The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of doxorubicin-loaded beads (DC Beads) delivered by transarterial embolization for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This open-label, single-center, single-arm study included 62 cirrhotic patients with documented single unresectable HCC. Mean tumor diameter was 5.6 cm (range, 3-9 cm) classified as Okuda stages 1 (n = 53) and 2 (n = 9). Patients received repeat embolizations with doxorubicin-loaded beads every 3 months (maximum of three). The maximum doxorubicin dose was 150 mg per embolization, loaded in DC Beads of 100-300 or 300-500 microm. Regarding efficacy, overall, an objective response according to the European Association for the Study of the Liver criteria was observed in 59.6%, 81.8%, and 70.8% across three treatments. A complete response was observed in 4.8% after the first procedure and 3.6% and 8.3% after the second and third procedures, respectively. At 9 months a complete response was seen in 12.2%, an objective response in 80.7%, progressive disease in 6.8%, and 12.2% showed stable disease. Mean tumor necrosis ranged from 77.4% to 83.9% (range, 28.6%-100%) across three treatments. alpha-Fetoprotein levels showed a mean decrease of 1123 ng/ml (95% CI = 846-1399; p = 3 x 10(-11)) after the first session and remained stable after the second and third embolizations (42 and 70 ng/ml decrease, respectively). Regarding safety, bilirubin, gamma-glutamyl transferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase showed only transient increases during the study period. Severe procedure-related complications were seen in 3.2% (cholecystitis, n = 1; liver abscess, n = 1). Postembolization syndrome was observed in all patients. We conclude that hemoembolization using doxorubicin-loaded DC Beads is a safe and effective treatment of HCC as demonstrated by the low complication rate, increased tumor response, and sustained reduction of alpha-fetoprotein levels.
INTRODUCTIONPrimary neuroendocrine breast carcinoma (NEBC) is a rare entity of breast cancer.PRESENTATION OF CASEWe herein report a case of right hepatectomy for a NEBC liver metastasis.DISCUSSIONLittle is known about its evolution, bilologic behavior and optimal treatment. Its malignant potential has been addressed in few reports, with cases of metachronous metastases in diverse sites, even years following treatment of the breast primarily.CONCLUSIONTreating this kind of cancer implies both breast and hepatic surgery.Primary neuroendocrine breast carcinoma (NEBC) is a rare entity of breast cancer. Little is known about its evolution, biologic behavior and optimal treatment. Its malignant potential has been addressed in few reports, with cases of metachronous metastases in diverse sites, even years following treatment of the breast primarily. We herein report a case of right hepatectomy for a NEBC liver metastasis.
Hemangiopericytoma is a rare primary tumor originating from Zimmerman's pericytes, with significant metastatic potential. Hepatic metastatic disease requires an aggressive approach by a multidisciplinary team of dedicated oncology specialists, to prolong survival in selected patients. We report on a patient with recurrent hepatic metastases of grade II intracranial hemangiopericytoma 5 years after initial treatment, managed by a stepwise combination of liver resection, radiofrequency ablation, and transarterial embolization. Although metastatic disease implies hematogenous dissemination, long-term survival after liver resection has been reported and major hepatectomies are justified in patients with adequate local control. Liver resections combined with transarterial embolization are highly recommended, due to hypervascularity of the tumor.
Hepatolithiasis remains as a rare condition in the majority of western world countries. Although genetic, dietary and environmental factors have been associated with the disease, the exact etiology of this entity remains elusive. Several approaches; surgical and non-invasive have been well described. However, surgery remains the standard of care for definitive treatment of the disease. We sought to present the recent experience of our clinic regarding the surgical management of hepatolithiasis in the backgound of a narrative literature review. All adult patients with hepatolithiasis admitted to our center during the period 2018 to 2020 were included in the study. Patients’ demographics, comorbidities and preoperative characteristics were collected by chart review. All patients underwent open left lateral hepatectomy. Three cases with hepatolithiasis were identified. All of them were male and had been suffering from recurrent pyogenic cholangitis. All patients remained asymptomatic and disease-free through the entire follow-up, except one case that was complicated with bile leakage during the immediate postoperative period. Hepatolithiasis is currently a rare condition in the western world. Surgery is safe and effective treatment approach for refractory cases and, provided that it is performed by experts in hepatobiliary surgery, it remains imperative for the definitive treatment of the disease.
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