A. Nour-Eldin

Liver metastases of neuroendocrine carcinomas: Interventional treatment via transarterial embolization, chemoembolization and thermal ablation

UNLABELLED The aim of this review article is to provide a practical clinical guideline for indication, technical aspects, protocol guideline and strategies for the interventional treatment of liver metastases from neuroendocrine tumors and focusing on the results of various protocols of management. The response to therapy, in the published articles, is calculated on the basis of the following clinical parameters; including symptomatic response (SR), biologic response (BR), morphological response (MR), progress free survival (PFS), and survival periods (SP). Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been associated with SR rates of 60-95%, BR of 50-90%, MR of 33-80%, SR of 20-80 months, and a 5-year survival of between 50% and 65%. PFS was also between 18 and 24 months. In the transarterial embolization (TAE) group, SR was similar to the TACE group, MR was 32% and 82%, survival was between 18 and 88 months with a survival rate of 40-67%, and BR was between 50% and 69%. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA), either percutaneous or during surgery, has been associated with SR of 71-95% for a mean duration of 8-10 months, BR of 65%, and mean SP of 1.6 years after ablation. The mean survival following surgical resection for operable cases is 4.26 years+/-S.D.: 1.1. CONCLUSION The interventional protocols for the management of liver metastases from neuroendocrine tumors: for oligonodular liver metastatic deposits, local resection or RFA and/or LITT is recommended, while in multinodular diseases with higher tumor load, TACE or TAE is recommended.

Review on transarterial chemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma: Palliative, combined, neoadjuvant, bridging, and symptomatic indications

The current review provides an overview on the palliative, combined, neoadjuvant, bridging, and symptomatic indications of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is based on an analysis of the current literature and the experience of the authors on the topic. Chemoembolization combines the infusion of chemotherapeutic drugs with particle embolization. Tumor ischemia raises the drug concentration compared to infusion alone, extends the retention of the chemotherapeutic agent and reduces systemic toxicity. Palliatively, TACE is performed to control symptoms and prolong survival in HCC patients; in some indications TACE allows a local tumor control of 18-63%. For combined indications, excellent results were achieved by combined therapies, such as percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI)/TACE, radiofrequency ablation (RF)/TACE, and laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT)/TACE. As a neoadjuvant therapy prior to liver resection TACE showed 70% tumor control. Though debatable, TACE still plays a role as a bridging tool before liver transplantation. Symptomatic indication of TACE in ruptured HCC showed 83-100% control of bleeding but survival was poor. Thus, TACE represents an important therapeutic tool against HCC in general in addition to its special role in cases of unresectable HCC.

Microwave Ablation Therapy: Clinical Utility in Treatment of Pulmonary Metastases

PURPOSE To prospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of microwave ablation therapy of unresectable pulmonary metastases. MATERIALS AND METHODS All patients provided informed consent for this prospective institutional review board-approved study. Eighty patients (30 men, 50 women; mean age, 59.7 years ± 6.4; range, 48-68 years) underwent computed tomography-guided percutaneous microwave ablation of pulmonary metastatic lesions in 130 sessions. The tumors represented metastases from colorectal carcinoma, breast carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, and bronchogenic carcinoma; there was no evidence of extrapulmonary metastasis for any tumor. Logistic regression analysis was used for evaluation of the statistical significance of factors affecting the end result of microwave ablation therapy. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for estimation of survival rates. RESULTS Complete, successful ablation was achieved in 95 (73.1%) of 130 lesions. Successful tumor ablation was significantly more frequent for lesions with a maximal axial diameter of 3 cm or smaller (90 of 110) than for lesions greater than 3 cm in maximal axial diameter (five of 20) (P < .0001) and for peripheral lesions (80 [80%] of 100) than for centrally located lesions (15 [50%] of 30) (P = .002). The histopathologic type of the metastasis did not significantly correlate with the ablation result (P > .3). The 12- and 24-month survival rates were 91.3% and 75%, respectively. There was no intraprocedural death, and the overall 60-day mortality rate after ablation was 0%. Higher survival rates were observed in patients with tumor-free states after successful ablation than in patients with failed ablation (P = .001). The incidence of pneumothorax was 8.5% (11 of 130). An intercostal chest tube was applied in one (0.8%) of the 11 sessions. Pulmonary hemorrhage developed in eight (6.2%) of 130 sessions. CONCLUSION Microwave ablation therapy may be safely and effectively used as a therapeutic tool for treatment of pulmonary metastases. The efficacy of the treatment is primarily determined by preablation tumor size and location in relation to the hilum.

