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Liu Y, Guo D, He X, Liu X, Chen W, Chen L, Ji Y, Zeng M, Wang M. The MR Imaging of Primary Intrahepatic Lymphoepithelioma-like Cholangiocarcinoma: A Diagnostic Challenge. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:2998. [PMID: 37761365 PMCID: PMC10528328 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13182998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To characterize the magnetic resonance imaging features of primary intrahepatic lymphoepithelioma-like cholangiocarcinoma (LELCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-four patients with 38 histologically confirmed LELCCs were enrolled retrospectively from January 2014 to August 2022. We evaluated the clinical features, histologic findings, and imaging manifestations on dynamic enhanced MRI. RESULTS 74% (25/34) of the cases were associated with EBV infection. Moreover, patients infected with EBV exhibited a lower level of Ki-67 proliferation. The serum CA199 level was elevated in 10 patients. The median tumor diameter was 2.8 cm (range, 1.1-8.7 cm). Most tumors were well-defined with a smooth or lobulated margin and showed peripheral hyperintensity and central hypointensity on T2-weighted imaging (T2WI). T2 hyperintense foci were recognized in 8 patients. In the dynamic enhanced MRI, 21 tumors demonstrated Type A enhancement pattern (rim enhancement), 10 demonstrated Type B (rapid wash-in and wash-out), and seven demonstrated Type C (rapid wash-in without wash-out). Capsular enhancement in PVP or DP was found in 22 tumors. A few patients had satellite lesions, portal vein thrombosis, bile duct dilatation, and distal metastasis. Lymph node metastases were discovered pathologically in 11 patients. CONCLUSIONS MRI findings of LELCC vary and are non-specific. While a majority of LELCCs exhibit typical features of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), unique findings like T2 hyperintense foci or capsular enhancement could suggest LELCC. EBV infection and elevated tumor markers can aid in differentiation. However, given the mimics of some cases of liver hypervascular lesions, histological examination remains essential for definitive diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyang Liu
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China; (Y.L.); (D.G.); (X.H.); (X.L.)
| | - Dajing Guo
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China; (Y.L.); (D.G.); (X.H.); (X.L.)
| | - Xiaojing He
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China; (Y.L.); (D.G.); (X.H.); (X.L.)
| | - Xi Liu
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China; (Y.L.); (D.G.); (X.H.); (X.L.)
| | - Weijie Chen
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China;
| | - Lingli Chen
- Department of Pathology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Geriatric Medical Center, Shanghai 200032, China; (L.C.); (Y.J.)
| | - Yuan Ji
- Department of Pathology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Geriatric Medical Center, Shanghai 200032, China; (L.C.); (Y.J.)
| | - Mengsu Zeng
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Geriatric Medical Center, Shanghai 200032, China;
| | - Mingliang Wang
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Geriatric Medical Center, Shanghai 200032, China;
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Focal Liver Lesions other than Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Cirrhosis: Diagnostic Challenges. J Transl Int Med 2023; 10:308-327. [PMID: 36860624 PMCID: PMC9969567 DOI: 10.2478/jtim-2022-0068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver cirrhosis is associated with regenerative nodules and an increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, other benign and malignant liver lesions may also occur. Differentiating the other lesions from HCC is important for further therapeutic decisions. This review discusses the characteristics of non-HCC liver lesions in cirrhosis and their consequent appearance on contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) with consideration of other imaging. Knowledge of this data would be helpful in avoiding misdiagnoses.
