Diagnostic value and complications of fine needle aspiration for primary liver cancer and its influence on the treatment outcome-a study based on 3011 patients in China

Factors and Survival Implications associated with biopsy of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the few cancers that can be diagnosed based on imaging findings alone. The factors associated with the decision to perform a biopsy and the clinical impact have not been previously studied.

METHODS

We collected data of patients diagnosed with HCC between 2004 and 2015 from the National Cancer Database. We assessed associations between biopsy and survival with demographic and clinical factors.

RESULTS

We included 160,507 patients. The median age was 62 (40-90), 74.1% were male and 74.9% were white. Over the 12-year period, 47.7% (76,524/160,517) underwent a biopsy. Factors associated with a biopsy were black race, older age, presence of metastatic disease, larger tumor size, and treatment at a community cancer center. Factors associated with increased mortality were older age, higher comorbidity index, larger tumor size, presence of metastatic disease, higher AFP and elevated bilirubin. There was a significant decreased use of biopsy over successive years (2007-2015). After adjusting for prognostic factors, biopsy had no significant impact on survival HR 1.01 (95%CI 1.00-1.03. p = 0.07).

CONCLUSIONS

A significant number of patients underwent a biopsy. Performing a biopsy did not have a significant impact on survival.

New Strategies for Safe Cancer Therapy Using Electrospun Nanofibers: A Short Review

Electrospun nanofibers regarding their special features, including high drug loading capacity, high surface to volume area, flexibility, and ease of production and operation, are of great interest for being used in tissue engineering, and drug delivery approaches. In this context, several studies have been done for the production of biodegradable and biocompatible scaffolds containing different anticancer agents for fighting with solid tumors. Surprisingly, these scaffolds are able to deliver different combinations of drugs and agents, such as nanoparticles and release them in a time dependent manner. Here in this review, we summarize the principles of electrospinning and their uses in entrapment of drugs and anti-proliferative agents suitable for cancer therapy. The latest studies performed on treating cancer using electrospinning are mentioned and their advantages and disadvantages over conventional treatment methods are discussed.

When to call it off: defining transplant candidacy limits in liver donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is an acceptable treatment option for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Traditional transplant criteria aim at best utilization of donor organs with low risk of post transplant recurrence. In LDLT, long term recurrence free survival (RFS) of 50% is considered acceptable. The objective of the current study was to determine preoperative factors associated with high recurrence rates in LDLT.

Methods

Between April 2012 and December 2019, 898 LDLTs were performed at our center. Out of these, 242 were confirmed to have HCC on explant histopathology. We looked at preoperative factors associated with ≤ 50%RFS at 4 years. For survival analysis, Kaplan Meier curves were used and Cox regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of recurrence.

Results

Median AFP was 14.4(0.7–11,326.7) ng/ml. Median tumor size was 2.8(range = 0.1–11) cm and tumor number was 2(range = 1–15). On multivariate analysis, AFP > 600 ng/ml [HR:6, CI: 1.9–18.4, P = 0.002] and microvascular invasion (MVI) [HR:5.8, CI: 2.5–13.4, P <  0.001] were independent predictors of 4 year RFS ≤ 50%. When AFP was > 600 ng/ml, MVI was seen in 88.9% tumors with poor grade and 75% of tumors outside University of California San Francisco criteria. Estimated 4 year RFS was 78% for the entire cohort. When AFP was < 600 ng/ml, 4 year RFS for well-moderate and poor grade tumors was 88 and 73%. With AFP > 600 ng/ml, RFS was 53% and 0 with well-moderate and poor grade tumors respectively (P <  0.001).

Conclusion

Patients with AFP < 600 ng/ml have acceptable outcomes after LDLT. In patients with AFP > 600 ng/ml, a preoperative biopsy to rule out poor differentiation should be considered for patient selection.

