Combined resection and radiofrequency ablation for advanced hepatic malignancies: results in 172 patients

Registration accuracy comparing different rendering techniques on local vs external virtual 3D liver model reconstruction for vascular landmark setting by intraoperative ultrasound in augmented reality navigated liver resection

PURPOSE

Augmented reality navigation in liver surgery still faces technical challenges like insufficient registration accuracy. This study compared registration accuracy between local and external virtual 3D liver models (vir3DLivers) generated with different rendering techniques and the use of the left vs right main portal vein branch (LPV vs RPV) for landmark setting. The study should further examine how registration accuracy behaves with increasing distance from the ROI.

METHODS

Retrospective registration accuracy analysis of an optical intraoperative 3D navigation system, used in 13 liver tumor patients undergoing liver resection/thermal ablation.

RESULTS

109 measurements in 13 patients were performed. Registration accuracy with local and external vir3DLivers was comparable (8.76 ± 0.9 mm vs 7.85 ± 0.9 mm; 95% CI = -0.73 to 2.55 mm; p = 0.272). Registrations via the LPV demonstrated significantly higher accuracy than via the RPV (6.2 ± 0.85 mm vs 10.41 ± 0.99 mm, 95% CI = 2.39 to 6.03 mm, p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant positive but weak correlation between the accuracy (dFeature) and the distance from the ROI (dROI) (r = 0.298; p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Despite basing on different rendering techniques both local and external vir3DLivers have comparable registration accuracy, while LPV-based registrations significantly outperform RPV-based ones in accuracy. Higher accuracy can be assumed within distances of up to a few centimeters around the ROI.

Hybrid operating room applications for precision hepatobiliary surgery: A narrative review

This review summarizes the key applications of a hybrid operating room (HOR) in hepatobiliary surgery and explores the advantages, limitations, and future directions of its utilization. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed to identify articles reporting on the utilization of HORs in liver surgery. So far, the HOR has been limitedly applied in hepatobiliary surgery. It can offer an optimal environment for combining radiological and surgical interventions and for performing image-guided surgical navigation.

Liver resection is superior to tumor ablation in patients with multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

The management of T2 multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma (MHCC) is controversial, and the comparative impact of liver resection (LR) versus tumor ablation (TA) on survival continues to be debated. The aim of our study was to examine short- and long-term survival for LR and TA in a nationally representative cohort. We hypothesized that patients who underwent LR would have improved survival.

METHODS

We utilized the National Cancer Database (2004-2015) to identify patients diagnosed with non-metastatic T2 MHCC. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were generated to compare 10-year overall survival (OS) between LR and TA patients. Kaplan-Meier analysis with stratification was also performed based on lymphovascular invasion, resection margin status, and Charlson-Deyo score. Cox proportional hazard models were used in multivariable analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 1225 patients met the inclusion criteria. 991 patients received LR, and 234 received TA. The majority of patients were male, White, and older than ≥60 years old. Clinicodemographic characteristics were generally similar between LR and TA patients. Among patients who underwent LR, 84% had negative margins, and 17% had lymphovascular invasion. Mortality at 30 days was significantly higher among LR patients compared to TA patients (5.4% vs 0.0%, p < 0.001), with those having a Charlson-Deyo score ≥2 facing the highest risk at 7.3%. Nevertheless, 10-year OS for the LR cohort was 27.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 24.4%-30.8%) versus 14.7% (95% CI: 9.8%-20.7%, p < 0.001) for TA patients. In stratified analysis, survival benefit was statistically significant only among those with negative resection margin, no lymphovascular invasion, and Charlson-Deyo score ≤1. In multivariable Cox analysis, LR was independently associated with improved survival compared to TA (hazard ratio: 0.80; 95% CI = 0.67-0.95).

CONCLUSION

LR poses a higher long-term survival benefit than TA. Prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings. Although our study patients are a highly selected group of multifocal T2 patients, it gives us a good insight into the fact that LR provides better outcomes if a transplant option is unavailable.

Simultaneous resection for colorectal cancer with synchronous liver metastases: current state-of-the-art

BACKGROUND

A large proportion of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) presents with synchronous colorectal liver metastases (sCRLM) at diagnosis. Surgical approaches for patients with sCRLM have evolved over the past decades. Simultaneous resection (SR) of CRC and sCRLM for selected patients has emerged as a safe and efficient alternative approach to traditional staged resections.

METHODS

A comprehensive review of the literature was performed using MEDLINE/PubMed and Web of Science databases with the end of search date October 30, 2023. The MeSH terms "simultaneous resections" and "combined resections" in combination with "colorectal liver metastases," "colorectal cancer," "liver resection," and "hepatectomy" were searched in the title and/or abstract.

RESULTS

SRs aim to achieve maximal tumor clearance, minimizing the risk of disease progression and optimizing the potential for long-term survival. Improvements in perioperative care, advances in surgical techniques, and a better understanding of patient selection criteria have collectively contributed to reducing morbidity and mortality associated with these complex procedures. Several studies have demonstrated that SR are associated with reduced overall length of stay and lower costs with comparable morbidity and long-term outcomes. In light of these outcomes, the proportion of patients undergoing SR for CRC and sCRLM has increased substantially over the past 2 decades.

CONCLUSION

For patients with sCRLM, SR represents an attractive alternative to the traditional staged approach and should be selectively used; however, the decision on whether to proceed with a simultaneous versus staged approach should be individualized based on several patient- and disease-related factors.

Role of ablation therapy in conjunction with surgical resection for neuroendocrine tumors involving the liver

BACKGROUND

Resection of hepatic metastasis from neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) improves quality of life and prolongs 5-year survival. Ablation can be utilized with surgery to achieve complete resection. Although several studies report long-term outcomes for patients undergoing ablation, none have explored perioperative effects of ablation in patients with metastatic NETs.

AIM

To determine if intra-operative ablation during hepatectomy increases risk of adverse outcomes such as surgical site infections (SSIs), bleeding, and bile leak.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of the hepatectomy National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2015-2019 was performed to determine the odds of SSIs, bile leaks, or bleeding in patients undergoing intraoperative ablation when compared to hepatectomy alone.

RESULTS

Of the 966 patients included in the study, 298 (30.9%) underwent ablation during hepatectomy. There were 78 (11.7%) patients with SSIs in the hepatectomy alone group and 39 (13.1%) patients with a SSIs in the hepatectomy with ablation group. Bile leak occurred in 41 (6.2%) and 14 (4.8%) patients in the two groups, respectively; bleeding occurred in 117 (17.5%) and 33 (11.1%), respectively. After controlling for confounding variables, ablation did not increase risk of SSI (P = 0.63), bile leak (P = 0.34) or bleeding (P = 0.07) when compared to patients undergoing resection alone on multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative ablation with hepatic resection for NETs is safe in the perioperative period without significant increased risk of infection, bleeding, or bile leak. Surgeons should utilize this modality when appropriate to achieve optimal disease control and outcomes.

