Combination of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation and systemic chemotherapy are effective treatment modalities for metachronous liver metastases from gastric cancer

Injectable hydrogel loaded with lysed OK-432 and doxorubicin for residual liver cancer after incomplete radiofrequency ablation

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy of an injectable hydrogel loaded with lysed OK-432 (lyOK-432) and doxorubicin (DOX) for residual liver cancer after incomplete radiofrequency ablation (iRFA) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and explore the underlying mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The effect of OK-432 and lyOK-432 was compared in activating dendritic cells (DCs). RADA16-I (R) peptide was dissolved in a mixture of lyOK-432 (O) and DOX (D) to develop an ROD hydrogel. The characteristics of ROD hydrogel were evaluated. Tumor response and mice survival were measured after different treatments. The number of immune cells and cytokine levels were measured, and the activation of cGAS/STING/IFN-I signaling pathway in DC was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

LyOK-432 was more effective than OK-432 in promoting DC maturation and activating the IFN-I pathway. ROD was an injectable hydrogel for effectively loading lyOK-432 and DOX, and presented the controlled-release property. ROD treatment achieved the highest tumor necrosis rate (p < 0.001) and the longest survival time (p < 0.001) compared with the other therapies. The ROD group also displayed the highest percentages of DCs, CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells (p < 0.001), the lowest level of Treg cells (p < 0.001), and the highest expression levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α (p < 0.001) compared with the other groups. The expression levels of pSTING, pIRF3, and IFN-β in DCs were obviously higher after treatment of lyOK-432 in combination with DOX than the other therapies. The surviving mice in the ROD group showed a growth inhibition of rechallenged subcutaneous tumor.

CONCLUSION

The novel ROD peptide hydrogel induced an antitumor immunity by activating the STING pathway, which was effective for treating residual liver cancer after iRFA of HCC.

Interventional radiological therapies in colorectal hepatic metastases

Colorectal malignancy is the third most common cancer and one of the prevalent causes of death globally. Around 20-25% of patients present with metastases at the time of diagnosis, and 50-60% of patients develop metastases in due course of the disease. Liver, followed by lung and lymph nodes, are the most common sites of colorectal cancer metastases. In such patients, the 5-year survival rate is approximately 19.2%. Although surgical resection is the primary mode of managing colorectal cancer metastases, only 10-25% of patients are competent for curative therapy. Hepatic insufficiency may be the aftermath of extensive surgical hepatectomy. Hence formal assessment of future liver remnant volume (FLR) is imperative prior to surgery to prevent hepatic failure. The evolution of minimally invasive interventional radiological techniques has enhanced the treatment algorithm of patients with colorectal cancer metastases. Studies have demonstrated that these techniques may address the limitations of curative resection, such as insufficient FLR, bi-lobar disease, and patients at higher risk for surgery. This review focuses on curative and palliative role through procedures including portal vein embolization, radioembolization, and ablation. Alongside, we deliberate various studies on conventional chemoembolization and chemoembolization with irinotecan-loaded drug-eluting beads. The radioembolization with Yttrium-90 microspheres has evolved as salvage therapy in surgically unresectable and chemo-resistant metastases.

Korean Practice Guidelines for Gastric Cancer 2022: An Evidence-based, Multidisciplinary Approach

Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers in Korea and the world. Since 2004, this is the 4th gastric cancer guideline published in Korea which is the revised version of previous evidence-based approach in 2018. Current guideline is a collaborative work of the interdisciplinary working group including experts in the field of gastric surgery, gastroenterology, endoscopy, medical oncology, abdominal radiology, pathology, nuclear medicine, radiation oncology and guideline development methodology. Total of 33 key questions were updated or proposed after a collaborative review by the working group and 40 statements were developed according to the systematic review using the MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library and KoreaMed database. The level of evidence and the grading of recommendations were categorized according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation proposition. Evidence level, benefit, harm, and clinical applicability was considered as the significant factors for recommendation. The working group reviewed recommendations and discussed for consensus. In the earlier part, general consideration discusses screening, diagnosis and staging of endoscopy, pathology, radiology, and nuclear medicine. Flowchart is depicted with statements which is supported by meta-analysis and references. Since clinical trial and systematic review was not suitable for postoperative oncologic and nutritional follow-up, working group agreed to conduct a nationwide survey investigating the clinical practice of all tertiary or general hospitals in Korea. The purpose of this survey was to provide baseline information on follow up. Herein we present a multidisciplinary-evidence based gastric cancer guideline.

Non-colorectal liver metastases: A review of interventional and surgical treatment modalities

Liver metastases (LM) occur in up to 90% either simultaneously with the diagnosis of the primary tumor or at a later time-point. While resection of colorectal LM and resection or transplantation of neuroendocrine LM is part of a standard therapy with a 5-year patient survival of up to 80%, resection of non-colorectal and non-neuroendocrine LM is still discussed controversially. The reason for it is the significantly lower survival benefit of all different tumor entities depending on the biological aggressiveness of the tumor. Randomized controlled trials are lacking. However, reviews of case series with ≥100 liver resections are available. They show a 5-year patient survival of up to 42% compared to only <5% in patients without treatment. Risk factors for poor survival include the type of primary tumor, a short interval between resection of the primary tumor and liver resection, extrahepatic manifestation of the tumor, number and size of the LM, and extent of liver resection. Overall, it has recently been shown that a good patient selection, the technical advances in surgical therapy and the use of a risk score to predict the prognosis lead to a significantly better outcome so that it is no longer justified not to offer liver resection to patients with non-colorectal, non- endocrine LM. Since modern therapy of LM is multimodal, the optimal therapeutic approach is decided individually by a multidisciplinary team consisting of visceral surgeons, oncologists, interventional radiologists and radiologists as part of a tumor board.

