1
|
Chen RY, Goh RY, Leung HT, Cheng S, Tan VKM, Chia CLK, Goo JTT, Ong MW. Clinical Significance of Radiologically Detected Small Indeterminate Extra-Mammary Lesions in Breast Cancer Patients. Eur J Breast Health 2022; 18:252-257. [PMID: 35855201 PMCID: PMC9255656 DOI: 10.4274/ejbh.galenos.2022.2022-1-2] [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: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Objective Patients with breast cancer who have indeterminate extra-mammary lesions, for example in lung, liver or bone, without other metastatic lesions pose a clinical dilemma regarding subsequent management. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, characteristics and outcomes of such lesions detected on initial staging imaging, and address the clinical significance of these incidental findings. Materials and Methods Medical records of patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer who underwent computed tomography scans and bone scintigraphy between January 1, 2015 and June 30, 2021 were reviewed. Patients with indeterminate extra-mammary lesions on imaging were included. Patients with obvious metastatic disease were excluded. Lesion characteristics, breast cancer staging, duration of follow-up and natural history of disease progression were analysed. Results The study included 52 patients with indeterminate lesions on pre-operative imaging. The median follow-up duration was 14 (range: 6-41) months. The most common site of occurrence of indeterminate lesions was the lung (60.9%) followed by the liver (26.1%). Forty-six had lesions that remained stable (88.5%), while six (11.5%) had progression to metastatic disease. Out of these six, only two (3.8%) developed metastasis in the same site as the original indeterminate lesion, whereas the remaining four developed metastases in other sites. Conclusion Patients with breast malignancy found to have indeterminate extra-mammary lesions without obvious distant metastasis on initial staging scans are associated with a small risk of subsequently developing metastatic disease. Although most of these lesions remain quiescent, surveillance imaging is recommended because a small but significant proportion of patients with such lesions eventually harbour actual metastatic disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Yanlin Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Yishun, Singapore
| | - Rui Ying Goh
- Department of General Surgery, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Yishun, Singapore
| | - Hoi Ting Leung
- Department of General Surgery, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Yishun, Singapore
| | - Stephanie Cheng
- Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Outram, Singapore
| | - Veronique Kiak Mien Tan
- Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Outram, Singapore
| | | | | | - Marc Weijie Ong
- Department of General Surgery, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Yishun, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cococcia S, Dutta P, Moghim M, Hogan B, Tanwar S, Marshall A, Macdonald D, Yu D, O'Beirne J, Rosenberg WM, Trembling PM. The fate of indeterminate liver lesions: What proportion are precursors of hepatocellular carcinoma? BMC Gastroenterol 2022; 22:118. [PMID: 35272611 PMCID: PMC8908619 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-022-02135-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The natural history and incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) arising from indeterminate liver lesions are not well described. We aimed to define the incidence of HCC in a cohort of patients undergoing surveillance by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and estimate any associations with incident HCC. Methods We performed a retrospective follow-up study, identifying MRI scans in which indeterminate lesions had been reported between January 2006 and January 2017. Subsequent MRI scan reports were reviewed for incident HCC arising from indeterminate lesions, data were extracted from electronic patient records and survival analysis performed to estimate associations with baseline factors. Results One hundred and nine patients with indeterminate lesions on MRI were identified. HCC developed in 19 (17%) patients over mean follow up of 4.6 years. Univariate Cox proportional hazards analysis found incident HCC to be significantly associated with baseline low platelet count (hazard ratio (HR) = 7.3 (95% confidence intervals (CI) 2.1–24.9), high serum alpha-fetoprotein level (HR = 2.7 (95% CI 1.0–7.1)) and alcohol consumption above fourteen units weekly (HR = 3.1 (95% CI 1.1–8.7)). Multivariate analysis, however, found that only low platelet count was independently associated with HCC (HR = 5.5 (95% CI 0.6–5.1)). Conclusions HCC arises in approximately one fifth of indeterminate liver lesions over 4.6 years and is associated with a low platelet count at the time of first diagnosis of an indeterminate lesion. Incidence of HCC was more common in people with viral hepatitis and in those consuming > 14 units of alcohol per week. Our data may be used to support a strategy of enhanced surveillance in patients with indeterminate lesions. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12876-022-02135-x.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Cococcia
- Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Pond Street, London, NW3 2QG, UK.,Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Division of Medicine, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK.,First Department of Internal Medicine, San Matteo Hospital Foundation, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Priti Dutta
- Department of Radiology, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Pond Street, London, NW3 2QG, UK
| | - Melika Moghim
- Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Pond Street, London, NW3 2QG, UK
| | - Brian Hogan
- Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Pond Street, London, NW3 2QG, UK.,Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Division of Medicine, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Sudeep Tanwar
- Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Pond Street, London, NW3 2QG, UK.,Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Division of Medicine, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Aileen Marshall
- Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Pond Street, London, NW3 2QG, UK.,Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Division of Medicine, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Douglas Macdonald
- Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Pond Street, London, NW3 2QG, UK.,Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Division of Medicine, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Dominic Yu
- Department of Radiology, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Pond Street, London, NW3 2QG, UK
| | - James O'Beirne
- Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Pond Street, London, NW3 2QG, UK.,Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Division of Medicine, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK.,Department of Hepatology, Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Birtinya, QLD, Australia
| | - William M Rosenberg
- Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Pond Street, London, NW3 2QG, UK.,Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Division of Medicine, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Paul M Trembling
- Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Pond Street, London, NW3 2QG, UK. .,Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Division of Medicine, University College London, Royal Free Hospital, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Beal EW, Albert S, McNally M, Shirley LA, Hanje J, Michaels AJ, Black SM, Bloomston M, Schmidt CR. An indeterminate nodule in the cirrhotic liver discovered by surveillance imaging is a prelude to malignancy. J Surg Oncol 2014; 110:967-9. [PMID: 25155168 DOI: 10.1002/jso.23765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2014] [Accepted: 07/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Surveillance imaging often shows indeterminate lesions in the cirrhotic liver, which may represent early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), dysplastic or regenerative nodules, or vascular shunts. The risk of HCC after identification of an indeterminate nodule is not well described. METHODS We identified 252 patients with cirrhosis and at least one indeterminate nodule discovered on surveillance imaging over a 4-year period. The incidence of HCC development within 2 years of nodule identification was measured along with baseline risk factors associated with developing HCC. RESULTS The incidence of HCC in this population was 21% (53 of 252), and risk factors associated with HCC included chronic viral hepatitis, male gender, and low platelet count. The median time from identification of an indeterminate nodule to diagnosis of HCC was 2.7 months. Patients with indeterminate nodules who developed HCC were more likely have to have an indeterminate nodule with arterial enhancement. CONCLUSIONS The 2-year incidence of HCC in the setting of cirrhosis and an indeterminate nodule discovered by surveillance imaging may be as high as one in five persons. Early follow-up imaging, biopsy, or empiric treatment should be considered for those at higher risk. Further, this population is well suited for early detection biomarker and chemoprevention studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eliza W Beal
- Department of Surgery, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|