Optimizing small liver biopsy specimens: a combined cytopathology and surgical pathology perspective

Both fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and core needle biopsy (CNB) are widely used to obtain liver biopsy specimens, particularly from mass lesions. However, the advantages and disadvantages of FNA versus CNB in terms of appropriate use, diagnostic yield, complications, and whether or not specimens should be handled by cytopathologists, surgical pathologists, or both remain subjects of controversy. This review addresses the issues of sample adequacy, appropriate use of each technique and complications, and challenges regarding the diagnosis of both hepatic tumors and non-neoplastic liver disease.

Fine needle biopsy of malignant tumors of the liver: a retrospective study of 624 cases from a single institution experience

BACKGROUND

Liver is one of the most common organs involved by metastatic neoplasms. In addition, a number of primary tumors can arise in the liver. Fine needle biopsy (FNB) is the most commonly used method for diagnosis of liver masses. Not much literature is available during the past 10 years about FNB of liver tumors. All large studies were performed more than 15 years ago. With the introduction of new disease entities, new tumor classification systems, and new diagnostic methods, updated documentation of FNB of liver neoplasms is much needed.

METHODS

Liver FNB cases that were diagnosed as "Positive for Malignancy" between 2010 and 2018 were retrieved from the cytopathology database in our institution. Patient medical records, cytopathology and surgical pathology reports, and slides from selected cases were retrieved and reviewed.

RESULTS

Over 30 different types of malignant tumors were identified in 624 malignant FNB cases, with the most common tumors being metastatic colorectal and pancreatic adenocarcinomas. Rare tumors include EBV-positive leiomyosarcoma, mesothelioma, and paraganglioma, among others. A subset of patients presented with widespread metastases involving liver with no known history. Identifying the primary sites in those cases can be challenging. We also found that in our practice, a significant number of hepatocellular carcinoma were diagnosed by FNB in recent years.

CONCLUSIONS

A tremendous variety of neoplasms can occur in liver. Accurate diagnosis is essential for proper patient management. Familiarization with morphological features and judicious usage of ancillary studies are essential for accurate diagnosis.

Role of fine-needle aspiration in post liver transplant patients: A clinical/cytological review

BACKGROUND

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of superficial and deep-seated lesions has been used with high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of neoplastic and nonneoplastic lesions. However, literature of FNA in posttransplant patients is sparse, especially in postliver transplant. We undertook a retrospective study to evaluate the utility of FNA in the clinical management of post liver transplant patients.

METHODS

We searched our institution's surgical/cytologic databases (November1993-February2016) to identify liver transplant cases and FNA procedures performed on allograft liver recipients. Institutional IRB approval was obtained for this study.

RESULTS

886 liver allograft recipients were reviewed, 41(5%) of which were transplanted for hepatocellular carcinoma. 62/886(7%) underwent an FNA procedure. 39males and 23females included with mean age of 58years. Mean time between transplant and FNA was 34months. 21/62(34%) were malignant neoplasms, most common malignancy was adenocarcinoma: 8cases(3lung,3pancreas,1colon,1cholangiocarcinoma)and 8cases of transplanted hepatocellular carcinoma patients had recurrence, 6 in the allograft liver and 1case each of metastasis to the iliac bone and periportal lymph node. 3cases were squamous-cell carcinoma (2lung and 1scalp). 2cases were posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders. 34/62(55%) cases were benign aspirates from various organs (8lung,6liver,5pancreas,4breast,3thyroid,3lymph-nodes and 1case each of salivary gland, bile-duct,intraabdominal,abdominal wall,and oral cavity) 0.6/62(10%) cases were inflammatory. 22cases had histologic correlation: 5true-positives,16true-negatives,1false-negative (a patient with parotid mucoepidermoid carcinoma whose FNA diagnosis was sialadenitis), and no false-positive. The sensitivity was 83% and the specificity was 100%. The positive predictive value was 100% and the negative predictive value was 94%.

CONCLUSIONS

This review shows that 40/62(65%) of the aspirates were benign lesions, indicating that a conservative approach is recommended in the clinical management of these patients, especially since the interval between transplant and FNA was on average 34months. FNA is a safe, minimally invasive method to follow-up these patients.

