Complete disappearance with oral UFT administration of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma of the remnant liver and multiple lung metastasis after hepatic resection

UFT is an anti-cancer drug which combines uracil with tegafur at a mole rate of 1:4, and shows a high anti-tumor effect by raising the 5-FU level in a tumor. A 55-year-old man with hypochondriac pain was admitted to Shinshu University Hospital. The preoperative diagnosis was giant hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) of the right hepatic anterior region, and extended anterior segmentectomy of the liver was performed. Three months later, serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and PIVKA-II were elevated markedly, and computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a recurrence in the remnant liver and multiple lung metastasis. Chemotherapy with oral UFT (300 mg/day) administration alone was started for the unresectable HCC. Three months later, CT and MRI showed complete disappearance of the recurrent HCC and multiple lung metastasis. Also, the titers of AFP and PIVKA-II were reduced to normal levels. This case suggests that oral UFT administration is a safe and effective therapy for postoperative HCC, even with lung metastasis.     

Almost complete disappearance of metastatic pulmonary tumor and reduction of the main hepatic mass in a case of hepatocellular carcinoma treated with UFT

A 61-year-old female patient with a low density area indicated by abdominal CT was admitted to hospital. Several circular shadows 5-20-mm in diameter were visible on the chest photos. Primary hepatocellular carcinoma complicated by compensatory cirrhosis accompanying pulmonary metastasis was diagnosed from blood biochemistry tests, a high AFP value (390,000 ng/ml) and angiogram findings. After two months of daily administration of 400 mg of UFT as ftorafur, both reduced AFP (46,000 ng/ml) and a reduction of the primary nidus were observed; after four months, the circular shadows were almost completely eliminated on chest photos. Although UFT administration was discontinued (total FT dose 33.6g) due to jaundice, in the eight months after discontinuation no enlargement of the primary nidus, recurrent shadows on chest photos, or recurrent rise of AFP were observed. This case is considered to suggest the effectiveness of UFT against primary hepatocellular carcinoma with accompanying pulmonary metastasis.     

A case of giant hepatocellular carcinoma treatable with radio frequent ablation therapy after effective UFT administration

A 71-year-old man was diagnosed with giant hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and hepatitis C cirrhosis at a nearby hospital. Image diagnosis showed no other metastasis, but the tumor was very huge with daughter nodules in the bilateral lobe of the liver. He was thus treated by oral administration of UFT (300 mg/day). Two months later, the giant liver tumor had shrunk remarkably, and the daughter tumors had disappeared. Eight months later, the levels of serum AFP and PIVKA-II had also reduced remarkably. Twelve months following the first treatment, the levels of both serum AFP and PIVKA-II began increasing again, and he was referred to our hospital. CT showed 2 liver tumors, 1 of which showed viability with moderately differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma and the other evidencing necrosis histologically. Radio frequency ablation therapy was performed for 2 tumors by open laparotomy. It was considered that administration of UFT is a useful and safe therapy for far advanced 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 hepatocellular carcinoma associated with multiple pulmonary tumor thrombi and rupture of its right adrenal metastasis

A 54-year-old man, who had the history of a blood transfusion 29 years ago, was admitted to our hospital because of dyspnea and abdominal fullness. Physical examination revealed jaundice and massive ascites and laboratory data suggested liver cirrhosis. The high level of AFP and a CT scan indicated the association of hepatocellular carcinoma and its metastasis to the right adrenal gland. On the 21st hospital day, he suddenly complained of severe pain in the right upper quadrant and the right flank, and fell into hemorrhagic shock. Blood transfusion was given, but he died on the 24th hospital day. Autopsy revealed liver cirrhosis, accompanied by hepatocellular carcinoma with the metastasis to the right adrenal gland and multiple pulmonary tumor thrombi. Massive hemorrhaging due to rupture of the right adrenal metastasis was seen in the retroperitoneal space.     