Development of a Three-Dimensional Multi-Modal Perfusion-Thermal Electrode System for Complete Tumor Eradication

Background: Residual viable tumor cells after ablation at the tumor periphery serve as the source for tumor recurrence, leading to treatment failure. Purpose: To develop a novel three-dimensional (3D) multi-modal perfusion-thermal electrode system completely eradicating medium-to-large malignancies. Materials and Methods: This study included five steps: (i) design of the new system; (ii) production of the new system; (iii) ex vivo evaluation of its perfusion-thermal functions; (iv) mathematic modeling and computer simulation to confirm the optimal temperature profiles during the thermal ablation process, and; (v) in vivo technical validation using five living rabbits with orthotopic liver tumors. Results: In ex vivo experiments, gross pathology and optical imaging demonstrated the successful spherical distribution/deposition of motexafin gadolinium administered through the new electrode, with a temperature gradient from the electrode core at 80 °C to its periphery at 42 °C. An excellent repeatable correlation of temperature profiles at varying spots, from the center to periphery of the liver tumor, was found between the mathematic simulation and actual animal tumor models (Pearson coefficient ≥0.977). For in vivo validation, indocyanine green (ICG) was directly delivered into the peritumoral zones during simultaneous generation of central tumoral lethal radiofrequency (RF) heat (>60 °C) and peritumoral sublethal RF hyperthermia (<60 °C). Both optical imaging and fluorescent microscopy confirmed successful peritumoral ICG distribution/deposition with increased heat shock protein 70 expression. Conclusion: This new 3D, perfusion-thermal electrode system provided the evidence on the potential to enable simultaneous delivery of therapeutic agents and RF hyperthermia into the difficult-to-treat peritumoral zones, creating a new strategy to address the critical limitation, i.e., the high incidence of residual and recurrent tumor following thermal ablation of unresectable medium-to-large and irregular tumors.

Evidence on percutaneous radiofrequency and microwave ablation for liver metastases over the last decade

Purpose

This review aimed to summarize the treatment outcomes of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA) for metastatic liver tumors based on the findings of published studies over the last decade.

Materials and methods

Literature describing the survival outcomes of ablation therapy for liver metastases was explored using the PubMed database on April 26, 2022, and articles published in 2012 or later were selected. The included studies met the following criteria: (i) English literature, (ii) original clinical studies, and (iii) literature describing overall survival (OS) of thermal ablation for metastatic liver tumors. All case reports and cohort studies with fewer than 20 patients and those that evaluated ablation for palliative purposes were excluded.

Results

RFA was the most commonly used method for ablation, while MWA was used in several recent studies. RFA and MWA for liver metastases from various primary tumors have been reported; however, majority of the studies focused on colorectal cancer. The local control rate by RFA and MWA varied widely among the studies, ranging approximately 50–90%. Five-year survival rates of 20–60% have been reported following ablation for colorectal liver metastases by a number of studies, and several reports of 10-year survival rates were also noted.

Conclusion

Comparative studies of local therapies for colorectal liver metastases demonstrated that RFA provides comparable survival outcomes to surgical metastasectomy and stereotactic body radiation therapy.

Interventional Optical Imaging-Monitored Synergistic Effect of Radio-Frequency Hyperthermia and Oncolytic Immunotherapy

Purpose

To develop a new interventional oncology technique using indocyanine green (ICG)-based interventional optical imaging (OI) to monitor the synergistic effect of radiofrequency hyperthermia (RFH)-enhanced oncolytic immunotherapy.

Materials and Methods

This study included (1) optimization of ICG dose and detection time-window for intracellular uptake by VX2 tumor cells; (2) in-vitro confirmation of capability of using ICG-based OI to assess efficacy of RFH-enhanced oncolytic therapy (LTX-401) for VX2 cells; and (3) in-vivo validation of the interventional OI-monitored, intratumoral RFH-enhanced oncolytic immunotherapy using rabbit models with orthotopic liver VX2 tumors. Both in-vitro and in-vivo experiments were divided into four study groups (n=6/group) with different treatments: (1) combination therapy of RFH+LTX-401; (2) RFH alone at 42°C for 30 min; (3) oncolytic therapy with LTX-401; and (4) control with saline. For in-vivo validation, orthotopic hepatic VX2 tumors were treated using a new multi-functional perfusion-thermal radiofrequency ablation electrode, which enabled simultaneous delivery of both LTX-401 and RFH within the tumor and at the tumor margins.

Results

In in-vitro experiments, taking up of ICG by VX2 cells was linearly increased from 0 μg/mL to 100 μg/mL, while ICG-signal intensity (SI) reached the peak at 24 hours. MTS assay and apoptosis analysis demonstrated the lowest cell viability and highest apoptosis in combination therapy, compared to three monotherapies (P<0.005). In in-vivo experiments, ultrasound imaging detected the smallest relative tumor volume for the combination therapy, compared to other monotherapies (P<0.005). In both in-vitro and in-vivo experiments, ICG-based interventional optical imaging detected a significantly decreased SI in combination therapy (P<0.005), which was confirmed by the “gold standard” optical/X-ray imaging (P<0.05). Pathologic/laboratory examinations further confirmed the significantly decreased cell proliferation with Ki-67 staining, significantly increased apoptotic index with TUNEL assay, and significantly increased quantities of CD8 and CD80 positive cells with immunostaining in the combination therapy group, compared to other three control groups (P<0.005).

Conclusions

We present a new interventional oncology technique, interventional optical imaging-monitored RFH-enhanced oncolytic immunotherapy, which may open new avenues to effectively manage those patients with larger, irregular and unresectable malignancies, not only in liver but also the possibility in other organs.

Addition of thermal ablation to systemic chemotherapy for the treatment of unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a propensity score matching analysis

OBJECTIVES

To retrospectively compare the survival outcomes of thermal ablation plus chemotherapy to those of chemotherapy alone in patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC).

METHODS

189 patients with unresectable ICC who received thermal ablation plus chemotherapy or chemotherapy alone as the initial treatment were identified . To avoid potential bias, 1:1 matching between groups was performed through propensity score matching. Overall survival (OS) was the primary endpoint. Clinical and tumor factors related to OS were analyzed through univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

Of the enrolled patients, 55 received ablation plus chemotherapy, and 134 received chemotherapy alone. The median OS was 16.267 months for patients treated with combined therapy and 6.067 months for patients treated with chemotherapy alone (p = 0.000). The benefit of ablation plus chemotherapy was also preserved in the matched cohort, with a median OS of 15.233 months in the combined treatment group and 7.967 months in the chemotherapy group (p = 0.009). Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that the type of treatment was an independent factor of OS (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of thermal ablation and systemic chemotherapy provides an opportunity to improve the prognosis of patients with unresectable ICC.

