Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) with liver metastases: An 18-year experience from the GIST cooperation group in North China

Recent advancements in management for noncolorectal, nonneuroendocrine hepatic metastases

BACKGROUND

Owing to the heterogeneity of underlying primary tumors, noncolorectal, nonneuroendocrine metastases to the liver (NCNNMLs), although relatively rare, pose major challenges to treatment and long-term management. Despite being considered the gold standard for colorectal cancer liver metastases, the role of surgical resection for NCNNML remains controversial. Furthermore, advancements in locoregional treatment modalities, such as ablation and various chemotherapeutic modalities, have contributed to the treatment of patients with NCNNML.

METHODS

This was a comprehensive review of literature that used Medline/PubMed, Google Scholar, the Cochrane Library, and the Web of Science, which were accessed between 2014 and 2024.

RESULTS

NCNNMLs are rare tumor entities with varied presentation and outcomes. A multidisciplinary approach, which includes chemotherapy, surgery, and interventional radiologic techniques, can be implemented with good results.

CONCLUSION

Given the complex nature of NCNNML, its management should be highly individualized and multidisciplinary. Locoregional treatments, such as surgical resection and/or ablation, may be more appropriate for select patients and should be offered as a viable therapeutic option for a subset of individuals.

A successful complete resection for multidrug-resistant giant gastrointestinal stromal tumor invading the transverse colon with multiple liver metastases in a young female: a case report

BACKGROUND

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare in young people and are often detected after becoming symptomatic or at an advanced stage. Herein, we report a case of complete reduction surgery for a substantially large malignant gastric GIST with multiple liver metastases in a young woman who successfully resulted in R0 surgery.

CASE PRESENTATION

An 18-year-old woman presented to our hospital with anorexia and vomiting, and was diagnosed with a 17 cm gastric GIST with transverse colon invasion and multiple liver metastases. Due to being considered unresectable, tyrosine and multi-kinase inhibitor therapy were administered up to the fourth line yielding no response. After careful discussion at a multidisciplinary team conference, pancreatoduodenectomy or distal gastrectomy, transverse colectomy, and resection of the liver metastases were planned. Consequently, distal gastrectomy, transverse colectomy, resection of the liver metastases, and incidental peritoneal metastases were performed. Although the primary goal of the surgery was to reduce the volume of the tumor as much as possible, the results revealed that the complete removal of all detectable tumors was achieved. No recurrence was observed after surgery for 27 months with long-term adjuvant imatinib therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Even for highly advanced GISTs, aggressive surgery followed by adjuvant drug therapy may prolong survival in young patients.

English version of Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines 2022 for gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) issued by the Japan Society of Clinical Oncology

The Japan Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guidelines 2022 for gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) have been published in accordance with the Minds Manual for Guideline Development 2014 and 2017. A specialized team independent of the working group for the revision performed a systematic review. Since GIST is a rare type of tumor, clinical evidence is not sufficient to answer several clinical and background questions. Thus, in these guidelines, we considered that consensus among the experts who manage GIST, the balance between benefits and harms, patients' wishes, medical economic perspective, etc. are important considerations in addition to the evidence. Although guidelines for the treatment of GIST have also been published by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), there are some differences between the treatments proposed in those guidelines and the treatments in the present guidelines because of the differences in health insurance systems among countries.

Automated machine learning for predicting liver metastasis in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor: a SEER-based analysis