Present and future of metal nanoparticles in tumor ablation therapy

Cancer is an important factor affecting the quality of human life as well as causing death. Tumor ablation therapy is a minimally invasive local treatment modality with unique advantages in treating tumors that are difficult to remove surgically. However, due to its physical and chemical characteristics and the limitation of equipment technology, ablation therapy cannot completely kill all tumor tissues and cells at one time; moreover, it inevitably damages some normal tissues in the surrounding area during the ablation process. Therefore, this technology cannot be the first-line treatment for tumors at present. Metal nanoparticles themselves have good thermal and electrical conductivity and unique optical and magnetic properties. The combination of metal nanoparticles with tumor ablation technology, on the one hand, can enhance the killing and inhibiting effect of ablation technology on tumors by expanding the ablation range; on the other hand, the ablation technology changes the physicochemical microenvironment such as temperature, electric field, optics, oxygen content and pH in tumor tissues. It helps to stimulate the degree of local drug release of nanoparticles and increase the local content of anti-tumor drugs, thus forming a synergistic therapeutic effect with tumor ablation. Recent studies have found that some specific ablation methods will stimulate the body's immune response while physically killing tumor tissues, generating a large number of immune cells to cause secondary killing of tumor tissues and cells, and with the assistance of metal nanoparticles loaded with immune drugs, the effect of this anti-tumor immunotherapy can be further enhanced. Therefore, the combination of metal nanoparticles and ablative therapy has broad research potential. This review covers common metallic nanoparticles used for ablative therapy and discusses in detail their characteristics, mechanisms of action, potential challenges, and prospects in the field of ablation.

Role of Surgery in Metastatic Breast Cancer: Insights from a Narrative Review

Metastatic breast cancer is difficult to cure and has a worse prognosis with higher rates of mortality. Recently, breast surgery is believed to improve the survival rates among these women, but due to limited evidence, definite conclusions cannot be made. Therefore, we undertook this narrative review to synthesize the evidence from existing studies to assess the effectiveness of locoregional surgery and surgery of metastatic sites in improving the outcomes among women diagnosed with metastatic cancer disease along with the summary of current treatment guidelines. We reviewed PubMed and Embase and included both observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that were published in English between 2000 and 2021. Outcomes were either survival, quality of life, toxicity related to local treatment assessed by mortality at the end of one month, progression-free survival, and breast cancer-specific survival. The main effect size assessed was hazard ratio with their 95% CIs. After literature search, we found 8 observational studies and 3 RCTs. The findings of the observational studies revealed that breast cancer surgery improves survival from 30% to 50% among women. However, findings from RCTs were mixed for local and distant progression survival. Surgery improved the local progression-free survival but worsened the distant progression-free survival. Besides, there was no effect of breast surgery on quality of life. Regarding the surgery of metastatic site, studies are complex with mixed findings and variation in survival depending upon the type of metastatic site and response to initial systematic therapy and other factors. Based on the existing mixed evidence, it is not possible to make firm and definite conclusions about the effectiveness of breast surgery in improving the survival or quality of life among women with metastatic breast cancer. In future, more RCTs are required with a larger sample size to confirm the findings of observational studies.

Multimodality liver directed treatment for colorectal liver metastasis: Array of complementary options can improve outcomes - A single centre experience from India

AIM

Complimentary use of Liver directed therapies (LDTs) with systemic chemotherapy has improved oncologic outcomes in colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM). We analysed institutional results of multimodality management.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained database of CRLM patients managed with LDT including surgical resection, Ablation, Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) or Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) between November 2011 to March 2020. Management plan was decided in multidisciplinary meeting. Resectable tumours underwent surgical resection or ablation or both in some cases. Borderline resectable or unresectable disease was treated with down staging chemotherapy or TACE/TARE followed by resection or ablation. All patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. Factors influencing survival were analysed.

Results

Out of total 375 patients, surgery alone was done in 191 (50.93%) patients while surgery with other LDT in 26 patients (6.93%). Ablation alone was done in 100 (26.66%) whereas TACE/TARE were done as standalone treatment in 21 (5.6%) and 7 (1.86%) patients respectively. TACE + ablation was done in 28 (7.46%) and TARE + ablation was done in 2(0.53%) patients.5-year Overall Survival(OS) was 49.8% while Event free survival(EFS) was 21.4%. The median OS and EFS for surgical group was significantly better than non-surgical group (78 V/s 39 months; p<0.05 and 20 V/s 15 months p <0.005). The resectable (78 months) group had better median OS as compared to borderline resectable and Unresectable group (39 months and 29 months). Male gender, resectable disease and surgical intervention were associated with improved OS.

Conclusion

Although surgery remains the mainstay of treatment, complementary use of non-surgical LDT with systemic therapy offers possibility of good outcomes in advanced liver limited disease. Our experience highlights the impact of multidisciplinary care in optimizing CRLM treatment.

Neoadjuvant Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by low resection and high postoperative recurrence rates, and conventional treatment strategies have failed to meet clinical needs. Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) is widely employed in the routine management of several solid tumors because it increases resectability and reduces the rate of postoperative recurrence. However, a consensus has not been reached regarding the effects of NAT on HCC. As systemic therapy, particularly targeted therapy and immunotherapy, is given for HCC treatment, accumulating evidence shows that the "spring" of NAT for HCC is imminent. In the future, HCC researchers should focus on identifying biomarkers for treatment response, explore the mechanisms of resistance, and standardize the endpoints of NAT.