A successful surgical treatment for solitary pulmonary and adrenal metastases after hepatic resection to hepatocellular carcinoma--a case report

We report a 65-year-old man who received a successful surgical treatment for both pulmonary and adrenal metastases after curative resection to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). He received a partial hepatic resection for HCC of the right hepatic lobe. Thirty-eight months after the first hepatic resection, a metastatic lesion of the right pulmonary lobe was detected by computed tomography (CT). He was orally administered of UFT (600 mg/day). After 6 months of the chemotherapy, a metastatic lesion of lung became decreased in size. However, a metastatic lesion of the right adrenal gland was detected by abdominal CT scan. Fifty six months after the first operation, we performed right adrenalectomy. A further 4 months later, we performed partial resection of the right pulmonary lobe. Eight months after the pulmonary resection, intrahepatic recurrence was detected and he received transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) twice. Eighty one months after the first operation, he died of liver failure due to tumor progression. Surgical resection for metastases from HCC resulted in long-term survival even if there were extrahepatic metastases in two different sites.     

Sclerosing hemangioma of the lung with cystic appearance

A case of cystic sclerosing hemangioma of the lung is reported. A chest X-ray of a 55-year-old woman who had been suffering from a cough with sputum for several months revealed an abnormal nodular shadow. A chest CT scan revealed a solitary tumor with cystic appearance occupying S7 of the right lung and the inferior pulmonary ligament. Radiological differential diagnosis for the lesion included bronchogenic cyst, cystic Schwannoma, pulmonary necrotic carcinoid, and lung carcinoma. Right lower lobectomy was carried out and the lesion was pathologically diagnosed as sclerosing hemangioma of the lung with cystic features, expanding into the pulmonary ligament. Differential diagnosis of the cystic lesion of the lung should include cystic sclerosing hemangioma as observed in this case.     

Hepatocellular carcinoma with multiple lung metastasis resulting in long-term disease-free survival by transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy of SMANCS

The patient was a 61-year-old female with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, who was admitted to our hospital due to elevation of AFP.During the evaluation, both abdominal ultrasound and enhanced abdominal CT revealed a hepatocellular carcinoma measuring 4 cm in the S6-7 region, complicated with an arteriovenous shunt.Additionally, the lung CT examination showed 20 isolated bilateral lung tumors, all of which were less than 1.4 cm in diameter. Following the diagnosis, we performed a transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy of SMANCS at 3 mg through the right heptic artery. Thereafter, the AFP level returned to normal. Additionally, the tumors previously observed in both liver and lung, and exhibited by both lung CT and enhanced abdominal MRI, had disappeared.The patient has been in clinical remission more than 10 years to date.     

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.     

A case of brain metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma

Reported is the case of a patient who underwent surgical resection of a brain metastasis from a hepatocellular carcinoma. The 62-year-old male was admitted to hospital because of headaches and a left hemiparesis. Six years earlier he had undergone transcatheter arterial embolization for a hepatocellular carcinoma. Further, one year ago the lower lobe of his right lung had been resected because of a pulmonary metastasis from the same tumor. A neurological examination on admission revealed disorientation, dressing apraxia, and a left hemiparesis. A CT scan revealed two highly dense masses with peripheral low dense areas in the right temporoparietal region, which were heterogenously enhanced with a contrast medium. Right carotid angiogram showed tumor stains in the same region. Also, a magnetic resonance T1 weighted image showed highly intense masses, and a T2 weighted image showed low intensity masses with prominent brain edema. Thus, a right fronto-temporo-parietal craniotomy was performed, and the two masses were removed. Histological examination revealed hepatocellular carcinoma. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the left hemiparesis improved gradually, enabling the patient to walk without assistance. A brain metastasis from a hepatocellular carcinoma has been rarely reported in the literature since the survival period is very short due to rapid disease progression at the primary site, so that most reports have been based on postmortem examination. The MRI, CT, and the angiographic findings are included in this report.     

A case of liver metastases from cecal cancer successfully treated with fluorouracil and folinic acid (UFT/LV)

A 76-year-old man had undergone a right hemicolectomy for cecal cancer. Oral UFT (450 mg/day) administration alone was started 2 months following the operation. From a CT scan of the abdomen performed 3 months postoperatively, he was diagnosed with liver metastasis. Because the liver metastasis had progressed, combination oral administration of UFT+LV was started (UFT 450 mg/day, LV 75 mg/day, 4 weeks of therapy followed by a 1-week treatment break). After 1 cycle, a good partial response of that lesion was achieved. The pulmonary metastasis had almost disappeared to within normal limits. In conclusion, this treatment was very safe and effective.     

