Results of hepatic resection for sarcoma metastatic to liver

Resection of liver metastases from non-colorectal non-endocrine primary tumours

Despite the greater number of hepatectomies for non-colorectal non-endocrine liver metastases, its benefits and its indications remain unclear because most of the patient series are small with heterogeneous primary tumours. After analyzing the literature including a large recent series (1451 patients), we can conclude that liver resection of non-colorectal non-endocrine metastases is feasible, safe, and improves survival. Better selection of patients according to their tumour biology (a long interval between the primary and liver metastases), the histologic type (non epithelial) and tumour chemosensitivity should improve long-term disease-free and overall survival, as we observed after resection of liver metastases from colorectal cancer.

The impact of 18F-FDG PET/CT in patients with liver metastases

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to assess the performance of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ((18)F-FDG PET/CT) versus dedicated contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) in the detection of metastatic liver disease.

METHODS

All patients that presented to our Institution with suspected metastatic liver disease who underwent (18)F-FDG PET/CT and CECT within 6 weeks of each other, were retrospectively analyzed, covering a 5-year period. One hundred and thirty-one patients (67 men, 64 women; mean age 62) were identified. Seventy-five had colorectal carcinoma and 56 had other malignancies. The performance of CECT and that of (18)F-FDG-PET/CT in detecting liver metastases were compared. The ability of each to detect local recurrence, extrahepatic metastases and to alter patient management was recorded. The final diagnosis was based on histology, clinical and radiological follow-up (mean 23 months).

RESULTS

In detecting hepatic metastases, (18)F-FDG-PET/CT yielded 96% sensitivity and 75% specificity, whilst CECT showed 88% sensitivity and 25% specificity. (18)F-FDG-PET/CT and CECT were concordant in 102 out of 131 patients (78%). In the colorectal group (18)F-FDG-PET/CT showed 94% sensitivity and 75% specificity, whilst CECT had 91% sensitivity and 25% specificity. In the noncolorectal group (18)F-FDG-PET/CT showed 98% sensitivity and 75% specificity whilst CECT had 85% sensitivity and 25% specificity. Overall, (18)F-FDG-PET/CT altered patient management over CECT in 25% of patients. CECT did not alter patient management over (18)F-FDG-PET/CT alone in any patients.

CONCLUSION

(18)F-FDG-PET/CT performed better in detecting metastatic liver disease than CECT in both colorectal and noncolorectal malignancies, and frequently altered patient management. The future role of CECT in these patients may need to be re-evaluated to avoid potentially unnecessary duplication of investigation where (18)F-PET/CT is readily available.

The challenge of opportunities: how far can and should we go with targeted treatments and modern diagnostics in gastrointestinal stromal tumors?

The introduction of imatinib has greatly improved the treatment options and quality of life of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Systemic treatment with imatinib alone most likely, however, does not cure the disease because, despite long-lasting major remissions, the majority of patients eventually relapse. Therefore, complete surgical resection remains the only curative approach in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Given a strong systemic treatment option at hand, the use of multimodal treatment strategies for patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease seems self-evident as many tumors become resectable after a treatment with imatinib. Few retrospective and no prospective data, however, are yet available on feasibility and the prognostic impact of these strategies, which represents a major challenge on how to decide on these patients in clinical practice. We therefore critically discuss the available evidence and current concepts for multimodal treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors and how modern diagnostics, such as KIT genotyping, may influence our clinical decision-making in this context.

Surgical therapy of liver metastases

The liver is the most common site of metastatic disease from both gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal malignancies. Historically, only a minority of patients with colorectal liver metastases were candidates for resection. However, over the past several decades, liver resection has evolved as a safe and potentially curative treatment for hepatic colorectal metastases. The development of active chemotherapy and molecular targeted therapies, together with newer modalities like radiofrequency ablation, have expanded the indications for hepatic resection and improved survival. Selected patients with isolated liver metastases from neuroendocrine tumors, germ cell cancers, ocular melanoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), and breast cancer also may be considered for hepatic surgery.

Surgical resection in metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. Traditionally, surgery has been the primary treatment modality for these tumors, with only modest results. The recent development of kinase inhibitors (most notably, imatinib mesylate) has provided a new paradigm for the treatment of this disease. Response rates approaching 60% have been seen in studies in patients with advanced disease. Previously, chemotherapy played little role in the treatment of this disease. Now, however, treatment with kinase inhibitors can increase the number of patients who may potentially benefit from surgical intervention. Many questions regarding the use of kinase inhibitors remain. Most importantly, the optimal duration of treatment before surgical intervention and following both complete and incomplete tumor resection remains to be elucidated. Ongoing prospective trials have the potential to provide some of these answers in the near future.

[Gastric sarcoma]

Sarcoma of the stomach is a rare histological entity. These differentiated mesenchymal tumors do not differ clinically from other gastric cancers. Endoscopic ultrasonography is the preferred means of exploration because it determines the existence of a submucosal lesion and provides guidance in determining its type. Certainty of diagnosis requires pathologic and immunohistochemical examinations of the surgical specimen. Malignant gastric stromal tumors are the first differential diagnosis of sarcoma of the stomach. They can be better characterized by testing their expression of the c-kit protein. Histological confirmation of malignancy sometimes remains difficult. Locoregional invasion and distant metastases confirm malignancy. Treatment is essentially surgical. Prognosis depends on tumor size, extension, rupture and histological grade.

Retroperitoneal and Visceral Sarcomas: Issues for the General Surgeon

Sarcomas represent a rare, heterogeneous group of malignant tumors that arise from the mesenchymal tissues of the body. Although infrequently encountered, these tumors generate vigorous academic interest and an ever-expanding volume of medical literature. Chemotherapy is widely regarded as ineffective because of the often-large tumor burden and lack of good therapeutic drugs. Radiation therapy is often difficult to administer because of locoregional toxicity. Fortunately, targeted immunologic therapies have shown promise in some specific gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors. To date, sarcoma remains a malignancy best treated operatively. Given the wide heterogeneity and biology of these tumors and the amount of new data available, a review of the current literature is warranted. The first installment of this review series1 dealt with extremity and trunk soft tissue sarcomas; this one will focus on retroperitoneal and visceral sarcomas and the management challenges they pose.

