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Bhangui P. Liver transplantation and resection in patients with hepatocellular cancer and portal vein tumor thrombosis: Feasible and effective? Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2024; 23:123-128. [PMID: 37880019 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2023.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Patients with locally advanced hepatocellular cancer (HCC) and portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) have a dismal prognosis since limited treatment options are available for them. In recent years, effective systemic therapy, and advances in the understanding of technicalities and effectiveness of ablative therapies especially radiotherapy, have given some hope to prolong survival in them. This review summarized recent evidence in literature regarding the possible role of liver resection (LR) and liver transplantation (LT) in patients with locally advanced HCC and PVTT with no extrahepatic disease. Downstaging therapies have helped make curative resection or LT a reality in selected patients. This review emphasizes on the key points to focus on when considering surgery in these patients, who are usually relegated to palliative systemic therapy alone. Meticulous patient selection based on tumor biology, documented downstaging based on imaging and decrease in tumor marker levels, and an adequate waiting period to demonstrate stable disease, may help obtain satisfactory long-term outcomes post LR or LT in an intention to treat strategy in patients with HCC and PVTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashant Bhangui
- Institute of Liver Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Medanta - The Medicity, Sector 38, Gurgaon, Delhi NCR 122001, India.
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2
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Chen CL, Dungca LBP, Yong CC, Chen ICY, Cheng YF, Cheng JY, Chen YY. Proton beam therapy for downstaging hepatocellular carcinoma with lobar portal vein tumor thrombosis to living donor liver transplantation. Hepatobiliary Surg Nutr 2023; 12:966-974. [PMID: 38115927 PMCID: PMC10727813 DOI: 10.21037/hbsn-23-410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Long Chen
- Liver Transplantation Center, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung
| | - Leona Bettina P. Dungca
- Liver Transplantation Center, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung
| | - Chee-Chien Yong
- Liver Transplantation Center, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung
| | - Itsuko Chih-Yi Chen
- Liver Transplantation Center, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung
| | - Yu-Fan Cheng
- Liver Transplantation Center, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung
| | - Jen-Yu Cheng
- Liver Transplantation Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung
| | - Yen-Yang Chen
- Liver Transplantation Center, Department of Hematology-Oncology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung
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3
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Claasen MPAW, Sneiders D, Rakké YS, Adam R, Bhoori S, Cillo U, Fondevila C, Reig M, Sapisochin G, Tabrizian P, Toso C. European Society of Organ Transplantation (ESOT) Consensus Report on Downstaging, Bridging and Immunotherapy in Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Transpl Int 2023; 36:11648. [PMID: 37779513 PMCID: PMC10533675 DOI: 10.3389/ti.2023.11648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Liver transplantation offers the best chance of cure for most patients with non-metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although not all patients with HCC are eligible for liver transplantation at diagnosis, some can be downstaged using locoregional treatments such as ablation and transarterial chemoembolization. These aforementioned treatments are being applied as bridging therapies to keep patients within transplant criteria and to avoid them from dropping out of the waiting list while awaiting a liver transplant. Moreover, immunotherapy might have great potential to support downstaging and bridging therapies. To address the contemporary status of downstaging, bridging, and immunotherapy in liver transplantation for HCC, European Society of Organ Transplantation (ESOT) convened a dedicated working group comprised of experts in the treatment of HCC to review literature and to develop guidelines pertaining to this cause that were subsequently discussed and voted during the Transplant Learning Journey (TLJ) 3.0 Consensus Conference that took place in person in Prague. The findings and recommendations of the working group on Downstaging, Bridging and Immunotherapy in Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma are presented in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Petrus Adrianus Wilhelmus Claasen
- Department of Surgery, Division of HPB & Transplant Surgery, Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, University Health Network (UHN), Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dimitri Sneiders
- Department of Surgery, Division of HPB & Transplant Surgery, Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Yannick Sebastiaan Rakké
- Department of Surgery, Division of HPB & Transplant Surgery, Erasmus MC Transplant Institute, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - René Adam
- Centre Hépato-Biliaire, APHP Hôpital Universitaire Paul Brousse, Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France
| | - Sherrie Bhoori
- Hepatology, Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Umberto Cillo
- Chirurgia Generale 2, Epato-Bilio-Pancreatica e Centro Trapianto di Fegato, Azienda Ospedale Università Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Maria Reig
- BCLC Group, Liver Unit, Digestive Disease Institute, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS CIBEREHD, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Sapisochin
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, University Health Network (UHN), Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Parissa Tabrizian
- Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Recanati/Miller Transplantation Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Christian Toso
- Division of Abdominal Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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4
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Yoon JH, Choi SK. Management of early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma: challenges and strategies for optimal outcomes. JOURNAL OF LIVER CANCER 2023; 23:300-315. [PMID: 37734717 PMCID: PMC10565545 DOI: 10.17998/jlc.2023.08.27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Although hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with a poor prognosis, management of early-stage HCC is often successful with highly efficacious treatment modalities such as liver transplantation, surgical resection, and radiofrequency ablation. However, unfavorable clinical outcomes have been observed under certain circumstances, even after efficient treatment. Factors that predict unsuitable results after treatment include tumor markers, inflammatory markers, imaging findings reflecting tumor biology, specific outcome indicators for each treatment modality, liver functional reserve, and the technical feasibility of the treatment modalities. Various strategies may overcome these challenges, including the application of reinforced treatment indication criteria with predictive markers reflecting tumor biology, compensation for technical issues with up-to-date technologies, modification of treatment modalities, downstaging with locoregional therapies (such as transarterial chemotherapy or radiotherapy), and recently introduced combination immunotherapies. In this review, we discuss the challenges to achieving optimal outcomes in the management of early-stage HCC and suggest strategies to overcome these obstacles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Hyun Yoon
- Department of Gastroenterology and hepatology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Sung Kyu Choi
- Department of Gastroenterology and hepatology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
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5
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Lee JS, Kim J, Rhu J, Choi GS, Joh JW. Long-Term Outcomes of Liver Transplantation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Bile Duct Tumor Thrombus: A Comparison with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4225. [PMID: 37686500 PMCID: PMC10486955 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15174225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver transplantation (LT) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with bile duct tumor thrombus (BDTT) remains controversial. This study analyzed the recurrence and overall survival rates through long-term results after LT in HCC patients with BDTT and compared the results after LT in HCC patients with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT). We performed a retrospective study of 45 patients with PVTT, 16 patients with BDTT, and 11 patients with coexisting PVTT and BDTT among HCC patients who underwent LT at a single center from 1999 to 2020. The HCC recurrence rates were 40.4% at 1 year, 30.3.3% at 2 years, and 27.6% at 3 years in the PVTT group; 66.7%, 53.3%, and 46.7% in the BDTT group; and 22.2%, 22.2%, and 0% in the coexisting group (p = 0.183). Overall patient survival rates were 68.4% at 1 year, 54.3% at 2 years, and 41.7% at 3 years in the PVTT group; 81.3%, 62.5%, and 48.2% in the BDTT group; and 63.6%, 27.3%, and 0% in the coexisting group (p = 0.157). In the multivariate analysis, the pre-transplantation model for tumor recurrence after liver transplantation (MoRAL) score and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score were found to be independent risk factors for recurrence and survival in all groups. HCC patients with BDTT showed no difference in recurrence and survival compared with HCC patients with PVTT at the long-term follow-up after LT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Soo Lee
- Department of Surgery, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul 05355, Republic of Korea;
| | - Jongman Kim
- Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea; (J.R.); (G.-S.C.)