Radiofrequency, microwave and laser ablation of pulmonary neoplasms: Clinical studies and technical considerations—Review article

Image-guided thermal ablation therapy has received significant attention for the treatment of many focal primary and metastatic pulmonary neoplasms. This interest has been associated with progressive advances in energy development, approach, technical application and adjuvant therapeutic combinations to improve the outcome results concerning local tumor control, survival rate and symptoms relief. This review provides clinical outline of percutaneous thermal ablation of lung neoplasms using radiofrequency, microwave and laser techniques regarding their principles, theoretical background, devices and techniques, technical problems and recent protocols. Advantages, limitations and technical considerations of each method will be illustrated to provide a practical guideline.

Transarterial chemoembolization in the treatment of patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma: Results and prognostic factors governing treatment success

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with four chemotherapeutic protocols in terms of local tumor control and survival of patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma (CCC) and to identify the prognostic factors governing treatment success. In the single‐centre study, 115 patients (mean ages = 60.4 years) with unresectable CCC were repeatedly treated with TACE. In total, 819 chemoembolization sessions were performed in 4 week intervals with a mean of 7.1 (range, 3–30) sessions per patient. The chemotherapeutic used was Mitomycin C only in 20.9% of patients, Gemcitabine only in 7%, Mitomycin C with Gemcitabine in 47% and combination of Gemcitabine, Mitomycin C and Cisplatin in 25.1%. Local tumor response was evaluated by MRI according to RECIST. Survival data were calculated according to the Kaplan–Meier method. Prognostic factors for patients survival were evaluated using log‐rank‐test. The local tumor controls were: partial response 8.7%, stable disease 57.4% and progressive disease 33.9% of patients. The median and mean survival times from the start of TACE were 13 and 20.8 months. Survival rate from the start of TACE was 52% after 1‐year, 29% after 2‐years and 10% after 3‐years. Initial tumor response, high tumor vascularity and Child‐Pugh class A were statistically significant factors for patients survival. No statistically significant difference between patients treated with different chemotherapy protocols was noted. In conclusion, TACE is a palliative and safe treatment option for patients with unresectable CCC. Child Pugh class B, tumor hypovascularity and initially progressive disease were poor prognostic factors for patient survival.

Liver Metastases of Neuroendocrine Tumors: Treatment With Hepatic Transarterial Chemotherapy Using Two Therapeutic Protocols

OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to retrospectively determine the effectiveness of hepatic transarterial chemotherapy using two therapeutic protocols-mitomycin C alone and combined mitomycin C and gemcitabine-on local tumor control and survival rate in patients with liver metastases from neuroendocrine tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS This article describes a retrospective study of 48 patients (age range, 37-77 years; mean age, 61.1 years; SD, 10.3) with liver metastases from neuroendocrine tumors who underwent repetitive selective hepatic artery chemotherapy using mitomycin C alone (group 1, n = 18 patients who underwent 182 therapeutic sessions; mean, 10.11 sessions per patient) and combined mitomycin C and gemcitabine chemotherapy agents (group 2, n = 30 patients who underwent 312 therapeutic sessions; mean, 10.4 sessions per patient) with 4-week intervals between treatment sessions. RESULTS Both treatment protocols were well tolerated by all patients. Only minor side effects occurred in both groups, and no major complications developed. Local tumor control evaluation according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) revealed the following for group 1: partial response, 11.1%; stable disease, 50%; and progressive disease, 38.9%. RECIST criteria for group 2 indicated partial response in 23.33%, stable disease in 53.34%, and progressive disease in 23.33%. The survival rate from the initial diagnosis to the fifth year for group 1 was 11.11% and for group 2, 46.67%. The median survival time from the initial diagnosis of group 1 was 38.67 months, whereas in group 2 it was 57.1 months. CONCLUSION Transarterial hepatic chemotherapy using mitomycin C and gemcitabine can be an effective therapeutic protocol for controlling local metastases and improving survival time in patients with hepatic metastases from neuroendocrine tumors.

