IntroductionHepatic sarcomatoid carcinoma (HSC) is a rare type of liver cancer with a high malignant grade and poor prognosis. This study compared the clinical characteristics and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of HSCs with those of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), aiming to identify valuable features for HSC diagnosis.MethodsIn total, 17 pathologically confirmed HSC cases, 50 HCC cases and 50 common ICC cases were enrolled from two hospitals. The clinical characteristics and MRI features of all cases were summarized and statistically analyzed.ResultsOn the one hand, the incidence rates of elevated carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 and elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were significantly higher in the HSC cases than in the HCC cases (29.4% vs. 0%; 17.6% vs. 0%). The HSC enhancement patterns, primarily including progressive enhancement, were also significantly different from HCC cases. The incidence rates of heterogeneous signals on T2-weighted imaging and during the arterial phase were significantly higher in the HSC cases than in the HCC cases (94.1% vs. 66.0%; 100.0% vs. 72.0%). The diameter of HSCs was significantly larger than that in the HCC cases (6.12 cm vs. 4.21 cm), and the incidence rates of adjacent cholangiectasis, intrahepatic metastasis and lymph node enlargement were considerably higher in the HSC cases than in the HCC cases (52.9% vs. 6.0%; 47.1% vs. 12.0%; 41.2% vs. 2.0%). On the other hand, the incidence rate of elevated CA199 was significantly lower in the HSC cases than in the ICC cases (29.4% vs. 60.0%). The incidence rates of intratumoral necrosis and pseudocapsules were significantly higher in the HSC cases than in the HCC cases (35.3% vs. 8.0%; 47.1% vs. 12.0%). However, the incidence rates of target signs were significantly lower in the HSC cases than in the HCC cases (11.8% vs. 42.0%). In addition, there was no significant difference in the enhancement patterns between HSC cases and ICC cases.ConclusionsHSCs were frequently seen in elderly men with clinical symptoms and elevated CA199 levels. The MRI features, including large size, obvious heterogeneity, hemorrhage, progressive enhancement, pseudocapsule and lymph node enlargement, contributed to the diagnosis of HSC.

BackgroundOur aim was to establish a deep learning radiomics method to preoperatively evaluate regional lymph node (LN) staging for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HC) patients. Methods and MaterialsOf the 179 enrolled HC patients, 90 were pathologically diagnosed with lymph node metastasis. Quantitative radiomic features and deep learning features were extracted. An LN metastasis status classifier was developed through integrating support vector machine, high-performance deep learning radiomics signature, and three clinical characteristics. An LN metastasis stratification classifier (N1 vs. N2) was also proposed with subgroup analysis.ResultsThe average areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs) of the LN metastasis status classifier reached 0.866 in the training cohort and 0.870 in the external test cohorts. Meanwhile, the LN metastasis stratification classifier performed well in predicting the risk of LN metastasis, with an average AUC of 0.946.ConclusionsTwo classifiers derived from computed tomography images performed well in predicting LN staging in HC and will be reliable evaluation tools to improve decision-making.

characterized. Targeting ability was evaluated by in vitro and in vivo experiments, respectively. Residual gadolinium concentration in major organs was detected with confocal imaging and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) ex vivo. H&E staining was used to assess the morphology of these organs. Results: Gd@C-dots with nearly 20 nm in diameter were developed and modified with Ac-Cys-Z EGFR:1907 . EGFR expression in HCC827 cells was higher than NCI-H520. In cell uptake assays, EGFR-expressing HCC827 cells exhibited significant MR T1WI signal enhancement when compared to NCI-H520 cells.

The influx of sodium (Na+) ions into a resting cell is regulated by Na+ channels and by Na+/H+ and Na+/Ca2+ exchangers, whereas Na+ ion efflux is mediated by the activity of Na+/K+‐ATPase to maintain a high transmembrane Na+ ion gradient. Dysfunction of this system leads to changes in the intracellular sodium concentration that promotes cancer metastasis by mediating invasion and migration. In addition, the accumulation of extracellular Na+ ions in cancer due to inflammation contributes to tumor immunogenicity. Thus, alterations in the Na+ ion concentration may potentially be used as a biomarker for malignant tumor diagnosis and prognosis. However, current limitations in detection technology and a complex tumor microenvironment present significant challenges for the in vivo assessment of Na+ concentration in tumor. 23Na‐magnetic resonance imaging (23Na‐MRI) offers a unique opportunity to study the effects of Na+ ion concentration changes in cancer. Although challenged by a low signal‐to‐noise ratio, the development of ultrahigh magnetic field scanners and specialized sodium acquisition sequences has significantly advanced 23Na‐MRI. 23Na‐MRI provides biochemical information that reflects cell viability, structural integrity, and energy metabolism, and has been shown to reveal rapid treatment response at the molecular level before morphological changes occur. Here we review the basis of 23Na‐MRI technology and discuss its potential as a direct noninvasive in vivo diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for cancer therapy, particularly in cancer immunotherapy. We propose that 23Na‐MRI is a promising method with a wide range of applications in the tumor immuno‐microenvironment research field and in cancer immunotherapy monitoring. Level of Evidence 2 Technical Efficacy Stage 2