| | - Jinsoo Rhu
- Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea; (J.R.); (G.-S.C.)
| | - Gyu-Seong Choi
- Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Republic of Korea; (J.R.); (G.-S.C.)
| | - Jae-Won Joh
- Department of Surgery, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon 51353, Republic of Korea;
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2022 KLCA-NCC Korea practice guidelines for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma. JOURNAL OF LIVER CANCER 2023; 23:1-120. [PMID: 37384024 PMCID: PMC10202234 DOI: 10.17998/jlc.2022.11.07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the fourth most common cancer among men in South Korea, where the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection is high in middle and old age. The current practice guidelines will provide useful and sensible advice for the clinical management of patients with HCC. A total of 49 experts in the fields of hepatology, oncology, surgery, radiology, and radiation oncology from the Korean Liver Cancer Association-National Cancer Center Korea Practice Guideline Revision Committee revised the 2018 Korean guidelines and developed new recommendations that integrate the most up-to-date research findings and expert opinions. These guidelines provide useful information and direction for all clinicians, trainees, and researchers in the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Korean Liver Cancer Association (KLCA) and National Cancer Center (NCC) Korea
- Corresponding author: KLCA-NCC Korea Practice Guideline Revision Committee (KPGRC) (Committee Chair: Joong-Won Park) Center for Liver and Pancreatobiliary Cancer, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cancer Center, 323 Ilsan-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang 10408, Korea Tel. +82-31-920-1605, Fax: +82-31-920-1520, E-mail:
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7
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2022 KLCA-NCC Korea Practice Guidelines for the Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Korean J Radiol 2022; 23:1126-1240. [PMID: 36447411 PMCID: PMC9747269 DOI: 10.3348/kjr.2022.0822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the fourth most common cancer among men in South Korea, where the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection is high in middle and old age. The current practice guidelines will provide useful and sensible advice for the clinical management of patients with HCC. A total of 49 experts in the fields of hepatology, oncology, surgery, radiology, and radiation oncology from the Korean Liver Cancer Association-National Cancer Center Korea Practice Guideline Revision Committee revised the 2018 Korean guidelines and developed new recommendations that integrate the most up-to-date research findings and expert opinions. These guidelines provide useful information and direction for all clinicians, trainees, and researchers in the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.
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8
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2022 KLCA-NCC Korea practice guidelines for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma. Clin Mol Hepatol 2022; 28:583-705. [PMID: 36263666 PMCID: PMC9597235 DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2022.0294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the fourth most common cancer among men in South Korea, where the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection is high in middle and old age. The current practice guidelines will provide useful and sensible advice for the clinical management of patients with HCC. A total of 49 experts in the fields of hepatology, oncology, surgery, radiology, and radiation oncology from the Korean Liver Cancer Association-National Cancer Center Korea Practice Guideline Revision Committee revised the 2018 Korean guidelines and developed new recommendations that integrate the most up-to-date research findings and expert opinions. These guidelines provide useful information and direction for all clinicians, trainees, and researchers in the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.
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9
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Si T, Huang Z, Khorsandi SE, Ma Y, Heaton N. Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy versus transarterial chemoembolization for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:1010824. [PMID: 36237208 PMCID: PMC9551027 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1010824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Interest has revived in the use of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) for intermediate-advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) while transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been a longstanding loco-regional therapy. Aim: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of patients with unresectable HCC treated with HAIC or TACE to look for differences in survival, adverse events, mortality and downstaging. Methods: All studies published before 29 July 2022 were identified by searching PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases for patients with unresectable HCC and received HAIC or TACE as initial treatment. Data extracted from studies was statistically analysed using RevMan5.3 software. Results: A total of one randomized controlled trial (RCT) and 7 cohort studies (5 retrospective, 2 prospective) including 1,060 (TACE group: 534, HAIC group: 526) patients were screened. Compared with the TACE group, patients who received HAIC as initial therapy had better overall survival (OS) (HR = 0.53, 95%CI [0.40, 0.69]) and progression-free survival (PFS) (HR = 0.54, 95%CI [0.40, 0.72]). Further subgroup analysis revealed that HAIC showed priority over TACE on prognosis outcome regardless of tumour stage, especially in patients with advanced portal vein tumour thrombus (PVTT). Utilization of port system will not boost the efficacy of HAIC whereas using a replaced-microcatheter for each procedure could better reduce the progressive disease (PD) rate (RR = 0.55, 95%CI [0.40, 0.76]). The pooled RR favoured the HAIC group with regard to partial response (PR) (RR = 2.87, 95%CI [2.18, 3.78]) and this was validated by both GRADE summary and trial sequential analysis. The rate of resection after treatment was higher in the HAIC group (RR = 2.37, 95%CI [1.54, 3.66]), whilst no difference was found with procedure-related mortality (RR = 0.56, 95%CI [0.13, 2.38]) between two groups. Compared with the traditional chemotherapy regimen (fluorouracil/leucovorin/oxaliplatin) FOLFOX-HAIC appears to be better in improving the treatment efficacy. Conclusion: Patients with unresectable HCC could potentially benefit more from HAIC rather than standard TACE treatment. A re-evaluation of HAIC as a treatment option in intermediate and advanced HCC is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tengfei Si
- Department of Inflammation Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, Institute of Liver Studies, King’s College Hospital, King’s College London, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
| | - Zhenlin Huang
- Department of Inflammation Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, Institute of Liver Studies, King’s College Hospital, King’s College London, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
- The MOE Key Laboratory for Standardization of Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shirin Elizabeth Khorsandi
- Department of Inflammation Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, Institute of Liver Studies, King’s College Hospital, King’s College London, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
- Transplant Services, King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
- The Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yun Ma
- Department of Inflammation Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, Institute of Liver Studies, King’s College Hospital, King’s College London, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Yun Ma, ; Nigel Heaton,
| | - Nigel Heaton
- Transplant Services, King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Yun Ma, ; Nigel Heaton,
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Sha M, Chen C, Shen C, Jeong S, Sun HY, Xu N, Hang HL, Cao J, Tong Y. Clinical analysis of deceased donor liver transplantation in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with segmental portal vein tumor thrombus: A long-term real-world study. Front Oncol 2022; 12:971532. [PMID: 36203429 PMCID: PMC9530398 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.971532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) have conventionally been regarded as a contraindication for liver transplantation (LT). However, the outcomes of deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) in patients with segmental PVTT remain unknown. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of DDLT in the treatment of HCC with segmental PVTT. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 254 patients who underwent DDLT for HCC in our institution from January 2015 to November 2019. To assess the risks of PVTT, various clinicopathological variables were evaluated. Overall (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) analyses based on different PVTT types were performed in HCC patients. Results Of the 254 patients, a total of 46 patients had PVTT, of whom 35 had lobar PVTT and 11 had segmental PVTT in second-order branches or below. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level, tumor maximal diameter, histological grade, micro-vascular invasion (MVI), RFS, and OS were significantly different between the control and PVTT groups. Lobar PVTT was associated with unfavorable 5-year RFS and OS compared with MVI group (28.6% and 17.1%, respectively). Instead, no significant difference was observed between the segmental PVTT and MVI group in terms of 5-year RFS and OS (RFS: 36.4% vs. 40.4%, p=0.667; OS: 54.5% vs. 45.1%, p=0.395). Further subgroup analysis showed segmental PVTT with AFP levels ≤100 ng/ml presented significantly favorable RFS and OS rates than those with AFP level >100 ng/ml (p=0.050 and 0.035, respectively). Conclusions In summary, lobar PVTT remains a contraindication to DDLT. HCC patients with segmental PVTT and AFP level ≤100 ng/ml may be acceptable candidates for DDLT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Sha
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chuan Shen
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Seogsong Jeong
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, CHA University School of Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam, South Korea
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam, South Korea
- Institute for Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Han-yong Sun
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ning Xu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hua-lian Hang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Cao
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Tong
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Ying Tong,