Results of tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy followed by surgical resection for metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor

INTRODUCTION

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common sarcoma of the intestinal tract. Nearly all tumors have an activating mutation in the KIT or, less often, PDGFRalpha, gene. Therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors benefits over 80% of patients with advanced GIST, but most patients eventually develop drug resistance.

METHODS

Forty patients with metastatic GIST were treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors and then underwent surgical resection. Based on the growth of their tumors by serial radiologic imaging, patients were categorized at the time of operation as having responsive disease, focal resistance (1 tumor growing), or multifocal resistance (more than 1 tumor growing). Patients were followed for a median of 15 months (range, 6-46 months) after surgery.

RESULTS

Initially, molecular therapy achieved stable disease or a partial response in all but 1 patient. Surgery was performed after a median of 15 months, and there were no perioperative deaths. After operation, the 20 patients with responsive disease had a 2-year progression-free survival of 61% and 2-year overall survival of 100%. In contrast, the 13 patients with focal resistance progressed after surgery at a median of 12 months and the 2-year overall survival was 36%. There were 7 patients with multifocal resistance and they progressed postoperatively at a median of 3 months and had a 1-year overall survival of 36%.

CONCLUSION

Selected patients with metastatic GIST who have responsive disease or focal resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy may benefit from elective surgical resection. Surgery for patients with metastatic GIST who have multifocal resistance is generally not indicated, and these patients should be considered for clinical trials of new systemic agents.

Management of primary liver sarcomas

BACKGROUND

Primary hepatic sarcoma is a rare entity. The objectives of the study were to define treatment and long-term outcome and to identify prognostic factors.

METHODS

Between January 1981 and December 2004, 30 patients with primary sarcoma of the liver and 5 patients with primary carcinosarcoma of the liver were treated. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment, and actuarial survival were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 30 patients with primary hepatic sarcoma (10 epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, 5 embryonal sarcoma, 5 angiosarcoma, 3 solitary fibrous tumor, and 7 other types), 11 underwent R0-resection and had a 5-year disease-specific survival of 64%. Of these 11 patients, 4 had low-grade sarcoma and have not developed tumor recurrence. In the group of 7 patients with high-grade sarcomas who underwent R0-resection, both patients with angiosarcoma died within 11 months, whereas the 5 patients with embryonal sarcoma had a 5-year disease-free and disease-specific survival of 80%. Six of the 10 patients with an epithelioid hemangioendothelioma were managed without surgery, as they had diffuse, slowly progressing, or stable lesions; these patients had a 5-year disease-specific survival of 67%. Of the remaining 13 patients in whom R0-resection was not performed, there were no 3-year survivors. The prognosis for patients with primary carcinosarcoma of the liver was poor, with all but 1 patient dying within a year and no 3-year survivors.

CONCLUSIONS

The outcome of patients with primary hepatic sarcoma depends primarily on tumor histology and the ability to achieve complete tumor resection. Improvements in outcome will require the development of more effective systemic therapies.

Left extended hepatectomy for a metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor after a disease-free interval of 17 years: report of a case

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), although rare, are frequently diagnosed with liver metastasis. These metastatic GISTs are poorly responsive to conventional chemotherapy; however, recent studies report improved survival after complete surgical resection of liver metastases. On the other hand, few reports describe the treatment of delayed liver metastasis after resection of a primary GIST. We report the case of a 55-year-old woman found to have liver metastasis from a GIST after a 17-year disease-free interval. The patient underwent a left extended hepatectomy for a complete resection of the metastatic GIST and is alive and well 30 months later. To our knowledge, this is the longest disease-free interval reported in the literature, and emphasizes the importance of considering late metastasis when evaluating patients with a history of GIST. Thus, surgical resection of delayed liver metastasis from a GIST should be considered as primary therapy.

Ressecção de metástase hepática de sarcomas de partes moles

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados do tratamento cirúrgico de pacientes portadores de metástases hepáticas de sarcomas de partes moles, com ênfase na identificação de fatores prognósticos e estudo de sobrevida. MÉTODO: Foi realizada análise retrospectiva de pacientes submetidos a ressecções hepáticas por sarcomas de partes moles metastáticos para fígado no Instituto Nacional de Câncer - MS entre 1992 e 2002. Fatores demográficos, características do tumor primário e dos tumores metastáticos, intervalo de surgimento de metástases, tipo de ressecção e resultados de sobrevida global e livre de doença, considerados a partir da operação para o tumor metastático foram considerados. Os dados obtidos foram analisados estatisticamente através dos softwares SPSS versão 8 e EpiInfo 2002.. RESULTADOS: O tumor primário era localizado no trato gastrintestinal em cinco pacientes, no retroperitônio em quatro e nos dois restantes no útero e no músculo deltóide. Leiomiossarcoma foi a linhagem histológica em 10 casos e dermatofibrossarcoma no caso restante, com grau de diferenciação tumoral G2 em seis casos e G3 em cinco. A extensão da ressecção hepática foi a segmentectomia em cinco pacientes, a lobectomia em quatro e as ressecções maiores em dois pacientes. Dois pacientes tiveram ressecções extra-hepáticas associadas. A ressecção foi completa em sete pacientes, persistindo doença residual macroscópica em quatro pacientes. Pela análise multivariada a sobrevida foi afetada pela radicalidade da ressecção, com 49 meses para as cirurgias completas e 15 meses para as incompletas (p< 0,05) e pelo grau de diferenciação tumoral, com 49 meses para os tumores G2 e 15 meses para os G3 (p< 0,0447). CONCLUSÕES: As ressecções hepáticas para metástases de sarcomas de partes moles podem aumentar a sobrevida destes pacientes, particularmente quando completas e para tumores de baixo grau de diferenciação.

