Metastatic tumors to the stomach: Clinical and endoscopicfeatures

AIM: To evaluate the clinical and endoscopic patterns in a large series of patients with metastatic tumors in the stomach. METHODS: A total of 64 patients with gastric meta- stases from solid malignant tumors were retros- pectively examined between 1990 and 2005. The clinicopathological findings were reviewed along with tumor characteristics such as endoscopic pattern, location, size and origin of the primary sites. RESULTS: Common indications for endoscopy were anemia, bleeding and epigastric pain. Metastases presented as solitary (62.5%) or multiple (37.5%) tumors were mainly located in the middle or upper third of stomach. The main primary metastatic tumors were from breast and lung cancer and malignant melanoma. CONCLUSION: As the prognosis of cancer patients has been improving gradually, gastrointestinal (GI) metastases will be encountered more often. Endoscopic examinations should be conducted carefully in patients with malignancies, and endoscopic biopsies and information on the patient’s clinical history are useful for correct diagnosis of gastric metastases.

Strategies of surgical treatment of the spinal metastatic tumors

Objective To study the clinical features, surgical treatments and the prognosis of the 103 patients with the metastatic tumors in the spine. Methods From Jan. 1996 to Dec. 2001,103 cases were treated by operation in our department, there were 62 males and 41 females, aging from 33 to 79 years old (average,59 years). The lesions were located at cervical spines in 34 cases, thoracic spines in 39,lumbar spines in 25 and sacrum in 5. The patients underwnet anterior, prosterior,combined or staged antero-posterior operations based on the location of lesions in the spine. Most of the patients were adopted vertebral reconstruction and internal fixation depending on the conditions. Preoperative clinical evaluation included of general conditions,X-ray films,CT scan.MRI and ECT in odrer to decide the endurance of the patient to the surgical treatment. The operation was only considered when the patient could have the expected survival time more than 6 months. Operative indications, surgical methods and prognosis

Differential study of DCE-MRI parameters in spinal metastatic tumors, brucellar spondylitis and spinal tuberculosis

Objective： In the present study, spinal metastatic tumors, brucellar spondylitis and spinal tuberculosis werequantitatively analyzed using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging （DCE-MRI） to assess thevalue of DCE-MRI in the differential diagnosis of these diseases.Methods： Patients with brucellar spondylitis, spinal tuberculosis or a spinal metastatic tumor （30 cases of each）received conventional MRI and DCE-MRI examination. The volume transfer constant （Ktrans）, rate constant （Kep）,extravascular extracellular volume fraction （Ve） and plasma volume fraction （Vp） of the diseased vertebral bodieswere measured on the perfusion parameter map, and the differences in these parameters between the patients werecompared.Results： For pathological vertebrae in cases of spinal metastatic tumor, brucellar spondylitis and spinaltuberculosis, respectively, the Ktrans values （median ＋ quartile pitch） were 0.989±0.014, 0.720±0.011 and0.317±0.005 min-1; the Kep values were 2.898±0.055, 1.327±0.017 and 0.748±0.006 min-1; the Ve values were0.339±0.008, 0.542±0.013 and 0.428±0.018; the Vp values were 0.048±0.008, 0.035±0.004 and 0.028±0.009; thecorresponding H values were 50.25 （for Ktrans）, 52.47 （for Kep）, 48.33 （for Ve） and 46.56 （for Vp）, and all differenceswere statistically significant （two-sided P〈0.05）.Conclusions： The quantitative analysis of DCE-MRI has a certain value in the differential diagnosis of spinalmetastatic tumor, brucellar spondylitis and spinal tuberculosis.

MRI APPEARANCE OF SPINAL LESIONS: METASTATIC TUMORS OR INFECTIONS?

Three patients with pathologically verified spinal osteomyelitis and another three with metastatic tumors of the spine were investigated. MRI of the spine of four patients show-ed several unusual findings. The preservation of intervertehral discs and endplates did not predict accurately the diagnosis of either infections or tumors. The pepper and salt appearing feature may also occur in a metastatic tumor. Plain radiographs. CT. and radioisotope bone scans were less sensitive than MRI to disclose the lesions. In cases of osteomyelitis, the systemic sources of infections were frequently not found. and the responsible microorganisms could not be identified even from the surgical specimens of two patients. However, mycobacterium tuberculosis was found in the surgical specimen of a patient with cervical spinal lesion whose MRI was indistinguishable from a metastatic tumor. Surgicopathological diagnosis was therefore crucial and mandatory in these in stances.