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Liver transplantation and portal vein tumour thrombus: futile enterprise? Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2022; 27:312-319. [PMID: 36354257 DOI: 10.1097/mot.0000000000000997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To summarize recent evidence in literature regarding liver transplantation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and portal vein tumour thrombosis (PVTT) with no extrahepatic disease. In addition, in this review, we have tried to highlight the advances in downstaging with ablative therapies that have made liver transplantation a possibility, and also the key points to focus on when considering liver transplantation in these patients with locally advanced HCC. RECENT FINDINGS Advances in the understanding of technicalities and effectiveness of ablative therapies, including transarterial chemoembolization, stereotactic body radiotherapy and transarterial radioembolization on PVTT have helped successfully downstage patients with HCC and PVTT to within transplant criteria. This provides the opportunity to offer a curative liver transplantation in these patients who are generally managed with systemic or palliative therapy alone with dismal prognosis. Meticulous patient selection based on tumour biology, documented downstaging based on imaging and decrease in tumour marker levels, an adequate waiting period to demonstrate stable disease, liver transplantation with some technical modifications, and a modified immunosuppression protocol may offer long-term survival in a select group of patients treated with initial downstaging therapies in an intention to treat strategy. SUMMARY In patients with HCC, presence of PVTT is generally considered the end of the road by many. A multidisciplinary approach combining ablation and a curative liver transplantation may offer the best hope of long-term survival in a select group of patients with favourable tumour biology. Although promising, current evidence is limited, and future studies with larger number of patients, and longer follow-up may pave the way for an elaborate selection algorithm to choose the ideal candidates for such a curative strategy in patients with locally advanced HCC with PVTT.
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12
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Yang Z, Sun JQ, Wang S, Zhuang L, Zheng SS. Response to pretransplant downstaging therapy predicts patient outcome after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2022; 21:295-298. [PMID: 34696977 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2021.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Liver Transplantation, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital, Zhejiang Shuren University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310022, China
| | - Jing-Qi Sun
- Division of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Shuo Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Liver Transplantation, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital, Zhejiang Shuren University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310022, China
| | - Li Zhuang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Liver Transplantation, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital, Zhejiang Shuren University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310022, China
| | - Shu-Sen Zheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Liver Transplantation, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital, Zhejiang Shuren University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310022, China; Division of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China.
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13
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Liver-Directed Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy versus Sorafenib in Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombosis. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14102396. [PMID: 35626001 PMCID: PMC9139919 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary We investigated the efficacy of liver-directed concurrent chemoradiotherapy compared with sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma patients with portal vein tumor thrombosis. Patients in the sorafenib group presented higher incidences of unfavorable clinical features, and propensity score matching was performed to compensate for the differences between the two groups. We found that liver-directed concurrent chemoradiotherapy resulted in significantly improved survival compared to the sorafenib group. 3.6% and 13.8% of patients in the sorafenib and liver-directed concurrent chemoradiotherapy groups underwent surgical treatment after initial treatment, and those who received surgical treatment had significantly longer overall survival. Abstract This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of liver-directed concurrent chemoradiotherapy (LD-CCRT) compared with sorafenib in patients with liver-confined locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presenting portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT). This single institute retrospective cohort study included patients treated with sorafenib or LD-CCRT between 2005 and 2016. Patients with extrahepatic disease and those without PVTT were excluded, leaving 28 and 448 patients in the sorafenib and LD-CCRT groups, respectively. Propensity score matching was performed to balance the differences in clinical features between the two groups. At baseline, the sorafenib group presented higher incidences of unfavorable clinical features, including type III-IV PVTT (53.6% vs. 30.6%, p = 0.048) and bilateral disease extent (64.3% vs. 31.5%, p = 0.001), than the LD-CCRT group. A total of 27 patients from the sorafenib group and 52 patients from the LD-CCRT group were matched. At a median follow-up of 73 months, the median overall survival (OS) was 4.3 and 9.8 months in the sorafenib and LD-CCRT groups, respectively (p = 0.002). Patients with PVTT type II and higher benefited more from LD-CCRT in terms of OS. The Cox proportional hazard model showed that LD-CCRT was a significant prognostic factor for OS. One patient from the sorafenib group and seven patients from the LD-CCRT group underwent curative surgical treatment. Patients who underwent surgical treatment had significantly longer OS. In conclusion, LD-CCRT showed superior survival outcomes to sorafenib in HCC patients with PVTT. LD-CCRT needs further consideration for its substantial local tumor control that can enable curative surgical treatment in selected patients.
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14
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YANKOL Y, HOŞ G, KANMAZ T, MECİT N, ÇAKALOĞLU Y, KALAYOĞLU M, ACARLI KS. Are the criteria always right? Assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma cases in living
donor liver transplantation at a high-volume center. Turk J Med Sci 2021; 51:2383-2395. [PMID: 33754656 PMCID: PMC8742484 DOI: 10.3906/sag-2101-51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/aim With the increased experience in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), it has been adopted for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with emerging discussions of criteria beyond tumor size and number. In contrast to deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT), recipient selection for LDLT is not limited by organ allocation systems. We discuss herein the assessment, criteria, and experience with liver transplantation (LT) in HCC cases at a high-volume LDLT center. Material and methods Between August 2006 and December 2017, 191 adult LT HCC recipients with at least one-year follow-up were retrospectively analyzed. Results In 191 patients, one-, three- and five-year survival rates were 87.2%, 81.6%, and 76.2%, respectively, including early postoperative mortality. In 174 patients with long-term follow-up, one-, three- and five-year disease-free survival rates were 91.6%, 87.7%, and 84.4%, respectively. When multivariate analysis was utilized, tumor differentiation was the only factor which statistically affected survival (p = 0.025). Conclusion LDLT allows us to push the limits forward and the question “Are the criteria always right?” is always on the table. We can conclude that, with the advantage of LDLT, every HCC patient deserves a case-by-case basis discussion for LT under scientific literature support. In borderline cases, tumor biopsy might help determine the decision for LT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yücel YANKOL
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WIUnited States
- Organ Transplant Center, Memorial Şişli Hospital, İstanbulTurkey
| | - Gültekin HOŞ
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WIUnited States
- Department of Surgery, Şişli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, İstanbulTurkey
| | - Turan KANMAZ
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WIUnited States
- Organ Transplant Center, School of Medicine, Koç University, İstanbulTurkey
| | - Nesimi MECİT
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WIUnited States
- Organ Transplant Center, School of Medicine, Koç University, İstanbulTurkey
| | - Yılmaz ÇAKALOĞLU
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WIUnited States
| | - Münci KALAYOĞLU
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WIUnited States
- Organ Transplant Center, School of Medicine, Koç University, İstanbulTurkey
| | - Koray S. ACARLI
- Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WIUnited States
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15
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Luo F, Li M, Ding J, Zheng S. The Progress in the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma With Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus. Front Oncol 2021; 11:635731. [PMID: 34631513 PMCID: PMC8496502 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.635731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of most prevalent cancer and is a serious healthcare issue worldwide. Portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) is a frequent complication and remains as the blockage in the treatment of HCC with high recurrence rate and poor prognosis. There is still no global consensus or standard guideline on the management of HCC with PVTT. In western countries, Sorafenib and Lenvatinib are recommended as the first-line treatment options for HCC patients with PVTT where this condition is now regarded as BCLC Stage C regardless of PVTT types. However, there is growing evidence that supports the close relationship of the extent of PVTT to the prognosis of HCC. Besides the targeted therapy, more aggressive treatment modalities have been proposed and practiced in the clinic which may improve the prognosis of HCC patients with PVTT and prolong the patients’ survival time, such as transarterial chemoembolization, radiotherapy, hepatic resection, liver transplantation, and various combination therapies. Herein, we aim to review and summarize the advances in the treatment of HCC with PVTT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangzhou Luo
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengxia Li
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jun Ding
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shusen Zheng
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hangzhou, China
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Bhatti ABH, Sheikh AAE, Mahmud US, Zeeshan S, Khan NY, Zia HH, Dar FS, Rana A. Clinical Profile and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Single-Center Experience. South Asian J Cancer 2021; 10:76-80. [PMID: 34568219 PMCID: PMC8460341 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1729451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Very few centers in Pakistan have all established treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) available under one roof. With a dedicated hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery and liver transplant unit, we have gathered one of the largest data on HCC in our population.