Vascular invasion and survival after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: a study from the European Liver Transplant Registry

BACKGROUND

Studies suggest that vascular invasion may be a superior prognostic marker compared with traditional selection criteria, e.g. Milan criteria. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of micro and macrovascular invasion in a large database material.

METHODS

Patients liver transplanted for HCC and cirrhosis registered in the European Liver Transplant Registry (ELTR) database were included. The association between the Milan criteria, Up-to-seven criteria and vascular invasion with overall survival and HCC specific survival was investigated with univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses.

RESULTS

Of 23,124 patients transplanted for HCC, 9324 had cirrhosis and data on explant pathology. Patients without microvascular invasion, regardless of number and size of HCC nodules, had a five-year overall survival of 73.2%, which was comparable with patients inside both Milan and Up-to-seven criteria. Patients without macrovascular invasion had an only marginally reduced survival of 70.7% after five years. Patients outside both Milan and Up-to-seven criteria without micro or macrovascular invasion still had a five-year overall survival of 65.8%.

CONCLUSION

Vascular invasion as a prognostic indicator remains superior to criteria based on size and number of nodules. With continuously improving imaging studies, microvascular invasion may be used for selecting patients for transplantation in the future.

When and how should we perform a biopsy for HCC in patients with liver cirrhosis in 2018? A review

The role of liver biopsy in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has changed over time. The diagnostic algorithm for this tumor is nowadays mainly based on radiological imaging, relegating histology to controversial cases, in which imaging techniques cannot establish a clear-cut diagnosis. This most commonly happens in small lesions, where biopsies frequently become mandatory, or in larger hypovascularized lesions. In this case however, the histological examination may not be reliable enough to grade the lesion, as different cell clones, deriving from sequential mutations, can originate heterogeneous cell populations. The risk of complications of liver biopsy, such as tumor seeding and intra-abdominal bleeding, needs to be reconsidered in light of new scientific evidence and of the technical improvements that have been introduced. Furthermore, increasing knowledge of the immunohistochemical and molecular characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma opens a new scenario in which biopsy may play a decisive role in defining prognosis, and even treatment, by identifying the patient populations who could most benefit from target-driven hepatocellular carcinoma treatments, and therefore improving the success rate of experimental therapies. All the above reasons suggest that, overall, the role of liver biopsy in the management of HCC needs a reappraisal.

Metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed by fine needle aspiration: A clinical and cytologic study

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. The clinical and cytological features of metastatic HCC have not been well established.

METHODS

To determine the clinical and cytological features of metastatic HCC, we retrospectively searched for all HCC metastasis diagnosed by fine needle aspiration or core biopsy.

RESULTS

We found 12 bone metastases, 11 intra-abdominal, 4 lung, 3 soft tissue, and 2 lymph node metastases from 32 patients. 7/12 bone metastases were vertebral body, 4 were pelvic bone, and 1 case was humerus. 10/32 cases showed concurrent metastasis at a different location. The average metastasis size was 40.9 mm. Tumor grades of HCC showed near equal distribution. The following cytological features are most frequently associated with metastatic HCC: single tumor cells (88.9%), cytoplasmic vacuolization (70.4%), trabecular pattern (70.4%), bare nuclei (66.7%), prominent nucleoli (66.7%), tumor giant cells (44.4%), and traversing capillaries (44.4%) and encased by endothelium (18.5%). Immunohistochemical stains of 12 cases showed the majority were positive for E-Cadherin, Carcinoembryonic Antigen, and HepPar1. Negativity for CK7 and CK20 is contributory to making the diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

The most frequent metastatic HCC diagnosed by FNA was from bone, especially the vertebral body. The frequent cytomorphology and immunophenotype seen in primary HCC are good diagnostic criteria for diagnosing metastatic HCC.

