Comprehensive review of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus:State of art and future perspectives

Background:Despite advances in the diagnosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),70%-80%of patients are diagnosed with advanced stage disease.Portal vein tumor thrombus(PVTT)is among the most ominous signs of advanced stage disease and has been associated with poor survival if untreated.Data sources:A systematic search of MEDLINE(PubMed),Embase,Cochrane Library and Database for Systematic Reviews(CDSR),Google Scholar,and National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence(NICE)databases until December 2022 was conducted using free text and MeSH terms:hepatocellular carcinoma,portal vein tumor thrombus,portal vein thrombosis,vascular invasion,liver and/or hepatic resection,liver transplantation,and systematic review.Results:Centers of surgical excellence have reported promising results related to the individualized surgical management of portal thrombus versus arterial chemoembolization or systemic chemotherapy.Critical elements to the individualized surgical management of HCC and portal thrombus include precise classification of the portal vein tumor thrombus,accurate identification of the subgroups of patients who may benefit from resection,as well as meticulous surgical technique.This review addressed five specific areas:(a)formation of PVTT;(b)classifications of PVTT;(c)controversies related to clinical guidelines;(d)surgical treatments versus non-surgical approaches;and(e)characterization of surgical techniques correlated with classifications of PVTT.Conclusions:Current evidence from Chinese and Japanese high-volume centers demonstrated that patients with HCC and associated PVTT can be managed with surgical resection with acceptable results.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with PD-1 inhibitors and Lenvatinib for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus

BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)patients complicated with portal vein tumor thrombus(PVTT)exhibit poor prognoses and treatment responses.AIM To investigate efficacies and safety of the combination of PD-1 inhibitor,transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)and Lenvatinib in HCC subjects comorbid with PVTT.METHODS From January 2019 to December 2020,HCC patients with PVTT types Ⅰ-Ⅳ were retrospectively enrolled at Beijing Ditan Hospital.They were distributed to either the PTL or TACE/Lenvatinib(TL)group.The median progression-free survival(mPFS)was set as the primary endpoint,while parameters like median overall survival,objective response rate,disease control rate(DCR),and toxicity level served as secondary endpoints.RESULTS Forty-one eligible patients were finally recruited for this study and divided into the PTL(n=18)and TL(n=23)groups.For a median follow-up of 21.8 months,the DCRs were 88.9%and 60.9%in the PTL and TL groups(P=0.046),res-pectively.Moreover,mPFS indicated significant improvement(HR=0.25;P<0.001)in PTL-treated patients(5.4 months)compared to TL-treated(2.7 months)patients.There were no treatment-related deaths or differences in adverse events in either group.CONCLUSION A triplet regimen of PTL was safe and well-tolerated as well as exhibited favorable efficacy over the TL regimen for advanced-stage HCC patients with PVTT types Ⅰ-Ⅳ.

Experimental study on enhancement of the metastatic potential of portal vein tumor thrombus-originated hepatocellular carcinoma cells using portal vein serum

Objective： Portal vein metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma（HCC） results in a poor prognosis and seriously affects the survival rate of patients. The mechanism underlying the formation of portal vein tumor thrombus（PVTT） is complex and is not yet fully understood. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of portal vein blood on the proliferation, metastasis, invasion and apoptosis of PVTT cells and to explore its possible mechanisms, which was expected to lay a foundation for ascertaining the mechanism underlying the portal vein metastasis of HCC.Methods： Peripheral blood and portal vein blood were collected from patients with HCC, and the sera from these two sources were used to culture the PVTT-originated HCC cell line CSQT-2. The cells were collected after 24 h, and flow cytometry was performed to detect cell proliferation, cell cycle stages and apoptosis. Transwell migration and invasion assays were applied to detect the metastasis and invasion of the cells in each group. The changes in the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in cells were detected via Western blotting. The contents of IL-12, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-2 and TNF-α in the two groups of sera were quantified using corresponding kits. Results： Compared with the group of cells cultured with peripheral serum, the cells cultured with portal vein serum showed significantly lower apoptosis（P〈0.01）, significantly enhanced cell metastasis and invasion（P〈0.01）, whereas cell proliferation and the stages of the cell cycle did not differ significantly（P〉0.05）. A significantly increased expression level of MMP-2 has been observed in tumor cells treated portal vein serum. In addition, compared with peripheral serum, the content of IL-12 was significantly decreased in portal vein serum（P〈0.05）, while the contents of IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-2, and TNF-α did not differ significantly（P〈0.05）. Conclusions： Portal vein serum from HCC patients could inhibit the apoptosis of PVTT-originated HCC cells and promote cell metastasis and invasion. This effect may be related to the lower level of IL-12 in portal vein serum.

Hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus

Despite surgical removal of tumors with portal vein tumor thrombus(PVTT) in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) patients, early recurrence tends to occur, and overall survival(OS) periods remain extremely short. The role that hepatectomy may play in long-term survival for HCC with PVTT has not been established. The operative mortality of hepatectomy for HCC with PVTT has also not been reviewed. Hence, we reviewed recent literature to assess these parameters. The OS of patients who received hepatectomy in conjunction with multidisciplinary treatment tended to be superior to that of patients who did not. Multidisciplinary treatments included the following: preoperative radiotherapy on PVTT; preoperative transarterial chemoembolization(TACE); subcutaneous administration of interferon-alpha(IFN-α) and intra-arterial infusion of 5-fluorouracil(5-FU) with infusion chemotherapy in the affected hepatic artery; cisplatin, doxorubicin and 5-FU locally administered in the portal vein; and subcutaneous injection of IFN-α, adjuvant chemotherapy(5-FU + Adriamycin) administration via the portal vein with postoperative TACE, percutaneous isolated hepatic perfusion and hepatic artery infusion and/or portal vein chemotherapy. The highest reported rate of operative mortality was 9.3%. In conclusion, hepatectomy for patients affected by HCC with PVTT is safe, has low mortality and might prolong survival in conjunction with multidisciplinary treatment.

Treatment of portal vein tumor thrombus using ^(125)Iodine seed implantation brachytherapy

We reported two cases of liver metastasis with portal vein tumor thrombus that developed after liver transplantation for hepato cellular carcinoma (HCC). Both the patients were women aged 43 and 55 years, who had liver metastasis and portal vein tumor thrombus formation after liver transplantations for HCC. For the treatment of portal vein tumor thrombus, 125I seeds were implanted into the hepatic tissue under the guidance of preoperative computed tomography (CT) images with a total radiation dose of 130 Gy. Enhanced spiral CT scan was performed for evaluation of the liver at 12 and 16 wk after treatment. Thereafter, upper abdominal CT examination was performed every 2-3 mo. No severe complications associated with the 125I seeds were seen in these two patients. The upper abdominal CT images (obtained after 3 and 4 mo of treatment) showed that the thrombosis reactions were complete reaction and restoration of the patency of the partially obstructed portal vein with partial obstruction. In the case with complete obstruction of the portal vein, the thrombosis was resolved completely, but blood flow could not be restored. After this treatment, one of the patients is stillalive, while the other died within 6 mo after the treatment due to lung metastasis complicated with lung infection, leading to respiratory failure.

Conversion hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma with main portal vein tumour thrombus after lenvatinib treatment: A case report

BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)accompanied by portal vein tumour thrombus(PVTT)presents an aggressive disease course,worsening liver function reserve,and a high recurrence rate.Clinical practice guidelines recommend systemic therapy as the first-line option for HCC with portal invasion.However,to achieve longer survival in these patients,the treatment strategy should be concluded with removal of the tumour by locoregional therapy.We experienced a case of initially unresectable HCC with main PVTT converted to radical hepatectomy after lenvatinib treatment.CASE SUMMARY A 59-year-old male with chronic hepatitis C infection visited our clinic as a regular post-surgery follow-up.Contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography revealed a liver mass diffusely located at the lateral segment with a massive PVTT extending from the umbilical portion to the main and contralateral third-order portal branches.With the diagnosis of unresectable HCC with Vp4(main trunk/contralateral branch)PVTT,lenvatinib was started at 12 mg/d.The computed tomography taken 3 mo after starting lenvatinib showed regression of the PVTT,which had retreated to the contralateral first-order portal branch.He tolerated the full dose without major adverse effects.With cessation of lenvatinib for 7 d,radical left lobectomy and PVTT thrombectomy were conducted.The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful.Microscopically,the primary lesion showed fibrotic changes,with moderately to poorly differentiated tumour cells surrounded by granulation tissues in some areas.The majority of the PVTT showed necrosis.He was alive without recurrence for 8 mo.CONCLUSION This is the first case of HCC with Vp4 PVTT in which radical conversion hepatectomy was succeeded after lenvatinib treatment.

Comprehensive treatment for primary right renal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with a renal vein tumor thrombus:A case report

BACKGROUND Renal involvement in lymphoma is commonly associated with widespread nodal or extranodal lymphoma.Primary renal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is an extremely rare extranodal lymphoma,accounting for fewer than 1%of all renal masses.Interestingly,the patient in this study had a renal vein tumor thrombus that was observed after laparoscopic radical nephrectomy.CASE SUMMARY We report the case of a 56-year-old female patient with primary renal lymphoma and a renal vein tumor thrombus whose first symptom was right pain in the back and gross hematuria.Histopathology revealed primary renal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.The patient received 8 standard cycles of rituximab with cyclophosphamide,doxorubicin,vincristine,and prednisone chemotherapy after surgery,and no obvious signs of recurrence were observed during the one-year follow-up.CONCLUSION We evaluated comprehensive treatment of primary renal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and multidisciplinary management of this malignancy.