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are a rare type of tumor that can develop liver metastasis (LIM), significantly impacting the patient's prognosis. This study aimed to predict LIM in GIST patients by constructing machine learning (ML) algorithms to assist clinicians in the decision-making process for treatment. Retrospective analysis was performed using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, and cases from 2010 to 2015 were assigned to the developing sets, while cases from 2016 to 2017 were assigned to the testing set. Missing values were addressed using the multiple imputation technique. Four algorithms were utilized to construct the models, comprising traditional logistic regression (LR) and automated machine learning (AutoML) analysis such as gradient boost machine (GBM), deep neural net (DL), and generalized linear model (GLM). We evaluated the models' performance using LR-based metrics, including the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA), as well as AutoML-based metrics, such as feature importance, SHapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP) Plots, and Local Interpretable Model Agnostic Explanation (LIME). A total of 6207 patients were included in this study, with 2683, 1780, and 1744 patients allocated to the training, validation, and test sets, respectively. Among the different models evaluated, the GBM model demonstrated the highest performance in the training, validation, and test cohorts, with respective AUC values of 0.805, 0.780, and 0.795. Furthermore, the GBM model outperformed other AutoML models in terms of accuracy, achieving 0.747, 0.700, and 0.706 in the training, validation, and test cohorts, respectively. Additionally, the study revealed that tumor size and tumor location were the most significant predictors influencing the AutoML model's ability to accurately predict LIM. The AutoML model utilizing the GBM algorithm for GIST patients can effectively predict the risk of LIM and provide clinicians with a reference for developing individualized treatment plans.

Prognostic factors for liver metastasis in patients with small intestinal stromal tumor: A retrospective analysis of surveillance, epidemiology, and end results

BACKGROUND

Liver metastasis (LIM) is the most common distant site of metastasis in small intestinal stromal tumors (SISTs). The aim of this study was to determine the risk and prognostic factors associated with LIM in patients with SISTs.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal stromal tumors between 2010 and 2019 were selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models, as well as a Cox regression model were used to explore the risk factors associated with the development and prognosis of LIM. Additionally, the overall survival (OS) of patients with LIM was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Furthermore, a predictive nomogram was constructed, and the model's performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA).

RESULTS

A total of 1582 eligible patients with SISTs were included, among whom 146 (9.2%) were diagnosed with LIM. Poor tumor grade, absence of surgery, later T-stage, and no chemotherapy were associated with an increased risk of developing LIM. The nomogram prediction model achieved an AUC of 0.810, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.773-0.846, indicating good performance, and the calibration curve showed excellent accuracy in predicting LIM. The OS rate of patients with LIM was significantly lower than that of patients without LIM (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with SISTs who are at high risk of developing LIM deserve more attention during follow-up, as LIM can significantly affect patient prognosis. The nomogram demonstrated good calibration and discrimination for predicting LIM.

Liver resection for metastatic GIST tumor improves survival in the era of tyrosine kinase inhibitors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Survival for gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) has been increasing over the years after the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors. However, the role of metastasectomy for GIST is still controversial. Patients are currently treated with imatinib or sunitinib in case of imatinib failures as optimal medical therapy for metastatic GIST.

METHODS

The Pubmed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched. Overall survival following liver resection ± tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment for metastatic GIST was compared to treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors alone.

RESULTS

Eleven studies including both randomized control trials and retrospective cohort studies were included in the final analysis with a total of 988 patients. Seven studies encompassed data on 556 patients with isolated liver metastases (219 surgery ± drug groups and 337 drug-only groups) were included. Overall survival was significantly improved in patients undergoing liver resection ± drug therapy in comparison to drug therapy alone. [HR (95%CI) = 2.10 (1.58, 2.79); p<0.00001]. Subgroup analysis showed that patients also had improved progression free survival based on 4 studies. [HR (95%CI) = 1.92 (1.43, 2.56); p<0.00001]. In case of concurrent liver and peritoneal metastases, patients showed improved overall survival with aggressive surgical approaches based on 10 studies. [HR (95%CI) = 1.90 (1.56, 2.31); p<0.00001].

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis found that liver resection for patients with metastatic GIST regardless of peritoneal metastases improved progression free and overall survival in conjunction with tyrosine kinase inhibitors as compared with medical therapy alone. Furthermore, liver resections did not have any immediate detrimental impact on survival in the group of patients selected.