Aims
The objective of the current study was to assess the clinical spectrum of HCC in Pakistani patients.
Settings and Design
This retrospective review of patients diagnosed with HCC was conducted between 2011 and 2016.
Materials and Methods
Patients were allocated to treatment groups based on the Barcelona clinic liver cancer (BCLC) staging algorithm and our local guidelines. The treatment options were grouped as curative (radiofrequency ablation [RFA], percutaneous ethanol injection [PEI], liver resection, and liver transplantation), palliative (transarterial chemoembolization [TACE]/sorafenib), and the best supportive care (BSC).
Statistical Analysis
Kaplan–Meier curves were used for the statistical analysis.
Results
The mean age was 57.9 ± 10.1 years (range: 18–90 years). The male-to-female ratio was (1,099/391) 2.8:1. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C were the most common underlying etiological factor in 1,350 of 1,490 (90.6%) patients. Macrovascular invasion (MVI) was seen in 492 of 1,490 (33%) patients. Out of the total, 191 (12.8%) additional patients were offered potentially curative treatments when compared with BCLC recommendations. The actuarial 5-year overall survival for patients who underwent liver transplant, RFA/PEI, TACE, sorafenib, and BSC was 87, 64, 18, 5, and 0%, respectively. Alpha fetoprotein cut-off of 400 ng/mL had a significant impact on survival irrespective of treatment received (41 vs. 11%,
p
< 0.0001).
Conclusion
MVI is the most frequent poor prognostic marker in our patients with HCC. Local treatment guidelines are effective in yielding comparable outcomes to BCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abu B H Bhatti
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Abdul A E Sheikh
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Umair S Mahmud
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Shagufta Zeeshan
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Nusrat Y Khan
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Haseeb H Zia
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Faisal S Dar
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Atif Rana
- Department of Radiology, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan
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17
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Joo DJ, Kim DY, Seong J, Kim HJ, Lee JG, Han DH, Choi GH, Kim MS, Choi JS, Kim SI. Curative liver transplantation after lung resection for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with lung metastasis and inferior vena cava tumor thrombosis: a case report. JOURNAL OF LIVER CANCER 2021; 21:181-186. [PMID: 37383086 PMCID: PMC10035687 DOI: 10.17998/jlc.2021.09.08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with distant metastasis is an absolute contraindication for liver transplantation (LT). However, it is still unclear whether LT is feasible or acceptable in such patients, albeit after being treated with a multidisciplinary approach and after any metastatic lesion is ruled out. We report one such successful treatment with living donor LT (LDLT) after completely controlling far-advanced HCC with inferior vena cava tumor thrombosis and multiple lung metastases. The patient has been doing well without HCC recurrence for eight years since LDLT. The current patient could be an anecdotal case, but provides a case for expanding LDLT indications in the context of advanced HCC and suchlike.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Jin Joo
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- The Research Institute for Transplantation, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Do Young Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jinsil Seong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Jeong Kim
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Geun Lee
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- The Research Institute for Transplantation, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dai Hoon Han
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Gi Hong Choi
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Myoung Soo Kim
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- The Research Institute for Transplantation, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jin Sub Choi
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- The Research Institute for Transplantation, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Soon Il Kim
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- The Research Institute for Transplantation, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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18
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Kim SJ, Kim JM. Liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis. JOURNAL OF LIVER CANCER 2021; 21:105-112. [PMID: 37383081 PMCID: PMC10035684 DOI: 10.17998/jlc.2021.03.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Traditionally, liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis is not recommended. However, with recent developments in locoregional therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma, more aggressive treatments have been attempted for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Recently, various studies on locoregional therapies for downstaging followed by living donor liver transplantation reported inspiring overall survival and recurrence-free survival of patients. These downstaging procedures included three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy, trans-arterial chemoembolization, stereotactic body radiation therapy, trans-arterial radioembolization, hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy and combinations of these therapies. Selection of the optimal downstaging protocol should depend on tumor location, biology and background liver status. The risk factors affecting outcome include pre-downstaging alpha-fetoprotein values, delta alpha-fetoprotein values, disappearance of portal vein tumor thrombosis on imaging and meeting the Milan criteria or not after downstaging. For hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis, downstaging procedure with liver transplantation in mind would be helpful. If the reaction of the downstaged tumor is good, liver transplantation may be performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang Jin Kim
- Division of Hepatobiliopancreas and Transplant Surgery, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan, Korea
- Department of Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jong Man Kim
- Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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19
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Long-term outcomes of deceased donor liver transplantation in hepatocellular carcinoma patients with portal vein tumor thrombus: A multicenter study. Eur J Surg Oncol 2021; 48:121-132. [PMID: 34456082 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2021.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) has been reported to be as high as approximately 10%-40% in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The long-term prognosis of deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) in HCC patients with PVTT remains unknown. METHODS Data of 961 HCC patients who underwent DDLT between 2015 and 2018 in six centers were analyzed. Based on the Milan criteria (MC) and Cheng's classification of PVTT, the patients were divided into 4 groups: within MC, beyond MC without PVTT, type 1 PVTT, and type 2 PVTT groups. RESULTS 489 (50.9%) were within the MC, 296 (30.8%) beyond the MC but without PVTT, 83 (8.6%) type 1 PVTT, and 93 (9.7%) type 2 PVTT. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that type 1 or 2 PVTT patients with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) ≤ 100 ng/mL had overall survival (OS) similar to that of patients within the MC (P = 0.957), and superior OS (P = 0.003 and 0.009) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) (P = 0.038 and <0.001) than those of patients beyond the MC and PVTT patients with AFP > 100 ng/mL. Multivariable Cox-regression analysis identified type 1 and 2 PVTT to be independent risk factor for RFS [hazard ratio (HR) 1.523 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.162-1.997, P = 0.002], but not for OS (HR 1.283, 95%CI 0.922-1.786, P = 0.139). CONCLUSION HCC patients with type 1 or 2 PVTT may be acceptable candidates for DDLT. To achieve better outcomes, preoperative AFP levels should be seriously considered when selecting patients with PVTT for DDLT.