Risk Factors Involved in the Development of Pneumothorax During Radiofrequency Ablation of Lung Neoplasms

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the risk factors involved in the development of pneumothorax during radiofrequency ablation of lung tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective study covered 124 ablation sessions for lung tumors (10 primary lesions, 114 metastatic lesions) in 82 patients (46 men, 36 women; mean age, 64.0 years) treated between December 2005 and January 2008. The exclusion criteria for ablation therapy were lesions with a maximal diameter greater than 5 cm and the presence of more than five lesions. A bipolar electrode needle was used under CT guidance. Four patients were treated with two ablation electrodes simultaneously. RESULTS The incidence of pneumothorax (detected with CT) was 11.3% (14 of 124 sessions). Pneumothorax was graded mild (lung surface retraction, < or = 2 cm), moderate (lung surface retraction, 2-4 cm), or severe (lung surface retraction, > or = 4 cm). Significant risk factors encountered in the development of pneumothorax were age greater than 60 years (p = 0.046), emphysema (p = 0.02), tumor diameter < or = 1.5 cm (p = 0.0008), lesions in lower part of lung, (p = 0.027), aerated lung parenchyma traversed by the needle track for a distance > or = 2.6 cm (p = 0.0017), and traversal of a major pulmonary fissure (p = 0.0004). Pneumothorax developed in one of the four patients in whom multiple electrodes were used. The mean depth of lung lesions complicated by pneumothorax was 2.9 +/- 1.55 cm (range, 0-5.5 cm). Conservative treatment was performed in four of the 14 pneumothorax sessions (28.6%). In six of the 14 sessions (42.9%), immediate complete evacuation was achieved with an intercostal catheter and manual evacuation; chest tube placement was indicated in four sessions (28.6%). Two patients were treated with manual evacuation because evidence of a progressive increase in pneumothorax on the 24-hour follow-up CT scan indicated failure of conservative treatment. CONCLUSION The development of pneumothorax complicating radiofrequency ablation can be unpredictable, but the many risk factors involved can make the incidence higher among some patients than others. Some of these risk factors are technically avoidable and have to be ruled out.

Repeated Chemoembolization Followed by Laser-Induced Thermotherapy for Liver Metastasis of Breast Cancer

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate local tumor control and survival after use of a downstaging protocol of repeated transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with two chemotherapeutic combinations followed by laser-induced thermotherapy in the care of patients with liver metastasis of breast cancer. SUBJECTS AND METHODS This prospective study included 161 patients with liver metastasis of breast cancer origin. TACE (mean, 3.5 [SD, 1.3] sessions per patient; range, 1-9 sessions) was performed as downstaging treatment to achieve the size and number of metastatic lesions that met the requirements for laser-induced thermotherapy (diameter < 5 cm, number ≤ 5). The TACE protocol was performed with either mitomycin C alone (n = 53) or mitomycin C in combination with gemcitabine (n = 108). RESULTS In response to TACE overall, the mean reduction in diameter based on the longest diameter of the target lesions was 27%. The difference between diameter reduction in the mitomycin C group and that in the mitomycin C-gemcitabine group was not statistically significant (p = 0.65). The mean survival time of all patients was 32.5 months, calculation starting from the first TACE treatment. The mean local tumor control period calculated as of completion of therapy was 13 months, and the mean time to progression was 8 months. In the mitomycin-gemcitabine group, mean time to progression was 10.7 months, and in the mitomycin group it was 6.9 months (p = 0.5). CONCLUSION TACE can be used for sufficient downstaging of liver metastatic lesions of breast cancer to allow laser-induced thermotherapy. A combination of mitomycin C and gemcitabine seems to improve the reduction achieved with TACE.