Image-guided locoregional non-intravascular interventional treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma: Current status

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most deadly and frequent cancers worldwide, although great advancement in the treatment of this malignancy have been made within the past few decades. It continues to be a major health issue due to an increasing incidence and a poor prognosis. The majority of patients have their HCC diagnosed at an intermediate or advanced stage in theUSA or China. Curative therapy such as surgical resection or liver transplantation is not considered anoption of treatment at these stages.

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), the most widely used locoregional therapeutic approach, used to be the mainstay of treatment for cases with unresectable cancer entities. However, for those patients with hypovascular tumors or impaired liver function reserve, TACE is a suboptimal treatment option. For example, embolization does not result in complete coverage of a hypovascular tumor, and may rather promotes postoperative tumor recurrence, or leave residual tumor, in these TACE-resistance patients. In addition, TACE carries a higher risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with poor liver function or reserve.

Non-vascular interventional locoregional therapies for HCC include radiofrequency ablation (RFA), microwave ablation (MWA), high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT), cryosurgical ablation (CSA), irreversible Electroporation (IRE), percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI), and brachytherapy. Recent advancements in these techniques have significantly improved the treatment efficacy of HCC and expanded the population of patients who qualify for treatment. This review embraces the current status of imaging-guided locoregional non-intravascular interventional treatments for HCCs, with a primary focus on the clinical evaluation and assessment of the efficacy of combined therapies using these interventional techniques.

Interventional real-time optical imaging guidance for complete tumor ablation

The aim of this study was to develop an interventional optical imaging (OI) technique for intraprocedural guidance of complete tumor ablation. Our study employed four strategies: 1) optimizing experimental protocol of various indocyanine green (ICG) concentrations/detection time windows for ICG-based OI of tumor cells (ICG cells); 2) using the optimized OI to evaluate ablation-heat effect on ICG cells; 3) building the interventional OI system and investigating its sensitivity for differentiating residual viable tumors from nonviable tumors; and 4) preclinically validating its technical feasibility for intraprocedural monitoring of radiofrequency ablations (RFAs) using animal models with orthotopic hepatic tumors. OI signal-to-background ratios (SBRs) among preablation tumors, residual, and ablated tumors were statistically compared and confirmed by subsequent pathology. The optimal dose and detection time window for ICG-based OI were 100 μg/mL at 24 h. Interventional OI displayed significantly higher fluorescence signals of viable ICG cells compared with nonviable ICG cells (189.3 ± 7.6 versus 63.7 ± 5.7 au, P < 0.001). The interventional OI could differentiate three definitive zones of tumor, tumor margin, and normal surrounding liver, demonstrating significantly higher average SBR of residual viable tumors compared to ablated nonviable tumors (2.54 ± 0.31 versus 0.57 ± 0.05, P < 0.001). The innovative interventional OI technique permitted operators to instantly detect residual tumors and thereby guide repeated RFAs, ensuring complete tumor eradication, which was confirmed by ex vivo OI and pathology. In conclusion, we present an interventional oncologic technique, which should revolutionize the current ablation technology, leading to a significant advancement in complete treatment of larger or irregular malignancies.

The Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO): Clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer, 2021

There exist differences in the epidemiological characteristics, clinicopathological features, tumor biological characteristics, treatment patterns, and drug selections between gastric cancer patients from the Eastern and Western countries. The Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) has organized a panel of senior experts specializing in all sub-specialties of gastric cancer to compile a clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer since 2016 and renews it annually. Taking into account regional differences, giving full consideration to the accessibility of diagnosis and treatment resources, these experts have conducted expert consensus judgment on relevant evidence and made various grades of recommendations for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer to reflect the value of cancer treatment and meeting health economic indexes in China. The 2021 CSCO Clinical Practice Guidelines for Gastric Cancer covers the diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, and screening of gastric cancer. Based on the 2020 version of the CSCO Chinese Gastric Cancer guidelines, this updated guideline integrates the results of major clinical studies from China and overseas for the past year, focused on the inclusion of research data from the Chinese population for more personalized and clinically relevant recommendations. For the comprehensive treatment of non-metastatic gastric cancer, attentions were paid to neoadjuvant treatment. The value of perioperative chemotherapy is gradually becoming clearer and its recommendation level has been updated. For the comprehensive treatment of metastatic gastric cancer, recommendations for immunotherapy were included, and immune checkpoint inhibitors from third-line to the first-line of treatment for different patient groups with detailed notes are provided.

Interventional Optical Imaging Permits Instant Visualization of Pathological Zones of Ablated Tumor Periphery and Residual Tumor Detection

Optical imaging (OI) provides real-time clinical imaging capability and simultaneous molecular, morphological, and functional information of disease processes. In this study, we present a new interventional OI technique, which enables in vivo visualization of three distinct pathologic zones of ablated tumor periphery for immediate detection of residual tumors during a radiofrequency ablation (RFA) session. Rabbits with orthotopic hepatic tumors were divided into two groups (n = 8/group): incomplete RFA and complete RFA. Indocyanine green-based interventional OI was used to differentiate three pathological zones: ablated tumor, transition margin, and residual tumor or surrounding normal liver-with quantitative comparison of signal-to-background ratios among the three zones and between incompletely and completely ablated tumors. Subsequent ex vivo OI and pathologic correlation were performed to confirm the findings of interventional OI. Interventional OI could differentiate incompletely or completely ablated tumor peripheries, thus permitting identification of residual tumor. This technique may open new avenues for immediate assessment of tumor eradication during a single interventional ablation session. SIGNIFICANCE: Interventional optical imaging can instantly visualize pathologic zones of ablated tumor peripheries to detect residual tumors, which could revolutionize current image-guided interventional oncologic ablation techniques.

Image-Guided Peri-Tumoral Radiofrequency Hyperthermia-Enhanced Direct Chemo-Destruction of Hepatic Tumor Margins

Purpose

To validate the feasibility of using peri-tumoral radiofrequency hyperthermia (RFH)-enhanced chemotherapy to obliterate hepatic tumor margins.