Histopathologic Analysis of Transvitreal Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy Needle Tracts for Uveal Melanoma

PURPOSE

Perform the first in vivo examination of fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) scleral tracts to determine the incidence of iatrogenic extension of tumor cells.

DESIGN

A prospective, consecutive, observational case series.

METHODS

This study was performed in a clinical/surgical setting at Retina Consultants of Houston and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, and included 10 patients who were scheduled for enucleation as primary treatment for uveal melanoma. Treatment included FNAB, enucleation, and histopathologic analysis. The primary outcomes were tumor location and dimension as identified by B-scans and histopathologic analysis. Tumor type was classified by gene expression profile and American Joint Committee on Cancer staging. Twenty-five- or 27-gauge needles were used for FNAB under direct visualization. Cell blocks of acquired specimens were examined using hematoxylin-eosin stain and double immunostain using HMB45 with red chromogen and Ki67 with brown 3,3'-diaminobenzidine chromogen.

RESULTS

Mean follow-up after enucleation was 20.4 months (range 9.9-31.7). All biopsy specimens had adequate yields for genomic analysis. No enucleation specimen contained tumor cells within sclera, pars plana, or pars plicata. One specimen contained a small collection of tumor cells within the anterior vitreous in the quadrant of the biopsy site. No patient developed an orbital recurrence. Four patients developed nonorbital metastatic uveal melanoma during the study period. Three of them died, and 1 is alive with hepatic metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

No iatrogenic extension of tumor was reported. FNAB is a safe procedure that produces a high cellular yield for cytologic and genomic analyses with minimal risk of extraocular dissemination.

Diagnostic importance of Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration in Diagnosing Hepatic Lesions among Sudanese Patients 2015

BACKGROUND

Liver cytology is indicated and requested for evaluating hepatic masses in symptomatic or serendipitous cryptic discovered lesions.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the cytomorphological patterns of hepatic lesions identified among a group of Sudanese patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is an analytical descriptive hospital-based study included 165 patients undergoing ultrasound-guided fine needle is an aspiration cytology (FNAC)for hepatic lesions, at Al-Amal Military Hospital and Khartoum Teaching Hospital in Khartoum, Sudan. Clinical data were reviewed. Air dried Diff Quick stained smears were grouped into unsatisfactory samples, benign lesions, and malignant neoplasms.

RESULTS

Our population were consisted of 35 (21.2%) females and 130 (78.8%) males, with a male to female ratio 3.7:1 and an age ranged between 47 to 80, and a mean age 57±7. Of 165 cases, 57 (34.5%) were benign, no atypia were noticed, 101 (61.2%) were malignant. Most investigated patients were found to have metastatic lesions.

CONCLUSION

FNAC is a useful tool for investigating hepatic lesions.

Selection of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma for liver transplantation: Past and future

The aim of liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is to ensure a rate of disease-free survival similar to that of patients transplanted due to benign disease. Therefore, we are forced to adopt strict criteria when selecting candidates for LT and prioritizing patients on the waiting list (WL), to have clarified indications for bridging therapy for groups at risk for progression or recurrence, and to establish certain limits for downstaging therapies. Although the Milan criteria (MC) remain the standard and most employed criteria for indication of HCC patients for LT by far, in the coming years, criteria will be consolidated that take into account not only data regarding the size/volume and number of tumors but also their biology. This criteria will mainly include the alpha fetoprotein (AFP) values and, in view of their wide variability, any of the published logarithmic models for the selection of candidates for LT. Bridging therapy is necessary for HCC patients on the WL who meet the MC and have the possibility of experiencing a delay for LT greater than 6 mo or any of the known risk factors for recurrence. It is difficult to define single AFP values that would indicate bridging therapy (200, 300 or 400 ng/mL); therefore, it is preferable to rely on the criteria of a French AFP model score > 2. Other single indications for bridging therapy include a tumor diameter greater than 3 cm, more than one tumor, and having an AFP slope greater than 15 ng/mL per month or > 50 ng/mL for three months during strict monitoring while on the WL. When considering the inclusion of patients on the WL who do not meet the MC, it is mandatory to determine their eligibility for downstaging therapy prior to inclusion. The upper limit for this therapy could be one lesion up to 8 cm, 2-3 lesions with a total tumor diameter up to 8 cm, or a total tumor volume of 115 cm³. Lastly, liver allocation and the prioritization of patients with HCC on the WL should take into account the recently described HCC model for end-stage liver disease, which considers hepatic function, HCC size and the number and the log of AFP values. This formula has been calibrated with the survival data of non-HCC patients and produces a dynamic and more accurate assessment model.