Treatment of metastatic sarcoma to the liver with bland embolization

BACKGROUND

The authors evaluated the impact of bland particle embolization on survival in patients with metastatic sarcoma to the liver.

METHODS

Twenty-four patients with liver-dominant metastases from sarcoma were treated with particle embolization from 1996 to 2002. Primary tumors included 16 gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), 7 intestinal leiomyosarcomas, and 1 liposarcoma. Thirteen patients had known extrahepatic disease. Embolization was performed by using polyvinyl alcohol or trisacryl microspheres to effect stasis in the target vessel(s). Follow-up images to assess response were obtained 4 weeks after the procedure. Decrease in the size of the target lesion by >25% or development of >50% necrosis on follow-up imaging was considered a treatment response.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients had metachronous liver metastases, and the median disease-free interval was 22 months (range 10-156 months) from resection of the primary tumor. Ten patients underwent prior liver resection for metastatic disease. Of 15 evaluable patients, 9 patients (60%) had a radiographic response. The median follow-up for all patients was 21 months. The median follow-up for surviving patients was 59 months. Overall survival from the time of initial embolization was 62% at 1 year, 41% at 2 years, and 29% at 3 years. Patients who had radiographic evidence of response survived significantly longer than patients who did not respond (63 months vs. 19 months; P < .007). Patients with GIST survived significantly longer than patients with visceral leiomyosarcoma (median, 36 months vs. 18 months; P < .03).

CONCLUSIONS

Bland embolization was efficacious in some patients with metastatic sarcoma to the liver. Radiographic evidence of response was correlated with improved survival. This regional therapy may enter the treatment algorithm for patients who have unresectable disease or disease that has failed conventional therapies.

Outcome of Metastatic GIST in the Era before Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors

BACKGROUND

Treatment of metastatic GIST with imatinib mesylate results in a 2-year survival of approximately 72%. The outcome of patients with metastatic GIST not treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors is not well defined.

METHODS

One hundred nineteen patients with metastatic GIST diagnosed prior to July 1, 1998 (approximately 2 years prior to the use of imatinib for GIST) were identified from an institutional database of patients with pathologically confirmed GIST. Mutational analysis was performed in cases with available tissue. The log rank test and Cox regression models were used to assess prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Median survival was 19 months with a 41% 2-year survival and a 25% 5-year survival. Resection of metastatic GIST was performed in 81 patients (68%), while 50 (42%) received conventional chemotherapy. Twelve patients (10%) were eventually started on imatinib. Primary tumor size <10 cm, <5 mitoses/50 HPF in the primary tumor, epithelioid morphology, longer disease-free interval, and surgical resection were independent predictors of improved survival on multivariate analysis. Mutational status did not predict outcome. In patients who underwent resection, the 2 year survival was 53%, and negative microscopic margins also independently predicted improved survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with imatinib appears to improve 2-year survival of metastatic GIST by approximately 20% when compared to surgery alone. The combination of imatinib and surgery for the treatment of metastatic GIST therefore warrants investigation.

Locally advanced and metastatic sarcoma (adult type) including gastrointestinal stromal tumors

STS belong to the most challenging diseases in oncology that demand all resources of modern clinical oncology. With the improvement of surgical techniques and radiation therapy the majority of patients with localized disease can be cured. However, for patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease chemotherapeutic treatments have not greatly changed the poor outcome of the disease. The introduction of combined chemoradiotherapy as well as isolated limb-perfusion has improved the limb-salvage rate in locally advanced disease but the impact of systemic chemotherapy on overall survival remains a subject of dispute. For patients with metastatic sarcoma long-term survival can only be achieved in a small number of patients with mostly resectable disease. The list of effective drugs for palliative treatment in general still remains short and the duration of remissions usually does not exceed several months. The lack of alternative chemotherapeutic drugs imposes a considerable challenge in daily clinical practice with many young patients exhibiting a good performance status but progressive disease after standard treatment. A variety of new drugs or drug combinations seem to exhibit considerable activity in certain histological sarcoma subtypes, which may soon broaden the armamentarium of drugs for a subset of patients. However, with the vastly improved understanding of the biology and pathology of soft tissue sarcoma an era of opportunities seems to have begun and the recent success in the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors impressively shows how fast a gain in the understanding of oncogenic mechanisms may translate into a highly efficient, clinically useful treatment.

Hepatectomy for metastatic noncolorectal gastrointestinal, breast and testicular tumours

BACKGROUND

The indications for hepatectomy for colorectal or neuroendocrine metastases are becoming clear with increasing experience reported. For other primary diseases, however, the overall number of cases is relatively small, and it is more difficult to derive clear guidelines. This paper reviews the reported experience of hepatectomy for metastases from non-colorectal gastrointestinal primary cancers, breast cancer and testicular teratoma. The aim is to determine for each whether and under what circumstances hepatectomy is indicated.

METHODS

A Medline search was used to identify papers reporting hepatectomy for metastases from non-colorectal gastrointestinal carcinomas, breast carcinomas and testicular teratomas. The data collected included the primary disease, the number of cases reported, the survival post-hepatectomy and any prognostic factors associated with outcome.

RESULTS

Of the gastrointestinal malignancies, hepatectomy for gastric metastases yields a 5-year survival, roughly half that reported for colorectal disease, and further elucidation of prognostic factors would be desirable. Results were poor for other gastrointestinal malignancies. Good results were reported for breast and testicular teratoma.

CONCLUSION

Of the non-colorectal gastrointestinal primaries, at present only hepatectomy for gastric metastases can be cautiously recommended. For nongastrointestinal primaries, hepatic metastases probably represent widespread dissemination even if occult, and therefore, hepatectomy may only be of use when effective adjuvant treatments are available.

Combined surgical and molecular therapy: the gastrointestinal stromal tumor model

OBJECTIVE

This review describes the pathologic and epidemiologic features of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) as well as the contemporary management of this tumor. The integration of surgery and treatment with targeted molecular agents in the treatment of GIST is highlighted.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

GIST is the most common mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal tract. Its cellular origin from the interstitial cell of Cajal and distinctness from smooth muscles tumors were only recently appreciated. The discovery of the centrality of KIT proto-oncogene mutations in the pathogenesis of this tumor, and the development of imatinib mesylate, a specific inhibitor of KIT tyrosine kinase function have revolutionized the treatment of GIST.