AI Denoising Significantly Enhances Image Quality and Diagnostic Confidence in Interventional Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

(1) To investigate whether interventional cone-beam computed tomography (cbCT) could benefit from AI denoising, particularly with respect to patient body mass index (BMI); (2) From 1 January 2016 to 1 January 2022, 100 patients with liver-directed interventions and peri-procedural cbCT were included. The unenhanced mask run and the contrast-enhanced fill run of the cbCT were reconstructed using weighted filtered back projection. Additionally, each dataset was post-processed using a novel denoising software solution. Place-consistent regions of interest measured signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) per dataset. Corrected mixed-effects analysis with BMI subgroup analyses compared objective image quality. Multiple linear regression measured the contribution of “Radiation Dose”, “Body-Mass-Index”, and “Mode” to SNR. Two radiologists independently rated diagnostic confidence. Inter-rater agreement was measured using Spearman correlation (r); (3) SNR was significantly higher in the denoised datasets than in the regular datasets (p < 0.001). Furthermore, BMI subgroup analysis showed significant SNR deteriorations in the regular datasets for higher patient BMI (p < 0.001), but stable results for denoising (p > 0.999). In regression, only denoising contributed positively towards SNR (0.6191; 95%CI 0.6096 to 0.6286; p < 0.001). The denoised datasets received overall significantly higher diagnostic confidence grades (p = 0.010), with good inter-rater agreement (r ≥ 0.795, p < 0.001). In a subgroup analysis, diagnostic confidence deteriorated significantly for higher patient BMI (p < 0.001) in the regular datasets but was stable in the denoised datasets (p ≥ 0.103).; (4) AI denoising can significantly enhance image quality in interventional cone-beam CT and effectively mitigate diagnostic confidence deterioration for rising patient BMI.

Combined treatments in hepatocellular carcinoma: Time to put them in the guidelines?

The time for battling cancer has never been more suitable than nowadays and fortunately against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) we do have a far-reaching arsenal. Moreover, because liver cancer comprises a plethora of stages-from very early to advanced disease and with many treatment options–from surgery to immunotherapy trials–it leaves the clinician a wide range of options. The scope of our review is to throw light on combination treatments that seem to be beyond guidelines and to highlight these using evidence-based analysis of the most frequently used combination therapies, discussing their advantages and flaws in comparison to the current standard of care. One particular combination therapy seems to be in the forefront: Transarterial chemoembolization plus ablation for medium-size non-resectable HCC (3-5 cm), which is currently at the frontier between Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer classification A and B. Not only does it improve the outcome in contrast to each individual therapy, but it also seems to have similar results to surgery. Also, the abundance of immune checkpoint inhibitors that have appeared lately in clinical trials are bringing promising results against HCC. Although the path of combination therapies in HCC is still filled with uncertainty and caveats, in the following years the hepatology and oncology fields could witness an HCC guideline revolution.

CEUS-Based Radiomics Can Show Changes in Protein Levels in Liver Metastases After Incomplete Thermal Ablation

Objective

To investigate the ability of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)-based radiomics combined with machine learning to detect early protein changes after incomplete thermal ablation.

Methods

HCT-26 colorectal adenoma cells were engrafted into the livers of 80 mice, which were randomly divided into 4 groups for palliative laser ablation. Changes in heat shock protein (HSP) and apoptosis-related protein expression in the tumors were assessed. SCID mice subjected to CEUS and ultrasonography were divided into training (n=56) and test (n=24) datasets. Then, 102 features from seven feature groups were extracted. We use the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) feature selection method to fit the machine learning classifiers. The feature selection methods and four classifiers were combined to determine the best prediction model.

Results

The areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves (AUCs) of the classifiers in the test dataset ranged from 0.450 to 0.932 (median: 0.721). The best score was obtained from the model in which the omics data of CEUS was analyzed in the arterial phase by random forest (RF) classification.

Conclusions

A machine learning model, in which radiomics characteristics are extracted by multimodal ultrasonography, can accurately, rapidly and noninvasively identify protein changes after ablation.

Management of Other Gastric and Duodenal Neuroendocrine Tumors

Gastric and duodenal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are increasing in incidence as a result of increased detection and awareness of neuroendocrine tumors as distinct tumor types. The three types of gastric NETs and duodenal NETs have different etiologies and tumor-specific factors, such as grade, location, and hormone-production, and the clinical settings influence management. Options for treatment include removal by local endoscopic resection and surgical resection. Medical therapy is used to treat the inciting condition or as systemic therapy in advanced disease. Although the overall prognosis for most is good, higher grade tumors behave aggressively and have reduced survival.

Recurrence and survival following microwave, radiofrequency ablation, and hepatic resection of colorectal liver metastases: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Gold standard for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) remains hepatic resection (HR). However, patients with severe comorbidities, unresectable or deep-situated resectable CRLM are candidates for ablation. The aim of the study was to compare recurrence rate and survival benefit of the microwave ablation (MWA), radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and HR by conducting the first network meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

Systematic search of the literature was conducted in the electronic databases. Both updated traditional and network meta-analyses were conducted and the results were compared between them.

RESULTS

HR cohort demonstrated significantly less local recurrence rate and better 3- and 5-year disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) compared to MWA and RFA cohorts. HR cohort included significantly younger patients and with significantly lower preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) by 10.28 ng/mL compared to RFA cohort. Subgroup analysis of local recurrence and OS of solitary and ≤ 3 cm CRLMs did not demonstrate any discrepancies when compared with the whole sample.

CONCLUSIONS

For resectable CRLM the treatment of choice still remains HR. MWA and RFA can be used as a single or adjunct treatment in patients with unresectable CRLM and/or prohibitive comorbidities.

Fast and Selective Ablation of Liver Tumors by High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Using a Toroidal Transducer Guided by Ultrasound Imaging: The Results of Animal Experiments

This study demonstrated that high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) produced with an intra-operative toroidal-shaped transducer causes fast, selective liver tumor ablations in an animal model. The HIFU device is composed of 256 emitters working at 3 MHz. A 7.5 MHz ultrasound imaging probe centered on the HIFU transducer guided treatment. VX2 tumor segments (25 mg) were implanted into the right lateral liver lobes of 45 New Zealand rabbits. The animals were evenly divided into groups 1 (toroidal HIFU ablation), 2 (surgical resection) and 3 (untreated control). Therapeutic responses were evaluated with gross pathology and histology 11 d post-treatment. Toroidal transducer-produced HIFU ablation (average ablation rate 10.5 cc/min) allowed fast and homogeneous tumor treatment. Sonograms showed all ablations. VX2 tumors were completely coagulated and surrounded by safety margins without surrounding-organ secondary HIFU lesions. HIFU group tumor volumes at autopsy (39 mm³) were significantly lower than control group volumes (2610 mm³, p < 0.0001). HIFU group tumor metastasis (27%) was lower than resected (33%) and control (67%) group metastasis. Ultrasound imaging, gross pathology and histology results supported these outcomes. HIFU procedures had no complications. Rabbit liver tumor ablation using a toroidal HIFU transducer under ultrasound imaging guidance might therefore be an effective intra-operative treatment for localized liver metastases.

Long-Term Survival in Patients Receiving Combination Therapy with Resection and Radiofrequency Ablation for Multi-Focal Hepatocellular Carcinoma Classified as Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Stage B: A Retrospective Controlled Study

Objective

To evaluate the survival outcomes of combined liver resection (LR) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) on multi-focal hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with Barcelona clinic liver cancer (BCLC) stage B.

