%;p=0.0011), and were ER negative (35%;p=0.0148), PR negative (47%;p=0.0073) when compared to noncomedo-invasive carcinomas. Comedo-invasive and noncomedo-invasive tumors were comparable for nodal status and tumor size, but differences were noted for tumor differentiation and percentage of tumors that were >1 cm. Comedo-invasive tumors were predominantly poorly differentiated (60 vs. 32%) and were >1 cm (94 vs. 77%,p<0.05). Results: Comedo-invasive cancers were comparable to pure invasive cancers for ploidy, S-phase fraction, Ki-67 staining, and ER, PR, and EGFR expression. However, comedoinvasive carcinomas had greater HER-2/neu overexpression when compared to pure invasive tumors (47 vs. 19%;p=0.0359). Conclusions: These results are consistent with the hypothesis that comedo carcinoma is a more aggressive type of ductal carcinoma in situ and may have independent prognostic value when seen in association with infiltrating ductal carcinoma. In invasive tumors, comedo carcinomas are associated with poor prognostic factors, including higher ploidy, S-phase fractions, Ki-67 staining, negative ER and PR status, poorer differentiation, larger tumors, and presence of HER-2/neu oncogene overexpression.The results of this study were presented at the 47th Annual Cancer Symposium of The Society of Surgical Oncology, Houston, Texas, March 17–20, 1994.     

Resection versus palliation: treatment of stage III and IVA carcinomas of the pancreas employing intraoperative radiation

Abstract Whether advanced pancreatic carcinomas should be surgically removed has been a basic issue because performing an extended resection is futile if it has only a minimum impact on survival. The purpose of this study was to compare the results of pancreatic resection with those of a bypass operation for patients with stage III or IVA pancreatic carcinomas while applying intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT). The therapeutic outcomes of 132 patients who had received IORT for stage III or IVA carcinoma were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 included 68 patients with locally unresectable tumors who underwent a bypass operation; group 2 included 64 patients with resectable tumors who underwent pancreatic resection. Postoperative external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) was also delivered to 90 patients. Multivariate analysis indicated that strong independent predictors of increased survival were EBRT for group 1 (p < 0.0001) and R0 resection for group 2 (p = 0.017). Twenty patients who had been subjected to R0 resection showed the best survival, with a 3-year survival rate of 45%. The survival of group 1 patients receiving EBRT (n = 47) nearly equaled that of group 2 patients undergoing R1 or R2 resection (n = 44) (p = 0.72); but group 1 patients with tumors ≤ 6 cm (n = 31) had a better survival rate than group 2 patients with tumors > 3 cm (n = 28) (p = 0.03). We concluded that postoperative EBRT is essential for improving the survival outcome, even after administering IORT. Patients with stage III lesions undergoing an R0 resection and receiving IORT demonstrated an excellent 3-year survival. A bypass operation plus IORT in combination with EBRT is preferred over IORT used as an adjuvant to R1 or R2 resection. Electronic Publication     

Determinants of Survival following Hepatic Resection for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

p = 0.0001), resected versus nonresected ( p < 0.0001), and tumor-free surgical margins versus positive margins ( p = 0.001). Surprisingly, the disease-free interval and the original stage of the primary tumor did not predict survival ( p = not significant). Other factors that had no influence on survival were type of resection, size and number of liver metastases, ABO blood group, and the number of perioperative blood transfusions. For those patients who underwent resection of unilobar metastases with tumor-free margins, the 5-year survival rate was 29% with a median survival of 35 months and eight survivors > 7 years. In addition, one patient with bilobar disease had survival > 7 years and five patients who had resection of hepatic metastases and extrahepatic cancer simultaneously had survival > 3 years. Our data support the concept that patients with unilobar metastatic disease who undergo surgical resection with tumor-free surgical margins can be afforded a significant opportunity at long-term survival with acceptable morbidity, mortality, and hospital stay. Also, certain patients with bilobar or extrahepatic disease (or both) who undergo complete resection can enjoy a long-term survival. In these subgroups of patients resection should be considered on an individual basis.     