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20
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Bae H, Lee SA, Choi JW, Hwang SH, Park S, Park MS. Effectiveness of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance and an Optimal Surveillance Interval: Nationwide Cohort of Korea. Yonsei Med J 2021; 62:758-766. [PMID: 34296554 PMCID: PMC8298874 DOI: 10.3349/ymj.2021.62.8.758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess associations between surveillance intervals in a national hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance program and receiving curative treatment and mortality using nationwide cohort data for Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using the National Health Insurance Service Database of Korea, we retrospectively identified 3201852 patients, the target population of the national HCC surveillance program, between 2008 and 2017. After exclusion, a total of 64674 HCC patients were divided based on surveillance intervals: never screened, ≤6 months (6M), 7-12 months (1Y), 13-24 months (2Y), and 25-36 months (3Y). Associations for surveillance interval with the chance to receive curative therapy and all-cause mortality were analyzed. RESULTS The 6M group (51.9%) received curative therapy more often than the other groups (1Y, 48.3%; 2Y, 43.8%; 3Y, 41.3%; never screened, 34.5%). Odds ratio for receiving curative therapy among the other surveillance interval groups (1Y, 0.87; 2Y, 0.76; 3Y, 0.77; never screened, 0.57; p<0.001) were significantly lower than that of the 6M group. The hazard ratios (HRs) of all-cause mortality were 1.07, 1.14, and 1.37 for 2Y, 3Y, and never screened groups. The HR for the 1Y group (0.96; p=0.092) was not significantly different, and it was lower (0.91; p<0.001) than that of the 6M group after adjustment for lead-time bias. Curative therapy was associated with survival benefits (HR, 0.26; p<0.001). CONCLUSION HCC surveillance, especially at a surveillance interval of 6 months, increases the chance to receive curative therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heejin Bae
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiological Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang Ah Lee
- Big Data Strategy Department, National Health Insurance Service, Wonju, Korea
| | - Jong Won Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Korea
| | - Shin Hye Hwang
- Department of Radiology, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yongin, Korea
| | - Sumi Park
- Department of Radiology, National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Korea.
| | - Mi Suk Park
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiological Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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21
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Glantzounis GK, Karampa A, Peristeri DV, Pappas-Gogos G, Tepelenis K, Tzimas P, Cyrochristos DJ. Recent advances in the surgical management of hepatocellular carcinoma. Ann Gastroenterol 2021; 34:453-465. [PMID: 34276183 PMCID: PMC8276352 DOI: 10.20524/aog.2021.0632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing, despite effective antiviral treatment for hepatitis B (HBV) and C virus infection and the application of preventive measures such as vaccination at birth against HBV infection. This is mainly due to the increase in metabolic syndrome and its hepatic components, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and steatohepatitis. Liver resection and transplantation are the main treatment options, offering long-term survival and potential cure. In this review, the recent advances in the surgical management of HCC are presented. More specifically, the role of liver resection in the intermediate and advanced stages, according to the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer classification, is analyzed. In addition, the roles of minimally invasive surgery and of living-related liver transplantation in the management of patients with HCC are discussed. Finally, recent data on the role of molecular markers in the early diagnosis and recurrence of HCC are presented. The management of HCC is complex, as there are several options for each stage of the disease. In order for, each patient to get the maximum benefit, an individualized approach is suggested, in specialized liver units, where cases are discussed in multidisciplinary tumor boards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios K. Glantzounis
- HPB Unit, Department of Surgery (Georgios K. Glantzounis, Anastasia Karampa, Dimitra V. Peristeri, George Pappas-Gogos, Kostas Tepelenis, Dimitrios J. Cyrochristos)
| | - Anastasia Karampa
- HPB Unit, Department of Surgery (Georgios K. Glantzounis, Anastasia Karampa, Dimitra V. Peristeri, George Pappas-Gogos, Kostas Tepelenis, Dimitrios J. Cyrochristos)
| | - Dimitra V. Peristeri
- HPB Unit, Department of Surgery (Georgios K. Glantzounis, Anastasia Karampa, Dimitra V. Peristeri, George Pappas-Gogos, Kostas Tepelenis, Dimitrios J. Cyrochristos)
| | - George Pappas-Gogos
- HPB Unit, Department of Surgery (Georgios K. Glantzounis, Anastasia Karampa, Dimitra V. Peristeri, George Pappas-Gogos, Kostas Tepelenis, Dimitrios J. Cyrochristos)
| | - Kostas Tepelenis
- HPB Unit, Department of Surgery (Georgios K. Glantzounis, Anastasia Karampa, Dimitra V. Peristeri, George Pappas-Gogos, Kostas Tepelenis, Dimitrios J. Cyrochristos)
| | - Petros Tzimas
- Department of Anesthesiology (Petros Tzimas), University Hospital of Ioannina and School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Dimitrios J. Cyrochristos
- HPB Unit, Department of Surgery (Georgios K. Glantzounis, Anastasia Karampa, Dimitra V. Peristeri, George Pappas-Gogos, Kostas Tepelenis, Dimitrios J. Cyrochristos)
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22
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Ma KW, Chan ACY, Chok KSH, She WH, Cheung TT, Dai WC, Fung JYY, Lo CM. Liver transplantation: would it be the best and last chance of cure for hepatocellular carcinoma with major venous invasion? Hepatobiliary Surg Nutr 2021; 10:308-314. [PMID: 34159158 DOI: 10.21037/hbsn.2020.03.09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumour thrombus (PVTT) signifies advanced disease, whether LT confers any survival superiority over resection remains uncertain. Methods A propensity score matched (PSM) analysis of liver transplantation (LT) and liver resection (LR) for HCC with PVTT was performed. Results A consecutive series of 88 patients who received either LT (10 DDLTs and 3 LDLTs) or LR (n=75) respectively were recruited. Before PSM, the LT group has a higher MELD score (17.3 vs. 7.8, P<0.001), lower serum AFP levels (96 vs. 2,164 ng/mL, P=0.017) and smaller tumour size (4 vs. 10 cm, P<0.001). The 5-year overall survival for LT and LR were 55.4% and 15.9% respectively (P=0.007). After matching for serum AFP levels and tumour size, 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival for LT were 81 ng/mL, 3.9 cm, 80%, 70% and 70% and the corresponding rates for LR were 1,417 ng/mL, 5.3 cm, 51.8%, 19,6% and 9.8% (P value =0.12, 0.27 and 0.009 respectively). Conclusions LT is associated with significantly better oncological outcomes in HCC patients with PVTT involving the lobar or segmental level. A modest expansion of selection criteria to include small HCC with segmental PVTT should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka Wing Ma
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | | | | | - Wong Hoi She
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tan To Cheung
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wing Chiu Dai
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Chung Mau Lo
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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23
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Is Macroscopic Portal Vein Tumor Thrombosis of HCC Really an Exclusion for Liver Transplantation? J Gastrointest Cancer 2021; 51:1137-1140. [PMID: 32833219 DOI: 10.1007/s12029-020-00488-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Hepatocellular carcinoma is a heterogenous group of disease with a spectrum of disease presentations that developed on the setting of liver cirrhosis, although the achievements made in the imaging techniques have enabled the early diagnosis in nearly 60% of the cases in cirrhotic patients. However, hepatobiliary centers and tertiary liver transplant centers have to treat patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with portal venous tumor thrombosis. METHODS In this review, liver transplantation results in hepatocellular carcinoma patients with portal vein tumor thrombosis is reviewed. RESULTS Although historically portal venous tumor thrombosis is considered a contraindication for radical surgical procedures such as liver transplantation, current data suggests that patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and macrovascular invasion can achieve favorable outcomes with liver transplantation provided that strict selection criteria is applied. One of the cornerstones of treatment of these patients is development of locoregional therapy such as transarterial chemo and radioembolizations. Transarterial radioembolization is effective in patients if the pretreatment liver failure is mild and the tumor burden including extension to the portal vein is low. Although data is lacking especially radioembolization could even help physicians to differentiate tumors with favorable biologic characteristics. CONCLUSIONS Therefore, these patients should be subject of multimodality treatment, and liver transplantation should be offered whenever objective and significant response is obtained by locoregional therapies.