[National S3 guidelines on hepatocellular carcinoma]

CLINICAL/METHODICAL ISSUE

Evidence-based therapeutic and diagnostic algorithm for hepatocellular carcinoma.

STANDARD RADIOLOGICAL METHODS

Ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, image-guided percutaneous biopsy, percutaneous thermal ablation and transarterial chemoembolization.

METHODICAL INNOVATIONS

Diagnostic and therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma according to the official German interdisciplinary guidelines.

PERFORMANCE

The formulation of the German S3 guidelines on diagnosis and therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma was performed under special consideration of quality indicators and standardized quality improvement methods.

ACHIEVEMENTS

In 2013 the German S3 guidelines on diagnosis and therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma were published and clinically implemented as part of the nationwide guideline program in oncology of the Deutsche Krebsgesellschaft (German Cancer Society).

PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS

The German S3 guidelines on diagnosis and therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma have to be considered as the national gold standard with the goal of optimization of patient care.

Hepatocellular carcinoma: preclinical data on a dual-lumen catheter kit for fibrin sealant infusion following loco-regional treatments

BACKGROUND

Fibrin sealants are currently used in a variety of surgical and endoscopic settings to improve time to haemostasis, reduce blood loss and complications. However, the application of sealants (composed of two essential components: fibrinogen and thrombin) is not without difficulties. These sealants are normally applied to the resected area using dual-chamber delivery systems. Administration of these substances with different viscosities and diverse flow rates through a long catheter means that a certain amount of force needs to be applied and clot formation and clogging at the distal end of the catheter can occur.

METHODS

We designed a novel dual-lumen catheter to facilitate the optimal application of fibrin sealant after diagnostic and therapeutic percutaneous procedures and assessed the efficacy and tolerability of this dual-lumen kit when used in a model of hepatic fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in an in vivo, preclinical porcine study.

RESULTS

The experimental was performed on nine pigs (mean body weight 85 ± 7 kg) and with the exception of one pig, all animals survived in good conditions until the day of hepatectomy and euthanasia. The premature death of this animal was in the veterinarian's judgment caused by a common, non-infective disease. In all nine pigs, bleeding was stopped within 3 minutes of the application of the fibrin sealant and no cases of recurrent bleeding occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

The new dual aspect catheter increased ease of delivery of the sealant and FNA liver biopsy and RFA procedures were successfully and safely performed.

Tissue diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

The current American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) guideline provides strategies for achieving the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on the size of liver nodules seen on surveillance imaging. For lesions less than 1 cm in size, follow-up surveillance imaging is recommended. Lesions larger than 2 cm require typical radiological hallmark on dynamic imaging. Lesions of 1-2 cm in size require typical imaging features including intense uptake of contrast during arterial phases followed by decreased enhancement during portal venous phases on at least 2 imaging modalities. In cases of atypical radiological features of the suspected lesion, tissue diagnosis either by fine needle aspiration or biopsy should be obtained. Although fine needle aspiration could give a smaller risk of seeding than biopsy, biopsy has been preferred over cytology. Percutaneous biopsy of HCC carries a potential risk of tumor seeding along the needle tract. However the risk is low and there is no clear evidence of post transplant recurrence due to needle tract seeding. Histopathologic assessment can differentiate between premalignant lesions such as dysplastic nodules and early HCC. Atypical variants of HCC can be recognized morphologically which may have associated prognostic value.