Perioperative Factors Affecting Long-Term Outcomes of 473 Consecutive Patients Undergoing Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background  The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods  Between January 1993 and December 2002, a total of 473 patients underwent hepatectomy for HCC at a medical center in Taiwan. Clinicopathological and surgical characteristics were studied to identify prognostic factors influencing survival. Results  There were 379 men (80.1%) with mean ± standard deviation age of 53.1 ± 13.1 years. The etiology of HCC was hepatitis B (n = 277), hepatitis C (n = 90), coinfection with hepatitis B and C (n = 47), and non–B or C hepatitis (n = 50). The blood loss was 282.3 ± 370.5 ml, and 411 patients (86.9%) did not require perioperative blood transfusion. On univariate analysis, the statistically significant independent factors for disease-free survival were alfa-fetoprotein (AFP) levels of >400 ng/ml, indocyanine green retention of >10%, Pringle maneuver, blood transfusion, tumor diameter >5 cm, bilateral tumors, microvascular invasion, adjacent tissue invasion, daughter nodules and cirrhotic liver. The univariate factors influencing overall survival were similar to those influencing disease-free survival except for AFP. Independent factors that statistically significantly affected overall survival on multivariate analysis included Pringle maneuver, blood transfusion, tumor diameter >3 cm, microvascular invasion, daughter nodules, and liver cirrhosis. The 1-, 5-, and 10-year disease-free survival were 75.3, 43.3, and 22.3%, respectively. The 1-, 5-, and 10-year overall survival were 86.7, 55, and 33.7%, respectively. Conclusions  AFP, indocyanine green retention of >10%, blood transfusion, Pringle maneuver, tumor diameter of >3 cm, bilateral tumors, microvascular invasion, adjacent tissue invasion, daughter nodules, and liver cirrhosis influence survival.     

Oncological Outcome After Local Excision of Rectal Carcinomas

Background  Local excision (LE) of T1 rectal cancer yields low recurrence rates. However, more frequent recurrences with unknown states of high-risk T1/T2 tumors are risk factors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if, after LE, immediate reoperation is required, or awaiting salvage surgery is sufficient. Methods  150 T1 and 42 T2 tumors were treated by LE. Immediate reoperation was attempted for unfavorable pT1 (G3-4/L1/V1/R1/Rx/R ≤1 mm) and all pT2 tumors. Three groups were formed. Group A included low-risk pT1 tumors after complete (R0) LE; unfavorable pT1 and all T2 tumors were divided in groups B (immediate reoperation) and C (salvage surgery). Results  Groups A (n = 93) and B (n = 39) showed high tumor-free (TFS) and tumor-related survival (TRS) rates: group A 92% and 98%; group B 86% and 89%. In group C (n = 43), the TFS und TRS were significantly lower with 54% and 72%. Group A showed low recurrence rates and a wide range of International Union Against Cancer (UICC) stages. In group B, similarly low recurrence rates were found, but, in contrast, all recurrences were UICC IV. Group C had significantly higher recurrences rates and, in addition, two-thirds of these patients showed advanced UICC stages (III–IV). Conclusions  LE of low-risk T1 tumors represents an adequate therapy. Immediate reoperation after LE of pT1 tumors with unfavorable histological finding or pT2 tumors can avoid local recurrences. Thereafter, high TFS rates can be expected in these patients, but metastases cannot be prevented and adjuvant measures are necessary. Awaiting recurrences as in group C leads to bad oncological outcomes with high recurrences and low survival rates.     

