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.     

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.     

A case of successful surgical resection followed by S-1 administration for hepatocellular carcinoma with lung metastases and a tumor thrombus into right atrium

A case of a 68-year-old man with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is presented. He underwent partial liver resection for three times and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for three times. Follow-up CT revealed a recurrent hepatic surface mass with malignant extended into the inferior vena cava (IVC) and right atrium (RA). CT scan also revealed multiple metastatic nodules in bilateral lungs. The tumor thrombus into the RA and the hepatic surface mass were successfully treated with surgical resection. Pathological specimen allowed the diagnosis of poorly-differentiated HCC. Adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 resulted in complete remission of lung metastases. Tumor markers showed a significant improvement after S-1 administration. This case report suggests that a surgical resection followed by S-1 administration would be effective for a patient with lung metastases and a tumor thrombus into IVC or RA.     

A case of bilateral multiple liver metastases with distant lymph node metastases due to rectal cancer successfully treated with hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of levofolinate (l-LV)/5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and radiotherapy

The patient was a 43-year-old male with bilateral multiple liver metastases, who had undergone high anterior resection for rectal cancer (ss, n 0, P 0, H 3, M (-), stage IV). Hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of low-dose CDDP (10 mg/body) and 5-FU (250 mg/body), 5 times a week, was ineffective for the liver metastases. Consequently, HAI of levofolinate (425 mg/body) and 5-FU (1,000 mg/body), once a week, was attempted. All metastatic liver tumors diminished apparently with calcification after the treatment (PR). Tumor marker (CA19-9 and CEA) levels decreased to less than one-tenth of the pretreatment levels and stabilized for approximately seven months. Mediastinal lymph node metastases, paraaortic lymph node metastases and tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava were successfully treated with systemic chemotherapy using levofolinate and 5-FU and/or radiotherapy. Although the liver and lung metastases showed rapid growth, the patient died 2 years after the diagnosis of liver metastases. The liver metastases were well controlled for about 20 months. It is important to select interdisciplinary therapies according to the site of the metastases due to rectal cancer.     

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.     

A case of hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus in the right atrium successfully treated by arterial administration of lipiodol-SMANCS

In February, 1996, a 73-year-old male with liver dysfunction was admitted to our hospital for further examination and treatment of liver tumor. The liver tumor was revealed by imaging examination, which was mainly in the S4-S8 of liver with a thrombus growing from the right anterior branch to the right branch of the portal vein, and from the right hepatic vein to the inferior vena cava and right atrium. The serum AFP and PIVKA-II levels were elevated to 3.610 ng/ml and 54 AU/ml, respectively. The patient was diagnosed as having hepatocellular carcinoma, and was treated by arterial administration of anticancer drugs (epirubicin hydrochloride, mitomycin C and carboplatin) and TAE. Though the main tumor (S4-S8 of liver) was reduced by TAE, the portal and atrial tumor thrombus did not respond. One month after TAE (20 May, 1996), the first arterial administration of Lipiodol-SMANCS was given, followed by 4 successive procedures with an interval of about 1.5 months (total dose 15 mg), resulting in remarkable tumor thrombus shrinkage and reduction of AFP levels to 80 ng/ml. This case shows that arterial administration of SMANCS may be one of the effective treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma, even with tumor thrombus of hepatic vein, IVC and right atrium.     

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.     

A case of successful treatment by interferon-α and 5-fluorouracil combination therapy (FAIT) and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus

We report a case of successful treatment by interferon-α (IFN) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) combination therapy and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT). A 70-year-old woman, who was diagnosed as unresectable HCC with PVTT in the main trunk of portal vein and multiple intrahepatic metastases, was admitted to our hospital for further treatment for HCC. First, she was treated by 3 courses of IFN and 5-FU combination therapy. Three courses after the combination therapy, PVTT was shrunken and portal flow to the liver was reperfused. Therefore, she was treated by TACE for intrahepatic tumors. She received a repeat treatment of the combination therapy and TACE. Four years after the initial treatment, she is still alive with good condition with intrahepatic tumors. This case suggested that some patient of HCC with PVTT could get a long-term survival if an initial treatment was succeeded and could apply further treatment such as TACE.     