A case of bilateral 3-lung lesion (metastatic and primary tumour, tumourlet) resected simultaneously

A 70-year-old male patient underwent right nephrectomy for renal clear cell carcinoma. After 8 years an X-ray showed a nodule on the left lung, and CT scan detected it to be a 15 × 12 mm mass in S1+2 segment of the left lung. CT also detected another 15 × 7 mm mass in the right S3 segment. These lesions had a high FDG accumulation. Pre-operative diagnosis is bilateral pulmonary metastases from renal cell carcinoma, and bilateral lung segmentectomy was performed. Left S1+2 resected tumor was histologically clear cell carcinoma by intra-operative examination, then right S3 segmentectomy was done. And that time, small tumor was found in the middle lung lobe, and a wedge resection was performed. These specimens revealed a primary lung carcinoma of right S3, and tumourlet of middle lobe. It is very rare that three different histlogical types of lung tumor were found.     

Effective treatment of AFP-producing lung cancer with UFT

The main form of chemotherapy for non small cell lung cancer is a multiple combination therapy centered on cisplatin (CDDP). We herein report a case in which a favorable course was obtained for a patient with extremely rare AFP-producing lung cancer by single oral administrations of UFT, following extirpation of brain metastasis. The patient was an 80-year-old male whose main complaints were headache and aphasia. Following close examination, a diagnosis was made of moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma with the primary lesion in S6 of the right lung. A metastatic lesion was found in the left occipital lobe. Blood AFP was an abnormally high 17,000 ng/ml. No tumorous lesions were found in the liver. The brain metastasis were extirpated to alleviate cranial nerve symptoms, and the tissue was found to be the same as that of the primary lesion. AFP staining of the tumor tissue revealed positive cells. Because there was proliferation in the primary tumor following surgery, administration of UFT (300 mg/day Tegafur) was begun. Four weeks later the tumor had begun to shrink, and at 15 weeks was judged to be a partial response. A reduction in AFP was also seen. The patient showed absolutely no side effects from UFT, thus enabling outpatient treatment. Good results were obtained both in reducing the tumor and in maintaining the patient's quality of life.     

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 report of primary liver cancer with cerebral metastasis after hepatic resection

A 67-year-old male, who had a left hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma, was readmitted to our hospital because of a left hemiparesis. A brain computed tomography scan and an r-carotid angiogram revealed a large mass involving the right parietal area, and thus a brain tumor removal was performed. A histological diagnosis of the removed brain tumor found it to be a metastatic, hepatocellular carcinoma. The patient died of pulmonary congestion due to lung metastasis, approximately 2 years and seven months after hepatectomy, and 1 year and three months after the removal of this metastatic brain tumor. In selected cases, the removal of a metastatic brain tumor seems to bring about improvements in the quality and duration of life.     

A case of hepatocellular carcinoma with extrahepatic portal vein obstruction due to tumor invasion, responsive to oral administration of UFT

A 38-year-old male was admitted to Ikeda Municipal Hospital because of thrombocytopenic purpura and abnormal liver function. Computed tomography and ultrasonography of the liver showed a 5 by 5 cm mass in the right lobe of the liver. Hepatic angiography revealed a hypervascular tumor in the right lobe of the liver and extrahepatic portal venous obstruction. A diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma with extrahepatic portal venous obstruction due to tumor invasion was made. Endoscopic examination showed marked esophageal varices with red color sign. Oral administration of UFT at a daily dose of 400 mg was started. Though ascites and frequent hemorrhage from esophageal varices were observed, these symptoms disappeared completely after 8 months administration of UFT. Endoscopic examination revealed disappearance of the esophageal varices, and recanalization of the extrahepatic portal vein was confirmed by the second hepatic angiography. Computed tomography showed no growth of the liver tumor. These data suggest that UFT was effective in this case.     