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Experience With LDLT in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Portal Vein Tumor Thrombosis Postdownstaging. Transplantation 2021; 104:2334-2345. [PMID: 32032291 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000003162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Median survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) is 2-6 months; conventionally liver transplantation is contraindicated. METHODS We studied outcomes following living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) post-PVTT downstaging (DS) with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), and tumor ablation (with transarterial chemo- or radio-embolization). RESULTS Of 2348 consecutive LDLTs, 451 were for HCC, including 25 with PVTT (mainly Vp1-3) after successful DS and 20 with Vp1/2 PVTT without previous treatment. DS was attempted in 43, was successful in 27 (63%), and 25 underwent LDLT. Median alpha fetoprotein (AFP) at diagnosis and pre-LDLT were 78.1 ng/mL (3-58 200) and 55 ng/mL (2-7320), respectively. Mean DS to LDLT time was 10.2 weeks (5-16). Excluding 2 postoperative deaths, 1- and 5-year overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were 82%, 57%, and 77%, 51%, respectively, comparable to survival in 382 HCC patients without PVTT undergoing upfront LDLT (5-y OS 65%, P = 0.06; RFS 66%, P = 0.33, respectively). There was a trend toward better OS in DS+LDLT versus non-DS LDLT group (5-y OS/RFS-48%/40%). OS was significantly better than in HCC-PVTT patients receiving no intervention or palliative Sorafenib alone (1-y OS of 0%) or Sorafenib with TARE/SBRT (2-y OS of 17%) at our center during the study period. Initial AFP <400 ng/mL and AFP fall (initial minus pre-LDLT) >2000 ng/mL predicted better RFS; Grade III/IV predicted worse OS in DS patients. CONCLUSIONS HCC patients with PVTT can achieve acceptable survival with LDLT after successful DS. Low initial AFP level, a significant drop in AFP with DS and low tumor grade, favorably influence survival in these patients.
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Lv JY, Zhang NN, Du YW, Wu Y, Song TQ, Zhang YM, Qu Y, Liu YX, Gu J, Wang ZY, Qiu YB, Yang B, Tian DZ, Guo QJ, Zhang L, Sun JS, Xie Y, Wang ZL, Sun X, Jiang WT, Lu W. Comparison of Liver Transplantation and Liver Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus Type I and Type II. Yonsei Med J 2021; 62:29-40. [PMID: 33381932 PMCID: PMC7820449 DOI: 10.3349/ymj.2021.62.1.29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of liver transplantation (LT) and liver resection (LR) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) and to investigate risk factors affecting prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 94 HCC patients with PVTT type I (segmental PVTT) and PVTT type II (lobar PVTT) were involved and divided into LR (n=47) and LT groups (n=47). Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared before and after inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). Prognostic factors for RFS and OS were explored. RESULTS Two treatment groups were well-balanced using IPTW. In the entire cohort, LT provided a better prognosis than LR. Among patients with PVTT type I, RFS was better with LT (p=0.039); OS was not different significantly between LT and LR (p=0.093). In subgroup analysis of PVTT type I patients with α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels >200 ng/mL, LT elicited significantly longer median RFS (18.0 months vs. 2.1 months, p=0.022) and relatively longer median OS time (23.6 months vs. 9.8 months, p=0.065). Among patients with PVTT type II, no significant differences in RFS and OS were found between LT and LR (p=0.115 and 0.335, respectively). Multivariate analyses showed treatment allocation (LR), tumor size (>5 cm), AFP and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels to be risk factors of RFS and treatment allocation (LR), AFP and AST as risk factors for OS. CONCLUSION LT appeared to afford a better prognosis for HCC with PVTT type I than LR, especially in patients with AFP levels >200 ng/mL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Yu Lv
- The First Central Clinical College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ning Ning Zhang
- Liver Cancer Center, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin Key Laboratory for Organ Transplantation, Tianjin, China
- Post-doctoral Research Center, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ya Wei Du
- Liver Cancer Center, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Ying Wu
- School of Statistics and Data Science, Nankai University, Key Laboratory for Medical Data Analysis and Statistical Research of Tianjin, Tianjin, China
| | - Tian Qiang Song
- Liver Cancer Center, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Ya Min Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin Key Laboratory for Organ Transplantation, Tianjin, China
| | - Yan Qu
- School of Statistics and Data Science, Nankai University, Key Laboratory for Medical Data Analysis and Statistical Research of Tianjin, Tianjin, China
| | - Yu Xin Liu
- School of Statistics and Data Science, Nankai University, Key Laboratory for Medical Data Analysis and Statistical Research of Tianjin, Tianjin, China
| | - Jie Gu
- The First Central Clinical College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ze Yu Wang
- Liver Cancer Center, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Yi Bo Qiu
- The First Central Clinical College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Bing Yang
- The First Central Clinical College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Da Zhi Tian
- Department of Liver Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory for Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Qing Jun Guo
- Department of Liver Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory for Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Liver Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory for Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Ji San Sun
- Department of Liver Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory for Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Yan Xie
- Department of Liver Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory for Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Zheng Lu Wang
- Department of Liver Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory for Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Xin Sun
- Department of Liver Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory for Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Wen Tao Jiang
- Department of Liver Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital, NHC Key Laboratory for Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Tianjin, China.
| | - Wei Lu
- Liver Cancer Center, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Second People's Hospital, Tianjin Medical Research Institute of Liver Disease, Tianjin, China.