Better surgical treatment method for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombus(PVTT) is a disease that is not uncommon, but the treatments vary drastically between Eastern and Western countries. In Europe and America, the first line of treatment is systemic therapy such as sorafenib and the surgical treatment is not a recommend option. While an increasing number of studies from China and Japan have suggested that surgical treatment results in better outcomes when compared to transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE), sorafenib, or other nonsurgical treatments, and two classification systems, Japanese Vp classification and Chinese Cheng's classification, were very useful to guide the surgical treatment. We have also found that surgical treatment may be more effective, as we have performed surgical treatment for HCC-PVTT patients over a period of approximately 15 years and achieved good results with the longest surviving time being 13 years and onward. In this study, we review the efficacy and principles of current surgical treatments and introduce our new, more effective surgical technique named "thrombectomy first", which means the tumor thrombus in the main portal vein, the bifurcation or the contralateral portal vein should be removed prior to liver resection. Thus, compression and crushing of PVTT during the operation could be avoided and new intrahepatic metastases caused by tumor thrombus to the remnant liver minimized. The new technique is even beneficial to the prognosis of Cheng's classification Types Ⅲ and Ⅳ PVTT. The vital tips and tricks for the surgical approach are described.

Prevention and Treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis of the Lower Limbs in Patients with Complications after Orthopedic Trauma Surgery

Objective:To explore and analyze on how to prevent and treat deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs in patients with complications after orthopedic trauma surgery.Methods:The research patients were selected from the cases of surgical treatment of orthopedic trauma in the hospital during the past two years,and a total of 58 patients were selected.The patients were randomly divided into two groups,with 29 patients in the control group treated with conventional clinical methods;and the other 29 patients were assigned to the experimental group,where targeted preventive and therapeutic measures were administered.During the research,the number of complications of postoperative deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs and the corresponding treatment efficacy were compared between the two groups of patients.Results:According to the results of clinical experiments,the probability of patients in the experimental group suffering from deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs after surgery was significantly lower than that of the control group(P<0.05);in addition,when complications of deep venous thrombosis of the lower limbs occurred,the treatment efficacy of the patients in the experimental group was 96.55%,and the treatment efficacy of the patients in the control group was 82.76%.There was a significant difference between the two groups(P<0.05).Conclusion:Through clinical experiments to study and analyze the prevention and treatment measures of deep vein thrombosis in patients with complications after orthopedic trauma surgery,this research proves that active and comprehensive preventive and treatment measures can effectively reduce the number of complications and improve surgery treatment efficacy.

Comprehensive treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus in major portal vein

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolisation(TACE) compared with surgical intervention and sorafenib for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) in patients with tumor thrombus extending to the main portal vein.METHODS: From 2009 to 2013, a total of 418 HCC patients with tumor thrombus extending to the main portal vein were enrolled in this study and divided into four groups. These groups underwent different treatments as follows: TACE(n = 307), surgical intervention(n = 54), sorafenib(n = 15) and palliativetreatment(n = 42). Overall survival rates were determined by Kaplan-Meier method, and differences between the groups were identified through log-rank analysis. Cox's proportional hazard model was used to identify the risk factors for survival.RESULTS: The mean survival periods for patients in the TACE, surgical intervention, sorafenib and palliative treatment groups were 10.39, 4.13, 5.54 and 2.82 mo, respectively. For the TACE group, the 3-, 6-, 12-and 24-mo survival rates were 94.1%, 85.9%, 51.5% and 0.0%, respectively. The corresponding rates were 60.3%, 22.2%, 0.0% and 0.0% for the surgical intervention group and 50.9%, 29.5%, 0.0% and 0.0% for the sorafenib group. Evidently, the results in the TACE group were significantly higher than those in the other groups(P < 0.0001). Furthermore, no significant difference among survival rates was observed between TACE with/without sorafenib(10.22 mo vs 10.52 mo, P = 0.615). No significant difference in survival rates was also found among the surgical intervention, sorafenib and palliative treatment groups(P > 0.05). These values significantly increased after TACE with/without sorafenib compared with other treatments(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: For HCC patients with tumor thrombus extending to the main portal vein, TACE can yield a higher survival rate than surgical intervention or sorafenib treatment.