Methods

A total of 210 cases of HCC were included in this study. In 42 cases, patients were treated with combination therapy using LR and RFA (LRCRFA). In 84 cases, patients underwent transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), and in another 84 cases, patients underwent LR; both the TACE and LR groups served as controls. It both categorized as BCLC stage B for LRCRFA and TACE groups but as BCLC stage A for LR group.

Results

The overall survival (OS) rate of the LRCRFA group was significantly higher than that of the TACE group (P<0.001) but was not significantly different when compared with the LR group (P=0.544). The disease-free survival (DFS) rate of the LRCRFA group was significantly lower than that of the LR group (P=0.029). Patients with ≤4 tumors or those with ≤5 tumors no larger than 6 cm in diameter experienced better long-term outcomes than other patients in the same LRCRFA group. The OS rates and DFS rates were not significantly different from those of patients in the LR group (P>0.05). Having more than 2 existing tumors was an independent risk factor for OS rate.

Conclusion

Combination therapy using LR and RFA can more effectively improve the prognosis of these patients than TACE. Patients with BCLC stage B HCC with ≤4 tumors or ≤5 tumors smaller than 6 cm in diameter are the ideal candidates for the application of LRCRFA.

Comparison of Hepatic Resection Combined with Intraoperative Radiofrequency Ablation, or Hepatic Resection Alone, for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Multifocal Tumors Meeting the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Criteria: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

BACKGROUND

Whether hepatic resection (HR) combined with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or HR alone is the treatment of choice for early or moderately advanced multifocal hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) is a matter of debate. This study compared the short- and long-term outcomes of patients with multifocal tumors meeting the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) criteria after HR plus intraoperative RFA or HR alone.

METHODS

A total of 261 consecutive patients with multifocal HCCs meeting the UCSF criteria from January 2010 to January 2018, who underwent combined treatment (n = 51) or HR (n = 210), were included. Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for baseline differences. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were calculated, and subgroup analysis, along with univariate and multivariate analyses, were performed.

RESULTS

The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates after combined treatment or HR alone were 86.3%, 66.6%, and 34.2%, and 92.8%, 67.1%, and 37%, respectively (p = 0.423); combined treatment provided similar RFS rates as HR at 1, 3, and 5 years (78.4%, 35.8% and 20.9% vs. 82.6%, 50.4% and 24.5%, respectively; p = 0.076). The propensity matching model showed similar results. Subgroup analysis showed that HR was associated with better RFS than HR plus RFA for patients with two tumors or major tumors ≤ 3 cm. Multivariate analysis revealed that portal hypertension and three tumors are independent risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

For multifocal HCC patients meeting the UCSF criteria, combined treatment may offer similar OS and RFS as HR; however, HR may be more suitable than combined treatment for patients with two tumors or major tumors ≤ 3 cm.

Liver metastases in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours - treatment methods

Surgical approaches that allow the safe treatment of multiple, bilateral, large tumours, and that combine extirpative, ablative and interventional therapies, have expanded the population of patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NET) liver metastases (LMs) who can benefit from aggressive treatment of their liver disease. Pre-treatment staging often includes the biochemical assessment of serologic markers such as serotonin, insulin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and chromogranin, even in patients without clinically apparent hormonal excess. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a technique that involves the use of thermal energy to induce coagulation necrosis, thereby destroying tumour cells. Resection plus RFA is increasingly used in patients with bilateral NET LMs. Resection is performed for large or dominant lesions, while ablation is used to treat small lesions. Hepatic arterial embolization, typically termed transarterial embolization, and transarterial chemoembolization have been shown to induce a reduction in tumour size and to ameliorate symptoms of excess hormonal secretion.

Novel strategy in the treatment of liver metastases - Hepatic resection combined with stereotactic body radiotherapy

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the safety, feasibility and outcomes of patients treated for colorectal liver metastases (CLM) with an innovative combined approach - hepatic resection and Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) using CyberKnife® system.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study conducted in a single institution. Patients with CLM and no evidence of extrahepatic disease were included during a 6-year study period.

RESULTS

In total, 19 patients with 63 liver lesions underwent liver resection combined with SBRT of unresectable lesions. Major hepatectomy was performed in 42.1% patients; postoperative complications were noted in 31.6% patients. 27 unresectable lesions were treated by SBRT with a total dose of 50-60 Gy in five fractions. The median follow-up of study patients was 29.7 ± 20.58 months. Local control of CLM at 1 and 2 years was achieved in 89.5% of patients. Out-of-field hepatic recurrence was diagnosed in 63.1% patients. The 1-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 52.6%; 2-year DFS was 31.6%. The overall actuarial survival rates at 1 and 2 years were 88.2% and 50.4%.

CONCLUSION

Liver resection combined with SBRT presents a promising therapeutic option for patients with CLM which traditionally are unresectable. The additional use of SBRT allows for the effective clearance of the disease for thoroughly selected patients.

Ablation or Resection for Colorectal Liver Metastases? A Systematic Review of the Literature

Background: Successful use of ablation for small hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) has led to interest in the role of ablation for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). However, there remains a lack of clarity about the use of ablation for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM), specifically its efficacy compared with hepatic resection. Methods: A systematic review of the literature on ablation or resection of colorectal liver metastases was performed using MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Embase until December 2018. The aim of this study was to summarize the evidence for ablation vs. resection in the treatment of CRLM. Results: This review identified 1,773 studies of which 18 were eligible for inclusion. In the majority of the studies, overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were significantly higher and local recurrence (LR) rates were significantly lower in the resection groups. On subgroup analysis of solitary CRLM, resection was associated with improved OS, DFS, and reduced LR. Three series assessed the outcome of resection vs. ablation for technically resectable CRLM, and showed improved outcome in the resection group. In fact, there were no studies showing a survival advantage of ablation compared to resection in the treatment of CRLM. Conclusions: Resection remains the "gold standard" in the treatment of CRLM and should not be replaced by ablation at present. This review supports the use of ablation only as an adjunct to resection and as a single treatment option when resection is not safely possible.

Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC): French intergroup clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis, treatments and follow-up (SNFGE, FFCD, GERCOR, UNICANCER, SFCD, SFED, SFRO, SFR)

INTRODUCTION

This document is a summary of the French intergroup guidelines regarding the management of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) published in January 2019, and available on the French Society of Gastroenterology website (SNFGE) (www.tncd.org).