A case of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with lung and bone metastases effectively treated by orally administered UFT

A 52-year-old male underwent hepatic subsegmentectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Five months later, a recurrent tumor was found in the liver and transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) was performed. However, recurrent tumors were growing rapidly with multiple lung and bone metastases. The titer of serum AFP was elevated to 896,095 ng/ml and the titer of serum PIVKA-II was elevated to 1294.5 AU/ml. The patient was treated by oral administration of UFT (600 mg/day). Two weeks later, his general condition was improved, and several months later, the liver tumor, multiple lung metastases and multiple bone metastases had almost disappeared. The titers of serum AFP and PIVKA-II were reduced to the normal range. He has maintained a good state of health for about four years now. This case suggests the clinical usefulness of UFT for advanced HCC.     

Renal cell carcinoma invading the hepatic veins.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic vein invasion by renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus is relatively uncommon. The Budd-Chiari syndrome that results from obstruction of the suprahepatic venous drainage by the tumor could evolve toward liver fibrosis and death. Early diagnosis and surgical treatment of this condition is of prime importance. Complete mobilization of the liver and rotation of the inferior vena cava enhances exposure of the ostium of the hepatic veins. This maneuver allows for the complete removal of tumor from the hepatic veins and decompression of the liver. METHODS: Between May 1997 and April 2000, four patients with renal cell carcinoma and inferior vena cava thrombus with hepatic vein invasion underwent surgery at the study institution. Three of the patients had Budd-Chiari syndrome. Surgical techniques were developed to handle these difficult tumors safely. RESULTS: Three patients presented with the Budd-Chiari syndrome, one of whom was found to have severe liver failure before surgery. The fourth patient presented with a hepatic vein tumor thrombus. A caval atrial thrombus and hepatic vein thrombus in one patient were removed successfully without opening the chest. Three patients required cardiopulmonary bypass. Hypothermic arrest was required in one patient. At the time of last follow-up, 2 patients were alive at 14 months and 30 months after surgery, respectively, without recurrence. One patient died 6 months after surgery due to metastatic renal carcinoma and 1 patient who had prior severe liver failure died of multiple organ failure 2 weeks after undergoing surgery. None of the four patients required reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Prompt surgical treatment should be performed to avoid hepatic failure and disease progression. The surgical technique described in the current study allowed for removal of the tumor from the hepatic veins and the authors believe it can be used with cardiopulmonary bypass to enhance visibility of the hepatic veins.     

A long-term survival case of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein and inferior vena cava tumor thrombi

We report a case of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) successfully treated by hepatic arterial infusion of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) combined with systemic administration of interferon (IFN)-α and trans-arterial infusion (TAI) therapy of cisplatin (CDDP). A case was a 60-year-old man who had right upper abdominal pain and back pain. The abdominal CT revealed an early enhanced lesion in the posterior segment of the liver with portal vein and inferior vena caval tumor thrombi and multiple intrahepatic metastases. Tumor markers were elevated, AFP 2,480 ng/mL, PIVKA-II 31,900 mAU/mL. The patient underwent 4 courses of IFN-α/5-FU combination therapy and 8 times of TAI therapy of CDDP. After these therapies, tumors in the liver disappeared and tumor markers returned to the normal range. The patient is alive more than 58 months after the initial treatment. This case suggests that some patients with advanced HCC with tumor thrombus can get a long-term survival when intrahepatic lesions are controlled by various therapies including IFN-α/5-FU combination therapy.     

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.     

The efficacy of transcatheter embolization of severe arterioportal shunts in hepatocellular carcinoma

Transcatheter arterial embolizations of severe arterioportal shunt (A-P shunt) were performed with steel coils in 3 patients with hepatocellurlar carcinoma (HCC) as shown below. Case 1: A 56-year-old man with HCC associated with portal hypertension (esophageal varices and ascites abnominal pain), portal vein tumor thrombus and severe A-P shunt was performed in critical conditions. Case 2: A 51-year-old man with HCC, lung and adrenal gland metastases was accompanied with severe portal hypertention caused by A-P shunt and was in a harmful condition similar to case 1. Case 3: A 68-year-old woman with HCC associated with autoimmune hepatitis was performed a hepatic resection. Then multiple intrahepatic recurrences appeared 6 months later. A-P shunt made impossible to detect the feeding artery of tumor. After embolization of A-P shunt, esophageal varices and ascites resolved, and abdominal pain improved in cases 1 and 2. In addition, embolization enabled to perform transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in case 3. This procedure is a useful tool to improve various symptoms due to A-P shunt and to continue treatments for HCCs.     

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 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.     