Prognosis and Results After Resection of Very Large (≥10 cm) Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Introduction Few potentially curative treatment options exist besides resection for patients with very large (≥10 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We sought to examine the outcomes and risk factors for recurrence after resection of ≥10 cm HCC. Methods Perioperative and long-term outcomes were examined for 189 consecutive patients from 1993 to 2004 who underwent potentially curative resection of HCC ≥10 cm (n = 24; 13%) vs. those with HCC <10 cm (n = 165; 87%). Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were determined by Kaplan–Meier analysis and patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics were compared using univariate and multivariate analysis. Results Median follow-up was 34 months. Tumors ≥10 cm were more likely to be symptomatic, of poorer grade, and have vascular invasion (p < 0.05). Twelve patients (50%) underwent an extended resection of more than four hepatic segments or resection of adjacent organs for oncologic clearance (diaphragm-2, inferior vena cava (IVC)-2, median sternotomy-1). Postoperative complications were more common after resection of >10 cm HCC (12/24, 50% vs. 35/165, 21%; p = 0.04). Median DFS was significantly shorter in patients with large HCC (≥10 cm) group compared to patients with smaller HCC (8.4 vs. 38 months; p = 0.001), but overall survival was not different between the two groups (5-year survival 54% vs. 53%; p = 0.43). Seventeen patients (71%) with very large HCC developed recurrences (12 intrahepatic, five systemic); eight of these patients (47%) underwent additional therapy (resection-4, TACE-3, RFA-1). Pathological positive margins and vascular invasion were significant determinants of DFS in tumors ≥10 cm (p < 0.05), but only vascular invasion was an independent risk factor for recurrence after multivariate analysis (HR 0.17; 95% CI: 0.04–0.8). Median OS after recurrence was 24 months. Conclusion Surgical resection is the optimal therapy for very large (≥10 cm) HCC. Although recurrences are common after resection of these tumors, overall survival was not significantly different from patients after resection of smaller HCC in this series. Presented at the 2006 American Hepato-Pancreatico-Biliary Congress, Miami, FL, March 9–12, 2006.     

肝动脉灌注化疗与经动脉化疗栓塞/栓塞治疗不可切除肝细胞癌疗效与安全性系统评价和Meta分析

背景与目的 肝细胞癌（HCC）是常见的恶性肿瘤之一。经动脉化疗栓塞（TACE）和经动脉栓塞（TAE）是不可切除HCC的常见治疗选择。近年来，肝动脉灌注化疗（HAIC）已用于治疗晚期HCC，并且取得了良好的治疗效果。但是，很少有研究直接将HAIC与TACE/TAE进行比较。因此，本研究旨在评估HAIC与TACE/TAE治疗不可切除HCC的疗效和安全性。方法 检索PubMed、OvidSP、Cochrane Library、Web of Science、万方数据库、中国知网及维普中文期刊数据库中截至2021年8月14日发表的有关HAIC和TACE/TAE治疗不可切除HCC的文献；提取总生存期（OS），无病生存期（PFS），客观反应率（ORR），疾病控制率（DCR）和不良事件等结局指标的相关数据，用Review Manager 5.4软件进行Meta分析。结果 最终共纳入5篇文献。Meta分析结果显示，HAIC组在OS（HR=0.39，95% CI=0.18~0.86，P= 0.02），ORR（RR=3.82，95% CI=2.41~6.04，P<0.000 01）和DCR（RR=1.52，95% CI=1.12~2.05，P=0.006）方面优于TACE/TAE组。并且，敏感度分析排除可能的异质性来源后，结果仍一致。HAIC组与TACE/TAE组之间PFS差异无统计学意义（HR=0.34，95% CI =0.11~1.04，P =0.06），但排除可能的异质性来源后，HAIC组的PFS优于TACE/TAE组（HR=0.56，95% CI=0.43~0.73，P<0.000 1）。对于任何等级的不良事件，HAIC组发生血小板减少症（RR=1.59，95% CI=1.04~2.44，P=0.03）和腹泻（RR=4.57，95% CI=2.01~10.37，P=0.003）的风险高于TACE/TAE组，而发生丙氨酸氨基转移酶升高（RR=0.57，95% CI=0.35~0.92，P=0.02）、高胆红素血症（RR=0.37，95% CI=0.26~0.53，P<0.000 01）的风险低于TACE/TAE组；对于3~4级不良事件，HAIC组发生白细胞减少症的风险高于TACE/TAE组（RR=6.32，95% CI=1.71~23.28，P=0.006）；无论是3~4级或任何等级的不良事件，HAIC组发生发热的风险低于TACE/TAE组（P<0.05）；两组的贫血、中性粒细胞减少症、低蛋白血症、腹痛、呕吐等发生情况差异均无统计学意义（均P>0.05）。结论 与TACE/TAE相比，HAIC具有更好的肿瘤反应、更长的生存期以及可接受的不良反应，是不可切除HCC患者更好的治疗选择。     