METHODS

This collaborative work was realized by all French medical and surgical societies involved in the management of mCRC. Recommendations are graded in three categories (A, B and C), according to the level of evidence found in the literature, up until December 2018.

RESULTS

The management of metastatic colorectal cancer has become complex because of increasing available medical, radiological and surgical treatments alone or in combination. The therapeutic strategy should be defined before the first-line treatment, mostly depending on the presentation of the disease (resectability of the metastases, symptomatic and/or threatening disease), of the patient's condition (ECOG PS, comorbidities), and tumor biology (RAS, BRAF, MSI). The sequence of targeted therapies also seems to have an impact on the outcome (angiogenesis inhibition beyond progression). Surgical resection of metastases was the only curative intent treatment to date, joined recently by percutaneous tumor ablation tools (radiofrequency, microwave). Localized therapies such as hepatic intra-arterial infusion, radioembolization and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, also have seen their indications specified (liver-dominant disease and resectable peritoneal carcinomatosis). New treatments have been developed in heavily pretreated patients, increasing overall survival and preserving quality of life (regorafenib and trifluridine/tipiracil). Finally, immune checkpoint inhibitors have demonstrated high efficacy in MSI mCRC.

CONCLUSION

French guidelines for mCRC management are put together to help offer the best personalized therapeutic strategy in daily clinical practice, as the mCRC therapeutic landscape is complexifying. These recommendations are permanently being reviewed and updated. Each individual case must be discussed within a multidisciplinary team (MDT).

Impact of concomitant ablation on the perioperative outcomes of patients with colorectal liver metastases undergoing hepatectomy: a propensity score matched nationwide analysis

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative ablation (IA) is often performed at the time of liver resection (LR) for colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs) but its impact on postoperative outcomes remains poorly understood.

METHODS

The ACS-NSQIP targeted hepatectomy database was used to identify patients who underwent LR vs LR + IA for CRLMs during 2014-2016. Perioperative outcomes were compared following propensity score match based on age, receipt of neoadjuvant therapy, operative approach, liver resection type, tumor diameter and number of metastases.

RESULTS

Among 1,384 patients, 692 (50%) underwent LR alone and 692 (50%) underwent LR + IA. After propensity score matching, overall morbidity (22% vs 13%, P < 0.0001) was increased among patients undergoing LR alone compared to LR + IA, whereas mortality did not differ (1.1% vs 0.8%, P=0.5911). On multivariable analysis, ASA class ≥3 (OR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.06-2.3), preoperative biliary stent (OR: 3.5, 95% CI: 0.9-13.01), biliary reconstruction (OR: 5.02, 95% CI: 1.3-18.6), operative time > 245 minutes (OR: 1.8, 95% CI:1.3-2.4) and IA (OR:0.5, 95% CI:0.3-0.7) were associated with overall morbidity.

CONCLUSIONS

In this propensity matched nationwide analysis of patients undergoing LR for CRLM, the use of concomitant IA was associated with decreased postoperative morbidity compared to LR alone. These findings suggest that IA combined with LR is a safe approach that may expand the number of patients who are candidates for curative-intent surgical strategies.

Neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment strategies for hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver malignancy worldwide and a major cause of cancer-related mortality for which liver resection is an important curative-intent treatment option. However, many patients present with advanced disease and with underlying chronic liver disease and/or cirrhosis, limiting the proportion of patients who are surgical candidates. In addition, the development of recurrent or de novo cancers following surgical resection is common. These issues have led investigators to evaluate the benefit of neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment strategies aimed at improving resectability rates and decreasing recurrence rates. While high-level evidence to guide treatment decision making is lacking, recent advances in locoregional and systemic therapies, including antiviral treatment and immunotherapy, raise the prospect of novel approaches that may improve the outcomes of patients with HCC. In this review, we evaluate the evidence for various neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies and discuss opportunities for future clinical and translational research.

Surgical outcomes of two-stage hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastasis: comparison to a benchmark procedure

Background

Two-stage hepatectomy (TSH) with portal vein embolization (PVE) is associated with high morbidity and mortality and may result in liver failure due to insufficient future liver remnant. The objectives of this investigation were to evaluate the short-term outcomes of patients with colorectal cancer liver metastasis who underwent TSH with PVE, and to critically review the selection criteria for TSH-PVE.

Methods

A retrospective review of all patients who were operated due to bi-lobar CRLM during the years 2007-2017 was performed. Patients who underwent TSH-PVE were compared to those who underwent right hepatectomy (RH) only.

Results

Twenty-nine patient underwent TSH, 25 of whom (86.2%) completed both stages. These patients demonstrated a major complication rate of 17%, and a 90-day mortality rate of 3.4%. Most complications (80%) were related to the colonic resection, and one patient developed liver failure. Patients who suffered complications had a trend towards more baseline comorbidities and more liver lesions. Ablative techniques were utilized in 76%. When compared to 35 patients who underwent sole RH, no significant difference was demonstrated in major complication rate (20%) or mortality (0%).

Conclusions

TSH is a relatively safe procedure in selected patients. Ablative techniques can reduce the occurrence of liver insufficiency and should be used liberally when possible. Factors such as number of lesions, comorbidities and the timing of colonic resection should be considered and evaluated in order to improve the outcomes of the procedure.

Liver Resection or Resection plus Intraoperative Echo-Guided Ablation in the Treatment of Colorectal Metastases: We are Evaluating Their Effect for Cure

This study determines the oncologic outcome of the combined resection and ablation strategy for colorectal liver metastases. Between January 1994 and December 2015, 373 patients underwent surgery for colorectal liver metastases. There were 284 patients who underwent hepatic resection only (Group 1) and 83 hepatic resection plus ablation (Group 2). Group 2 patients had a higher incidence of multiple metastases (100% in Group 2 vs 28.2% in Group 1; P < 0.001) and bilobar involvement (76.5% in Group 2 vs 12.9% in Group 1; P < 0.001) than Group 1 cases. Perioperative mortality was nil in either group, with a higher postoperative complication rate among Group 1 versus Group 2 cases (18 vs 0, respectively). The median follow-up was 90 months (range, 1–180), with a five-year overall survival for Group 1 and Group 2 of 51 per cent and 80 per cent, respectively (P = 0.193). Mean disease-free survival for patients with R0 resection was 55 per cent, 40 per cent, and 37 per cent at one, two, and three years, respectively, and remained steadily higher (at 50%) in those patients treated with resection combined with ablation up to five years (P = 0.069). The only intraoperative ablation failure was for a large lesion (≥5 cm). Our data support the use of intraoperative ablation when complete hepatic resection cannot be achieved.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy using the CyberKnife® system in the treatment of patients with liver metastases: state of the art

Background

The management of patients with liver metastases presents a challenging problem in clinical oncology. Patients with limited involvement of the liver may be suitable for surgical resection or local ablative techniques. Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) presents an emerging new technology that has shown high efficacy in ablating tumors at various disease sites.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was performed to identify articles in regard to the SBRT in the treatment of patients with liver metastases.

