Brian D. Berger

Hepatocellular carcinoma: management of an increasingly common problem

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cancer that typically occurs in the setting of cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis virus infections. Hepatitis B and C account for approximately 80% of cases worldwide. HCC is currently the fifth most common malignancy in men and the eighth in women worldwide; its incidence is increasing dramatically in many parts of the world. Recognition of those at risk and early diagnosis by surveillance with imaging, with or without serologic testing, are extremely important. Many highly effective and even curative therapies are now available and include resection, liver transplantation, and local ablation. Appropriate application of these interventions offers hope of prolonged survival to many patients with this otherwise lethal complication of liver disease.

Robotically guided radiosurgery for children

A robotically guided linear accelerator has recently been developed which provides frameless radiosurgery with high precision. Potential advantages for the pediatric population include the avoidance of the cognitive decline associated with whole brain radiotherapy, the ability to treat young children with thin skulls unsuitable for frame‐based methods, and the possible avoidance of general anesthesia. We report our experience with this system (the “Cyberknife”) in the treatment of 21 children.

Feasibility of radiosurgery for malignant brain tumors in infants by use of image-guided robotic radiosurgery: preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE:The benefits of radiation therapy are generally denied to infants with malignant brain tumors because of the risk of devastating cognitive decline. Efforts to limit this morbidity with radiosurgical techniques have not been feasible for infants because of the dual requirements of rigid head fixation and high precision. We report the radiosurgical treatment of five infants by use of a robotically controlled system without rigid head fixation. METHODS:Five infants with malignant brain tumors received radiosurgical treatment with a robotically driven linear accelerator. Immobilization was aided by general anesthesia, form-fitting head supports, face masks, and body molds. The average marginal dose was 17 ± 2 Gy, and the average treatment volume was 18 ± 22 ml. RESULTS:X-rays obtained during treatment revealed acceptable agreement with preoperative computed tomographic scans in all patients. In one patient, the lesion did not progress, but a distant recurrence occurred 15 months after radiosurgery and also was treated with radiosurgery. In another patient, tumor in the treated region did not progress, but recurrence elsewhere led to death 7 months after treatment. Tumor enlargement occurred in Patient 3 at 3 months posttreatment, leading to death 2 months later. Tumor size was smaller in the remaining two patients at 9 and 11 months after treatment. There has been no toxicity attributed to treatment. CONCLUSION:Radiosurgery with minimal toxicity can be delivered to infants by use of a robotically controlled system that does not require rigid fixation. A formal dose-escalation trial is under way to address dose and toxicity for infants more thoroughly.

Multidisciplinary treatment of a large cerebral dural arteriovenous fistula using embolization, surgery, and radiosurgery

Dural arteriovenous fistulae are rare lesions composed of abnormal connections between meningeal arteries and the dural sinuses or leptomeningeal veins. Treatment is challenging because of the small size and wide distribution of the myriad sites of fistulous connection. We present a case of a dural arteriovenous fistula presenting with visual deterioration, pulsatile tinnitus, and intracranial hypertension that was successfully treated with a multidisciplinary approach combining angiographic, surgical, and radiosurgical intervention. This is one of the largest of these formidable lesions treated in this fashion that has been reported.

New frontiers in radiosurgery for the brain and body

Radiosurgery is defined as the use of highly focused beams of radiation to ablate a pathologic target, thus achieving a surgical objective by noninvasive means. Recent advances have allowed a wide variety of intracranial lesions to be effectively treated with radiosurgery, and radiosurgical treatment has been accepted as a standard part of the neurosurgical armamentarium. The advent of frameless radiosurgery now permits radiosurgical treatment to all parts of the body and is being actively explored by many centers. This article reviews some of the modern tools for radiosurgical treatment and discusses the current clinical practice of radiosurgery.

A volumetric study of CyberKnife hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy as salvage for progressive malignant brain tumors: initial experience

Abstract Objective: Radiosurgery is frequently offered to patients with progressive malignant brain tumors if radiation therapy or chemotherapy fails to provide local control. The use of single-shot regimens, however, is limited by the risk of complications when the tumor is large, surrounded by edema or has been pre-treated with radiation. Hypofractionation may confer safety but has not been tested for these difficult tumors. We report the results of hypofractionation as an alternative option in a small cohort of progressive malignant brain tumors. Methods: Hypofractionated CyberKnife radiotherapy was chosen for 18 progressive malignant brain tumors (six high-grade gliomas and 12 metastatic lesions) in 15 patients because of size, previous treatment with radiation or surrounding edema. The mean dose was 21 ± 4 Gy and the number of fractions was 5 ± 0.6. The volume of each tumor at treatment was compared with the volume at follow-up. Results: Thirteen of the 18 tumors (72%) showed a volume decrease. The average volume change was a decrease of 16 ± 58% (median: 20%) with a follow-up of 180 ± 121 days (median: 172 days). Toxicity occurred in only one patient, with symptoms improving on steroids. Discussion: Progression of malignant brain tumors not ideal for single-shot radiosurgery can be arrested or reversed, at least for short periods, with minimal toxicity using hypofractionated radiotherapy. Longer studies will be needed to assess durability of this response in these difficult tumors.

Multidisciplinary Overview of Local-Regional Therapies for Liver Malignancies

This chapter reviews, from the surgeon’s perspective, the various local-regional treatments for hepatic malignancies and how the use of stereotactic radiosurgery fits into current general surgical practice. Understanding these modalities is important in surgical practice and enables a rational approach to both surgical and non-surgical therapies for hepatic malignancies. Some of these treatments are clearly in the surgical domain as these therapies may be best given via laparoscopic or open surgical approach. Additionally, these local-regional modalities are increasingly being used as neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy, particularly in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). Surgeons are faced with the challenge of adopting these alternative techniques into their practice. Familiarity with these therapies allows the surgeon, with their unique expertise and skill, to participate actively in the nonsurgical management of these lesions. Several of the more prominent nonsurgical local-regional therapies are reviewed here.