METHODS

We conducted a review of the English literature on GIST. The pathology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of this tumor are summarized with particular emphasis on recent developments in the field.

RESULTS

GIST is a rare tumor that usually arises from the stomach or small intestine. It is characterized by immunohistochemical staining for KIT. Treatment of primary localized tumors is surgical. The benefit of adjuvant treatment with the KIT tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib is the subject of investigation. The treatment of unresectable, recurrent, or metastatic GIST is primarily imatinib treatment. The integration of surgery or ablative modalities is often employed, particularly when all disease is amenable to gross resection or destruction, or when GIST becomes resistant to imatinib. Newer tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as sunitinib are the subject of ongoing investigation.

CONCLUSIONS

The treatment paradigm for GIST has required the integration of surgery and molecular therapy and this will likely serve as a paradigm for the treatment of other solid tumors as targeted agents are developed.

Chemokine receptor CXCR4 expression in patients with melanoma and colorectal cancer liver metastases and the association with disease outcome

OBJECTIVE

To determine the role of chemokine receptor (CR) expression in patients with melanoma and colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastases.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Murine and in vitro models have identified CR as potential factors in organ-specific metastasis of multiple cancers. Chemokines via their respective receptors have been shown to promote cell migration to distant organs.

METHODS

Patients who underwent hepatic surgery for melanoma or CRC liver metastases were assessed. Screening cDNA microarrays of melanoma/CRC cell lines and tumor specimens were analyzed to identify CR. Microarray data were validated by quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT) in paraffin-embedded liver metastases. Migration assays and immunohistochemistry were performed to verify CR function and confirm CR expression, respectively.

RESULTS

Microarray analysis identified CXCR4 as the most common CR expressed by both cancers. qRT demonstrated CXCR4 expression in 24 of 27 (89%) melanoma and 28 of 29 (97%) CRC liver metastases. In vitro treatment of melanoma or CRC cells with CXCL12, the ligand for CXCR4, significantly increased cell migration (P < 0.001). Low versus high CXCR4 expression in CRC liver metastases correlated with a significant difference in overall survival (median 27 months vs. 10 months, respectively; P = 0.036). In melanoma, low versus high CXCR4 expression in liver metastases demonstrated no difference in overall survival (median 11 months vs. 8 months, respectively; P = not significant).

CONCLUSIONS

CXCR4 is expressed and functional on melanoma and CRC cells. The ligand for CXCR4 is highly expressed in liver and may specifically attract melanoma and CRC CXCR4 (+) cells. Quantitative analysis of CXCR4 gene expression in patients with liver metastases has prognostic significance for disease outcome.

Management of metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumour in the Glivec era: a practical case-based approach

Gastrointestinal stromal tumour is now recognized as a distinct pathological malignancy and has received much attention over the last few years. Despite almost universal resistance to chemotherapy, a novel therapy, Imatinib, which targets the KIT receptor, has changed the natural history of this disease. We have audited the first 26 consecutive patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumour treated over 4 years at a single institution. A practical guide to the management of common toxicities and drug resistance is reported with a review of the published reports. Many of the strategies used are likely to be widely applicable to the use of targeted therapies in other malignancies.

METASTECTOMY FOR NON-COLORECTAL, NON-NEUROENDOCRINE LIVER SECONDARIES

BACKGROUND

The role of metastectomy for colorectal and neuroendocrine liver secondaries is well established. Significant palliation and survival have been reported after aggressive surgical resection. However, the role of liver resection for secondaries from other primary tumours is less well defined. In this study, we aim to describe our experience, including indications and selection criteria, operative strategy and clinical outcome of liver resection, for non-colorectal, non-neuroendocrine liver metastases.

METHODS

A review of prospectively collected operative database was conducted and patients who underwent liver resection of secondaries from non-colorectal, non-neuroendocrine primary tumours were studied. Eighteen patients were included in the study. There were 4 men and 14 women with a median age of 48 years (range, 37-78 years).

RESULTS

Liver resection was carried out either for cure or for palliation of debilitating symptoms. Selection criteria included: (i) absence of extrahepatic disease and (ii) functional status of the liver and volume of remnant liver after hepatectomy. The median follow up was 24 months (range, 7-81 months) for 17 patients, excluding the one who defaulted after surgery. Cancer-specific survival and recurrence-free interval was calculated from the date of hepatectomy. Liver resection was considered curative in 13 patients. There was no 30-day mortality in this cohort of patients. The median recurrence-free survival time was 13 months (95% confidence interval (CI), 8-18 months). The median follow-up time for the 12 patients was 23.5 months (range, 7-35 months). Only five patients died due to cancer-specific causes and one died from acute myocardial infarction. The median cancer-specific survival time was 30 months (95% CI, 25-35 months). The 2-year survival rate was 77.1% (95% CI, 48.9-100%).

CONCLUSION

The results are encouraging and suggest that with appropriate selection criteria, there is a role for metastectomy of non-colorectal, non-neuroendocrine liver secondaries.

Primäre Sarkome und Sarkommetastasen in der Leber

The considerable progress made in radiology, in surgical management with curative intent, and in the identification of molecularly targeted small molecules, such as the tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib mesylate, in the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors has greatly influenced the treatment of sarcoma manifestations within the liver. This requires not only the unequivocal pathomorphological differentiation of sarcomas from other tumor entities, e. g. spindle cell dedifferentiated/pleomorphic carcinomas, aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphomas or amelanotic malignant melanomas, but also an accurate subtyping of this complex group of tumors. Additionally to macroscopic and histological findings, the recognition of characteristic immunophenotypic constellations and, at least in some types of sarcoma, the identification of molecular signatures, have greatly expanded the diagnostic tools in pathology.