Results

SBRT allows for the delivery of high-dose radiation in few fractions to the tumor with extreme accuracy, while minimizing the damage to normal surrounding tissue. The CyberKnife^® system is an image-guided robotic system that delivers SBRT, tracks tumors during respiration, and automatically adjusts treatment for any patient movement. The most frequently used indications for CyberKnife^® therapy are ≤5 liver metastases with maximum tumor sizes of 6 cm, no extrahepatic disease, good performance status, and adequate hepatic functions. Local control rates range from 70%-100% at 1 year and from 60%-90% at 2 years. Severe toxicity related to SBRT is uncommon - grade three side effects occur in less than 5% of cases. Despite excellent local control rates, out-of-field metastatic progression (out-of-field hepatic metastases and extrahepatic metastases) develops in a substantial proportion of patients after SBRT. Therefore, it seems essential to improve the selection of patients with liver metastases for SBRT.

Conclusion

The CyberKnife^® system presents an effective minimally invasive treatment modality for patients with hepatic oligometastases who are not suitable candidates for radical liver resection. The available data suggest that liver metastases can be treated by CyberKnife therapy with very low toxicity and excellent local control rates.

Can tumor coverage evaluated 24 h post-radiofrequency ablation predict local tumor progression of liver metastases?

Purpose

To assess the predictive value for local tumor progression (LTP) of geometrical tumor coverage using the contrast-enhanced (ce-)CT images acquired before and within 24 h after radiofrequency (RF) ablation.

Methods

Twenty patients (6 male and 14 female, median age 62 years) with 45 focal hypovascular liver metastases (16 colorectal carcinoma, 3 melanoma and 1 breast carcinoma) underwent RF ablation under CT-guidance and received a ce-PET/CT scan within 24 h post-procedure. Pre- and post-ablation ce-CT-images were aligned using an interactive procedure and used to verify the tumor coverage of the RF ablation. Results were correlated to LTP as recorded during follow-up performed every 2–3 months after the intervention (mean follow-up of 110 weeks) and compared to standard reading performed by three readers of the ce-CT images.

Results

Eleven tumors (25%) showed LTP during the follow-up period. One lesion, which did not show LTP, was excluded from analysis due to the poor quality of the alignment. For the remaining, 29 (66%) tumors were completely covered by the ablation zone, 9 (20%) were not, and for 6 (14%) tumors the edges coincided with the edge of the ablation zone. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for LTP of having incomplete tumor coverage or no apparent ablative margin versus standard reading of ce-CT were 100, 88, 73 and 100% versus 42, 88, 58 and 82%, respectively.

Conclusions

Verifying the tumor coverage of liver metastases by an ablation zone through alignment of pre- and early post-ablation ce-CT images has a high predictive value for LTP.

Ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation enhances natural killer-mediated antitumor immunity against liver cancer

For patients with liver cancer who are not sufficiently fit for surgical resection, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an effective and low risk treatment modality; however, the mechanism underlying this procedure is not fully understood. In the present study, a series of experiments were conducted, which demonstrated that RFA therapy stimulates innate antitumor immunity via directly enhancing natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity, thus achieving a favorable outcome for patients with liver tumors. It was determined that the percentage of NK cells within the peripheral blood of the rabbits in the RFA treatment groups were significantly higher, compared with the control groups. The levels of interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α in NK cells were also significantly upregulated following thermal coagulation induced via RFA. In addition, RFA enhanced the NK cell receptor, NK group 2D (NKG2D), expression and NK cell antitumor cytotoxicity in hepatic cancer cells. The results indicated that the RFA treatment could effectively eliminate liver tumors via enhancing NK-mediated antitumor activity and NKG2D expression.

Hepatic resection combined with radiofrequency ablation versus hepatic resection alone for multifocal hepatocellular carcinomas: A meta-analysis

This meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively assess the efficacy and safety of hepatic resection combined with radiofrequency ablation versus hepatic resection (HR) alone for the treatment of multifocal hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). A literature search was conducted from the database including MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and China Biology Medicine (CBM) disc. The primary outcomes included the 1-, 3-, 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rate. The secondary outcomes contained the intraoperative parameters and postoperative adverse events (AEs). These parameters were all analyzed by RevMan 5.3 software. After carefully screening relevant studies, four retrospective studies of high quality involving 466 patients (197 in the combined group and 269 in the HR group) were included in this study. The pooled results showed that the 1-, 3-, 5-year OS rate in the combined group were comparable with those in the HR group (OR=0.77, 0.96, 0.88; P=0.33, 0.88, 0.70, respectively). Similarly, there was no significant difference in 1-, 3-, 5-year DFS rate between the combined group and the HR alone group (OR=0.57, 0.83, 0.72; P=0.17, 0.37, 0.32, respectively). And the intraoperative parameters and postoperative AEs were also comparable between the above two cohorts. However, two included studies reported that tumor often recurred in the ablation site in the combined group. The present meta-analysis indicated that the HR combined with RFA could reach a long-term survival outcome similar to curative HR for multifocal HCC patients. And this therapy may be a promising alternative for these patients with marginal liver function or complicated tumor distribution. Furthermore, high quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are imperative to verify this conclusion.

Surgical Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Surgical treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer offers a chance for cure or prolonged survival, particularly for those with more favorable prognostic factors and limited tumor burden. The treatment plan requires multidisciplinary evaluation because multiple therapy options exist. Advanced surgical techniques, adjuncts to resection, and modern chemotherapy all contribute to best outcomes for patients with hepatic metastases. Although cure is less common for patients with metastasis to lung or peritoneum, surgical resection for the former and cytoreduction and intraperitoneal chemotherapy for the latter may help to achieve cancer control in selected patients.

Management of Well-differentiated Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (GEPNETs): A Review

PURPOSE

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are heterogeneous tumors that arise from the neuroendocrine cells of the digestive tract and other organs, such as the lung, ovary, and thyroid glands. They can be well differentiated or poorly differentiated, and management of these tumors differs for each histologic subtype. We have performed a review of NETs and focused on management of well-differentiated gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEPNETs) and carcinoid syndrome.