核转录因子HMBOX1在结直肠癌中的表达及其与预后的关系

背景与目的 核转录因子HMBOX1在不同肿瘤中有不同的表达模式,且与胶质瘤、卵巢癌、胃癌及肝细胞癌预后密切相关。但是,目前尚未见HMBOX1在结直肠癌中的表达及与预后的关系的报道,故本研究探讨结直肠癌组织中HMBOX1的表达及与预后的关系。方法 收集2012年1月—2014年1月行结直肠癌切除术的90例患者癌组织标本及临床资料,采用免疫组化染色检测结直肠癌组织中HMBOX1表达,并根据免疫组化结果分为HMBOX1高表达组与HMBOX1低表达组,分析两组临床病理特征的与预后差异,并分析影响结直肠癌术后患者无瘤生存率和总生存率的危险因素。结果 HMBOX1高表达组54例（60.0%）,HMBOX1低表达组36例（40.0%）。HMBOX1高表达与TNM分期、N分类、M分类及分化程度明显有关（均P<0.05）,与年龄、性别和T分类无明显关系（均P>0.05）。HMBOX1高表达组1、3、5年无瘤生存率与1、3、5年总生存率均明显低于低表达组（均P<0.05）。单因素分析显示,III~IV期、N₂、M₁及HMBOX1高表达为影响无瘤生存率的危险因素,多因素分析表明,III~IV期、M₁及HMBOX1高表达是影响无瘤生存率的独立危险因素（均P<0.05）。单因素分析显示,III~IV期、M₁、低分化及HMBOX1高表达为影响总生存率的危险因素,多因素分析表明,III~IV期、低分化及HMBOX1高表达是影响总生存率的独立危险因素（均P<0.05）。结论 在结直肠癌中,HMBOX1的表达与恶性生物学指标密切相关,HMBOX1的表达可作为结直肠癌患者术后预后评估的因素,HMBOX1高表达者预后不良。     

Survival of Patients with Synchronous and Metachronous Colorectal Liver Metastases—is there a Difference?

Background  The aim of this study was to compare outcomes in patients with synchronous and metachronous colorectal liver metastases, with special emphasis on prognostic determinants. Study design  We analyzed prospectively collected data on 101 patients with synchronous metastases (group A) who were treated surgically during the time period from April 1998 to December 2006 in regard to overall and disease-free survival, impact of chemotherapy, as well as several serum parameters. A group of patients with metachronous colorectal liver metastases (group B) was considered for baseline comparison. Results  Twenty-three patients in group A received only an explorative laparotomy. Surgical treatment included right hepatectomy (n = 7), left hepatectomy (n = 5), right trisectionectomy (n = 10), left trisectionectomy (n = 1), left lateral resection (n = 11), and sectionectomy (n = 44). Thirty-day mortality was 3%. Morbidity was observed in 10% of the patients. One-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates for synchronous metastases were 86%, 68%, and 47%, respectively. The corresponding rates for metachronous metastases were 94%, 68%, and 39% (p > 0.05). Disease free survival was 74%, 42%, and 33% in group A versus 84%, 62%, and 13% in group B (p = 0.28). There was no difference in survival between patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy and no chemotherapy (p > 0.05). Out of all serum parameters, carcinoembryonic antigen levels were a negative predictor for overall and disease-free survival only. Conclusions  Patients with synchronous colorectal liver metastases had a similar 5-year overall and disease-free survival, which corresponds to patients with metachronous metastases. The impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with synchronous metastases needs to be further clarified.     

Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation Versus Repeat Hepatectomy for Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study

Background  Whether percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA) is as effective as repeat hepatectomy for recurrent small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the long-term remains unknown. Methods  We included 110 patients into this study. Each patient had fewer than three recurrent HCCs, with the largest tumor less than 5 cm in diameter. Sixty-six patients with 88 tumors were treated by PRFA and 44 patients with 55 tumors were treated by repeat hepatectomy. Results  The 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year overall survival rates after repeat hepatectomy and PRFA were 78.6%, 56.8%, 44.5%, 30.7%, and 27.6%, and 76.6%, 48.6%, 48.6%, 39.9%, and 39.9%, respectively (P = 0.79). The 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year overall survival rates after the initial hepatectomy for the two groups were 95.4%, 79.1%, 65.0%, 50.4%, and 42.9%, and 98.5%, 85.0%, 70.8%, 58.7%, and 55.6%, respectively, (P = 0.18). Subgroup analyses showed that there was no significant difference between the overall survivals of the two groups of patients when the interval of tumor recurrence from the initial hepatectomy was ≤1 year (P = 0.74) or >1 year (P = 0.69), and for recurrent tumor ≤3 cm (P = 0.62) or >3 cm (P = 0.57). Major complications happened significantly more often after repeat hepatectomy than PRFA (30 of 44 versus 2 of 66, P < 0.05). The interval of recurrence from the initial hepatectomy, the diameter of the recurrent tumor and the serum albumin level were significant prognostic factors for overall survival. Conclusion  PRFA was as effective as repeat hepatectomy in the treatment of recurrent small HCC. PRFA had the advantage over repeat hepatectomy in being less invasive.     

Intraoperative radiotherapy for resectable and unresectable pancreatic carcinoma

Eighty patients with pancreatic carcinoma were treated by intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) with or without surgical resection of the tumor, and the results were compared with those of 111 patients treated by surgery alone. For resectable patients, the radiation dose was 30 Gy and the average field sizes were 8 or 10 cm; for unresectable patients, these values were 20–30 Gy and 6 or 8 cm, respectively. No side effects of IORT were observed. In 49 resectable stage III patients, the IORT group (n=16) had a higher survival rate than the non-IORT group (n=33); i.e., 1-year survival rates of 44.6% vs 23% and 2-year survival rates of 37.2% vs 7.7% after surgery (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in survival rate between the IORT group (n=28) and the non-IORT group (n=29) in 57 resectable patients in stage IV. In unresectable patients, the IORT group (n=31) (P<0.05) had a higher survival rate than the non-IORT group (n=38) (P<0.05). The palliative effect of IORT on abdominal or back pain was evaluated in 15 patients who had such symptoms and did not undergo tumor resection. Overall, pain decreased or disappeared in 13 of these patients (87%). Offprint requests to: A. Nakao     

Open Surgical is Superior to Percutaneous Access for Radiofrequency Ablation of Hepatic Metastases

Purpose  This study was designed to determine the best approach to radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the liver. Methods  From a total of 41 procedures, 37 patients with 47 tumors were treated with RFA for metastatic disease. Indications included colorectal cancer (n = 28, 68%), neuroendocrine tumors (n = 2, 5%), gynecological primaries (n = 4, 10%), pancreatic/duodenal cancer (n = 2, 5%), and miscellaneous entities (n = 5, 12%). Mean follow-up period was 18 (median, 18) months. All ways of approach to RFA were applied: percutaneous was chosen in 17 (41.5%), laparoscopic and hand-assisted laparoscopic in 5 (12.2%), and open surgical in 19 cases (46.3%), and in 10 cases, RFA was combined with hepatic resection. The average maximum tumor size was 2.3 (range, 0.8–6) cm, and the mean number of nodules treated per patient in a single session was 1.3 (range, 1–3). Results  Overall survival was 59.5% at 2 years, recurrence-free 2-year survival was 12.6%, local tumor recurrence rate was 34%, and overall recurrence was 75.6%. Local tumor recurrence and disease-free survival were significantly improved in the open surgically treated patients compared with the percutaneous treatment group (15.8% [n = 3] vs. 58.8% [n = 10] and 11.5 vs. 7.9 months, p < 0.01 [χ² test] and p < 0.05 [log-rank test], respectively). Conclusions  Open surgical approach is superior to percutaneous access for RFA in metastatic hepatic disease.     