Liver resection for metastasis due to malignant mesenchymal tumours

While liver resection for colorectal metastases has shown promising long-term survival, data for metastasectomy in sarcoma and leiomyosarcoma patients have not yielded the same optimism. Due to the rarity of the tumour entity it has always been difficult to provide significant data. Advances in tumour classification suggest that most of the metastases formerly classified to be of sarcomatoid and especially leiomyosarcomatoid origin are actually metastases of GISTs (gastro-intestinal stromal tumours). Neoadjuvant/adjuvant imatinib therapy might improve overall survival and enable surgeons to provide resections in previously unresectable patients. Only R0 resection has been proven to prolong survival so far, with a long disease-free interval as the only independent predictor of outcome.

Liver transplantation for primary or metastatic sarcoma to the liver

Sarcoma is generally a rare disease in the US, with poor survival in patients with both primary angiosarcoma and metastatic disease from sarcoma and GIST. In order to determine if liver transplantation for sarcoma is a realistic option, we examined records of all patients in the US component of the Israel Penn International Transplant Tumor Registry were reviewed. Those patients with liver failure from primary or metastatic liver sarcoma were evaluated. Patient outcome analysis was then performed. Patient and tumor demographics were reviewed as well as patient survival after transplantation. 19 patients are identified having received liver transplantation after treatment for sarcoma of the liver, 6 patients with primary hepatic sarcoma and 13 patients with metastatic sarcoma of the liver. Recurrence was almost universal in 18 of 19 patients (95%) after a median interval of 6 months. Survival for the group as a whole was 47% for 1-year, 15% for 3-years and 5% for 5-years. Given the early recurrence of tumor and meager 1-year survival outcome, liver transplantation is a poor therapeutic choice for patients with either primary or metastatic liver sarcoma, including high-grade leiomyosarcoma (GIST) regardless of primary site or primary therapy.

Does the literature support an indication for hepatic metastasectomy other than for colorectal primary?

Hepatic resection for colorectal hepatic metastatic disease has been demonstrated to have a significant outcome benefit for selected patients. Advances in anesthetic and surgical technique have resulted in a significantly reduced morbidity and mortality for this procedure, and this management approach has become widely practiced. This hepatic resection paradigm is also being applied to hepatic metastatic disease of noncolorectal origin. The purpose of this report is to review and summarize the reported literature in order to define if the current data support an indication for hepatic metastasectomy. The specific cancer primaries that this analysis evaluated include breast, melanoma, gynecologic, neuroendocrine, sarcoma, and gastric cancer. Based on the data examined, we propose that although hepatic metastasectomy for noncolorectal cancer may be a promising component of overall oncologic treatment, the role of surgical resection cannot be generalized and at present should be individualized based on the patient's clinical course and by the biologic behaviors of specific malignancies.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor: 5 years later

There is now considerable interest in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) because it can be treated effectively with a targeted molecular agent. The majority of GISTs contain an activating mutation in the KIT protooncogene or, occasionally, in the platelet-derived growth factor-alpha (PDGFRA) gene. Five years ago, imatinib mesylate, a specific molecular inhibitor of the protein products of these 2 genes, was applied to metastatic GIST. Approximately 80% of patients with metastatic GIST benefit from imatinib, although acquired resistance to the agent may develop. For patients with primary GIST, surgery remains the treatment of choice, and whether outcome is improved by adjuvant imatinib is currently under broad investigation. A combination of imatinib therapy and surgery also may be effective in a subset of patients with metastatic or unresectable primary GIST. In this review, the authors summarize the new multimodality approach to GIST. The integration of surgery and molecular therapy in GIST will serve as a prototype for the management of other solid tumors for which targeted agents become available.

Hepatic resection for noncolorectal, nonneuroendocrine metastases

Resection of certain hepatic metastases of noncolorectal, nonneuroendocrine (NCNNE) origin provides actual long-term (>5 years) survival. We conducted a retrospective outcome study at a single tertiary referral institution. Between January 1988 and October 1998, 64 consecutive patients underwent resection of hepatic metastases from NCNNE primary tumors. Overall and disease-free survival rates were correlated to clinicopathologic factors and operative morbidity and mortality. Thirteen patients underwent a right hepatectomy, 6 underwent a left hepatectomy, 3 had extended right and 2 extended left hepatectomy, 2 patients had segmentectomy, 24 underwent wedge resections, and 14 underwent a combination of these forms of resection. R0 resection was achieved in 56 patients (87.5%). The operative mortality was 1.5% (1 of 64). Actual 1-, 3-, and 5-year survivals were 81%, 43%, and 30%, respectively. The factor adversely associated with overall and disease-free survival was uniformly related to the interval between primary tumor resection and the development of hepatic metastases. A 1.5% operative mortality and an actual 5-year survival of 30% justifies hepatic resection, including major hepatic resection, for certain NCNNE metastases. The factor affecting prognosis in this highly select group of patients was the biological behavior of the tumor, with tumors that metastasize earlier having poorer survival rates.

Pathological complete response in advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor after imatinib therapy

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a rare neoplasm exhibiting, in most cases, mutations of c-kit. Recently it has been demonstrated that a majority of GIST patients with c-kit mutations respond to therapy with imatinib, a c-kit tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Although the response rate in patients treated with imatinib in prospective clinical studies is above 50%, complete response is rare, and the data on the use of imatinib as neoaduvant therapy facilitating radical surgery is still scanty. Here, we report on a patient with metastatic gastric GIST who underwent surgery after 6 months of imatinib therapy. No tumor cells were detected on pathological examination of resection specimen. This case report indicates that a pathological complete response could be achieved with imatinib therapy in patients with GIST, but a wider experience and longer follow-up is necessary to appreciate the prognostic significance of pathological complete response in GIST.

Update on the biology and therapy of gastrointestinal stromal tumors

BACKGROUND

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, are an example of a disease with an effective, molecularly targeted therapy.

METHODS

Published articles and author experience were used to comprehensively define the clinical features, biology, and state-of-the-art therapy of GISTs.