Analysis of therapeutic efficacy of Aredia in treating pain caused by advanced malignant metastatic bone tumors

Objective To study therapeutic efficacy of Aredia in treating malignant metastatic bone tumors. Method 60～90 mg Aredia was administrated iv in 31 cases with malignant metastatic tumors,once each week. Results Pain in 12 cases was significantly relieved.14 cases acquired relif.Total effective rate was 83.9%.Activity ability was improved by 80.6%.No apparent toxicological and adverse effects as well as fever and cold symptoms were observed.Conclusion Aredia is a kind of ideal drugs for treatment of pain caused by malignant metastatic bone tumors.It is convenient in use and could be endured by patients.

Pituitary metastasis from lung adenocarcinoma

Pituitary tumor is a common neuroendocrine tumor,but there are also rare clinical metastases at this site,which are generally transferred from extrabellar tumors.Although the clinical incidence is low,the prognosis is poor.The purpose of this editorial is to discuss further the relevant knowledge of pituitary metas-tases and remind clinicians to prevent missed diagnosis and improve the prog-nosis of these patients.

Major complications after radiofrequency ablation for liver tumors:Analysis of 255 patients

AIM:To investigate the major complications after radiofrequency ablation(RFA) for the treatment of liver tumors and analyze possible risk factors that precipitate these complications.METHODS:From March 2001 to April 2008,255 patients with liver tumors(205 male,50 female;age range,18-89 years;mean age,56.0 years) who received RFA were enrolled in this study.Of these patients,212 had hepatocellular carcinoma,39 had metastatic liver tumors and four had cholangiocellular carcinoma.One hundred and forty eight patients had a single tumor,and 107 had multiple tumors.Maximum diameter of the tumors ranged 1.3-20 cm(mean,5.1 cm).All patients were treated with a cooled-tip perfusion electrode attached to a radiofrequency generator(Radionics,Burlington,MA,USA).RFA was performed via the percutaneous approach(n = 257),laparoscopy(n = 7),or open surgical treatment(n = 86).The major complications related to RFA were recorded.The resultant data were analyzed to determine risk factors associated these complications.RESULTS:Among the 255 patients,425 liver tumors were treated and 350 RFA sessions were performed.Thirty-seven(10%) major complications were observed which included 13 cases of liver failure,10 cases of hydrothorax requiring drainage,three casesof tumor seeding,one case of upper gastrointestinal bleeding,one case ofintrahepatic abscess,one case of bile duct injury,one case of cardiac arrest,and five cases of hyperglycemia.Seven patients had more than two complications.Liver failure was the most severe complication and was associated with the highest mortality.Eleven patients died due to worsening liver decompensation.Child-Pugh classification(P = 0.001) and choice of approach(P = 0.045) were related to post-treatment liver failure,whereas patient age,tumor size and number were not significant factors precipitating this complication.CONCLUSION:RFA can be accepted as a relatively safe procedure for the treatment of liver tumors.However,attention should be paid to possible complications even though the incidences of these complications are rare.Careful patient selection and the best approach choice(percutaneous,laparoscopy,or laparotomy) will help to minimize the incidence and morbidity rate of complications which occur after RFA.

Macrophage inflammatory protein-2 contributes to liver resection-induced acceleration of hepatic metastatic tumor growth

AIM： To study the role of macrophage inflammatory protein （HIP）-2 in liver resection-induced acceleration of tumor growth in a mouse model of hepatic metastasis. METHODS： After a 50% hepatectomy, 1×10^5 CT26.WT cells were implanted into the left liver lobe of syngeneic balb/c mice （PHx）. Additional animals were treated with a monoclonal antibody （HAB452） neutralizing HIP-2 （PHx＋mAB）. Non-resected and non-mAB-treated mice （Con） served as controls. After 7 d, tumor angiogenesis and microcirculation as well as cell proliferation, tumor growth, and CXCR-2 expression were analyzed using in- travital fluorescence microscopy, histology, immunohisto- chemistry, and flow cytometry. RESULTS： Partial hepatectomy increased （P〈0.05）the expression of the HIP-2 receptor CXCR-2 on tumor cells when compared with non-resected controls, and markedly accelerated （P〈 0.05） angiogenesis and metastatic tumor growth. Neutralization of HIP-2 by HAB452 treatment significantly （P〈 0.05） depressed CXCR-2 expression. Further, the blockade of MIP-2 reduced the angiogenic response （P〈 0.05） and inhibited tumor growth （P〈 0.05）. Of interest, liver resection-induced hepatocyte proliferation was not effected by anti-HIP-2 treatment. CONCLUSION： HIP-2 significantly contributes to liver resection-induced acceleration of colorectal CT26.WT hepatic metastasis growth.