Method and Materials

This study included in vitro experiments with VX2 tumor cells and in vivo validation experiments using rabbit models of liver VX2 tumors. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments received different treatments in four groups (n=6/group): (i) RFH-enhanced chemotherapy consisting of peri-tumoral injection of doxorubicin plus RFH at 42°C; (ii) RFH alone; (iii) doxorubicin alone; and (iv) saline. Therapeutic effect on cells was evaluated using different laboratory examinations. For in vivo experiments, orthotopic hepatic VX2 tumors in 24 rabbits were treated by using a multipolar radiofrequency ablation electrode, enabling simultaneous delivery of both doxorubicin and RFH within the tumor margins. Ultrasound imaging was used to follow tumor growth overtime, correlated with subsequent histopathological analysis.

Results

In in vitro experiments, MTS assay demonstrated the lowest cell proliferation, and apoptosis analysis showed the highest apoptotic index with RFH-enhanced chemotherapy, compared with the other three groups (p<0.01). In in vivo experiments, ultrasound imaging detected the smallest relative tumor volume with RFH-enhanced chemotherapy (p<0.01). The TUNEL assay further confirmed the significantly increased apoptotic index and decreased cell proliferation in the RFH-enhanced therapy group (p<0.01).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that peri-tumoral RFH can specifically enhance the destruction of tumor margins in combination with peri-tumoral injection of a chemotherapeutic agent. This new interventional oncology technique may address the critical clinical problem of frequent marginal tumor recurrence/persistence following thermal ablation of large (>3 cm) hepatic cancers.

Radiofrequency ablation versus traditional liver resection and chemotherapy for liver metastases from gastric cancer

Objective

To compare the short- and long-term outcomes of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) versus liver resection and chemotherapy for liver metastases from gastric cancer.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 50 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy and local treatments for liver metastases (RFA, n = 20; liver resection, n = 20; and chemotherapy, n = 10) from 2008 to 2018.

Results

The short- and long-term outcomes of each local treatment were evaluated. The median overall survival (OS) after RFA was similar to that after liver resection (20 vs. 20 months, respectively) and longer than that after chemotherapy (20 vs. 10 months, respectively). The 3-year OS and progression-free survival (PFS) rates after RFA were 20% and 10%, respectively, while those in the liver resection group were 23.5% and 23.5%, respectively. The 3-year OS rate after chemotherapy was 10%. The size and number of metastases were prognostic factors for patients with gastric cancer with liver metastasis without statistical significance.

Conclusions

Among patients with liver metastasis from gastric cancer, OS and PFS were satisfactory and comparable between RFA and liver resection but better than those of chemotherapy. RFA is an appropriate option for patients with gastric cancer who have a solitary liver metastasis measuring ≤3.0 cm.

Comparison of CT Volumetry and RECIST to Predict the Treatment Response and Overall Survival in Gastric Cancer Liver Metastases

Purpose

The aim of this study was to compare the diameter and volume of liver metastases on CT images in relation to overall survival and tumor response in patients with gastric cancer liver metastases (GCLM) treated with chemotherapy.

Materials and Methods

We recruited 43 patients with GCLM who underwent chemotherapy as a first-line treatment. We performed a three-dimensional quantification of the metastases for each patient. An independent survival analysis using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) was performed and compared to volumetric measurements. Overall survival was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and compared using Cox proportional hazard ratios following univariate analyses.

Results

When patients were classified as responders or non-responders based on volumetric criteria, the median overall survival was 23.6 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 8.63–38.57] and 7.6 months (95% CI, 3.78–11.42), respectively (p = 0.039). The volumetric analysis and RECIST of the non-progressing and progressing groups showed similar results based on the Kaplan-Meier method (p = 0.006) and the Cox proportional hazard model (p = 0.008).

Conclusion

Volumetric assessment of liver metastases could be an alternative predictor of overall survival for patients with GCLM treated with chemotherapy.

Dynamic Change in Serum Alpha-fetoprotein Level Predicts Treatment Response and Prognosis of Alpha-fetoprotein-producing Gastric Cancer

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-producing gastric cancer (AFPGC) is rare and associated with a suboptimal prognosis. The aim of this retrospective study was to identify prognostic factors, with a particular focus on the dynamics of serum AFP levels during treatment, in AFPGC patients.Data of patients with pathologically diagnosed primary gastric cancer treated with various modalities electronically collected in the medical management systems of 2 hospitals (ie, Shihezi People's Hospital and Shihezi Hospital) in Shihezi city, northwest China, from January 2007 to October 2018 were reviewed. Patients with AFPGC were identified based on serum AFP levels. Associations of the change in serum AFP levels and clinicopathological parameters with treatment response, including the overall response rate and disease control rate, and outcomes, including overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), were compared among different groups.Of 2354 patients diagnosed with gastric cancer, 96 patients with AFPGC were identified. The objective response rate and disease control rate were significantly higher in patients whose AFP level decreased by ≥50% than in patients whose AFP level decreased by <50% (68.8% vs. 40.6%, and 87.5% vs. 53.1%, respectively, both P < .05). The median OS and PFS were 32.0 (4-74) and 24.0 (1-66) months, respectively, in patients with a ≥50% decline in AFP, and 12.5 (0-69) and 9.0 (0-63) months, respectively, in those with a <50% decline in AFP (both P < .05). On univariate and multivariate analyses, tumor, node, metastasis staging classification stage, liver metastasis, curable surgery, and the decline in the serum AFP level were associated with OS and PFS.A significant decline in the serum AFP level was associated with good treatment response and prognosis in AFPGC. Along with a decline in the serum AFP level, tumor, node, metastasis staging classification stage, liver metastasis, and curable surgery were also independent factors associated with prognosis.

Comparative Study of Drug-eluting Beads versus Conventional Transarterial Chemoembolization for Treating Peculiar Anatomical Sites of Gastric Cancer Liver Metastasis

Background

This study aimed to assess the relative safety and short-term efficacy of drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) and conventional transarterial chemoembolization (c-TACE) for treating peculiar anatomical sites of gastric cancer liver metastasis.

Material/Methods

Of the 68 patients with gastric cancer liver metastases confirmed by imaging and pathology, 35 were treated with DEB-TACE and 33 with c-TACE. The DEB-TACE group comprised 26 males and 9 females aged 28–75 years (56.8±6.3), and the c-TACE group included 19 males and 14 females aged 33–77 (60.2±9.4) years. Liver functions of the 2 groups were compared between pre-TACE and 1-week and 1-month after TACE. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were reexamined at 1, 3, and 6 months after TACE, and short-term efficacy was assessed based on modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors.