Clinical and pathological impact of an optimal assessment of brain invasion for grade 2 meningioma diagnosis: lessons from a series of 291 cases

Brain invasion has not been recognized as a standalone criterion for atypical meningioma by the WHO classification until 2016. Since the 2007 edition suggested that meningiomas harboring brain invasion could be classified as grade 2, brain invasion study was progressively strengthened in our center, based on a strong collaboration between neurosurgeons and neuropathologists regarding sample orientation and examination. Practice changes were considered homogeneous enough in 2011. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of gross practice change on the clinical and pathological characteristics of intracranial meningiomas classified as grade 2.

The characteristics of consecutive patients with a grade 2 meningioma surgically managed before (1998–2005, n?=?125, group A) and after (2011–2014, n?=?166, group B) practices changed were retrospectively reviewed.

Sociodemographical and clinical parameters were comparable in groups A and B, and the median age was 62 years in both groups (p?=?0.18). The 5-year recurrence rates (23.2% vs 29.5%, p?=?0.23) were similar. In group A, brain invasion was present in 48/125 (38.4%) cases and was more frequent than in group B (14/166, 8.4%, p?<?0.001). In group A, 33 (26.4%) meningiomas were classified as grade 2 solely based on brain invasion (group A_SBI), and 92 harbored other grade 2 criteria (group A_OCA). Group A_SBI meningiomas had a similar median progression-free survival compared to groups A_OCA (68 vs 80 months, p?=?0.24) and to A_OCA and B pooled together (n?=?258, 68 vs 90 months, p?=?0.42).

An accurate assessment of brain invasion is mandatory as brain invasion is a strong predictor of meningioma progression.

     

Survival Among Pancreaticoduodenectomy Patients Treated for Pancreatic Head Cancer <1 or 2 cm

Background

Size of primary tumor has implications for staging, imaging, and treatment of pancreatic head carcinomas. Limited data suggest that small tumor size is associated with better survival. The objective of this population study is to analyze characteristics and survival of patients with resected pancreatic head ductal carcinomas sized <1 and 2 cm.

Methods

Analysis of resected invasive pancreatic head ductal carcinomas captured within SEER Program from 1998 to 2008.

Results

A total of 7,135 cases were analyzed with nodal metastases in 31, 55, and 67 % for subcentimeter, 1.1–2 cm, and >2 cm tumors, respectively. Median survival was longest for node-negative tumors (38, 26, 19 months for tumors measuring ≤1, 1.1–2, and >2 cm, respectively; p < 0.001) versus node-positive tumors (18, 19, 14 months, p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, large tumor size was associated with higher risk of death (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.179 for tumors 1.1–2 cm, p = 0.152; HR = 1.665 for tumors >2 cm, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Small pancreatic cancers have a poor prognosis and surprisingly high rate of nodal involvement; therefore, they cannot be considered early cancers. Size-based screening is unlikely to save lives with current treatment options.     

Thermal Ablation Versus Repeated Hepatic Resection for Recurrent Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Background

Repeated hepatic resection (HR) and thermal ablation therapy (TAT) are increasingly being used to treat recurrent intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (RICC). This study compared the efficacy and safety of these procedures for RICC treatment.

Methods

Patients were studied retrospectively after curative resection of RICCs by repeated HR (n = 32) or TAT (n = 77). Treatment effectiveness and prognosis were compared between the two treatment groups.

Results

The repeated HR and TAT groups did not differ in their overall survival (OS; p = 0.996) or disease-free survival (DFS; p = 0.692) rates. However, among patients with recurrent tumors >3 cm in diameter, patients in the repeated HR group had a higher OS rate than patients in the TAT group (p = 0.037). The number of recurrent tumors and the recurrence interval were significant prognostic factors for OS. The major complications incidence rate was greater in the repeated HR group than in the TAT group (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Repeated HR and TAT are both effective treatments for RICC with similar overall efficacies. TAT should be preferred in any cases when the RICC is ≤3 cm in diameter and technically feasible. However, for large tumors (>3 cm), repeated HR may be a better choice.