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Möller K, Safai Zadeh E, Görg C, Dong Y, Cui XW, Faiss S, Dietrich CF. Prevalence of benign focal liver lesions and non-hepatocellular carcinoma malignant lesions in liver cirrhosis. ZEITSCHRIFT FÜR GASTROENTEROLOGIE 2022; 61:526-535. [PMID: 36413993 DOI: 10.1055/a-1890-5818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
AbstractLiver cirrhosis is associated with an increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, other benign and malignant liver lesions may co-exist or may be the only focal liver lesion (FLL) detected. Compared to HCC, comparatively little is known about the frequency and natural history of benign FLL in patients with established liver cirrhosis.This review analyses the prevalence and frequency of benign and malignant FLL others than hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in liver cirrhosis including imaging and autopsy studies. Understanding these data should be helpful in avoiding misdiagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ehsan Safai Zadeh
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Ultrasound Diagnostics, Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Clinical Infectiology, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Christian Görg
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Ultrasound Diagnostics, Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Metabolism and Clinical Infectiology, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Yi Dong
- Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin-Wu Cui
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | | | - Christoph F. Dietrich
- Allgemeine Innere Medizin (DAIM) Kliniken Beau Site, Salem und Permanence, Kliniken Hirslanden Beau Site, Salem und Permanence, Bern, Switzerland
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Lin X, Xiang X, Feng B, Zhou H, Wang T, Chu X, Wang R. Targeting Long Non-Coding RNAs in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Progress and Prospects. Front Oncol 2021; 11:670838. [PMID: 34249710 PMCID: PMC8267409 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.670838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the fifth-ranked cancer worldwide with a relatively low five-year survival rate. Long non-coding RNAs are a group of RNAs with remarkable aberrant expression which could act on multiple bioprocesses and ultimately impact upon tumor proliferation, invasion, migration, metastasis, apoptosis, and therapy resistance in cancer cells including hepatocellular carcinoma cells. In recent years, long non-coding RNAs have been reported to be indispensable targets in clinical target therapy to stop the growth of cancer and prolong the lifespan of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. In this review, we enumerate the signaling pathways and life activities affected by long non-coding RNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma cells to illustrate the role of long non-coding RNAs in the development and therapy resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinrong Lin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaosong Xiang
- Affiliated Jingling Hospital Research Institution of General Surgery, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bing Feng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hao Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Chu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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Coral GP, Branco F, Meurer R, Marcon PDS, Fontes PRO, Mattos AAD. RESULTS OF IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY IN THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF EARLY HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA AND NODULES WITH HIGH-GRADE DYSPLASIA IN PATIENTS WITH CIRRHOSIS. ARQUIVOS DE GASTROENTEROLOGIA 2021; 58:82-86. [PMID: 33909802 DOI: 10.1590/s0004-2803.202100000-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent primary cancer of the liver and cirrhosis is considered a pre-malignant disease. In this context, the evolutionary sequence from low grade dysplastic nodule and high grade dysplastic nodule (HGDN) to early HCC and advanced HCC has been studied. The differential diagnosis between HGDN and early HCC is still a challenge, especially in needle biopsies. OBJECTIVE To evaluate an immunohistochemistry panel to differentiate dysplastic nodules and HCC. METHODS Patients with cirrhosis who underwent surgical resection or liver transplantation were included. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for the diagnosis of neoplasia were analyzed by evaluating five markers: heat shock protein 70, glypican 3, glutamine synthetase, clathrin heavy chain and beta-catenin. P≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS One hundred and fifty-six nodules were included; of these, 57 were HCC, 14 HGDN, 18 low grade dysplastic nodules and 67 regenerative macronodules. Sensitivity of HCC diagnosis was 64.9% for glypican 3 and 77.2% for glutamine syntetase, while specificity was 96.0% and 96.0% respectively. When the panel of four markers was considered (excluding beta catenin), the specificity ranged from 87.9% for one positive marker to 100% for at least three markers. The best accuracy for HCC diagnosis was obtained with at least two positive markers, which was associated with a sensitivity of 82.5% and specificity of 99%. CONCLUSION Differential diagnosis of dysplastic nodules and HCC by morphological criteria can be challenging. Immunomarkers are useful and should be used for the differential diagnosis between HCC and HGDN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Perdomo Coral
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina: Hepatologia, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
| | - Fernanda Branco
- Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre, Departamento de Radiologia, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
| | - Rosalva Meurer
- UFCSPA, Departamento de Patologia, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
| | - Patrícia Dos Santos Marcon
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina: Hepatologia, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.,Hospital Mãe de Deus, Departamento de Gastroenterologia, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
| | - Paulo Roberto Ott Fontes
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina: Hepatologia, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
| | - Angelo Alves de Mattos
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina: Hepatologia, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
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Dimopoulos YP, Winslow ER, He AR, Ozdemirli M. Hepatocellular carcinoma with biliary and neuroendocrine differentiation: A case report. World J Clin Oncol 2021; 12:262-271. [PMID: 33959479 PMCID: PMC8085510 DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v12.i4.262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver tumors with dual differentiations [combined hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma] are common. However, liver tumors that exhibit hepatocellular, biliary, and neuroendocrine differentiation are exceedingly rare, with only three previous case reports in the literature.