Results

One month following DEB-TACE and c-TACE, the number of cases with objective response (OR) was 29 cases (29 out of 35 cases, 82.9%) and 20 cases (20 out of 33 cases, 60.6%) and disease control (DC) in the 2 groups was 33 cases (33 out of 35 cases, 94.3%) and 26 cases (26 out of 33 cases, 78.8%) respectively (P=0.041, P=0.031). Alanine transaminase (ALT) and Aspartate transaminase (AST) significantly increased in the DEB-TACE and c-TACE groups 1 week later (P<0.001). There were no serious complications in the 2 groups; incidences of nausea and vomiting were significantly lower, but instances of fever were markedly elevated in the DEB-TACE group (P=0.023, P=0.016, respectively).

Conclusions

The safety, feasibility, and short-term efficacy of DEB-TACE and c-TACE in the treatment of gastric cancer liver metastasis are clear. DEB-TACE leads to less incidences of nausea and vomiting but more incidences of fever than c-TACE.

Ultrasound-guided secondary radiofrequency ablation combined with chemotherapy in gastric cancer with recurrent liver metastasis

Background

The incidence and mortality of gastric cancer are in the second and third place of malignant tumor in China, respectively. Liver metastasis is an important cause of death of these patients. This study is to explore whether the secondary radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment can prolong the survival period and improve the life quality of patients with gastric cancer and recurrent liver metastases.

Methods

A total of 87 patients with gastric cancer and recurrent liver metastases were retrospective analyzed, 46 cases were assigned into study group and 41 cases in control group. The efficacy of the two groups was observed, and the prognostic factors were analyzed.

Results

The median survival time in the study group was significantly longer than that in the control group (P<0.05). The survival rate of the study group was significantly higher than that of the control group (both P<0.05). The life quality scores of the study group were significantly higher than the control group (both P<0.05).

Conclusions

Ultrasound-mediated secondary RFA combined with chemotherapy is superior to chemotherapy alone in the treatment of gastric cancer with recurrent liver metastases.

Chinese consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer with liver metastases

Background

The incidence of gastric cancer with liver metastases (GCLM) is 9.9-18.7%, with a median survival time of 11 months and a 5-year survival rate <20%. Multidisciplinary treatment (MDT) is gradually gaining recognition as the most important method. However, specific treatment plans remain unclear. The aim of study was to provide a consensus to improve the diagnosis and treatment of GCLM.

Methods

We brought together experts from relevant medical fields across China, including the Chinese Research Hospital Association Digestive Tumor Committee, Chinese Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, Chinese Gastric Cancer Association, and the Gastrointestinal Surgical Group of Chinese Surgical Society Affiliated to Chinese Medical Association, to discuss and formulate this consensus.

Results

A consensus was reached on the diagnosis and treatment of GCLM. Moreover, we have developed a new clinical classification system, the Chinese Type for Gastric Cancer Liver Metastases, based on the likelihood of a surgical treatment being successful.

Conclusions

The MDT mode should be implemented throughout all treatment of GCLM.A Chinese version of this expert consensus has been published in the Chinese Journal of Practical Surgery (Volume 39, Issue 10, p. 405-411). Written permission was obtained from the Chinese Journal of Practical Surgery to disseminate the expert consensus in English.

Surgical management of metastatic gastric cancer: moving beyond the guidelines

Despite decreasing incidence, gastric cancer remains a major health problem worldwide and is associated with poor survival. The poor survival is mainly attributed to delayed presentation which may cause local or systemic metastases. The standard of care for patients with metastatic gastric cancer (MGC) is palliative chemotherapy with best supportive care. Although the survival has improved owing to advances in chemotherapeutic agents, it is still unsatisfactory, and some perspective changes are needed in the management of MGC to improve the outcomes. Therefore, various alternative treatment strategies for MGC have formed the most important research topics. Liver-directed treatment (LDT) options such as liver resection, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), microwave ablation (MWA), and hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) have been studied in the management of liver metastasis from gastric cancer (LMGC). Intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPC) in addition to cytoreductive surgery (CRS) aiming to remove all macroscopic tumor focus resulting from peritoneal dissemination is the treatment option for peritoneal metastasis, while para-aortic lymph node dissection is the treatment option for para-aortic lymph node metastasis which is considered to be M1 disease. Conversion surgery is a novel concept aiming at R0 resection for originally unresectable or marginally resectable tumors after a remarkably good response to the chemotherapy. Large amounts of data in the literature have demonstrated the benefits of individualized approaches such as the combination of systemic and local treatment options in selected patient groups. In this review, we aimed to explore the current and future treatment options by reviewing the literature on this controversial topic.

The Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO): clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer

China is one of the countries with the highest incidence of gastric cancer. There are differences in epidemiological characteristics, clinicopathological features, tumor biological characteristics, treatment patterns, and drug selection between gastric cancer patients from the Eastern and Western countries. Non-Chinese guidelines cannot specifically reflect the diagnosis and treatment characteristics for the Chinese gastric cancer patients. The Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) arranged for a panel of senior experts specializing in all sub-specialties of gastric cancer to compile, discuss, and revise the guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer based on the findings of evidence-based medicine in China and abroad. By referring to the opinions of industry experts, taking into account of regional differences, giving full consideration to the accessibility of diagnosis and treatment resources, these experts have conducted experts’ consensus judgement on relevant evidence and made various grades of recommendations for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer to reflect the value of cancer treatment and meeting health economic indexes. This guideline uses tables and is complemented by explanatory and descriptive notes covering the diagnosis, comprehensive treatment, and follow-up visits for gastric cancer.