APPLICATION VALUE OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE SEQUENCES IN DIAGNOSIS OF EARLY SPINAL METASTATIC TUMOR

Objective To investigate the clinical value of different magnetic resonance (MR) pulse sequences in diagnosis of spinal metastatic tumor. Methods Fifteen patients with clinically suspected spinal metastatic tumor were included in this study. These patients were with documented primary tumors. Four MR pulse sequences, T1-weighted spin echo (T1WI SE), T2-weighted fast spin echo (T2WI FSE), short time inversion recovery (STIR), and gradient echo 2-D multi echo data imaging combination (GE Me-2D) were used to detect spinal metastasis. Results Fifteen vertebral bodies were entire involvement, 38 vertebral bodies were section involvement, and totally 53 vertebral bodies were involved. There were 19 focal infections in pedicle of vertebral arch, 15 metastases in spinous process and transverse process. Fifty-three vertebral bodies were abnormal in T1WI SE and GE Me-2D, 35 vertebral bodies were found abnormal in T2WI FSE, and 50 vertebral bodies were found abnormal in STIR. The verges of focal signal of involved vertebral bodies were comparatively clear in T1WI SE, comparatively clear or vague in T2WI FSE, vague in STIR, and clear in GE Me-2D.Conclusions GE Me-2D may be the most sensitive technique to detect metastases. So three sequences (T1WI SE, T2WI FSE, GE Me-2D) can demonstrate the early changes of spinal metastasis roundly.

Focal peliosis hepatis in a colon cancer patient resembling metastatic liver tumor

Peliosis hepatis(PH) is a rare benign condition characterized by the presence of multiple,randomly distributed,blood filled cystic areas of variable size within the liver parenchyma.PH is difficult to recognize and may be mistaken for neoplasm,metastases or multiple abscesses.A 75-year-old female with a previous history of colon cancer was admitted when a liver mass in the right liver lobe was found 11 mo after surgery during the follow-up period.Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scan of the abdomen were performed.The initial possible diagnosis was metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma.The patient underwent excision of the hepatic segment where the nodule was located.The pathological diagnosis of the surgical specimen was PH.PH should be considered in the differential diagnosis of new liver lesions in patients whose clinical settings do not clearly favor metastasization.Clinicians and radiologists must recognize these lesions to minimize the probability of misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.

SURGICAL TREATMENT OF METASTATIC SPINAL TUMOR

30

Prognostic factors and its predictive value in patients with metastatic spinal cancer

BACKGROUND The spine is the most common location of metastatic diseases.Treating a metastatic spinal tumor depends on many factors,including patients’overall health and life expectancy.The present study was conducted to investigate prognostic factors and clinical outcomes in patients with vertebral metastases.AIM To investigate prognostic factors and their predictive value in patients with metastatic spinal cancer.METHODS A retrospective analysis of 109 patients with metastatic spinal cancer was conducted between January 2015 and September 2017.The prognoses and survival were analyzed,and the effects of factors such as clinical features,treatment methods,primary lesions and affected spinal segments on the prognosis of patients with metastatic spinal cancer were discussed.The prognostic value of Frankel spinal cord injury functional classification scale,metastatic spinal cord compression(MSCC),spinal instability neoplastic score(SINS)and the revised Tokuhashi score for prediction of prognosis was explored in patients with metastatic spinal tumors.RESULTS Age,comorbidity of metastasis from elsewhere,treatment methods,the number of spinal tumors,patient’s attitude toward tumors and Karnofsky performance scale score have an effect on the prognosis of patients(all P<0.05).With respect to classification of spinal cord injury,before operation,the proportion of grade B and grade C was higher in the group of patients who died than in the group of patients who survived,and that of grade D and grade E was lower in the group of patients who died than in the group of patients who survived(all P<0.05).At 1 mo after operation,the proportion of grade A,B and C was higher in the group of patients who died than in the group of patients who survived,and that of grade E was lower in patients in the group of patients who died than in the group of patients who survived(all P<0.05).MSCC occurred in four(14.3%)patients in the survival group and 17(21.0%)patients in the death group(P<0.05).All patients suffered from intractable pain,dysfunction in spinal cord and even paralysis.The proportion of SINS score of 1 to 6 points was lower in the death group than in the survival group,and the proportion of SINS score of 7 to 12 points was higher in the death group than in the survival group(all P<0.05).The proportion of revised Tokuhashi score of 0 to 8 points and 9 to 11 points were higher in the death group than in the survival group,and the proportion of revised Tokuhashi score of 12 to 15 points was lower in the death group than in the survival group(all P<0.05).Frankel spinal cord injury functional classification scale,MSCC,SINS and revised Tokuhashi score were important factors influencing the surgical treatment of patients with metastatic spinal cancer(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION Frankel spinal cord injury functional classification scale,MSCC,SINS and revised Tokuhashi score were helpful in predicting the prognosis of patients with metastatic spinal cancer.