METHODS

A PubMed search was performed to obtain articles on the management of well-differentiated NETs. Using the key words neuroendocrine tumors, carcinoid, pNET, octreotide, somatostatin analogues, and radiolabeled therapy, we reviewed Phase II and III trials that were published over the past 30 years. We also reviewed guidelines from the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society, North America Neuroendocrine Tumor Society, and National Comprehensive Cancer Network in our search.

FINDINGS

NETs are usually slow-growing tumors that remain asymptomatic for a long duration and can be either nonfunctioning or functioning. Surgical resection is recommended for locoregional disease, impending obstruction, symptom control, and advanced disease. Nonsurgical treatment options include somatostatin analogues (SSAs), multikinase inhibitors, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, and radiolabeled SSAs. Carcinoid syndrome is mainly treated with SSAs.

IMPLICATIONS

Although GEPNETs are slow-growing tumors, most patients are diagnosed with metastatic disease, and therefore it is important that the management of each patient be discussed in a multidisciplinary setting to optimize the treatment strategy. Patients should be considered for clinical trials and refractory cases referred to a specialty center.

Liver resection is justified for patients with bilateral multiple colorectal liver metastases: A propensity-score-matched analysis

BACKGROUND

Increasingly, patients with multiple colorectal liver metastases (CLM) are surgically treated. Some studies have shown that patients with bilobar and unilobar multiple CLM have similar outcomes, but other have shown that patients with bilobar CLM have worse outcomes after resection. We aimed to compare clinical outcomes of surgical treatment of bilobar and unilobar CLM using propensity score matching.

METHODS

The single-institution study included patients who underwent hepatectomy for ≥3 histologically confirmed CLM during 1998-2014. Clinicopathologic characteristics and long-term outcomes were compared between patients with bilobar and unilobar CLM in a propensity-score-adjusted cohort.

RESULTS

A total of 473 patients met the inclusion criteria, 271 (57%) with bilobar and 202 (43%) with unilobar CLM. In the propensity-score-matched population (bilobar, 170; unilobar, 170), no differences were observed according to the distribution of CLM except for a greater frequency of concomitant ablation, and R1 resection in the bilobar group. There was no difference between the bilobar and unilobar groups in 5-year overall survival rates (46% and 49%, respectively; P = 0.740) or 3-year recurrence-free survival rates (21% and 24%, respectively; P = 0.674).

CONCLUSIONS

Tumor distribution may not affect the curability of surgery for multiple CLM. Liver resection would be justified for selected patients with bilobar CLM.

Parenchymal sparing surgery for colorectal liver metastases: The need for a common definition

BACKGROUND

The definition of parenchymal sparing surgery (PSS) for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) diverges requiring a clarification of the concept.

METHOD

A consecutive series of patients were treated by PSS for their CRLMs, either by resection or intra-operative ablation (IOA), whenever possible a one-stage surgery and minimal usage of portal vein embolization. Post-operative complications were the primary endpoint with a special focus on post-operative liver failure.

RESULTS

Three hundred and eighty-seven patients underwent a PSS out of which 328 patients received a median of 9 pre-operative cycles of chemotherapy. One hundred and twenty-eight patients had a major resection, combined with IOA in 137 patients and IOA alone in 50 cases. The 5yr-overall survival was 50.3%. There was no difference in post-operative complications between minor and major resections, validating our PSS definition based on the Tumor burden/Healthy liver ratio and not just the retrieved volume.

CONCLUSIONS

PSS is defined as a high ratio of tumoral burden per specimen retrieved while favoring one-stage surgery approach. Our series, using combined resections and IOAs, matches this definition well. Furthermore, complications were correlated neither to chemotherapy nor to liver-induced toxicities, contrary to extended hepatectomies.

[Stereotactic body radiotherapy for liver tumors: State of the art]

Thanks to the improvement in radiotherapy physics, biology, computing and imaging, patients presenting with liver tumors can be efficiently treated by radiation. Radiotherapy has been included in liver tumors treatment guidelines at all disease stages. Liver stereotactic radiotherapy has to be preferred to standard fractionated radiotherapy whenever possible, as potentially more efficient because of higher biological equivalent dose. Liver stereotactic radiotherapy planning and delivery require extensive experience and optimal treatment quality at every step, thus limiting its availability to specialized centres. Multicentre studies are difficult to develop due to a large technical heterogeneity. Respiratory management, image guidance and immobilization are considerations as important as machine type. The use of multimodal planning imaging is compulsory to achieve expected contouring quality. Treatment efficacy is difficult to assess following liver stereotactic radiotherapy, but local control is high and toxicity unusual. As a consequence, liver stereotactic radiotherapy is part of multimodal and multidisciplinary management of liver tumors.

Centralization of Liver Cancer Surgery and Impact on Multidisciplinary Teams Working on Stage IV Colorectal Cancer

Surgical resection is the most effective treatment approach for colorectal liver metastases but only a minority of patients is suitable for upfront surgery. The treatment strategies of stage IV colorectal cancer have shifted towards a continuum of care in which medical and surgical treatment combinations are tailored to the clinical setting of the individual patient. The optimization of treatment through appropriate decision-making and multimodal therapy for stage IV colorectal cancer require a joint multidisciplinary meeting in a centralized liver cancer unit.

Combined resection and radiofrequency ablation versus transarterial embolization for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma: A propensity score matching study

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

This study aimed to compare the outcomes of combined hepatic resection (HR) plus intraoperative radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and transarterial embolization (TAE) for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage B hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in case-controlled patient groups using the propensity score.

METHODS

A total of 179 patients with multifocal HCC treated with HR plus RFA (n = 26) or TAE (n = 153) were retrospectively studied. All patients were classified as BCLC stage B and Child-Pugh class A. Analyses were performed over all participants as well as for propensity score-matched (1:3) patients to adjust for baseline differences. Cumulative overall survival (OS) and time to progression (TTP) were compared between the two groups using the Kaplan-Meier method, and independent predictors were identified by multivariate Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

Patients treated with HR plus RFA had better OS and longer TTP than those with TAE (p = 0.011 and p < 0.001, respectively). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that combined therapy (hazard ratio 0.31; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.12-0.78; p = 0.013), BCLC substage B2 (hazard ratio 1.82; 95% CI, 1.13-2.92; p = 0.013) and alpha-fetoprotein ≥ 400 ng/ml (hazard ratio 1.85; 95% CI, 1.12-3.05; p = 0.016) were independent factors associated with OS. After propensity score matching, combined therapy was the significant factor associated with OS and TTP by univariate and multivariate analyses.

CONCLUSION

Combined HR plus RFA may provide survival advantage compared to TAE in patients with BCLC stage B HCC.

