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Carr BI, Guerra V, Donghia R, Farinati F, Giannini EG, Muratori L, Rapaccini GL, Di Marco M, Caturelli E, Zoli M, Sacco R, Celsa C, Campani C, Mega A, Guarino M, Gasbarrini A, Svegliati-Baroni G, Foschi FG, Biasini E, Masotto A, Nardone G, Raimondo G, Azzaroli F, Vidili G, Brunetto MR, Trevisani F. Identification of Clinical Phenotypes and Related Survival in Patients with Large HCCs. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040592. [PMID: 33546234 PMCID: PMC7913341 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) factors, especially maximum tumor diameter (MTD), tumor multifocality, portal vein thrombosis (PVT), and serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), influence survival. AIM To examine patterns of tumor factors in large HCC patients. METHODS A database of large HCC patients was examined. RESULTS A multiple Cox proportional hazard model on death identified low serum albumin levels and the presence of PVT and multifocality, with each having a hazard ratio ≥2.0. All combinations of these three parameters were examined in relation to survival. Using univariate Cox analysis, the combination of albumin >3.5 g/dL and the absence of both PVT and multifocality had the best survival rate, while all combinations that included the presence of PVT had poor survival and hazard ratios. We identified four clinical phenotypes, each with a distinct median survival: patients with or without PVT or multifocality plus serum albumin ≥3.5 (g/dL), with each subgroup displaying high (≥100 IU/mL) or low (<100 IU/mL) blood AFP levels. Across a range of MTDs, we identified only two significant trends, blood AFP and platelets. CONCLUSIONS Patients with large HCCs have distinct phenotypes and survival, as identified by the combination of PVT, multifocality, and blood albumin levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian I. Carr
- Translational HCC Research Department, Liver Transplant Institute, Inonu University, Malatya 44000, Turkey
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +14-12-980-4518
| | - Vito Guerra
- Clinical Trials Department, National Institute of Digestive Diseases, IRCCS S. de Bellis Research Hospital, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy; (V.G.); (R.D.)
| | - Rossella Donghia
- Clinical Trials Department, National Institute of Digestive Diseases, IRCCS S. de Bellis Research Hospital, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy; (V.G.); (R.D.)
| | - Fabio Farinati
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy;
| | - Edoardo G. Giannini
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Genova, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy;
| | - Luca Muratori
- Internal Medicine–Piscaglia Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria S. Orsola-Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Gian Ludovico Rapaccini
- Gastroenterology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy;
| | - Maria Di Marco
- Medicine Unit, Bolognini Hospital, 24068 Seriate, Italy;
| | | | - Marco Zoli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Internal Medicine–Zoli Unit, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Rodolfo Sacco
- Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Foggia University Hospital, 71122 Foggia, Italy;
| | - Ciro Celsa
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother & Child Care, Internal Medicine & Medical Specialties, PROMISE, Gastroenterology & Hepatology Unit, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Claudia Campani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Internal Medicine and Hepatology Unit, University of Firenze, 50121 Firenze, Italy;
| | - Andrea Mega
- Gastroenterology Unit, Bolzano Regional Hospital, 39100 Bolzano, Italy;
| | - Maria Guarino
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Napoli “Federico II”, 80138 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology Unit, Policlinico Gemelli, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy;
| | | | | | - Elisabetta Biasini
- Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy;
| | - Alberto Masotto
- Gastroenterology Unit, Ospedale Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, 37024 Negrar, Italy;
| | - Gerardo Nardone
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Hepato-Gastroenterology Unit, University of Napoli “Federico II”, 37024 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Raimondo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Medicine and Hepatology, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy;
| | - Francesco Azzaroli