Three-dimensional reconstructed contrast-enhanced MR angiography for internal iliac artery branch visualization before uterine artery embolization.

PURPOSE To evaluate the feasibility of three-dimensional (3D) reconstructed contrast-enhanced (CE) magnetic resonance (MR) angiography in mapping the pelvic arteries in women before uterine artery embolization (UAE). MATERIALS AND METHODS CE MR angiography studies before UAE in 49 women (age range, 38-57 years; mean, 47.04 y +/- 4.7 [SD]) who underwent UAE for uterine leiomyomas between February 2005 and February 2007 were retrospectively evaluated by two radiologists in consensus. Studies were performed on a 1.5-T MR unit with a 3D fast low-angle shot sequence in the coronal direction. Reconstruction was performed with 3D computed tomographic angiography reconstruction software. RESULTS In the current study, 98 internal iliac arteries (IIAs) from 49 women were studied. The superior and inferior gluteal arteries were visualized in all cases (N = 98; 100%), the lateral sacral artery in 86 cases (88%), the iliolumbar artery in 84 (86%), the obturator artery in 81 (83%), the internal pudendal artery in 96 (98%), and the uterine artery in 95 (97%). The superior vesical and middle rectal arteries were seen in 21 (21%) and 11 (11%) cases, respectively. The mean length of the uterine artery was 12.56 cm (range, 4.6-22.2 cm), and it showed the longest traceable length among all branches. The uterine artery showed five patterns of origin. The superior gluteal artery showed constant origin from the posterior division of the IIA, whereas the iliolumbar and obturator arteries showed the most variations in origin. CONCLUSIONS Three-dimensional reconstructed CE MR angiography can detect most branches of the IIA in addition to their point of origin. Therefore, it can be used as a mapping tool of the pelvic arterial tree before UAE.

Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases: Long-Term Survival and Progression-Free Survival After Thermal Ablation Using Magnetic Resonance–Guided Laser-Induced Interstitial Thermotherapy in 594 Patients

PurposeThe purpose of this study was the evaluation of prognostic factors for long-term survival and progression-free survival (PFS) after treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastases with magnetic resonance–guided laser-induced interstital thermotherapy (LITT). Patients and MethodsWe included 594 patients (mean age, 61.2 years) with CRC liver metastases who were treated with LITT. The statistical analysis of the long-term survival and PFS were based on the Kaplan-Meier method. The Cox regression model tested different parameters that could be of prognostic value. The tested prognostic factors were the following: sex, age, the location of primary tumor, the number of metastases, the maximal diameter and total volume of metastases and necroses, the quotient of total volumes of metastases and necroses, the time of appearance of liver metastases and location in the liver, the TNM classification of CRC, extrahepatic metastases, and neoadjuvant treatments. ResultsThe median survival was 25 months starting from the date of the first LITT. The 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year survival rates were 78%, 50.1%, 28%, 16.4%, and 7.8%, respectively. The median PFS was 13 months. The 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year PFS rates were 51.3%, 35.4%, 30.7%, 25.4%, and 22.3%, respectively. The number of metastases and their maximal diameter were the most important prognostic factors for both long-term survival and PFS. Long-term survival was also highly influenced by the initial involvement of the lymph nodes. ConclusionsFor patients treated with LITT for CRC liver metastases, the number and size of metastases, together with the initial lymph node status, are significant prognostic factors for long-term survival.