The role of interventional radiology in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (hcc) is one of the most common causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Overall, liver transplantation and resection are the only available treatments with potential for cure. Various locoregional therapies are widely used to manage patients with advanced hcc or as a bridging therapy for patients with early and intermediate disease. This article reviews and evaluates the role of interventional radiology in the management of such cases by assessing various aspects of each method, such as effect on rates of survival, recurrence, tumour response, and complications.

METHODS

A systemic search of PubMed, medline, Ovid Medline In-Process, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews retrieved all related scientific papers for review.

RESULTS

Needle core biopsy is a highly sensitive, specific, and accurate method for hcc grading. Portal-vein embolization provides adequate expansion of the future liver remnant, making more patients eligible for resection. In focal or multifocal unresectable early-stage disease, radiofrequency ablation tops all other thermoablative methods. However, microwave ablation is preferred in large tumours and in patients with Child-Pugh B disease. Cryoablation is preferred in recurrent disease and in patients who are poor candidates for anesthesia. Of the various transarterial modalities-transarterial chemoembolization (tace), drug-eluting beads, and transarterial radio-embolization (tare)-tace is the method of choice in Child-Pugh A disease, and tare is the method of choice in hcc cases with portal vein thrombosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The existing data support the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in hcc management. Large randomized controlled studies are needed to provide clear indication guidelines for each method.

Pre-liver transplant biopsy in hepatocellular carcinoma: a potential criterion for exclusion from transplantation?

BACKGROUND

In cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), poor differentiation in pre-liver transplantation (LT) biopsy of the largest tumour is used as a criterion for exclusion from LT in some centres. The potential role of pre-LT biopsy at one centre was explored.

METHODS

A prospective database of patients undergoing orthotopic LT for radiologically diagnosed HCC at St James's University Hospital, Leeds during 2006-2011 was analysed.

RESULTS

A total of 60 predominantly male (85.0%) patients with viral hepatitis were identified. There were discrepancies between radiological and histopathological findings with respect to the number of tumours identified (in 27 patients, 45.0%) and their size (in 63 tumours, 64.3%). In four (6.7%) patients, the largest lesion, which would theoretically have been targeted for biopsy, was not the largest in the explant. Nine (31.0%) patients with multifocal HCC had tumours of differing grades. In two (6.9%) patients, the largest tumour was well differentiated, but smaller tumours in the explant were poorly differentiated. In one patient, the largest lesion was benign and smaller invasive tumours were confirmed histologically.

CONCLUSIONS

The need to optimize selection for LT in HCC remains. In the present series, the largest tumour was not always representative of overall tumour burden or biological aggression and its potential use to exclude patients from LT is questionable.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration of hepatic caudate lobe malignancy: Report of 4 cases

AIM: To investigate the diagnostic value of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in the detection of hepatic caudate lobe masses.

METHODS: Clinical data for four patients with hepatic malignancy (three males and one female, aged 50 to 69 years) were retrospectively analyzed. The diagnostic accuracy of EUS-FNA was assessed by cell smear and histological examination. All patients were closely monitored for complications after EUS-FNA.

RESULTS: Nine solid lesions were aspirated (4 in the caudate lobe, 1 in the left lobe, 2 in the pancreatic head, 1 in the hilar lymph node, and 1 in the retroperitoneal lymph node). All aspirates (9/9) were available for cell smear and 88.9% (8/9) for histological analysis. The diagnosis rates of cell smear and HE staining were 100% (9/9) and 100% (8/8), respectively. All 4 patients were diagnosed with hepatic malignancy (2 cases of primary liver cancer and 2 cases of liver metastasis from pancreatic cancer). No obvious complications were observed in all patients.