Clinical and radiologic features of hepatocellular carcinoma originating in the caudate lobe

Five patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in the caudate lobe were evaluated. Computed tomography (CT) scan and/or angiography clearly demonstrated multiple intrahepatic metastases in four (80%), and tumor thrombi in the portal vein in two (40%), and in the inferior vena cava in one. Even though there was no recognizable lung metastasis, metastases were found in the orbita in one patient, and in the ribs and thoracic vertebrae in two patients. Four patients died after a mean period of 5.5 months from the initial diagnosis. The mechanism for early invasion into the vessels and multiple intrahepatic metastases of hepatocellular carcinoma arising from the caudate lobe is discussed.     

Aggressive surgical treatment prolonged survival of a patient with synchronous hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava and sigmoid colon cancer

A 71-year-old man was admitted to our institution having a HCC with tumor thrombus extending to the inferior vena cava. He simultaneously had a sigmoid colon cancer. S8 segmentectomy combined with a removal of tumor thrombus in the IVC and sigmoidectomy was performed. He had an uneventful postoperative course. He had a recurrence to the lung 46 months after the surgery, and underwent a pulmonary partial resection. Hepatic recurrence was found in 59 months after the initial surgery. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization was performed for the treatment. The patient died of esophageal variceal rupture 78 months after the surgery. Although this case was a highly advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava and synchronous sigmoid colon cancer, a surgical treatment and multidisciplinary therapy may contribute to a long-term survival.     

A case of HCC with inferior caval vein tumor thrombus and multiple pulmonary metastases that remarkably responded to combination therapy of TS-1 and interferon-alpha

A 56-year-old male was admitted to our hospital for hepatoma with portal vein thrombus and multiple intrahepatic metastases. He underwent an extended left lobectomy and a partial resection of the liver in May 2002. After two weeks from the surgery, he received intra arterial 5-FU infusion chemotherapy combined with subcutaneous interferon-alpha injection to treat the lesions in the residual liver. Four months after the surgery, hepatic vein tumor thrombus appeared in the remnant liver and it extended to the inferior caval vein. And another 4 months later, multiple pulmonary metastases were detected with computed tomography and they grew rapidly in the view of their sizes and numbers. Because the combined therapy of 5-FU/interferon-alpha was not effective to distant metastases, we started a new regimen of oral administration of TS-1 and a subcutaneous interferon-alpha injection. After 1 treatment cool, hepatic vein thrombus was markedly reduced the size and vascularity in the CT. Multiple pulmonary metastases also decreased in their sizes and numbers. No adverse effect was seen during this treatment. It was suggested that a combination therapy of TS-1 and interferon-alpha may be one of the most effective treatment modalities against advanced HCC with distant metastasis.     

A case of an elderly patient having advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava treated with chemo-radio-therapy--intraarterial infusion of weekly high dose 5-FU (WHF)

The patient was an 81-year-old man, diagnosed with advanced huge hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with tumor thrombus extending into the inferior vena cava (Vv3), for which resection was judged impossible. The radio therapy (51 Gy) for tumor thrombus was carried out, and he received a weekly hepatic arterial infusion therapy (weekly high-dose 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)) for these legions. After 8 cycles, the CT scan revealed a minor response of the tumor (SD), and,the tumor marker reduced. After 10 months, these legions had markedly regressed (PR), the tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava was not detectable. There were no severe side effects. Ten months since the start of chemo-radio therapy, the positron emission tomography (PET) revealed a metastatic tumor of the femoral bone in recurrence. In conclusion, some elderly patients of advanced HCC with tumor thrombus may obtain a long term survival through this treatment.     

A case of Vp4 hepatocellular carcinoma treated with surgical resection and continuous intrahepatic artery infusion chemotherapy of low-dose cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil

A 49-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). She had no hepatitis virus. Serum AFP and PIVKA-II levels were as high as AFP 329.4 ng/ml (AFP-L3% 73.1%) and 281 AU, respectively. Portal venous thrombus was observed from the right portal branch to left portal branch and superior mesenteric vein. An extended right hemihepatectomy with extraction of portal venous thrombus was performed. On postoperative day 8, low-dose cisplatin (10 mg/day for 5 days/week) and 5-fluorouracil (250 mg/day for 5 days/week) were administered through the hepatic artery for 4 weeks. After chemotherapy, one intrahepatic metastasis appeared and RFA was performed for this tumor. At 16 months after surgery, she had multiple lymph node metastases and died at 20 months after the surgery without intrahepatic metastasis. Low-dose CDDP/5-FU intra-hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy was effective for prevention of intrahepatic recurrence after resection of HCC with portal venous thrombus.