Salvage Hepatectomy for Giant GIST Liver Metastases Unresponsive to Systemic Therapy-Case Report

Therapeutic decision-making for advanced GIST liver metastases is challenging due to limited clinical evidence. This case study aims to demonstrate the survival benefit of resection in non-responsive cases. A 40-year-old male presented with abdominal pain, weight loss, altered general status, massive hepatomegaly, and intermittent melaena. He was diagnosed with stage IV GIST with the primary tumor in the ileal loop and multiple gigantic synchronous bilobar liver metastases. Despite 31 months of tyrosine-kinase inhibitor therapy post-primary tumor resection, the disease remained unresponsive. The patient was admitted to our tertiary center with significant hepatomegaly. A two-stage debulking liver resection was performed after a multidisciplinary team decision. The first operation debulked the left hemiliver through a non-anatomical ultrasound-guided resection of segments 2, 3, and 4. The second operation (7 weeks later) debulked the right hemiliver through a right posterior sectionectomy involving segments 5 and 8. Despite receiving a second line of tyrosine-kinase inhibitor therapy after surgery, the disease progressed both within and outside the liver. However, the patient survived for 55 months, with a postoperative survival benefit of 25 months. In conclusion, this case emphasizes the significant survival benefit achieved through a complex two-stage debulking liver resection for giant liver metastases, even in cases where systemic therapy fails.

Efficacy and Safety of Avapritinib in Treating Unresectable or Metastatic Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: A Phase I/II, Open-Label, Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND

Avapritinib is a type 1 kinase inhibitor designed to potently and selectively inhibit oncogenic KIT/PDGFRA mutants by targeting the kinase active conformation. This multicenter, single-arm, open-label, phase I/II bridging study of NAVIGATOR in Chinese patients evaluated the safety and the antineoplastic activity of avapritinib in Chinese patients with unresectable/metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).

METHODS

Phase I comprised dose escalation for safety and phase II dose determination. Phase II comprised dose expansion for safety/efficacy evaluations in patients with PDGFRA D842V mutations or patients having received at least 3 lines of therapy without PDGFRA D842V mutations. The primary endpoints were recommended phase II dose, safety, and Independent Radiology Review Committee (IRRC)-assessed objective response rate (ORR).

RESULTS

No dose-limiting toxicities occurred (n = 10); the recommended phase II dose was avapritinib 300 mg once daily orally. Fifty-nine patients initially received avapritinib 300 mg. Common grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events were anemia, decreased white blood cell count, increased blood bilirubin levels, and decreased neutrophil count. In patients with PDGFRA D842V mutations, IRRC- and investigator-assessed ORRs were 75% and 79%, respectively; clinical benefit rates were both 86%. Median duration of response/progression-free survival were not reached. IRCC- and investigator-assessed ORRs in patients in the fourth- or later-line setting were 22% and 35%, respectively. Median progression-free survivals were 5.6 months for both. Overall survival data were immature and not calculated.

CONCLUSION

Avapritinib was generally well tolerated and showed marked anti-tumor activity in Chinese patients with GIST bearing PDGFRA D842V mutations and notable efficacy as fourth- or later-line monotherapy (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04254939).

Rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumor with metachronous liver metastasis demonstrated no relapse after multidisciplinary team discussion and comprehensive treatment: a case report

Background

This study sought to explore the role and significance of multidisciplinary team (MDT) discussion and comprehensive treatment in the diagnosis and treatment of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) with liver metastasis. For GIST patients with liver metastasis, MDT can evaluate whether the liver metastasis is resectable, so as to formulate accurate treatment goals and the best diagnosis and treatment plan.

Case Description

A 53-year-old male patient with localized rectal GIST with metachronous liver metastasis (MLM) was admitted to Yunnan Cancer Hospital in October 2014. At the 1st visit, he was diagnosed with locally advanced rectal GIST, and a MDT discussion was held by departments of colorectal surgery, imaging, pathology and oncology. The tumor shrank after neoadjuvant targeted treatment with imatinib. A local resection of the rectal GIST was successfully performed via the anal approach. R0 resection was achieved and the function of the anal sphincter was preserved. Following the operation, oral imatinib treatment was discontinued after 2 years. The patient developed isolated liver metastasis 6 months later. After the MDT discussion by departments of colorectal surgery, hepatobiliary surgery, imaging, pathology, and oncology, R0 resection of the liver metastasis was achieved. After the operation, sunitinib was administered for 4.5 years. The patient's overall survival (OS) has reached 7.5 years. No tumor recurrence or metastasis was found in the re-examinations. The follow-up is ongoing.