CASE SUMMARY A 65-year-old female with a previous history of hepatitis C and a distant history of low grade, well-differentiated rectal neuroendocrine tumor was found to have two liver lesions in segment 4 and segment 7 on imaging. Serum alpha-fetoprotein and chromogranin A were elevated. Biopsy of the larger lesion in segment 4 revealed a high-grade tumor, with morphologic and immunohistochemical features of a neuroendocrine tumor. Given the previous history of rectal neuroendocrine tumor, imaging investigation, serologic markers, and biopsy findings, metastatic neuroendocrine tumor was considered. Subsequent regional resection of these hepatic lesions revealed the segment 4 lesion to be a HCC with additional biliary and neuroendocrine differentiation and the segment 7 lesion to be a cholangiocarcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation. Follow-up of the patient revealed disease recurrence in the dome of the liver and metastasis in retro-pancreatic lymph nodes. The patient eventually expired due to complications of chemotherapy.
CONCLUSION HCC cases with additional biliary and neuroendocrine differentiation are exceedingly rare, posing a diagnostic challenge for clinicians and pathologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiannis Petros Dimopoulos
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC 20007, United States
| | - Emily R Winslow
- Medstar Center for Liver and Pancreas Surgery, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC 20007, United States
| | - Aiwu Ruth He
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC 20007, United States
| | - Metin Ozdemirli
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC 20007, United States
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7
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Colli A, Nadarevic T, Miletic D, Giljaca V, Fraquelli M, Štimac D, Casazza G. Abdominal ultrasound and alpha-foetoprotein for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in adults with chronic liver disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2021; 4:CD013346. [PMID: 33855699 PMCID: PMC8078581 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013346.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurs mostly in people with chronic liver disease and ranks sixth in terms of global instances of cancer, and fourth in terms of cancer deaths for men. Despite that abdominal ultrasound (US) is used as an initial test to exclude the presence of focal liver lesions and serum alpha-foetoprotein (AFP) measurement may raise suspicion of HCC occurrence, further testing to confirm diagnosis as well as staging of HCC is required. Current guidelines recommend surveillance programme using US, with or without AFP, to detect HCC in high-risk populations despite the lack of clear benefits on overall survival. Assessing the diagnostic accuracy of US and AFP may clarify whether the absence of benefit in surveillance programmes could be related to under-diagnosis. Therefore, assessment of the accuracy of these two tests for diagnosing HCC in people with chronic liver disease, not included in surveillance programmes, is needed. OBJECTIVES Primary: the diagnostic accuracy of US and AFP, alone or in combination, for the diagnosis of HCC of any size and at any stage in adults with chronic liver disease, either in a surveillance programme or in a clinical setting. Secondary: to assess the diagnostic accuracy of abdominal US and AFP, alone or in combination, for the diagnosis of resectable HCC; to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the individual tests versus the combination of both tests; to investigate sources of heterogeneity in the results. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Diagnostic-Test-Accuracy Studies Register, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS, Science Citation Index Expanded, until 5 June 2020. We applied no language or document-type restrictions. SELECTION CRITERIA Studies assessing the diagnostic accuracy of US and AFP, independently or in combination, for the diagnosis of HCC in adults with chronic liver disease, with cross-sectional and case-control designs, using one of the acceptable reference standards, such as pathology of the explanted liver, histology of resected or biopsied focal liver lesion, or typical characteristics on computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging, all with a six-months follow-up. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias and applicability concerns, using the QUADAS-2 checklist. We presented the results of sensitivity and specificity, using paired forest-plots, and tabulated the results. We used a hierarchical meta-analysis model where appropriate. We presented uncertainty of the accuracy estimates using 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We double-checked all data extractions and analyses. MAIN RESULTS We included 373 studies. The index-test was AFP (326 studies, 144,570 participants); US (39 studies, 18,792 participants); and a combination of AFP and US (eight studies, 5454 participants). We judged at high-risk of bias all but one study. Most studies used different reference standards, often inappropriate to exclude the presence of the target condition, and the time-interval between the index test and the reference standard was rarely defined. Most studies with AFP had a case-control design. We also had major concerns for the applicability due to the characteristics of the participants. As the primary studies with AFP used different cut-offs, we performed a meta-analysis using the hierarchical-summary-receiver-operating-characteristic model, then we carried out two meta-analyses including only studies reporting the most used cut-offs: around 20 ng/mL or 200 ng/mL. AFP cut-off 20 ng/mL: for HCC (147 studies) sensitivity 60% (95% CI 58% to 62%), specificity 84% (95% CI 82% to 86%); for resectable HCC (six studies) sensitivity 65% (95% CI 62% to 68%), specificity 80% (95% CI 59% to 91%). AFP cut-off 200 ng/mL: for HCC (56 studies) sensitivity 36% (95% CI 31% to 41%), specificity 99% (95% CI 98% to 99%); for resectable HCC (two studies) one with sensitivity 4% (95% CI 0% to 19%), specificity 100% (95% CI 96% to 100%), and one with sensitivity 8% (95% CI 3% to 18%), specificity 100% (95% CI 97% to 100%). US: for HCC (39 studies) sensitivity 72% (95% CI 63% to 79%), specificity 94% (95% CI 91% to 96%); for resectable HCC (seven studies) sensitivity 53% (95% CI 38% to 67%), specificity 96% (95% CI 94% to 97%). Combination of AFP (cut-off of 20 ng/mL) and US: for HCC (six studies) sensitivity 96% (95% CI 88% to 98%), specificity 85% (95% CI 73% to 93%); for resectable HCC (two studies) one with sensitivity 89% (95% CI 73% to 97%), specificity of 83% (95% CI 76% to 88%), and one with sensitivity 79% (95% CI 54% to 94%), specificity 87% (95% CI 79% to 94%). The observed heterogeneity in the results remains mostly unexplained, and only in part referable to different cut-offs or settings (surveillance programme compared to clinical series). The sensitivity analyses, excluding studies published as abstracts, or with case-control design, showed no variation in the results. We compared the accuracy obtained from studies with AFP (cut-off around 20 ng/mL) and US: a direct comparison in 11 studies (6674 participants) showed a higher sensitivity of US (81%, 95% CI 66% to 90%) versus AFP (64%, 95% CI 56% to 71%) with similar specificity: US 92% (95% CI 83% to 97%) versus AFP 89% (95% CI 79% to 94%). A direct comparison of six studies (5044 participants) showed a higher sensitivity (96%, 95% CI 88% to 98%) of the combination of AFP and US versus US (76%, 95% CI 56% to 89%) with similar specificity: AFP and US 85% (95% CI 73% to 92%) versus US 93% (95% CI 80% to 98%). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS In the clinical pathway for the diagnosis of HCC in adults, AFP and US, singularly or in combination, have the role of triage-tests. We found that using AFP, with 20 ng/mL as a cut-off, about 40% of HCC occurrences would be missed, and with US alone, more than a quarter. The combination of the two tests showed the highest sensitivity and less than 5% of HCC occurrences would be missed with about 15% of false-positive results. The uncertainty resulting from the poor study quality and the heterogeneity of included studies limit our ability to confidently draw conclusions based on our results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agostino Colli
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Haematology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Tin Nadarevic
- Department of Radiology, Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Damir Miletic
- Department of Radiology , Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Vanja Giljaca
- Department of Gastroenterology, Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Mirella Fraquelli
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca´ Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Davor Štimac
- Department of Gastroenterology, Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Giovanni Casazza