RESULTS

GISTs are thought to originate from the neoplastic transformation of the interstitial cells of Cajal, the intestinal pacemaker cells. GISTs commonly have mutations in the kit gene, resulting in a gain-of-function mutation and ligand-independent constitutive activation of the KIT receptor tyrosine kinase. Successful tyrosine kinase inhibitors target the aberrant pathways that are critical for tumor cell viability. The development of imatinib mesylate (formerly STI 571) in the treatment of metastatic GISTs represents a therapeutic breakthrough.

CONCLUSIONS

Progress in the clinical diagnosis has led to an increased recognition of this disease as a distinct clinical entity. Treatment of metastatic GIST with imatinib has led to unprecedented improvements in progression-free and overall survival. The use of imatinib in the preoperative and postoperative treatment of GISTs is an area of intense investigation.

Laparoscopic radiofrequency thermal ablation for unusual hepatic tumors: operative indications and outcomes

BACKGROUND

There is increasing experience with laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of patients with hepatic metastasis from colorectal and neuroendocrine cancer and those with hepatocellular cancer. Little is known about the outcomes for patients with other tumor types.

METHODS

Between January 1996 and March 2005, 517 patients with 1,500 primary and metastatic liver tumors underwent laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation. Among these, 53 patients (10%) had cancers other than the colorectal, neuroendocrine, or hepatocellular types including sarcoma (n = 18), breast cancer (n = 10), esophagus cancer (n = 4), melanoma (n = 4), lung cancer (n = 3), ovarian cancer (n = 2), pancreas cancer (n = 2), unknown primary cancer (n = 2), cholangiocarcinoma (n = 2), rectal squamous cancer (n = 2), renal cancer (n = 2), papillary thyroid cancer (n = 1), and hemangioendothelioma (n = 1). Unlike the criteria for treatment of the more usual tumor types, these patients had a diagnosis of liver-exclusive disease, as diagnosed by preoperative imaging. They also had failed chemotherapy.

RESULTS

The 53 patients underwent ablation of 192 lesions, with 8 patients undergoing repeat treatment. The hospital stay averaged 1 day, and there was no 30-day mortality. Complications included one postoperative hemorrhage, one liver abscess, and one wound infection. Tumors recurred locally for 17% of the lesions over a mean follow-up period of 24 months. The overall median survival was 33 months for the whole series, more than 51 months for breast cancer, and 25 months for sarcoma.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation can safely and effectively treat hepatic metastasis of these unusual tumor types. The authors believe that this heterogeneous group of patients, selected for their unusual presentation of liver-exclusive disease, may benefit from cytoreduction of their tumor by laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation when other treatment methods have failed.

The role of surgery in the management of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) in the era of imatinib mesylate effectiveness

Surgical resection is the treatment of choice for the gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). In the literature, the 5-year patient survival after surgical resection, ranged from 48 to 80%, before the era of imatinib mesylate and the exploration of the prognostication criteria. Imatinib mesylate targets an intracellular signaling molecule of the natural history and malignant development of GISTs, and increased the 5-year survival rate, after the resection of primary low-risk GISTs, to similar values to the normal population. For high-risk GISTs, current knowledge which is still under expansion, show major improvement at the 1-year survival rate of more than 90% versus less than 50% before imatinib era. After surgical resection, for both low and high malignant potential GISTs, a closed control directed to the early identification of confined resectable recurrences, is required. This paper assesses the current knowledge of GIST management, motivated by a case of patient with intermediate risk GIST.

Surgical therapy for metastatic disease to the liver

The liver is a common site of hematogenous metastasis. In the past, patients with liver metastases were often deemed inoperable, and medical therapy conferred only minor survival benefit. However, advances in surgical techniques and chemotherapeutic agents during the past two decades have led to effective treatments for selected patients with metastases to the liver. Up to approximately 80% of the liver can be resected, and partial hepatectomy is now routinely performed with a perioperative mortality rate of <5%. Surgical resection of colorectal cancer metastatic to the liver results in a 5-year survival rate of 40%. These results are expected to improve even further with multimodality approaches that include newer chemotherapy regimens. Liver metastases from other primary tumors, such as neuroendocrine carcinoma and genitourinary tumors, are also treated effectively with liver resection. The indications for surgical treatment of liver metastases are broadening as a variety of novel therapies are being developed, including hepatic artery embolization, hepatic artery infusion of chemotherapy, and radiofrequency ablation.

Surgery including liver resection for metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors or gastrointestinal leiomyosarcomas

BACKGROUND

In recent years, imatinib mesylate (STI 571), a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has shown short-term clinical usefulness for gastrointestinal stromal tumor or gastrointestinal leiomyosarcoma (GIST). The value of surgical resection, including hepatectomy, for metastatic GIST remains unknown. Our aim was to evaluate the outcome of surgical resection, including hepatectomy, for metastatic GIST at a single institute.

METHODS

Eighteen patients who underwent hepatectomy for metastatic GIST were identified and the clinicopathological data of these patients were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The primary site of GIST included stomach in 10, duodenum in five, ileum in two and esophagus in one patient. A hemihepatectomy or greater resection was undertaken in eight patients. Six patients underwent simultaneous resection for primary and hepatic disease. There was no in-hospital mortality in this series. The post-hepatectomy 3- and 5-year survival rates were 63.7 and 34.0% respectively, with a median of 36 (17-227) months. Recurrence after the initial hepatectomy was documented in 17 patients (94%), and metastatic mass of the remnant liver developed in 15 of these 17 patients (88%). Three patients survived >5 years after the initial hepatectomy who underwent multiple surgical resections during this period. No clinicopathological characteristic was a significant predictive factor for survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple surgical resections, including hepatectomy, may contribute to important palliation in selected patients with metastatic GIST. Surgical cure seems to be difficult due to the high frequency of repeat metastasis to various sites. Therefore, adjuvant therapy must be required in the treatment of metastatic GIST.