SBRT planning for liver metastases: A focus on immobilization, motion management and planning imaging techniques

AIM

To evaluate the different techniques used for liver metastases Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) planning. We especially focused on immobilization devices, motion management and imaging used for contouring.

BACKGROUND

Although some guidelines exist, there is no consensus regarding the minimal requirements for liver SBRT treatments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed the main liver metastases SBRT publications and guidelines; and compared the techniques used for immobilization, motion management, margins and imaging.

RESULTS

There is a wide variety of techniques used for immobilization, motion management and planning imaging.

CONCLUSIONS

We provide a subjective critical analysis of minimal requirements and ideal technique for liver SBRT planning.

Planned Treatment of Advanced Metastatic Disease with Completion Ablation After Hepatic Resection

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to describe a modified treatment strategy with image-guided percutaneous ablation after hepatic resection as a completion method to surgical eradication of liver metastases ("completion ablation [CA]").

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analyses of patients who underwent CA within 180 days from the liver surgical resection to eradicate liver metastases present on the pre-surgical cross-sectional imaging or identified during intraoperative ultrasound that were not resected due to various reasons. Lesions treated with CA were evaluated for local tumor progression (LTP). Patients were evaluated for hepatic- and overall-recurrence-free survivals (hepatic-RFS and overall-RFS, respectively) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Sixteen patients (10 females; median age 55 years, range 28-69) underwent CA of 21 lesions (median size 8 mm, range 6 to 22). Indications for the use of CA were small future liver remnant in 10 (63%), inability to identify the lesion during surgical exploration in 3 (19%), and technical difficulty of resection in 3 (19%) patients. No liver-related complications were recorded following the surgical resection or the CA procedures. Primary and secondary CA efficacy rates were 95 and 100%, respectively. LTP was 0% at a median clinical follow-up of 27 months (range 4.0-108 months). Five-year hepatic-RFS, overall-RFS, and OS were 36, 16, and 51%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The use of CA as a complement to surgical resection is safe and effective. Such approach could potentially expand the surgical candidacy for patients with limited liver functional reserve and reduce postoperative morbidity and mortality in this selected patient population with more advanced disease.

Thermal Radiofrequency Ablation as an Adjuvant Therapy for Patients With Colorectal Liver Metastasis

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive technology for the treatment of liver malignancies and is used as an adjuvant therapy in patients with colorectal liver metastasis (CLM). This study enrolled a total of 49 CLM patients who underwent RFA treatment. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazard model, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that OS was closely correlated with tumor size, frequency of RFA treatment, resection of the liver lesion, and CEA levels before RFA (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that resection of CLM lesions after RFA, frequency of RFA treatment, and serum CEA levels before RFA were independent risk factors for the survival of CLM patients (p < 0.05). Tumor lesion size, resection of the liver lesion after RFA, frequency of RFA treatment, and serum CEA levels before RFA may be important prognostic factors of CLM patients treated with RFA therapy.

Percutaneous thermal ablation for the treatment of colorectal liver metastases and hepatocellular carcinoma: a comparison of local therapeutic efficacy

AIM

This study aimed to compare the local therapeutic efficacy of percutaneous thermal ablation for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

One hundred sixty-one CRLM nodules in 101 patients and 122 HCC nodules in 97 patients were treated with thermal ablation. Complications and local efficacy were retrospectively compared.

RESULTS

Major complications were observed in two (2.0%) patients in the CRLM group and one (1.0%) in the HCC group (p = 1.000). The complete ablation (CA) rate of lesions ≤ 3 cm was lower in the CRLM group than in the HCC group (p = 0.018). After a mean follow-up period of 21.1 ± 20.7 months in the CRLM group and 22.1 ± 17.6 months in the HCC group, the local tumour progression (LTP) rate of lesions > 3 cm was higher in the CRLM group than in the HCC group (p = 0.036). The multivariate analysis revealed that only safety margin (≤ 0.5 cm/> 0.5 cm) was a significant predictor of LTP in both CRLM and HCC.

CONCLUSIONS

To achieve better local tumour control, thermal ablation should be more aggressive for CRLM than for HCC, especially for large tumours in clinical.

Eastern Canadian Gastrointestinal Cancer Consensus Conference 2016

The annual Eastern Canadian Gastrointestinal Cancer Consensus Conference 2016 was held in Montreal, Quebec, 5-7 February. Experts in radiation oncology, medical oncology, surgical oncology, and infectious diseases involved in the management of patients with gastrointestinal malignancies participated in presentations and discussion sessions for the purpose of developing the recommendations presented here. This consensus statement addresses multiple topics: ■ Follow-up and survivorship of patients with resected colorectal cancer■ Indications for liver metastasectomy■ Treatment of oligometastases by stereotactic body radiation therapy■ Treatment of borderline resectable and unresectable pancreatic cancer■ Transarterial chemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma■ Infectious complications of antineoplastic agents.

Safety and advantages of combined resection and microwave ablation in patients with bilobar hepatic malignancies

BACKGROUND

The multimodality approach has significantly improved outcomes for hepatic malignancies. Microwave ablation is often used in isolation or succession, and seldom in combination with resection. Potential benefits and pitfalls from combined resection and ablation therapy in patients with complex and extensive bilobar hepatic disease have not been well defined.

METHODS

A review of the University of Louisville prospective Hepato-Pancreatico-Biliary Patients database was performed with multi-focal bilobar disease that underwent microwave ablation with resection or microwave only included.

RESULTS

One hundred and eight were treated with microwave only (MWA, n = 108) or combined resection and ablation (CRA, n = 84) and were compared with similar disease-burden patients undergoing resection only (n = 84). The groups were comparable except that the MWA group was older (p = .02) and with higher co-morbidities (diabetes, hepatitis). The resection group had larger tumours (4 vs. 3.2 and 3 cm) but the CRA group had more numerous lesions (4 vs. 3 and 2, p = .002). Short-term outcomes including morbidity (47.6% vs. 43%, p = .0715) were similar between the CRA and resection only groups. Longer operative time (164 vs. 126 min, p = .003) and need for blood transfusion (p = .001) were independent predictors of complications. Survival analyses for colorectal metastasis patients (n = 158) demonstrated better overall survival (OS) (43.9 vs. 37.6 and 30.5 months, p = .035), disease-free survival (DFS) (38 vs. 26.6 and 16.9 months, p = .028) and local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) (55.4 vs. 17 and 22.9 months, p < .001) with resection only.

CONCLUSION

The use of microwave ablation in addition to surgical resection did not significantly increase the morbidities or short-term outcomes. In combination with systemic and other local forms of therapy, combined resection and ablation is a safe and effective procedure.