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche "L. Sacco", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Ma K, Liu J, Wang Y, Zhong Y, Wu Z, Fan R, Guo S. Relationship between plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and prognosis of TACE for primary hepatocellular carcinoma. J Gastrointest Oncol 2020; 11:1350-1363. [PMID: 33457006 PMCID: PMC7807265 DOI: 10.21037/jgo-20-509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our study aims to investigate changes in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) concentration and integrity in primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) patients before and after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) treatment and their influence on the evaluation of prognosis of the disease. METHODS A total of 84 PHC patients admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from December 2016 to December 2017 were included as the study group, while 55 healthy people served as the control group. Plasma cfDNA concentration and integrity were determined using qRT-PCR. The correlation between cfDNA concentration/integrity and clinical characteristics of PHC patients were analyzed. A ROC curve was used to investigate the sensitivity and specificity of cfDNA as detection indices. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to analyze factors affecting recurrence in PHC patients and compare recurrence-free survival (RFS) of PHC patients with high cfDNA expression and low cfDNA expression. RESULTS Plasma cfDNA concentration and integrity were significantly higher in PHC patients before TACE treatment than in healthy people and significantly lower after treatment than before (P<0.05). The cfDNA concentration was significantly correlated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis, TNM stage, and BCLC stage, while cfDNA integrity was significantly correlated with tumor size, TNM stage, and BCLC stage (P<0.05). ROC results showed that the area under the curve (AUC) value of cfDNA concentration was the largest, with an optimal cut-off of 10.51 ng/mL. Multivariate regression analysis for COX showed that the TNM stage, cfDNA concentration, and AFP were independent risk factors that affected PHC patients' survival. CONCLUSIONS Plasma cfDNA concentration in PHC patients is more sensitive and specific than any other tumor marker. It is an independent risk factor for PHC patients treated with TACE. Therefore, it is hypothesized cfDNA is a potential biomarker for prognostic evaluation of PHC patients treated with TACE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Ma
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiayun Liu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Youjin Wang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yubin Zhong
- Department of General Surgery, Yixing People’s Hospital, Yixing, China
| | - Zhenfeng Wu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Ruiying Fan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Taikang Xianlin Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Shanfeng Guo
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing in prevalence and is the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Unlike other malignancies, HCC can be diagnosed with dynamic imaging with very high accuracy, and tissue diagnosis is not needed for cancer therapy. There is a unique role of established as well as developing biomarkers in diagnosis, prognosis, and management of HCC. Sequencing HCC tumors has yielded substantial insights into HCC tumor biology and has raised the possibility of precision oncology in which therapy decisions are guided by cancer genetics. However, it is not ready for prime time yet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent L Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, 3912 Taubman Center, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Pratima Sharma
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, 3912 Taubman Center, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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10
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Mostyka M, Birch MM, Samstein B, Pittman ME. Hidden Carcinoma: Pitfalls in the Diagnosis of Lymphoepithelioma-Like Cholangiocarcinoma. Int J Surg Pathol 2020; 28:872-878. [PMID: 32429781 DOI: 10.1177/1066896920921560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Lymphoepithelioma-like intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is a rare variant of cholangiocarcinoma that is associated with the Epstein-Barr virus. The intimate relationship between the malignant epithelial cells and the numerous lymphoid cells can make the diagnosis challenging on limited tissue samples. We present 2 cases in which the presence of a dense hematolymphoid infiltrate served to mask the diagnosis of carcinoma on initial frozen section and biopsy review, respectively. We bring awareness to this potential diagnostic pitfall and offer morphologic and immunohistochemical clues that may aid in recognition of this unusual and sometimes perplexing carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Mostyka
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Meaghan M Birch
- Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Benjamin Samstein
- Division of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Meredith E Pittman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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11