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Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Working Group Report from the ILTS Transplant Oncology Consensus Conference. Transplantation 2020; 104:1136-1142. [DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000003174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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27
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Yang Z, Luo FZ, Wang S, Lerut J, Zhuang L, Li QY, Xu X, Zheng SS. Alpha-fetoprotein and 18F-FDG standard uptake value predict tumor recurrence after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis: Preliminary experience. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2020; 19:229-234. [PMID: 32303439 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2020.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) is regarded as a contraindication for liver transplantation (LT) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, some of these patients may have a favorable prognosis after LT. In this study, we evaluated the biological behavior of HCC with PVTT using tumor biomarker (alpha-fetoprotein, AFP) and 18F-FDG positron emission tomography (tumor standard uptake value) to identify a subset of patients who may be suitable for LT. METHODS Seventy-five HCC-PVTT liver recipients transplanted during February 2016 and June 2018 were analyzed. Different pre-transplant prognostic factors were identified by univariate and multivariate analyses. PVTT status was identified following Vp classification (Vp1-Vp4). RESULTS Three-year recurrence-free survival and overall survival rates were 40% and 65.4% in Vp2-Vp3 PVTT patients, 21.4% and 30.6% in Vp4 PVTT patients (P < 0.05). Total tumor diameter >8 cm, pre-transplant AFP level >1000 ng/mL and intrahepatic tumor maximal standard uptake value (SUVmax-tumor >5) were independent risk factors for HCC recurrence and overall survival after LT in Vp2-3 PVTT patients. Low risk patients were defined as total tumor diameter ≤8 cm; or if total tumor diameter more than 8 cm, with both pre-transplant AFP level less than 1000 ng/mL and intrahepatic tumor SUVmax less than 5, simultaneously. Twenty-two Vp2-3 PVTT HCC patients (46.8%) were identified as low risk patients, and their 3-year recurrence-free and overall survival rates were 67.6% and 95.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Patients with segmental or lobar PVTT and biologically favorable tumors defined by AFP and 18F-FDG SUVmax might be suitable for LT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Liver Transplantation, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital, Zhejiang Shuren University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Division of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; National Clinical Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fang-Zhou Luo
- Division of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shuo Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Liver Transplantation, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital, Zhejiang Shuren University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jan Lerut
- Starzl Unit of Abdominal Transplantation, University Hospitals Saint Luc, Université catholique Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Li Zhuang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Liver Transplantation, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital, Zhejiang Shuren University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qi-Yong Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Liver Transplantation, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital, Zhejiang Shuren University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao Xu
- Division of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; National Clinical Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shu-Sen Zheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Liver Transplantation, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital, Zhejiang Shuren University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Division of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; National Clinical Research Center of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China.
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Qadan M, Kothary N, Sangro B, Palta M. The Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma With Portal Vein Tumor Thrombosis. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 2020; 40:1-8. [PMID: 32213090 DOI: 10.1200/edbk_280811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer and third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. HCC is also is a tumor with a distinct ability to invade and grow within the hepatic vasculature. Approximately 20% of patients with HCC have macrovascular invasion (MVI) at the time of diagnosis. MVI is associated with dismal prognosis, with median survival ranging from 2 to 5 months. Current staging systems designate MVI as advanced disease. Recent advances in multimodal approaches, including systemic therapies, radiation therapy, liver-directed therapies, and surgical approaches, in the treatment of HCC with MVI have rendered this disease process more treatable with improved outcomes and are discussed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motaz Qadan
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Nishita Kothary
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Bruno Sangro
- Department of Medicine, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Manisha Palta
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University, Durham, NC
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Cerrito L, Annicchiarico BE, Iezzi R, Gasbarrini A, Pompili M, Ponziani FR. Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with portal vein tumor thrombosis: Beyond the known frontiers. World J Gastroenterol 2019; 25:4360-4382. [PMID: 31496618 PMCID: PMC6710186 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i31.4360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2019] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most frequent malignant tumors worldwide: Portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) occurs in about 35%-50% of patients and represents a strong negative prognostic factor, due to the increased risk of tumor spread into the bloodstream, leading to a high recurrence risk. For this reason, it is a contraindication to liver transplantation and in several prognostic scores sorafenib represents its standard of care, due to its antiangiogenetic action, although it can grant only a poor prolongation of life expectancy. Recent scientific evidences lead to consider PVTT as a complex anatomical and clinical condition, including a wide range of patients with different prognosis and new treatment possibilities according to the degree of portal system involvement, tumor biological aggressiveness, complications caused by portal hypertension, patient’s clinical features and tolerance to antineoplastic treatments. The median survival has been reported to range between 2.7 and 4 mo in absence of therapy, but it can vary from 5 mo to 5 years, thus depicting an extremely variable scenario. For this reason, it is extremely important to focus on the most adequate strategy to be applied to each group of PVTT patients.
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MESH Headings
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/complications
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/mortality
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/therapy
- Chemoembolization, Therapeutic/methods
- Contrast Media/administration & dosage
- Disease-Free Survival
- Hepatectomy
- Humans
- Hypertension, Portal/etiology
- Hypertension, Portal/mortality
- Hypertension, Portal/therapy
- Liver Neoplasms/complications
- Liver Neoplasms/mortality
- Liver Neoplasms/therapy
- Liver Transplantation
- Neoadjuvant Therapy/methods
- Neoplasm Invasiveness/pathology
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/epidemiology
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/pathology
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/prevention & control
- Patient Selection
- Portal Vein/diagnostic imaging
- Portal Vein/pathology
- Prognosis
- Survival Analysis
- Thrombectomy
- Time Factors
- Ultrasonography/methods
- Venous Thrombosis/etiology
- Venous Thrombosis/mortality
- Venous Thrombosis/therapy
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Cerrito
- Division of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Brigida Eleonora Annicchiarico
- Division of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Roberto Iezzi
- Department of Bioimaging and Radiological Sciences, Institute of Radiology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- Division of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Maurizio Pompili
- Division of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Francesca Romana Ponziani
- Division of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
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Abstract
Despite advancements in early diagnosis and medico-surgical treatment, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still a major cancer that causes substantial mortality in Asian countries. Liver transplantation (LT) has been accepted worldwide as the most effective treatment modality for patients with HCC; however, with the high incidence of HCC and low organ donation rate, Asia has developed distinctive features of indications and strategies for the application of LT. Unlike Western countries, living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) accounts for most LT cases for HCC in Asian countries, and most major transplantation centers perform LDLT for HCC patients with extended criteria. This article reviewed the current practice and outcome of LDLT for HCC from an Asian perspective and summarized the strategies that the high-volume LT centers in Asia use to obtain satisfactory oncologic results.
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Bhatti ABH, Dar FS, Qureshi AI, Khan NY, Zia HH, Haider S, Shah NH, Rana A. Living Donor Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Single-Center Experience from Pakistan. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2019; 9:704-709. [PMID: 31889751 PMCID: PMC6926250 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2019.04.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is an established treatment for patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) within Milan criteria. Acceptable outcomes have been demonstrated in patients fulfilling extended criteria. Here, we share our experience with LDLT for patients with HCC within and beyond Milan criteria, with emphasis on poor prognostic factors. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent LDLT between 2012 and 2017 and had HCC proven on explant liver histopathology. A total of 117 patients were included. Patients who died early after transplant (in <30 days) were excluded. For outcomes, patients were divided into prognostic groups. These groups were based on (1) alpha fetoprotein >600, (2) poor differentiation, and (3) the presence of lymphovascular invasion. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) was determined using Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS Median age was 53 (30-73) years. Median follow-up was 20.3 (1-63.2) months. Median model for end stage liver disease (MELD) score was 19 (9-34). Of a total of 117 patients, 74 (63.2%) patients met Milan criteria. Recurrence rate was 12/117 (10.3%). Actuarial 5-year RFS was 88% and 82% (P = 0.3) in patients within and outside Milan criteria. There was no difference in 3-year RFS in patients with 0, 1, or 2 poor prognostic factors within Milan criteria (92%, 87%, and 75%, respectively; P = 0.3). However, a significant difference in RFS was seen in patients outside Milan criteria (92%, 93%, and 53%; P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS Patients within Milan criteria have acceptable RFS even in the presence of poor prognostic factors. However, the presence of two or more poor prognostic variables significantly impacts RFS of patients outside Milan criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abu Bakar H. Bhatti
- Department of HPB Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan,Address for correspondence: Dr. Abu B. H. Bhatti, Consultant, HPB Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan. Tel.: +92 3332127850 (mobile).