Clinical research on zoledronic acid in treatment of pain caused by bone metastasis of malignant tumors

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of zoledronic acid for the pain caused by metastatic tumor of bone.Methods:52 patients with metastatic tumor of bone were randomly divided into two groups.The zoledronic acid group received 4 mg zoledronic acid infusion for 30 minutes and the control group received 90 mg pamidronate infusion for 6 hours. Results:The effective rates in zoledronic acid group and control group were 73.08%and 69.23%respectively.No significant difference was observed between the two groups.The median pain relief onset at days 5 and 7,respectively,and no significant difference was observed.The ECOG scores on the 7th day after medication:the differences in the zoledronic acid group before and after medication and between the two groups were both significant(P<0.001 and P=0.0448).The adverse reac- tion was no significant difference between the two groups.Conclusion:Zoledronic acid is efficient and safe in the treatment of pain caused by metastatic tumor of bone and it has low adverse reaction rate and convenient shorter using time.

Expression of the Tumor Metastatic Suppressor Gene in Mouse Melanoma Model: Inverse Association to Metastatic Potential

Data obtained in experimental cutaneous melanomas have suggested that the nm23 gene may function as a metastasis suppressor gene. The nm23 level in 8 human cutaneous melanoma cell lines and 2 murine melanoma cell lines were examined. Each melanoma cell line was transplanted subcutaneously into the flank of nude mice, and the metastatic behavior was evaluated by counting lung tumor fool and by determining host survival time. It was found that expression of 'm23 mRNA in human melanomas is correlated closely with reduced metastatic behavior in experimental animals and may serve as a sensitive prognostic indicator of malignancy and survival in patients with melanomas.

Observation of the therapeutic efficacy of stereotactic radiotherapy in 44 cases of retroperitoneal metastatic tumor

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effects of stereotactic radiotherapy for retroperitoneal metastatic tumor. Methods: From August 1997 to October 2004, 44 patients with retroperitoneal metastatic tumors were treated with stereotactic radiotherapy. The planning target volume was encompassed by 90%–95% isodose line. Fractional dose was from 6 Gy to 8 Gy, and they were treated 2–3 times per-week and 4–8 times in all. The total radiation doses of PTV were from 32 Gy to 48 Gy. Re- sults: After the radiotherapy, the pain was obviously relieved in 81.8% patients. Three months after completion of radiotherapy passed and then, abdominal CT was performed to evaluate the results. The whole effective rate was 81.8% [CR 27.7% (12/44) and PR 54.5% (24/44)], and six months after radiotherapy, CR was 27.7% (12/44) and PR was 59.1% (26/44). The middle survival time was 12 months. Conclusion: It is suggested that stereotactic radiotherapy for retroperitoneal metastatic tumor is a safe and effective method.

Clnical Study of the Treatment of Patients with a Metastatic Spinal Tumor by Percutaneous Vertebroplasty under the Guidance of DSA