- Department of Surgical and Medical Sciences, Gastroenterology Unit, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Gianpaolo Vidili
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, Clinica Medica Unit, University of Sassari, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Maurizia Rossana Brunetto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Hepatology and Liver Physiopathology Laboratory and Internal Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Franco Trevisani
- IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
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Dimitrakopoulou-Strauss A, Strauss LG, Gutzler F, Irngartinger G, Kontaxakis G, Kim DK, Oberdorfer F, van Kaick G. Pharmacokinetic imaging of 11C ethanol with PET in eight patients with hepatocellular carcinomas who were scheduled for treatment with percutaneous ethanol injection. Radiology 1999; 211:681-6. [PMID: 10352591 DOI: 10.1148/radiology.211.3.r99jn12681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the carbon 11 ethanol kinetics with positron emission tomography after intratumoral injection of the tracer and assess its redistribution and dilution in patients who have hepatocellular carcinomas and who were scheduled for treatment with percutaneous ethanol injection. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included eight patients with hepatocellular carcinomas. 11C ethanol was administered via a puncture needle positioned with ultrasonographic guidance. Parametric images based on the Fourier transformation were created for further analysis of the local distribution patterns of the tracer. The ratio of the 45-minute postinjection standardized uptake value to the 5-minute postinjection standardized uptake value was used for the evaluation of ethanol dilution. RESULTS Five of eight tumors demonstrated almost constant uptake values after the initial distribution phase. In contrast, a rapid elimination of the 11C ethanol from the tumor was documented in three of eight tumors. The 45 minute-to-5 minute ratio was 0.18-0.67 (median value, 0.56) in the tumors. The time-activity curves of the normal liver parenchyma increased slowly but steadily with time owing to a low ethanol elimination from the tumor. Fourier transformation demonstrated inhomogeneous parts on the amplitude images in seven of eight tumors and random redistribution on the phase images in six of eight tumors. CONCLUSION Inhomogeneous drug distribution and drug dilution in the target area are likely to be the major limiting parameters for therapy response.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Dimitrakopoulou-Strauss
- Department of Oncological Diagnostics and Therapy, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
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Trevisani F, D'Intino PE, Caraceni P, Pizzo M, Stefanini GF, Mazziotti A, Grazi GL, Gozzetti G, Gasbarrini G, Bernardi M. Etiologic factors and clinical presentation of hepatocellular carcinoma. Differences between cirrhotic and noncirrhotic Italian patients. Cancer 1995; 75:2220-32. [PMID: 7536121 DOI: 10.1002/1097-0142(19950501)75:9<2220::aid-cncr2820750906>3.0.co;2-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is not known whether the prevalence of hepatocarcinogenic factors differs between cirrhotic and noncirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or whether the clinical presentation of HCC in these two groups differs. METHODS The prevalence of the putative etiologic factors of HCC and its clinical presentation in 373 patients with cirrhosis and 102 without cirrhosis seen from 1981 to 1992 were evaluated. RESULTS Hepatitis C virus infection (76 vs. 48%, P = 0.003) and both current (22.5 vs. 10%, P = 0.007) and past (50.5 vs. 34.5%, P = 0.045) hepatitis B virus infections were more common in cirrhotic than in noncirrhotic patients with HCC. The absence of exposure to both viruses was much less frequent in the former (7 vs. 40%, P < 0.001). Heavy alcohol intake prevailed in patients with cirrhosis (30 vs. 16.5%, P = 0.01). Alpha-fetoprotein elevation was more common in cirrhotic patients (63% vs. 31%, P < 0.001); however, the prevalence of diagnostic (> 400 ng/ml) levels did not differ significantly (24 vs. 17%) between the two groups. Extrahepatic extension of HCC was more common in noncirrhotic patients (20.5 vs. 6.5%, P < 0.001) and its independent predictors were poor cancer differentiation and absence of cirrhosis. "Asymptomatic" cancers were more frequently encountered with cirrhosis. Abdominal pain was the most common presenting symptom in both groups. Signs of hepatic decompensation prevailed in cirrhotic patients, whereas a "toxic syndrome" dominated the clinical picture of the noncirrhotic patients. CONCLUSIONS Hepatitis viruses are associated more with carcinogenesis of the cirrhotic than of the noncirrhotic liver. Alpha-fetoprotein is not a sensitive neoplastic marker, particularly in noncirrhotic patients. In the latter, HCC appears more advanced at diagnosis and symptoms of neoplastic toxicity are prominent.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Trevisani