| | - Faisal S. Dar
- Department of HPB Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Ammal I. Qureshi
- Department of HPB Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Nusrat Y. Khan
- Department of HPB Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Haseeb H. Zia
- Department of HPB Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Siraj Haider
- Department of HPB Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Najmul H. Shah
- Department of Hepatology, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Atif Rana
- Department of Radiology, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan
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Chong JU, Choi GH, Han DH, Kim KS, Seong J, Han KH, Choi JS. Downstaging with Localized Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy Can Identify Optimal Surgical Candidates in Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus. Ann Surg Oncol 2018; 25:3308-3315. [DOI: 10.1245/s10434-018-6653-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Levi Sandri GB, Rayar M, Qi X, Lucatelli P. Liver transplant for patients outside Milan criteria. Transl Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018; 3:81. [PMID: 30505968 PMCID: PMC6232054 DOI: 10.21037/tgh.2018.10.03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most indication to Liver Transplantation (LT). Milan criteria are worldwide accepted as the gold standard for LT indication for HCC. Nevertheless, expanded criteria are often used to transplant patient outside Milan. We described the most important proposed criteria outside Milan criteria. From the University of California San Francisco, to the Toronto criteria. From East to Western, and for living donor liver transplantation. In order to achieve similar results the downstaging strategy is more frequently used and for patients with locally advanced HCC. Carefully selected patients beyond the traditional criteria for transplantation may achieve excellent LT outcomes through a planned, multidisciplinary approach to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michel Rayar
- Service de Chirurgie Hépatobiliaire et Digestive, CHU Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Xingshun Qi
- Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area, Shenyang 110000, China
| | - Pierleone Lucatelli
- Department of Radiological Oncological and Anatomo-pathological Sciences, Vascular and Interventional Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Kim JK, Kim JW, Lee IJ, Joo SM, Lee KH, Cho ES, Yu JS, Jeon TJ, Kim Y, Lee JI, Lee KS. Factors affecting survival after concurrent chemoradiation therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective study. Radiat Oncol 2017; 12:133. [PMID: 28810886 PMCID: PMC5558652 DOI: 10.1186/s13014-017-0873-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) followed by hepatic arterial infusional chemotherapy (HAIC) was reported to be effective for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein thrombosis. However, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is not preferred in this setting. The aim of this study was to assess the factors affecting survival after CCRT, including additional TACE during repeated HAIC. METHODS Thirty-eight patients who underwent CCRT as the initial treatment for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C HCC with vascular invasion between 2009 and 2016 were reviewed retrospectively. During CCRT, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was infused via chemoport during the first and last five days of five weeks of external beam radiation therapy. After CCRT, repeated HAIC with cisplatin and 5-FU was performed monthly. Nineteen patients (50%) underwent additional TACE between repeated HAICs. Factors related to overall survival and progression free survival (PFS) were analyzed. RESULTS The mean age of patients was 55 years (male:female, 33:5). Underlying liver diseases were hepatitis B, hepatitis C and non-B/C in 29, 1 and 8 patients, respectively. The median radiation dose was 4500 cGy. The objective response (OR) rate at one months after CCRT was 36.8%. The median PFS was 7.4 (range, 1.8 - 32.1) months. The median overall survival was 11.6 (range 2.8-65.7) months. Achieving an OR after CCRT (hazard ratio [HR], 0.028; P < 0.001), additional TACE (HR, 0.134, P < 0.001), and further rounds of HAIC (HR, 0.742, P = 0.001) were independent significant factors related to overall survival. The overall survival duration of patients with an OR after CCRT (median 44.2 vs. 6.6 months, P < 0.001) and additional TACE (median 19.8 vs. 9.1 months, P = 0.001) were significantly greater than those without an OR after CCRT or additional TACE. CONCLUSION Patients who achieved an OR after CCRT, underwent additional TACE, and were subjected to repeated rounds of HAIC following CCRT showed better survival after CCRT for advanced stage of HCC with vascular invasion. A further prospective study is needed to confirm the positive effect of additional TACE after CCRT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ja Kyung Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 211 Eonjuro, Gangnamgu, Seoul, 06723, Korea.,Liver Cancer Clinic, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jun Won Kim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Liver Cancer Clinic, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ik Jae Lee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Liver Cancer Clinic, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung-Moon Joo
- Department of Radiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Liver Cancer Clinic, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kwang-Hun Lee
- Department of Radiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Liver Cancer Clinic, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun-Suk Cho
- Department of Radiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Liver Cancer Clinic, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jeong-Sik Yu
- Department of Radiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Liver Cancer Clinic, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Tae Joo Jeon
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Liver Cancer Clinic, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yonsoo Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 211 Eonjuro, Gangnamgu, Seoul, 06723, Korea
| | - Jung Il Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 211 Eonjuro, Gangnamgu, Seoul, 06723, Korea. .,Liver Cancer Clinic, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
| | - Kwan Sik Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 211 Eonjuro, Gangnamgu, Seoul, 06723, Korea. .,Liver Cancer Clinic, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
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35
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Choi HJ, Kim DG, Na GH, Hong TH, Bae SH, You YK, Choi JY, Yoon SK. The clinical outcomes of patients with portal vein tumor thrombi after living donor liver transplantation. Liver Transpl 2017; 23:1023-1031. [PMID: 28480517 DOI: 10.1002/lt.24782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 03/26/2017] [Accepted: 04/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of living donor liver transplantation for treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and segmental portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) below the second-order branch. Between January 2005 and December 2015, we retrospectively analyzed 242 patients in a control group (n = 184), a microvascular invasion (MVI) group (n = 24), and a PVTT group (n = 34). To assess the risks associated with PVTT, we evaluated recurrence, the disease-free survival (DFS) rate, the overall survival (OS) rate, and various other factors based on the characteristics of patients and tumors. Of the 242 patients, 5-year DFS and OS rates were 79.5% and 70.7%. A total of 34 (14.0%) patients had PVTT, of whom 7 had lobar PVTT in first-order branches. The control, MVI, and PVTT groups significantly differed in terms of tumor morphology (maximal and total diameters) and biology (alpha-fetoprotein [AFP] and protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist II). The control, MVI, and PVTT groups significantly differed in terms of the recurrence, DFS, and OS rates. Especially, lobar PVTT reduced the 5-year DFS and OS rates to dismal and 14.3%, respectively, but segmental PVTT was associated with favorable 5-year DFS and OS rates (63.9% and 50.3%, respectively). We found no statistically significant difference in the DFS and OS rates of patients with MVI alone and segmental PVTT alone. In patients in the segmental PVTT group with AFP levels of <100 ng/mL, the 5-year DFS and OS rates were 90.9% and 71.3%, respectively. In conclusion, a tumor thrombus in a lobar portal vein remains a contraindication to liver transplantation. However, a segmental PVTT is acceptable, especially when the AFP level is <100 ng/mL. Liver Transplantation 23 1023-1031 2017 AASLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ho Joong Choi
- Department of Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Goo Kim
- Department of Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Gun Hyung Na
- Department of Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Ho Hong
- Department of Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Si Hyun Bae
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Kyoung You
- Department of Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Young Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Kew Yoon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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36
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Lee HW, Suh KS. Advancements of liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma in Korea. Jpn J Clin Oncol 2016; 47:93-100. [DOI: 10.1093/jjco/hyw168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2016] [Revised: 09/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
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