Influence of thermal ablation of hepatic metastases from gastric adenocarcinoma on long-term survival: Systematic review and pooled analysis

The objectives of this systematic review and pooled analysis were to examine long-term survival, morbidity, and mortality following thermal ablation of gastric cancer hepatic metastases and to identify prognostic factors that improve survival.Patients with hepatic metastases from gastric cancer are traditionally treated with palliative chemotherapy. Surgical resection is an alternative treatment of hepatic metastases. Whether patients can obtain benefit from thermal ablation of hepatic metastases is still controversial.A systematic literature search was undertaken (1990-2018). Publications were included if they studied more than 7 patients undergoing thermal ablation for hepatic metastasis from gastric cancer in the absence of peritoneal disease or other distant organ involvement. The primary outcome was the hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival. Comparison between thermal ablation and systematic chemotherapy or hepatic resection had been carried out. The influence of liver metastasis-related factors, such as <3 cm versus >3 cm, single versus multiple and metachronous versus synchronous upon survival was also assessed.The median survival of thermal ablation for the 12 studies included was 22.93[20.45-25.41] months. Procedures were associated with a median 30-day morbidity of 6% (0%-23%) and with no mortality. The median 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival were 79.14%, 39.79%, 28.45%, and 19.46%, respectively. Thermal ablation of hepatic metastasis was associated with improved overall survival compared with systematic chemotherapy (HR = 2.12; 95% CI 0.77-3.47; P=.000). Meta-analysis confirmed the additional survival benefit of size <3 cm (HR = 1.46; 95% CI 1.03-1.88; P = .002) and receiving chemotherapy after thermal ablation (HR = 2.14; 95% CI 1.05-3.23; P = .000).A use of RFA/ microwave ablation (MWA) as a liver-directed treatment may provide greater survival benefit than chemotherapy and is an alternative option for the treatment of liver-only metastases from gastric cancer. With the appropriate selection of patients, such as tumors <3 cm in diameter, thermal ablation may provide better prognosis than hepatic resection of hepatic metastasis with lower morbidity and mortality. Postoperation chemotherapy should be provided to patients with GLM who received thermal ablation.

CT-guided percutaneous cryoablation for palliative therapy of gastric cancer liver metastases

OBJECTIVE

Liver metastases occur in approximately 4%-14% of gastric cancer patients and are associated with high mortality. However, no standardized treatment approach is available for these patients. We aimed to assess the clinical outcomes of patients with gastric cancer liver metastases (GCLM) who underwent percutaneous cryoablation.

METHODS

We retrospectively enrolled 19 patients with 27 metastatic hepatic tumors who underwent cryoablation for liver metastases after gastrectomy for primary gastric cancer. Complications, overall survival (OS), local tumor progression-free survival (PFS), recurrence rates, and quality of life were assessed.

RESULTS

After cryoablation therapy, the median OS for all 19 patients was 16.0 months (range, 5-50 months), and the 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rates were 78.9%, 43.4%, and 21.7%, respectively. The median local tumor PFS was 8.0 months (range, 3-24 months), and the local tumor PFS rates at 6 and 12 months were 59.2% and 23.2%, respectively. Overall, patients' quality of life improved after cryoablation therapy (P < 0.05). Complications in this study were mild; no severe complications caused by technique were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Cryoablation provided good local control, improved patients' quality of life and had a low complication rate. Our research showed that cryoablation may be an effective palliative treatment for GCLM.

Science to Practice: Enhancing Photothermal Ablation of Colorectal Liver Metastases with Targeted Hybrid Nanoparticles

Image-guided percutaneous thermal ablation has been one of the principal tools in management of unresectable liver malignancies, including colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) ( 1 ). Currently, however, this technique is suitable mainly for tumors less than 4-5 cm in diameter and also results in incomplete ablation at tumor margins ( 2 ). To solve these problems, efforts have been made to combine thermal ablation with other treatment options, such as systemic and intra-arterial administration of therapeutics ( 3 - 5 ). In this issue of Radiology, White et al ( 6 ) introduced their work on development of an alternative approach by using biofunctionalized hybrid magnetic gold nanoparticles (HNPs) as catalysts for photothermal ablation of CRLM. They found that (a) the targeted (anti-MG1) HNPs are noncytotoxic and have greater than 20% intratumoral accumulation and (b) systemic administration of anti-MG1 HNPs can enlarge a tumor's necrotic zone with photothermal ablation. The results of this study establish the proof of the concept that targeted HNPs can enhance the therapeutic effect of photothermal ablation, which presents an exciting strategy for complete removal of CRLM by integrating two rapidly advancing scientific fields-interventional radiology and nanotechnology.

Proton beam therapy for liver metastases from gastric cancer

Liver metastases from gastric cancer (LMGC) is a non-curable, fatal disease with a 5-year survival rate of <10%. Although various local treatments have been applied, their clinical utility has not been established. The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety and effectiveness of proton beam therapy (PBT) for the treatment of patients with LMGC. A total of nine patients (seven men, two women; aged 56-78 years) with LMGC who received PBT between 2002 and 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who had tumors confined to the liver were investigated, and patients who had extrahepatic tumors were excluded. Six of the patients had solitary tumors, and three patients had multiple tumors. The total irradiation dose was 64-77 Gy relative biological effectiveness (RBE), and three patients received concurrent chemotherapy. The overall and progression-free survival (OS and PFS) rates, local control (LC) rate, and adverse effects were investigated. All patients completed treatment without interruption, and late adverse effects of higher than Grade 3 were not observed. The OS rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 100%, 78% and 56%, respectively (median, 5.5 years); the PFS rates were 67%, 40% and 40% (median, 2.6 years); and the LC rates were 89%, 71% and 71%. PBT was demonstrated to be a safe treatment, and the OS and PFS rates were not inferior to those for other types of local treatment. Therefore, PBT should be considered as an effective local treatment option for patients with LMGC.

Microwave ablation is effective against liver metastases from gastric adenocarcinoma

PURPOSE

The resection rate for liver metastases from gastric cancer is only 1.4-21.1%. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and therapeutic efficacy of microwave ablation (MWA) for liver metastases from gastric adenocarcinoma (LMGC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A database of 108 gastric adenocarcinoma patients with liver metastases who underwent MWA (n = 32) or systemic chemotherapy (n = 76) for LMGC between 2008 and 2016 was reviewed. Overall survival curves were assessed and compared based on different therapies.

RESULTS

All the patients were followed up for a median of 15 months (range, 2-68 months). The median cumulative survival times of patients after MWA and systemic chemotherapy were 25 (95% confidence interval (CI) 16.5-33.5) months and 12 (95% CI 7.7-16.3) months, respectively (HR 1.751, 95% CI 1.077-2.845; p = .015). The 1-, 3-, and 5- year survival rates were 80.9%, 31.2%, and 16.7% (MWA group); and 50.0%, 18.8%, and 5.4% (chemotherapy group), respectively. In the MWA group, side effects were reported in eight patients who developed abdominal pain, transient fever, or nausea. Dominant size, number of liver metastases, therapeutic modalities, and presence of extrahepatic metastases showed significant prognostic value in univariate analyses; while the latter three were identified as independent prognostic factors in multivariate regression analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

MWA is a safe and useful alternative for liver metastases from gastric adenocarcinoma in selected patients.