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Kim MJ, Lee S, An C. Problematic lesions in cirrhotic liver mimicking hepatocellular carcinoma. Eur Radiol 2019; 29:5101-5110. [DOI: 10.1007/s00330-019-06030-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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12
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Kosmidis C, Varsamis N, Anthimidis G, Baka S, Valoukas D, Koletsa T, Zarampouka K, Koimtzis G, Georgakoudi E, Zarogoulidis P, Efthymiadis C. Primary hepatocellular carcinoma in a patient with history of treated breast cancer: a case report with challenging diagnosis and treatment. Int J Gen Med 2018; 11:399-403. [PMID: 30349348 PMCID: PMC6188071 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s176052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women worldwide. Long-term survivors among patients treated for breast cancer are at a high risk for developing a second primary malignancy. Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most frequent primary hepatic malignancy and should be ruled out in breast cancer patients who are diagnosed with solitary hepatic lesions. False diagnosis may lead to inappropriate oncologic staging and treatment of the disease. Case presentation We present the case of a 73-year-old female patient who had been treated for invasive ductal breast cancer 7 years ago and was diagnosed with a solid hepatic lesion at segments VI and VII and a small, calcified lesion at the tail of the pancreas on follow-up with an abdominal computed tomography. Oncology council decided that both lesions could be resected after determining whether they were metastatic or second primary malignancies. The patient underwent laparotomy and rapid biopsy which showed primary hepatocellular carcinoma and fibrosis of the pancreas. We performed hepatic segmentectomy (VI–VII) and cholecystectomy, while the pancreatic lesion was left intact. The postoperative course of the patient was uncomplicated and she remains disease free 2 years after the operation without any adjuvant therapy. Conclusion All hepatic lesions detected in breast cancer patients should be evaluated with open mind and liver biopsy should be performed to get a definitive diagnosis and implement the proper treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nikolaos Varsamis
- Department of Surgery, Interbalkan European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgios Anthimidis
- Department of Surgery, Interbalkan European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Sofia Baka
- Department of Oncology, Interbalkan European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Valoukas
- Department of Oncology, General Hospital of Ptolemaida, Ptolemaida, Greece
| | - Triantafyllia Koletsa
- Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Katerina Zarampouka
- Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgios Koimtzis
- Third Surgical Department, Faculty of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Paul Zarogoulidis
- Pulmonary-Oncology Unit, "Theageneio" Cancer Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece,
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Fang M, Zheng WJ, Yao M, Dong ZZ, Yao DF. Novel specific markers for hepatocellular carcinoma: Perspective on clinical applications. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2017; 25:865-873. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v25.i10.865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Despite continuous global efforts aimed at HCC eradication and improvements in various treatment techniques, the prognosis of HCC remains very poor. How to monitor malignant transformation of hepatocytes or diagnose HCC at early stage is still a medical challenge. A growing understanding of the multiple pathogenic factors including hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus infection, lipid accumulation, aflatoxin B1 intake and so on suggests that hepatocarcinogenesis is a multistep process. A large number of oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes have been identified. Early screening of HCC patients has been reported to confer a survival benefit. Although serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and hepatoma-specific AFP have been used as conventional tumor markers, they often show false-positive results and lack sufficient sensitivity and specificity. In order to provide optimal treatment for each patient with HCC, more precise and effective biomarkers are urgently needed in all phases of management from early detection to staging, treatment monitoring, and prognosis evaluation. Recently, numerous studies have shown the clinical utility of novel blood-based biomarkers, such as circulating tumor cells, key signal molecules or specific proteins, long non-coding RNAs, and microRNAs. In this article, we will review some novel HCC-related biomarkers and discuss their future perspective on clinical applications.
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