Conclusions

Targeted therapy combined with surgery is the most suitable way to cure GIST patients with liver metastasis. More importantly, the multi-disciplinary management and the standardized diagnosis and treatment of GIST patients with liver metastasis through MDT discussion can improve the quality of life and prolong the survival of patients.

Role of Surgery in the Management of Liver Metastases From Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors

Background

The clinical benefit of hepatectomy in patients with liver metastases from gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) has not been well defined in this era of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). Our study aims to demonstrate the survival advantage of adding hepatectomy in patients with GIST liver metastases.

Methods

Information on patients with metastatic GIST treated or consulted between January 2006 and December 2018 was retrieved. Patients without extrahepatic metastases were included and classified into the surgical (S group) and non-surgical (NS group). Clinicopathological features were compared and their association with survival was assessed.

Results

A total of 119 patients were included in this retrospective analysis, 62 in the S group and 59 in the NS group. Comparison of clinicopathological features showed that a markedly higher proportion of patients in the S group had ≤3 hepatic lesions (79.0% vs. 29.8%, p<0.001). After a median follow-up duration of 56 months, patients in the S group had significantly better progression-free survival (PFS) and marginally improved overall survival (OS) than those in the NS group (3y PFS:86.2% vs. 64.6%, p=0.002; 5y OS: 91.5% vs. 78.3%, p=0.083). After propensity score matching, multivariate analysis identified hepatectomy as the only significant prognostic factor for PFS while age, hepatectomy and max tumor diameter were significant predictor for OS.

Conclusions

Addition of hepatectomy provided longer disease control in patients with metastatic GIST confined to the liver. Upfront hepatectomy followed by imatinib therapy is worthwhile trying in patients with single and easily removable lesions.

Hepatic metastases in gastrointestinal stromal tumors: oncologic outcomes with curative-intent hepatectomy, resection of treatment-resistant disease, and tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy alone

BACKGROUND

Hepatic resection for metastatic GIST (mGIST) is often performed with either curative-intent or for tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-resistant lesions. The efficacy of hepatectomy for treatment-resistant lesions (TRL) is uncertain.

METHODS

We reviewed patients with liver-mGIST treated from 2003 to 2018. Oncologic outcomes including overall (OS), post-operative progression-free survival (PFS), and post-progression OS were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards modeling.

RESULTS

We identified n = 91 patients; 31 (34%) underwent curative-intent hepatectomy, 60 (66%) were initially managed with TKI alone, and 17 (19%) had resection of a TRL. The median follow-up for resected patients was 102 months (range 5-209 months) with 23 (25%) managed with a major hepatectomy. Patients having curative-intent hepatectomy had 72% 10-year OS following diagnosis of liver-mGIST, compared with 58% (P = 0.50) for TRL resection and 41% (P = 0.01) for non-resected patients. Curative-intent hepatectomy (HR 0.39, P = 0.03) and age (HR 1.04, P = 0.004) were independently associated with 10-year OS, but not TRL resection. TRL resection was not associated with improved post-progression OS compared to second-line TKI therapy (HR 0.61, P = 0.21).

CONCLUSIONS

Curative-intent hepatectomy is associated with improved OS in liver-mGIST. The oncologic benefit of resecting treatment-resistant liver-mGIST compared to second-line TKI therapy alone remains unclear in the era of multi-line TKI therapy.

Recurrence of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor 12 years after repeat hepatectomies for liver metastases: report of a case

No consensus has been reached on the postoperative treatment and follow-up duration for high-risk malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). We herein report a case of recurrent liver metastasis from gastric GIST in a patient who had been receiving adjuvant chemotherapy with imatinib mesylate for 10 years. A 78-year-old woman underwent local gastrectomy for a 20-cm gastric GIST with a mitotic index of 25/50 high-power fields (HPF) 17 years before. Partial hepatectomy for recurrent liver metastases was repeatedly performed 14 and 12 years before. After the second hepatectomy, postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with imatinib mesylate was given for 10 years, during which no recurrence was observed. Two years after the completion of adjuvant chemotherapy, computed tomography revealed a 2-cm hepatic tumor; thus, laparoscopic partial hepatectomy was performed. Histopathological findings revealed a liver metastasis of gastric GIST with a mitotic count of 20/50 HPF and MIB-1 labeling index of 20%. Mutation analysis of the KIT gene revealed an exon 11 mutation. The patient is currently undergoing postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with imatinib mesylate. The combination of surgery and long-term adjuvant chemotherapy for high-risk malignant GIST and liver metastases may be effective to achieve a good prognosis.