CONCLUSION: Given the relationship between hepatic caudate lobe and the cardia in topographic anatomy, EUS allows for easily scanning enlarged porta hepatis and retroperitoneal lymph nodes simultaneously and guiding FNA. EUS and EUS-FNA have important clinical value in the diagnosis of hepatic caudate lobe tumors.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy of hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatocellular nodular lesions: role, controversies and approach to diagnosis

The role of fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy of the liver has evolved. Advances in imaging modalities have obviated the need for tissue confirmation in clinically classic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The risks of needle tract seeding and haematogenous dissemination have been actively debated. Nowadays, cytopathologists are confronted by smaller and smaller nodules, detected due to increased surveillance of high-risk cirrhotic patients. Tissue characterization of small well-differentiated hepatocellular nodular lesions (size less than and equal to 2 cm) is extremely challenging and has therapeutic implications. Major issues in the cytodiagnosis of HCC include: (i) distinguishing benign hepatocellular nodular lesions, namely, large regenerative nodules, dysplastic nodules, focal nodular hyperplasia and hepatocellular adenoma from reactive hepatocytes; (ii) distinguishing well-differentiated HCC from benign hepatocellular nodular lesions; (iii) distinguishing poorly differentiated HCC from intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and metastatic carcinomas; (iv) determining the histogenesis of a malignant tumour; and (v) determining the site of origin of a malignant tumour. An overview of the biological evolution and histopathological aspects of dysplastic nodules, small HCCs and 'nodule-in-nodule' lesions is presented in tandem with clinically relevant nomenclature. An algorithmic approach to FNA diagnosis of HCC and hepatocellular nodular lesions is outlined. Optimal results depend on (i) a dedicated radiologist-cytopathologist team; (ii) an on-site cytology service, (iii) a combined cytohistological approach, (iv) immunohistochemistry, and (v) clinicopathological correlation. As we move towards personalized medicine, it is envisaged that hepatic FNA is likely to become a point of care in the management protocol as it takes on the additional role of procurement of tumour and peritumoural tissues for genomic and proteomic profiling to enable targeted molecular therapy.

Does the taking of biopsies affect the metastatic potential of tumours? A systematic review of reports on veterinary and human cases and animal models

Clinicians and pathologists are sporadically asked by owners whether the taking of tumour biopsies may affect the behaviour of the tumour, including its potential to metastasise. Unfortunately, systematic studies on this subject are unavailable in veterinary medicine, and the aim of this study was to estimate the risk of adverse effects of biopsy taking on tumour progression in animals. A systematic review of veterinary and human case reports and clinical studies as well as experimental animal models of biopsy-induced tumour metastasis was undertaken. There were only two veterinary case reports of needle tract metastases (NTM) following the taking of needle biopsies from urogenital and pulmonary tumours. Seventeen experimental studies found a high incidence of NTM but only a rat osteosarcoma and a hamster squamous carcinoma model showed an increased incidence of distant or regional metastases after incision or excision biopsy. In human medicine, the occurrence of NTM has been reported after the taking of biopsies from mesotheliomas (15%), melanomas (11%) and gall bladder tumours (11%), liver metastases of colon carcinomas (4%) and mammary carcinomas (4%) but an incidence of only <1% for all other tumours. Circulating tumour cells increased immediately after the taking of biopsies from human squamous cell, prostate, breast and hepatocellular carcinomas. Although no increased risk of biopsy-induced distant metastasis has been reported for any type of tumour, this is inconclusive due to a lack of non-biopsied control groups in human studies. Reports of biopsy-induced metastasis in animal tumours indicate that the taking of transcutaneous biopsies from urogenital tumours may be associated with a risk of NTM. However, there is no evidence of a general increase in risk of distant metastases in any tumour type in people or animals. The overall risk therefore appears to be negligible when compared to the valuable information obtained from biopsies in veterinary practice.