Treatment and risk factors for recurrence after curative resection of gastrointestinal stromal tumors of the stomach

The current definitive treatment for gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) of the stomach is complete resection. GIST has a highly variable clinical course, and recurrent disease sometimes develops despite curative treatment. Although several known risk factors for recurrence exist, adequate treatment strategies are lacking. This study evaluated factors associated with relapse after curative treatment. Sixty patients with gastric GIST were identified from a hospital disease registry database. Clinicopathologic characteristics of these patients were reviewed and the Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to identify recurrent risk factors. With a median follow-up of 60 months (range 5-286 months), recurrence occurred in eight (13%) patients, three of whom underwent resection of the recurrent disease and are alive to date. Univariate analysis demonstrated that invasion of the adjacent organs (p = 0.0005), tumor size (p = 0.0046), and expression of proliferative markers [MIB-1 proliferative index (PI) > or = 10%] (p = 0.0001) were significant risk factors for recurrence. Multivariate analysis with these three factors as variables revealed that only MIB-1 PI was a significant independent risk factor for recurrence (p = 0.0051). In conclusion, surgical resection may be indicated whenever a recurrent GIST is considered resectable. A high MIB-1 PI was identified as an independent indicator of risk for recurrent disease following curative surgery.

SURGERY FOR GASTROINTESTINAL STROMAL TUMOUR IN THE POST-IMATINIB ERA

Gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) is a rare tumour. Historically, surgery has been the only effective treatment. The prognosis of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumour is poor. Even after apparently 'curative' surgical resection more than 50% of patients relapse. The development of an effective novel targeted therapy against GIST (imatinib mesylate) is a success story of molecular biology that has dramatically altered the management of patients with these tumours. However, as follow up of patients who have initially responded to imatinib has increased, it has become evident that such hopes of cure were premature because responses to imatinib are of limited duration. Unresolved issues include the role of imatinib as an induction (neo-adjuvant) therapy prior to surgery, or as adjuvant treatment after surgery, the role of surgery in patients with a differential or partial response and the role of surgery in patients with isolated metastatic disease. In the present paper the biology and natural history of GIST are reviewed, and the complexities of surgical management that exist in the context of an effective, but not curative, biological therapy, are addressed.

Partial hepatectomy for metastases from noncolorectal, nonneuroendocrine carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To define perioperative and long-term outcome and prognostic factors in patients undergoing hepatectomy for liver metastases arising from noncolorectal and nonneuroendocrine (NCNN) carcinoma.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Hepatic resection is a well-established therapy for patients with liver metastases from colorectal or neuroendocrine carcinoma. However, for patients with liver metastases from other carcinomas, the value of resection is incompletely defined and still debated.

METHODS

Between April 1981 and April 2002, 141 patients underwent hepatic resection for liver metastases from NCNN carcinoma. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment, and postoperative outcome were analyzed.

RESULTS

Thirty-day postoperative mortality was 0% and 46 of 141 (33%) patients developed postoperative complications. The median follow up was 26 months (interquartile range [IQR]) 10-49 months); the median follow up for survivors was 35 months (IQR 11-68 months). There have been 24 actual 5-year survivors so far. The actuarial 3-year relapse-free survival rate was 30% (95% confidence interval [CI], 21-39%) with a median of 17 months. The actuarial 3-year cancer-specific survival rate was 57% (95% CI, 48-67%) with a median of 42 months. Primary tumor type and length of disease-free interval from the primary tumor were significant independent prognostic factors for relapse-free and cancer-specific survival. Margin status was significant for cancer-specific survival and showed a strong trend for relapse-free survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Hepatic resection for metastases from NCNN carcinoma is safe and can offer long-term survival in selected patients. Hepatic resection should be considered if all gross disease can be removed, especially in patients with metastases from reproductive tract tumors or a disease-free interval greater than 2 years.

In-contiguity and non-anatomical extension of right hepatic trisectionectomy for liver metastases

Background

In some patients undergoing right hepatic trisectionectomy for metastases, extension of the resection beyond the falciform ligament is necessary to achieve tumour clearance. The aim of the present study was to assess the early and long-term outcomes and hepatic function in patients who underwent extensive liver resection beyond right trisectionectomy.

Methods

Thirty-eight patients who had extension of a right trisectionectomy, either in contiguity (IC) or in a non-anatomical (NA) fashion, for liver metastases were included in the study. In-hospital mortality, hepatic function and other morbidity were recorded. Survival outcomes were analysed for the subgroup of patients with colorectal liver metastases. The clinical risk score described by the Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center was applied to all patients with colorectal liver metastases.

Results

Sixteen patients had IC resection, 15 NA resection, and seven had both IC and NA procedures. There was one in-hospital death. Hepatic dysfunction was seen in 25 patients and two developed liver failure. Disease-free actuarial 3-year survival was 42 per cent for patients with colorectal liver metastases. Survival was significantly better in patients with a clinical risk score of 3 or less.

Conclusion

Extension of right trisectionectomy for liver metastases was associated with a low risk of death and hepatic failure.

Resection of residual disease in patients with metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors responding to treatment with imatinib

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. Long-term survival of patients with metastatic disease has only been observed in patients with completely resected disease. Recently, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib has been found to yield responses in the majority of patients with metastatic GIST suggesting improved resectability in responding patients. Combined treatment approaches including resective surgery after imatinib treatment in patients with advanced metastatic disease have rarely been explored. We report a series of 90 patients with metastatic GIST in whom treatment with imatinib enabled 12 patients with mostly recurrent and extensive disease to be considered for resection of residual disease. In 11 of these patients, complete resection could be achieved. Viable tumor cells were found in all but one resected specimens suggesting that despite favorable radiological or clinical responses, imatinib is unlikely to induce pathological complete responses. Until more mature data from prospective trials are available, these data suggest that an early aggressive surgical approach should be considered for all patients with metastatic GIST. Further trials investigating a combined surgical and pre/postoperative treatment with imatinib in patients with advanced metastatic GIST are warranted.