Improved understanding of gastrointestinal stromal tumors biology as a step for developing new diagnostic and therapeutic schemes

A gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common mesenchymal tumor of the human gastrointestinal tract, with an estimated incidence of 10-15 per 1 million per year. While preparing holistic care for patients with GIST diagnosis, scientists might face several difficulties - insufficient risk stratification, acquired or secondary resistance to imatinib, or the need for an exceptional therapy method associated with wild-type tumors. This review summarizes recent advances associated with GIST biology that might enhance diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. New molecules might be incorporated into risk stratification schemes due to their proven association with outcomes; however, further research is required. Therapies based on the significant role of angiogenesis, immunology, and neural origin in the GIST biology could become a valuable enhancement of currently implemented treatment schemes. Generating miRNA networks that would predict miRNA regulatory functions is a promising approach that might help in better selection of potential biomarkers and therapeutical targets in cancer, including GISTs.

Clinical practice guidelines for the management of liver metastases from extrahepatic primary cancers 2021

BACKGROUND

Hepatectomy is standard treatment for colorectal liver metastases; however, it is unclear whether liver metastases from other primary cancers should be resected or not. The Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery therefore created clinical practice guidelines for the management of metastatic liver tumors.

METHODS

Eight primary diseases were selected based on the number of hepatectomies performed for each malignancy per year. Clinical questions were structured in the population, intervention, comparison, and outcomes (PICO) format. Systematic reviews were performed, and the strength of recommendations and the level of quality of evidence for each clinical question were discussed and determined. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to assess evidence and make recommendations.

RESULTS

The eight primary sites were grouped into five categories based on suggested indications for hepatectomy and consensus of the guidelines committee. Fourteen clinical questions were devised, covering five topics: (1) diagnosis, (2) operative treatment, (3) ablation therapy, (4) the eight primary diseases, and (5) systemic therapies. The grade of recommendation was strong for one clinical question and weak for the other 13 clinical questions. The quality of the evidence was moderate for two questions, low for 10, and very low for two. A flowchart was made to summarize the outcomes of the guidelines for the indications of hepatectomy and systemic therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

These guidelines were developed to provide useful information based on evidence in the published literature for the clinical management of liver metastases, and they could be helpful for conducting future clinical trials to provide higher-quality evidence.

A novel nomogram for predicting liver metastasis in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor: a SEER-based study

Background

Liver metastasis (LIM) of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is associated with poor prognosis. The present study aimed at developing and validating nomogram to predict LIM in patients with GIST, thus helping clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Methods

The data of GIST patients derived from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 2010 to 2016, which were then screened by univariate and multivariate logistic regression for the construction of LIM nomogram. The model discrimination of LIM nomogram was evaluated by concordance index (C-index) and calibration plots, while the predictive accuracy and clinical values were measured by decision curve analysis (DCA) and clinical impact plot. Furthermore, we validated predictive nomogram in the internal testing set.

Results

A total of 3797 patients were enrolled and divided randomly into training and validating groups in a 3-to-1 ratio. After logistic regression, the significant variables were sex, tumor location, tumor size, N stage and mitotic rate. The calibration curves showed the perfect agreement between nomogram predictions and actual observations, while the DCA and clinical impact plot showed the clinical utility of LIM nomogram. C-index of the nomogram was 0.812. What’s more, receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) also showed good discrimination and calibration in the training set (AUC = 0.794, 95% CI 0.778–0.808) and the testing set (AUC = 0.775, 95% CI 0.748–0.802).

Conclusion

The nomogram for patients with GIST can effectively predict the individualized risk of liver metastasis and provide insightful information to clinicians to optimize therapeutic regimens.

Resection Combined with TKI Therapy for Resectable Liver Metastases of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours: Results from Three National Centres in China

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the differences in the efficacy of hepatic resection combined with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy versus TKI therapy alone and the timing of the TKI therapy and hepatic resection for resectable liver metastases from gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs).