OBJECTIVE To explore the clinical effect in patients with metastatic spinal tumors treated by percutaneous vertebroplasty （PVP） under the guidance of digital subtraction angiography （DSA）. METHODS A total of 110 cases with a metastatic spinal tumor were di- vided into 55 cases in the treatment group （group A ） and 55 cases in the control group （group B ）. The general clinical data were statistically analyzed before treatment with the parameters showing no differences. Group A was treated by PVP and chemotherapy as well. Group B was treated by the regular chemotherapy and regular radiation therapy. The same chemotherapy program was used for the same type of disease. All cases were provided with a follow-up survey for 12 months. During the follow-up survey, changes in the quality of life, in evaluation of bone pain and in vertebral column stability as well as adverse reactions were observed. RESULTS The statistics showed a significant difference between the 2 groups, specifically changes in the quality of life and evaluation of bone pain （P〈0.05, t1=2.74, t2=9.02）. During the follow-up survey, 5 cases in group A died of other organ complilcations, the death rate being 9.1% （5 out of 55）, but all survived more than 3 months following PVP. The vertebral columns of the survivors were kept stable, with no pathological fractures occurring in the vertebral bodies filled with bone cement, there were no obvious adverse reactions, and no paraplegia occurred. Thirteen cases died in group B with a death rate of 23.6% （13 out of 55）. Pathological compression fractures in the vertebral bodies occurred in 30 cases, and 12 cases of complicated paraplegia were noted. The incident rate of paraplegia was 21.8% （12 out of 55）. CONCLUSION PVP is a simple operation causing only small wounds and few complications. It can effectively alleviate pain of metastatic spinal tumors in patients, improve quality of life and reduce the incidence rate of paraplegia.

The application of ultra-wide-field fundus autofluorescence in early metastatic choroidal tumor screening

I am Dr.Ke Yao,from Eye Center,the Second Affiliated Hospital,School of Medicine,Zhejiang University,Hangzhou,China.I write to present three cases with metastatic choroidal tumor using an ultra-wide-field scanning laser ophthalmoscope.

PRELIMINARY STUDY OF FEASIBILITY OF WHOLE BODY DIFFUSION WEIGHTED IMAGING IN DIAGNOSIS OF METASTASIS OF TUMOR

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of whole body diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in the diagnosis of metastatic tumor. Methods Fifty-six patients (40 males and 16 females, age ranging from 29 to 84 years with a mean age of 57 years) with a variety of primary tumors were investigated by whole body DWI combined with computed tomography (CT) and/or conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Twelve patients underwent positron emission tomography. The final diagnosis was made on the basis of CT or high resolution CT result for lung lesion and MRI or CT result for skull, abdomen and other parts. All tumors were classified into four groups by their diameter: below 1.0 cm, 1.0-1.9 cm, 2.0-2.9 cm, and above 3.0 cm. The sensitivity and specificity of whole body DWI in the detection of metastatic tumor were analyzed. Results The sensitivities of whole body DWI for screening metastasis of the four groups were 38%, 75%, 97%, and 100%, respectively. Whole body DWI showed the highest sensitivity and specificity for detecting metastasis of the skeletal system. It was difficult to find metastatic tumor whose diameter was below 1.0 cm, or lymph nodes located in the pelvis with diameter below 2.0 cm. Conclusions Whole body DWI is a promising method in the diagnosis of metastastic tumors. With the perfection of scanning parameter, whole body DWI should be a new effective whole body technique for tumor detection.

Comparative Study of CT Images of Cerebral Metastasis from Pulmonary Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Adenocarcinoma

Objective: To explore the di?erence of CT images of metastatic tumors to the brain of lung squamous cell cancer and lung glandular cancer. Methods: Forty-?ve cases of lung squamous cell cancer and 59 cases of lung glandular cancer have gone through pathological con?rmation and all the 104 cases have been put under enhanced scanning on the basis of ?at scanning. The shape and density of the metastatic tumors, encephaledema around the tumors, and the reinforcement change after the enhancement were analyzed. Results: The CT scanning images of all the cases showed that, under ?at scanning, the density of the metastatic tumors to the brain of lung squamous cell cancer was over the slightly-high level and by no means even. Again, under ?at scanning, some 10 cases of metastatic tumors to the brain of lung glandular cancer showed a slightly-high density and some 49 other cases a low density and sack-like low density. Forty-?ve cases of metastatic tumors to the brain of lung squamous cell cancer were with hydroncus while some 30 cases of that of lung glandular cancer were in the same condition. Most of the two types of metastatic tumors, amounting to 97 cases, took place in supratentorial manner, and only 7 cases took place in subtentorial manner. Conclusion: The CT images of metastatic tumors to the brain of lung squamous cell cancer and lung glandular cancer are obviously di?erent from each other. As for the lung squamous cell cancer, the ?at scanning density of the tumor is over the slightly-high level with unevenness. There is relatively obvious reinforcement and obvious hydroncus. As for the lung glandular cancer, the metastatic tumor to the brain shows a low density and sack-like low density under ?at scanning. There is no obvious reinforcement and relatively slight hydroncus.