Therapeutisches Management intraabdomineller und retroperitonealer Weichgewebssarkome

In this article, we review the diagnostics, therapy, follow-up, and prognosis of intra-abdominal and retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcomas. There are descriptions and discussion of the surgical techniques, advantages and disadvantages of various types and combinations of adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapies, therapy in case of nonresectability, and procedures for desmoid tumors. Further, treatment results, control methods, and studies on new therapeutic approaches are presented.

Surveillance strategies for patients following surgical resection of soft tissue sarcomas

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To examine the factors predictive of recurrence for soft tissue sarcomas, the role of salvage therapy, and the data in support of current surveillance strategies.

RECENT FINDINGS

There are multiple primary tumor characteristics and other factors that can stratify patients into low- or high-risk groups for developing recurrent disease. The available data also support a limited role for salvage therapy in the setting of isolated local recurrence or distant metastases. The use of routine chest computed tomography as opposed to conventional chest x-ray for pulmonary surveillance is costly and provides little additional benefit if the risk for lung metastases is low. When examined scientifically, standard laboratory studies and surveillance imaging of the primary tumor site for extremity soft tissue sarcomas add little to the detection of recurrent disease. In addition to predictive variables, physician experience and opinion influence surveillance strategies.

SUMMARY

For soft tissue sarcomas, patient education and office visits with thorough history and physical examination will detect the vast majority of recurrent disease. Routine surveillance imaging is only of significant benefit if the risk for asymptomatic recurrence is high or if other factors make clinical assessment difficult. There is no benefit to basic laboratory studies in standard follow-up regimens.

Surgery and imatinib in the management of GIST: emerging approaches to adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a neoplasm of the gastrointestinal tract, mesentery, or omentum that expresses the protein-tyrosine kinase KIT (CD117) and is the most common mesenchymal tumor arising at these sites. Surgical resection is the first-line intervention for operable GISTs, particularly localized primary tumors, and it was historically the only effective treatment. However, more than half of all GIST patients present with locally advanced, recurrent, or metastatic disease. The 5-year survival rate ranges from 50% to 65% after complete resection of a localized primary GIST and decreases to approximately 35% for patients with advanced disease who undergo complete surgical resection. A total of 40% to 90% of all GIST surgical patients subsequently have postoperative recurrence or metastasis. Imatinib is a potent, specific inhibitor of KIT that has demonstrated significant activity and tolerability in the treatment of malignant unresectable or metastatic GIST, inducing tumor shrinkage of 50% or more or stabilizing disease in most patients. A key strategy for prolonging the survival of patients with GIST is to improve the outcome of surgery. It is possible that the adjuvant and neoadjuvant use of imatinib (e.g., rendering initially inoperable tumors resectable) in the overall management approach to advanced GIST may contribute to surgeons' success in attaining this objective.

Surgical management of hepatic malignancy

Over the past twenty-five years, hepatic resection has evolved from a high risk, resource-intensive procedure with limited application to a safe and commonly performed operation with broad indications. This period has seen dramatic improvements in perioperative outcome, including reductions in mortality, blood loss, transfusion rates, and hospital stay. These improved perioperative results are largely responsible for the emergence of hepatic resection as a viable and effective treatment option for selected patients with 1 degree and 2 degrees hepatobiliary malignancy. Continued advances in imaging technology, along with a heightened awareness of the clinical and tumor-related variables that dictate outcome, have allowed better preoperative assessment of disease extent and improved patient selection. Advances in other areas, such as minimally invasive and ablative techniques, have increased the treatment options and have had some impact on the approach to patients with malignant hepatobiliary disease; however, resection remains the most effective therapy. Although the long term results after resection are better than with other modalities, recurrence rates remain high, and further improvements in survival will require more effective systemic agents. As better adjuvant and neo-adjuvant therapies emerge, the results of resection are likely to improve and the indications for its application perhaps will extend to patients currently considered to have unresectable disease.

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver in association with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor: A case report

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver is a rare benign lesion that can mimic a malignant liver neoplasm. A case of inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver found in association with a malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) of the small bowel was reported. The inflammatory pseudotumor was misdiagnosed as a metastasis from the GIST by frozen section. A correct diagnosis was made only after histopathological examination of the paraffin section of the resected specimen. This case is particularly interesting because of the association of the two rare pathological entities and the diagnostic dilemma that arose from the similarity of their histological appearances. To our knowledge, this association has not been reported in the literature.

Major hepatectomy with simultaneous pancreatectomy for advanced hepatobiliary cancer1 1No competing interests declared

BACKGROUND

Combined major hepatectomy with pancreatectomy (MHP) is a rarely used operation for the treatment of hepatobiliary cancer. Few reports have discussed the utility of this procedure and its indications are poorly defined. The aim of this study was to review our experience with MHP.

STUDY DESIGN

A review of our prospective hepatobiliary surgical database between January 1994 and July 2000 identified 17 patients who had undergone MHP. Preoperative radiographic and laboratory data, intraoperative findings, hospital outcomes, and longterm followup were obtained.

RESULTS

A total of 3,579 patients with hepatobiliary malignancy were seen at our institution, of which 1,280 underwent resection and 17 (1.3%) had an MHP. The median age was 58 years (range 24 to 76). Histology was as follows: eight neuroendocrine carcinoma, three sarcoma, two cholangiocarcinoma, one ampullary carcinoma, one gallbladder carcinoma, one gastric carcinoma recurrence, and one benign fibrosis. All 17 patients underwent resection of two or more hepatic segments. Nine patients underwent a distal pancreatectomy and eight underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy. Median operative time was 6 hours (range 4 to 8) and the median blood loss was 900 mL (range 150 to 2,500). Postoperative complications occurred in eight patients (47%), and there were three perioperative deaths (18%). All three deaths occurred in patients who underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy combined with a hemi-hepactomy or greater. Eight patients are free of disease with a median followup of 54 months. Six patients have recurred, two of whom have died of disease with a median disease-free interval of 8 months.

CONCLUSIONS

MHP is associated with a high morbidity and mortality and should only be considered in highly selected patients when a significant potential oncologic benefit is possible.