METHODS

This was a retrospective review of 43 patients confirmed to have resectable liver metastases from GISTs who received TKI treatment alone or the therapy model of hepatic resection combined with TKIs and were admitted to one of 3 institutions between January 2006 and December 2017.

RESULTS

For all liver metastases patients, the 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 97.67%, 88.98% and 66.46%, respectively. The median overall survival (OS) was 85 months. Patients who underwent hepatic resection combined with TKI therapy had a significantly better OS and a trend towards improved progression-free survival (PFS) than patients who received TKIs alone (P = 0.001, mOS 102 months versus 51 months; P = 0.077, mPFS 42 months versus 30 months). Hepatic resection combined with TKI therapy was the only prognostic factor for long-term survival in the multivariate analysis (HR = 0.198, 95% CI 0.048-0.813, P = 0.025). Compared with patients who underwent hepatic resection combined with postoperative TKIs only, patients who underwent hepatic resection combined with perioperative TKIs had a significantly better PFS (P = 0.032, mPFS 29 months versus 19 months) but did not have a significantly better OS (P = 0.662, mOS 92 months versus 102 months). Resection combined with perioperative TKI therapy was the only prognostic factor for PFS in the multivariate analysis (HR = 0.295, 95% CI 0.101-0.862, P = 0.026).

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with resectable liver metastases, hepatic resection combined with TKI therapy was more beneficial in terms of improving prognosis than TKIs alone. In terms of the timing of TKI therapy and hepatic resection, resection combined with perioperative TKIs may prolong PFS more than resection combined with postoperative TKIs only.

Complex I and II are required for normal mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis

Cytosolic calcium (_cCa²⁺) entry into mitochondria is facilitated by the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), an electrochemical gradient generated by the electron transport chain (ETC). Is has been assumed that as long as mutations that affect the ETC do not affect the ΔΨm, the mitochondrial Ca²⁺ (_mCa²⁺) homeostasis remains normal. We show that knockdown of NDUFAF3 and SDHB reduce ETC activity altering _mCa²⁺ efflux and influx rates while ΔΨm remains intact. Shifting the equilibrium toward lower [Ca²⁺]_m accumulation renders cells resistant to death. Our findings reveal an unexpected relationship between complex I and II with the _mCa²⁺ homeostasis independent of ΔΨm.

Gross and microscopic changes of liver neoplasms and background hepatic structures following neoadjuvant therapy

Liver transplantation is a surgical option with curative intent used in the management of some cases of hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma (hilar, rarely intrahepatic). A number of different therapeutic modalities including ablative techniques, arterially directed therapies, radiation and chemotherapy are used in the neoadjuvant setting prior to liver transplantation with the goals of preventing tumour progression, decreasing post-transplant recurrence and possibly downstaging patients with tumour burden beyond what is acceptable by current transplant criteria. Pathologists evaluating hepatic explants must be aware of these neoadjuvant therapies and the alterations induced by them in both tumourous and non-tumourous tissue. In this review, we discuss common neoadjuvant therapies used in in this setting, as well as the gross and microscopic changes induced by these presurgical treatments within hepatic neoplasms as well as the background hepatic parenchyma and nearby structures. Select secondary tumours involving the liver which are pretreated will also be discussed. Finally, proper reporting of these changes will be mentioned.

Uncommon Finding of a Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor in a Patient with Hyperechoic Liver Lesions - Case Report

Introduction: Hyperechoic liver lesions identified by conventional ultrasonography are diverse in underlying pathology and most of the time require further investigations. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are rare neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract which are uncommonly found in metastatic stages at first presentation.