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of hepatocellular carcinoma and related hepatocellular nodular lesions in cirrhosis: controversies, challenges, and expectations

The role of hepatic fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy has evolved. Advances in imaging modalities have obviated the need for tissue confirmation in most hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). There is risk of needle-tract seeding. Increasingly, small nodules are being detected on ultrasound surveillance of high-risk patients. Diagnostic challenges associated with cirrhosis include distinction of benign hepatocellular nodules, namely, large regenerative nodules and dysplastic nodules, from reactive hepatocytes; and distinction of well-differentiated HCCs from benign hepatocellular nodules. This paper will discuss (i) controversies regarding preoperative/pretransplantation FNA diagnosis of HCC, (ii) update of biological evolution, nomenclature, and histopathologic criteria for diagnosis of precancerous nodules and small HCCs, and (iii) algorithmic approach to FNA diagnosis of hepatocellular nodules. Optimal results depend on dedicated radiologist-cytopathologist team, on-site cytology service; combined cytohistologic approach, immunohistochemistry, and clinicopathologic correlation. Hepatic FNA is likely to be incorporated as a point of care as we move towards personalized medicine.

Assessment of the effect of betaine on p16 and c-myc DNA methylation and mRNA expression in a chemical induced rat liver cancer model

Background

The development and progression of liver cancer may involve abnormal changes in DNA methylation, which lead to the activation of certain proto-oncogenes, such as c-myc, as well as the inactivation of certain tumor suppressors, such as p16. Betaine, as an active methyl-donor, maintains normal DNA methylation patterns. However, there are few investigations on the protective effect of betaine in hepatocarcinogenesis.

Methods

Four groups of rats were given diethylinitrosamine (DEN) and fed with AIN-93G diets supplemented with 0, 10, 20 or 40 g betaine/kg (model, 1%, 2%, and 4% betaine, respectively), while the control group, received no DEN, fed with AIN-93G diet. Eight or 15 weeks later, the expression of p16 and c-myc mRNA was examined by Real-time PCR (Q-PCR). The DNA methylation status within the p16 and c-myc promoter was analyzed using methylation-specific PCR.

Results

Compared with the model group, numbers and areas of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-p)-positive foci were decreased in the livers of the rats treated with betaine (P < 0.05). Although the frequency of p16 promoter methylation in livers of the four DEN-fed groups appeared to increase, there is no difference among these groups after 8 or 15 weeks (P > 0.05). Betaine supplementation attenuated the down-regulation of p16 and inhibited the up-regulation of c-myc induced by DEN in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01). Meanwhile, increases in levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in model, 2% and 4% betaine groups were observed (P < 0.05). Finally, enhanced antioxidative capacity (T-AOC) was observed in both the 2% and 4% betaine groups.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that betaine attenuates DEN-induced damage in rat liver and reverses DEN-induced changes in mRNA levels.

Management and treatment of patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension: recommendations from the Department of Veterans Affairs Hepatitis C Resource Center Program and the National Hepatitis C Program

Cirrhosis represents the end stage of any chronic liver disease. Hepatitis C and alcohol are currently the main causes of cirrhosis in the United States. Although initially cirrhosis is compensated, it eventually becomes decompensated, as defined by the presence of ascites, variceal hemorrhage, encephalopathy, and/or jaundice. These management recommendations are divided according to the status, compensated or decompensated, of the cirrhotic patient, with a separate section for the screening, diagnosis, and management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as this applies to patients with both compensated and decompensated cirrhosis. In the compensated patient, the main objective is to prevent variceal hemorrhage and any practice that could lead to decompensation. In the decompensated patient, acute variceal hemorrhage and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis are severe complications that require hospitalization. Hepatorenal syndrome is also a severe complication of cirrhosis but one that usually occurs in patients who are already in the hospital and, as it represents an extreme of the hemodynamic alterations that lead to ascites formation, it is placed under treatment of ascites. Recent advances in the pathophysiology of the complications of cirrhosis have allowed for a more rational management of cirrhosis and also for the stratification of patients into different risk groups that require different management. These recommendations are based on evidence in the literature, mainly from randomized clinical trials and meta-analyses of these trials. When few or no data exist from well-designed prospective trials, emphasis is given to results from large series and consensus conferences with involvement of recognized experts. A rational management of cirrhosis will result in improvements in quality of life, treatment adherence, and, ultimately, in outcomes.