Radiofrequency ablation for liver metastases in patients with gastric cancer as an alternative to hepatic resection

Background

The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine whether RFA could provide an alternative treatment modality for selected patients who are not candidates for hepatic resection.

Methods

A total of 18 consecutive patients with liver metastases alone from gastric cancer treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA, n = 11) or hepatic resection (HR, n = 7) at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, Korea, between January 2000 and September 2014, were enrolled.

Results

The median OS and DFS in the RFA group were 40.5 ± 22.3 and 10.3 ± 1.07 months, respectively. There was no significant difference between the RFA and HR groups in terms of baseline characteristics except for performance status. Mean survival and DFS times of all patients were 60.1 ± 9.4 and 40.9 ± 10.2 months, respectively. Mean OS times in the HR and RFA groups were 67.5 ± 15.4 and 51.1 ± 9.8 months (P = 0.671), respectively, and the mean DFS time in the HR group (74.1 ± 14.2 months) was longer than that in the RFA group (26.9 ± 9.2 months), but the difference was not significant (P = 0.076).

Conclusions

In patients who are not candidates for surgical treatment, RFA may be an alternative to HR.

Surgical treatment of gastric cancer liver metastasis: Focus on controversy

Gastric cancer is the third most common malignancy in China, and the liver is the most common metastasis site which is responsible for poor prognosis in advanced gastric cancer. Gastric cancer liver metastasis (GCLM) has long been regarded as a systemic disease, and chemotherapy is still the main treatment, although the efficacy is unsatisfying. Recently, active surgical resection is reported to be practicable and beneficial in highly selected cases. In addition, either radiofrequency ablation or hepatic arterial infusion can be used for unresectable locally advanced tumors. Management of liver metastasis is the key to significantly improve the prognosis of patients. Further research is needed to establish individualized modalities for these particular patients. We herein discuss the surgical treatment of GCLM.

Clinical modalities for management of gastric cancer hepatic metastasis

The best treatment for gastric cancer hepatic metastasis is still widely debated. Gastric cancer hepatic metastases has long been justified the indication of palliative chemotherapy. Inspired by the good results of the management of colorectal cancer hepatic metastases, surgeons have focused on the curative or palliative treatment of gastric cancer hepatic metastases. The current clinical modalities used for treatment of gastric cancer hepatic metastasis include liver resection, systemic chemotherapy, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), hepatic arterial infusion (HAI), and palliative gastrectomy. This article presents a review of the literature on hepatic resection, RFA, HAI, palliative gastrectomy, and systemic chemotherapy for the treatment of liver metastases in gastric carcinoma, and discusses the indications and long-term results.

Multidisciplinary treatment of liver metastases of gastric cancer

The liver is the main target organ of the metastasis for gastric cancer. In cases of liver metastases of gastric cancer, the clinical effects of many treatments are not ideal. The morbidity of liver metastases of gastric cancer is high, which is one of the leading causes of death in gastric cancer patients. Currently, there have been no standardized treatment strategies. In recent years, the use of multidisciplinary treatment can prolong the survival of gastric cancer patients with liver metastases. Multidisciplinary treatment, which is based on individual patient's condition and combines surgery, chemotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, transarterial chemoembolization and targeted therapy, may improve the outcomes radically.

Proton beam therapy for metastatic liver tumors

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of proton beam therapy (PBT) for the treatment of metastatic liver tumors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 140 patients with liver metastasis who received PBT were retrospectively investigated. The main primary tumor sites were the colorectum (60) and the pancreas (19).

RESULTS

One hundred thirty-three patients (95%) completed treatment. Two patients experienced late adverse effects (rib fracture and cholangitis). The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 24%. In the 85 patients with lesions confined to the liver, the 5-year OS rate of was 28%, and in the 55 patients with lesions both inside and outside the liver, it was 16% (P=0.007). Among the patients with lesions confined to the liver, the 5-year OS rate of the 62 patients who received curative treatment was 30%, and that of the 23 patients who received palliative treatment, 23% (P=0.016). Multivariate analysis showed that the treatment strategy (curative and palliative) alone was associated with the OS rate (P=0.02).

CONCLUSION

PBT is a potentially safe and effective treatment for metastatic liver tumors.

High survival in patients operated for small isolated liver metastases from gastric cancer: a multi-institutional study

BACKGROUND

Although several studies have reported the outcomes of surgery for the treatment of liver metastases of gastric cancer (GLM), indications for liver resection for gastric metastases remain controversial. This study was designed to identify prognostic determinants that identify operable hepatic metastases from gastric cancer and to evaluate the actual targets of surgical therapy.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis was performed on outcomes for 24 consecutive patients at five institutions who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer followed by curative hepatectomy for GLM between 2000 and June 2012.

RESULTS

Overall 5-year survival and median survival were 40.1 % and 22.3 months, respectively. Uni- and multivariate analyses showed that liver metastatic tumour size less than 5 cm was the most important predictor of overall survival (OS, p = 0.03). Four patients survived >5 years. Repeat hepatectomy was performed in three patients. Two of these patients have remained disease-free since the repeat hepatectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

GLM patients with metastatic tumour diameter less than 5 cm maximum are the best candidates for hepatectomy. Hepatic resection should be considered as an option for gastric cancer patients with liver metastases.

Systemic chemotherapy as a main strategy for liver metastases from gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Liver metastasis is associated with poor prognosis in gastric cancer. Surgical resection and systemic chemotherapy have been reported to be effective in gastric cancer with liver metastasis (GCLM). However, the best strategy for GCLM has not been established.

METHODS

From May 2009 to July 2014, a consecutive series of GCLM patients in Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University were studied. Treatment strategies were evaluated with regard to different extents of metastases.