Case report: We present the case of a 51 years old woman with nonspecific symptoms in which conventional ultrasonography showed hyperechoic lesions in the right lobe of the liver with a diameter up to 40 mm. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a submucosal tumor on the small curvature of the stomach, on the anterior wall, with central ulceration, with normal narrow band imaging (NBI) mucosal pattern and negative gastric biopsy. Contrast enhanced ultrasonography was performed, describing multiple lesions with inhomogeneous enhancement in the arterial phase and rapid washout at the end of arterial phase. Endoscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) biopsy examination was definitive for the final diagnosis of epithelioid gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor. The patient was diagnosed with T2N0M1 epithelioid gastric GIST, stage IV, and is currently under treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Conclusions: GIST represent a diagnostic challenge in medical practice because of its size, unusual location in the submucosal layer and lack of symptoms. The role of EUS-FNA is of paramount importance in increasing the accuracy of diagnosis in the case of GIST. The particularity in our case consists of the unusual presentation with the lack of specific symptoms and signs associated with the presence of metastatic lesions at the moment of the diagnosis of GIST.

Liver surgery prolongs the survival of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor liver metastasis: a retrospective study from a single center

Objectives

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) liver metastasis (GLM) is a special subset of advanced GIST, because its lesions are easier to define and assess. We aim to determine the role of liver metastasectomy for patients with GLM in the era of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy.

Methods

We reviewed patients with metastatic GIST who received surgery or other treatments in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between January 1991 and December 2017. Patients with metastases confined to the liver and with no previous metastasis to other locations were included into the study and were classified into surgical and non-surgical groups. All patients received 400 mg/d imatinib after the operation. We compared progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) between the two groups.

Results

A total of 102 patients were included into the study. Of them, 21 (20.1%) underwent surgery for liver metastases and 81 (79.9%) received TKI therapy alone. During the operation, six patients received radiofrequency ablation for suspicious or unresectable lesions. Three-year PFS rate was 77.5% in the surgical group and 65.5% in the non-surgical group (P=0.027); 5-year OS rate was 85.7% and 59.6%, respectively (P=0.008). About 22.1% of patients had metastases of less than three in the surgical group, while the rate was 42.9% in the non-surgical group (P=0.011). Patients with metastases of less than three had longer PFS than those with three or more, with a 3-year PFS rate of 72.8% and 65.8%, respectively (P=0.019). But their difference in 5-year OS rate was not significant (91.7% vs 55.3%, P=0.08).

Conclusion

Followed by continuous TKI therapy, R0 surgery significantly prolongs the survival of patients with GLM, regardless of the extent of disease or the phase of metastasis.

A Rare Case of a Ruptured Metastatic Hepatic Lesion from a Jejunal Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) Treated by Arterial Embolization

Patient: Male, 68

Final Diagnosis: Ruptured metastatic hepatic lesion from a jejunal GIST

Symptoms: Abdominal discomfort • hypotension

Medication: —

Clinical Procedure: —

Specialty: Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Treatment of metastatic, imatinib refractory, gastrointestinal stroma tumor with image-guided high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy

PURPOSE

Evaluation of efficacy and safety of CT- or MRI-guided high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy (iBT) in the treatment of advanced, imatinib refractory, metastatic gastrointestinal stroma tumors (GISTs) was the objective of this retrospective study.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A cumulative number of 40 unresectable metastases (30 hepatic, 10 peritoneal) were treated with iBT in 10 selected patients with histologically proven GISTs. Six patients had peritoneal disease, and 5 patients were even progressing under sunitinib (second line)-thus iBT was applied as a salvage maneuver. IBT uses an interstitially introduced ¹⁹²iridium source in a high-dose-rate irradiation regime to destroy vital cells in a single fraction. Response to treatment was assessed clinically and with acquisition of MRI/CT every 3 months.

RESULTS

Local tumor control was reached in 97.5% of all treated metastases during a median time of 25 months-only one local relapse was observed during followup. The median diameter of the irradiated lesions was 2.4 cm (range 0.6-11.2 cm); a median dose of 15 Gy (range 6.7-21.96 Gy) was applied. The median progression-free survival after iBT was 6.8 (range 3.0-20.2) months; the median overall survival was 37.3 months (range 11.4-89.7). Two major complications (Common Terminology for Adverse Events grade 3) occurred following the intervention: local hemorrhage and pneumothorax, successfully dealt with by angiographic embolization and pleural drainage, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In selected patients with metastatic, imatinib refractory GISTs, iBT safely enables high rates of local tumor control and presents an alternative, anti-neoplastic treatment option even in a salvage situation.