- Clinica Chirurgica II, University of Bologna, Italy
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Trevisani F, Caraceni P, Bernardi M, D'Intino PE, Arienti V, Amorati P, Stefanini GF, Grazi G, Mazziotti A, Fornalè L. Gross pathologic types of hepatocellular carcinoma in Italian patients. Relationship with demographic, environmental, and clinical factors. Cancer 1993; 72:1557-63. [PMID: 8394197 DOI: 10.1002/1097-0142(19930901)72:5<1557::aid-cncr2820720512>3.0.co;2-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of the different hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) macroscopic types, and the association between these types and age, gender, blood group, alcohol and coffee intake, smoking habit, hepatitis virus markers, underlying cirrhosis, and cancer histologic type were retrospectively assessed in 416 unselected patients (321 with cirrhosis). METHODS The gross pathologic types of HCC were assessed by ultrasonography combined, in most cases, with computed tomography and angiography. RESULTS Solitary HCC was the most common cancer type (54.8%), followed by the multinodular (31%), diffuse (7.7%), and massive (6.5%) types. Cirrhosis and blood group other than O were independent risk factors for multinodular HCC (relative risk [RR] 1.6, P < 0.05; and RR 1.7, P < 0.005, respectively); the absence of cirrhosis and a heavy smoking habit were risk factors for the massive type (RR 4.9, P < 0.001; and RR 3.3, P < 0.01, respectively); and blood group O for the solitary type (RR 1.4, P < 0.001). The prevalence of highly undifferentiated cells increased as the tumor size did, so that grade IV cell atypia was associated with massive size of the carcinoma (P < 0.05). In cirrhotic patients, advanced liver dysfunction was associated with diffuse HCC (P < 0.05). As far as solitary HCC is concerned, the tumor size was greater in noncirrhotic than in cirrhotic patients (7 +/- 0.4 cm versus 4.8 +/- 0.15, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In Italian patients, HCC presents most frequently as a solitary nodule. The presence or absence of cirrhosis, blood group, and smoking habit can influence the likelihood of developing certain HCC shapes. The probability of harboring highly undifferentiated cells increases as the cancer increases in size. In cirrhosis, advanced liver dysfunction may predispose to diffuse HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Trevisani
- Patologia Speciale Medica I, University of Bologna, Italy
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Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinomas 1 cm in diameter with high or low echogenicity can be detected on ultrasonography and confirmed on fine-needle biopsy, but it is still very difficult to detect small hepatocellular carcinomas with isoechogenicity. In this study, we assessed lymphokine-activated killer cell activity and interferon-gamma production prospectively every 1 to 3 mo for 23 +/- 4 mo (mean +/- 1 S.D.) in 227 patients with cirrhosis. Transient depression of lymphokine-activated killer activity was detected in 43 patients (defective lymphokine-activated killer group), and hepatocellular carcinoma was detected in 24 cases before the end of the 18-mo follow-up. Twenty-one (87.5%) of the 24 hepatocellular carcinoma patients were included in the defective lymphokine-activated killer group. Defective lymphokine-activated killer activity was detected more than 6 mo before detection of a space occupying lesion in the liver or elevation of alpha-fetoprotein level above 400 ng/ml. Serum alpha-fetoprotein level was elevated above 400 ng/ml in only five cases in which hepatocellular carcinoma was detected as a space-occupying lesion. Our results indicate that sequential assessment of lymphokine-activated killer activity may be a predictor of hepatocellular carcinoma and that the depression of immune function in cirrhotic patients is a serious risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma emergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Saibara
- First Department of Medicine, Kochi Medical School, Nankoku, Japan
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