RESULTS

A total of 163 patients were included. The overall survival was 10.1 months. Active treatment significantly prolongs the survival of GCLM patients. The overall survival time for patients with liver-limited metastases and extra-hepatic liver metastases was 11.6 mo and 8.7 mo, respectively (P = 0.012). The median survival time for liver-limited disease of H1, H2 and H3 was 14.2, 15.8, and 8.5 months, respectively (H3 vs H2, P = 0.001; H3 vs H1, P = 0.000; H1 vs H2, P = 0.900). Systemic chemotherapy was chosen as the main strategy for the 'extensive' patients with extra-hepatic metastases and H3 type liver-limited metastases. Patients' survival was benefited by multi-line chemotherapy. No differences were shown between systemic chemotherapy and curative resection or palliative resection in H1 and H2 liver-limited metastases (16.0 mo vs 12.0 mo, P = 0.711; 16.0 vs 18.8 months, P = 0.654).

CONCLUSION

Systemic chemotherapy was the main treatment for gastric cancer patients with liver metastases. Curative resection could be considered for highly selected patients.

Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation of Hepatic Metastases from Gastric Adenocarcinoma after Gastrectomy

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation for treatment of hepatic metastases from gastric adenocarcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Of 24 patients who underwent percutaneous RF ablation after gastrectomy for a hepatic metastasis from a gastric cancer during the period 2000-2013, 19 were enrolled (median age, 63 y) with 21 metastatic tumors (mean diameter, 2.3 cm). Patient overall survival (OS) and local tumor progression-free survival (PFS) outcomes were assessed and compared according to patient and tumor characteristics, including tumor size and lobar distribution. The difference in diameter between tumor and ablation zone was compared according to lobar distribution.

RESULTS

The median OS after RF ablation was 20.3 months, and the median local tumor PFS was 10.4 months. The OS rate was not significantly influenced by any patient or tumor characteristics. In multivariate analysis, independent negative prognostic factors for local tumor PFS were a tumor ≥ 3 cm in diameter (hazard ratio, 10.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-62.5; P = .009) and a tumor located in the left lobe (hazard ratio, 9.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-63.5; P = .026). The difference in diameter between the tumor and ablation zone was significantly different between the right and left lobes (right 1.8 cm ± 0.6 vs left 1.1 cm ± 0.70, P = .028).

CONCLUSIONS

With the appropriate selection of patients with tumors ≤ 3 cm in diameter and with the possibility of sufficient safety margins, RF ablation is a safe and feasible treatment option for hepatic metastases from gastric adenocarcinoma.

Hepatic resection for gastric cancer liver metastases: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Resection of liver metastases from gastric cancer (GC) is rarely performed, and the outcome after hepatic surgery has not been systematically evaluated in the literature. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of outcome and prognostic factors for survival after liver metastasectomy for GC.

METHODS

We performed a meta-analysis of published studies that focused on long-term outcomes (5-year overall survival [OS]) after surgical management of liver metastases from GC, and included more than 10 patients each. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated for variables considered as potential prognostic factors for OS in at least three publications.

RESULTS

Twenty-three studies comprising a total of 870 patients were considered in this analysis. The pooled weighted median OS was 22 months (95%CI 17.6-27.2). The pooled 5-year OS after liver resection was 23.8% (95%CI 19-29.3%). The pooled 5-year OS rates for metachronous and synchronous metastases were 30% (95%CI 24.7-35.8%) and 22.6% (95%CI 14-34.4%), respectively. Parameters associated with poor survival were (i) multiple metastases, and (ii) large size of metastases.

CONCLUSIONS

Hepatic resection of GC liver metastases is associated with an acceptable 5-year OS, in particular after surgery of metachronous lesions, and could be offered to selected patients.

Image-guided tumor ablation: standardization of terminology and reporting criteria--a 10-year update

Image-guided tumor ablation has become a well-established hallmark of local cancer therapy. The breadth of options available in this growing field increases the need for standardization of terminology and reporting criteria to facilitate effective communication of ideas and appropriate comparison among treatments that use different technologies, such as chemical (eg, ethanol or acetic acid) ablation, thermal therapies (eg, radiofrequency, laser, microwave, focused ultrasound, and cryoablation) and newer ablative modalities such as irreversible electroporation. This updated consensus document provides a framework that will facilitate the clearest communication among investigators regarding ablative technologies. An appropriate vehicle is proposed for reporting the various aspects of image-guided ablation therapy including classification of therapies, procedure terms, descriptors of imaging guidance, and terminology for imaging and pathologic findings. Methods are addressed for standardizing reporting of technique, follow-up, complications, and clinical results. As noted in the original document from 2003, adherence to the recommendations will improve the precision of communications in this field, leading to more accurate comparison of technologies and results, and ultimately to improved patient outcomes.

Treatment and survival of gastric cancer patients with metachronous liver metastases

AIM: To investigate the treatment and survival of gastric cancer patients with metachronous liver metastases.

METHODS: Clinical data for 92 gastric cancer patients pathologically diagnosed with metachronous liver metastases treated from January 2004 to December 2009 were included. The patients received treatments including chemotherapy (n = 44), chemotherapy + hepatic artery chemoembolization (TACE) (n = 28), and chemotherapy + liver cancer resection (n = 20). The patients were followed for 6 mo to 70 mo, and the 5-year survival rate was calculated. Prognostic factors were assessed using univariate and Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS: The total effective rate was 50.00% and the 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 72.73%, 22.73% and 2.27% in the patients receiving chemotherapy alone; the corresponding percentages were 57.14%, 71.43%, 28.57% and 10.71% in the chemotherapy + TACE group, and 60.00%, 75.00%, 60.00% and 40.00% in the chemotherapy + liver cancer resection group. Although the total effective rate and 1-year survival rate showed no significant difference among the three group (P > 0.05), the differences in the 3- and 5-year survival rates were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis showed that the diameter of primary tumor, differentiation, hepatic metastasis, liver cancer type, the number of cancer metastases, and treatment efficacy were associated with the prognosis in gastric cancer patients with metachronous liver metastases (all P < 0.05). Cox regression analysis showed that the diameter of primary tumor, the number of liver metastases and liver cancer type were independent risk factors.

CONCLUSION: Chemotherapy + liver cancer resection can effectively improve survival in gastric cancer patients with metachronous liver metastases. When selecting appropriate treatment, the type of liver cancer, tumor size and the number of liver metastases should be taken into account.