A case of drug-induced eosinophilic pneumonia due to tegafur-uracil(UFT®)

A 68-year-old female received a left lower lobectomy for lung cancer (adenocarcinoma, pT2N1M0, stage II B). She had a postoperative bronchial fistula that was treated conservatively and cured. Two months after the operation, tegafur-uracil (UFT) 300 mg/day was initiated.She felt dyspnea on exertion after taking UFT for two weeks, and some infiltration shadows were observed on a chest X-ray two weeks later. A chest CT scan revealed unsegmental infiltration shadows at the intermediate areas of the right middle and lower lobes, and an air-bronchogram was observed inside of the shadows. A bronchoscopy was performed. Bronchoalveolar lavage revealed a high fraction rate of eosinophil(24%), and a transbronchial lung biopsy revealed infiltrations of lymphocytes, eosinophils and neutrophils into the intra-alveolar space. However, fibrosis of the alveolar wall was not observed. A drug-induced lymphocyte stimulation test was performed for UFT, resulting positive. She was diagnosed as drug-induced eosinopilic pneumonia due to UFT. After she discontinued UFT and started 30 mg/day of prednisolone, dyspnea and infiltrations on chest X-ray disappeared.     

A case of pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma treated with S-1 following radiotherapy

Pleomorphic carcinoma is a rare malignancy of the lung. Here we present a 68-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital for examination of an abnormal radiogram of the chest. The radiogram revealed a large mass in the right lung field. A chest computed tomographic (CT) scan demonstrated a nonsegmentalmass like consolidation. Percutaneous CT-guided fine-needle needle biopsy from the lung was performed, and the specimen demonstrated pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma. The patient was initially treated with two courses of cisplatin (CDDP) and docetaxel (DOC), and still showed progressive disease (PD). Therefore, we administered S-1 following radiotherapy. The chest CT revealed partial response after 4 months. We experienced a pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma which showed a response to salvage chemotherapy with S-1.     

Complete disappearance of pulmonary metastases in a case of rectal cancer treated with oral tegafur-uracil (UFT) and leucovorin (LV)

We report a case of complete remission after treatment with tegafur-uracil (UFT)/Leucovorin (LV) therapy for pulumonary metastasis of rectal cancer. A 56-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with a diagnosis of rectal cancer (Ra, type2). Chest CT on admission demonstrated bilateral lung metastases (rt S2 and lt S4). After anterior resection of the primary tumor, oral UFT/LV was administered (UFT 400 mg/LV 75 mg, 4-week administration and 1-week no-administration period) on an outpatient basis. After 2 courses, chest CT revealed reduction of both metastases, and complete resection of the metastases by video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) was planned. Pathological findings of a specimen revealed no residual cancer cells, indicating a complete response to UFT/LV therapy. After these treatments, combined therapy of UFT/LV was continued for 3 months, and the single administration of UFT was continued for 1 year. The patient experienced no adverse reactions, and has had no recurrent disease in 4 years. Oral UFT/LV therapy is considered to be a promising regimen for patients with resectable metastatic lesion from a standpoint of clinical efficacy and safety.     

18F-FDG PET/CT与增强CT对肝癌栓塞治疗后的疗效评估

目的探讨18F-FDG PET/CT与增强CT对肝癌栓塞治疗后的疗效评估价值。方法回顾性分析2009年9月～2012年3月期间在我院接受动脉导管栓塞化疗(TACE)并接受PET/CT检查的28例原发肝细胞癌患者的临床及影像学资料;将肝动脉栓塞治疗后4～5 w的PET/CT检查结果,增强CT结果与AFP值对照分析,判断病灶内是否有肿瘤残留或复发。结果本组28例中24例与AFP进行对照,其中11例治疗后AFP降低到正常水平,5例18F-FDG PET/CT与增强CT显示肿瘤区域见不同程度的碘油聚集,未见异常强化影和FDG浓聚影;6例CT可见异常强化影,未见异常FDG聚集,考虑强化影可能为再生结节或炎性肉芽组织。治疗后AFP未降到正常水平13例,其中7例见不同程度碘油聚集,CT增强见结节及斑片强化影,FDG异常聚集;6例FDG异常聚集,CT未见异常强化。3例患者治疗前、后AFP均正常,TACE治疗后4 w行增强CT扫描见碘油聚集边缘有结节样强化,CTA可见异常血管影,18F-FDG PET/CT可见斑片状摄取增高影,经穿刺活检证实为肿瘤复发。1例肝右后上叶巨块型肝癌,治疗前后AFP均正常,CEA升高,18F-FDG PET/CT检查在碘油聚集的边缘可见异常FDG摄取,CT增强未见异常强化,经穿刺活检证实为肿瘤复发。结论18F-FDG PET/CT显像结果与AFP对照其在判断肝细胞癌动脉栓塞治疗后复发和转移上明显高于CT增强扫描。