Application of cystoscope in surgical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus

Development of portal vein tumor thrombus deteriorates the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, while surgical treatment can offer a promising prognosis for selected patients. However, the possibility of residual lesions in portal vein after conventional thrombectomy is a main risk factor leading to postoperative recurrence. Therefore, ensuring the complete removal of tumor thrombus during operation is critical to improve prognosis. For the first time, we report here one case of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus in which cystoscope was successfully applied as a substitute of intravascular endoscope to visualize the cavity of the portal vein. The patient was a 61-year-old man with a 7-cm tumor in the right lobe of the liver, with tumor thrombus invading the right branch and adjacent to the conjunction of the portal vein. After removal of the tumor, the Olympus CYF-VA2 cystoscope was used to check the portal vein from the opening stump of the right branch of the portal vein. In this case, residual thrombus tissue was found near the opening stump and the conjunction of the portal vein. The residual lesion was carefully retrieved from the stump after retraction of the cystoscope. The procedure was repeated until no residual lesion was found. The whole duration time of thrombectomy was 22.5(15 + 7.5) min. The patient was free from recurrence at 8 months after the procedure. Our work indicated that the cystoscope is a suitable substitute, with a proper size and function to check the portal vein system and ensure the curability of thrombectomy. Although welldesigned clinic trails are still needed, this procedure may further improve the postoperative prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus.

Stents combined with iodine-125 implantation to treat main portal vein tumor thrombus

AIM To evaluate the efficacy of main portal vein stents combined with iodine-125(^(125)Ⅰ) to treat main portal vein tumor thrombus.METHODS From January 1, 2010 to January 1, 2015, 111 patients were diagnosed with liver cancer combined with main portal vein tumor thrombus. They were non-randomly assigned to undergo treatment with transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)/transarterial embolization(TAE) + portal vein stents combined with ^(125)Ⅰ implantation(Group A) and TACE/TAE + portal vein stents only(Group B). After the operation, scheduled follow-up was performed at 6, 12 and 24 mo. The recorded information included clinical manifestations, survival rate, and stent restenosis rate. Kaplan–Meier curves, log-rank test and Cox regression were used for data analyses. RESULTS From January 1, 2010 to January 1, 2015, 54 and 57 patients were allocated to Groups A and B, respectively. The survival rates at 6, 12 and 24 mo were 85.2%, 42.6% and 22.2% in Group A and 50.9%, 10.5% and 0% in Group B. The differences were significant [log rank P < 0.05, hazard ratio(HR): 0.37, 95%CI: 0.24-0.56]. The rates of stent restenosis were 18.5%, 55.6% and 83.3% in Group A and 43.9%, 82.5% and 96.5% in Group B. The differences were significant(log rank P < 0.05, HR: 0.42, 95%CI: 0.27-0.63). Cox regression identified that treatment was the only factor affecting survival rate in this study.CONCLUSION Main portal vein stents combined with ^(125)Ⅰ can significantly improve survival rate and reduce the rate of stent restenosis.

Iodine-125 implantation with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for main portal vein tumor thrombus

BACKGROUND Main portal vein tumor thrombus(MPVTT), which has a high incidence, is the major complication of terminal liver cancer. The occurrence of MPVTT is always a negative prognostic factor for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Therefore, attention should be paid to the treatment of MPVTT and its complications.AIM To evaluate the efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization/transarterial embolization(TACE/TAE)+^(125)I seeds implantation with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS) in treating MPVTT and its complications.METHODS From January 2007 to March 2015, 85 consecutive patients with MPVTT were nonrandomly assigned to undergo treatment with TACE/TAE + TIPS and ^(125)I implantation(TIPS-^(125)I group) or TACE/TAE + TIPS only(TIPS only group) in Beijing Shijitan Hospital, and all clinical data were collected. During 24 mo follow-up, the incidence of overall survival, stent stenosis and symptom recurrence was analyzed to evaluate the efficacy of TIPS-^(125)I.RESULTS During 24 mo follow-up of all patients, we collected data at 6, 12 and 24 mo. The rates of survival were 80%, 45%, and 20%, respectively, in the TIPS-^(125)I group,whereas those in the TIPS only group were 64.4%, 24.4%, and 4.4%, respectively(P < 0.05). The rates of symptom recurrence were 7.5%, 22.5%, and 35%,respectively, in the TIPS-^(125)I group, whereas those in the TIPS only group were31.1%, 62.2%, and 82.2%(P < 0.05). The rates of stent restenosis were 12.5%,27.5%, and 42.5%, respectively, in the TIPS-^(125)I group, and 42.2%, 68.9%, and84.4%, respectively, in the TIPS only group(P < 0.05). TIPS-^(125)I was found to be significantly favorable in treating MPVTT and its complications in patients with HCC.CONCLUSION TACE/TAE+^(125)I combined with TIPS is effective in treating MPVTT and its complications, improving quality of life of patients and reducing mortality.

Transarterial embolization and low-dose continuous hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with oxaliplatin and raltitrexed for hepatocellular carcinoma with major portal vein tumor thrombus

AIM To determine the efficacy and safety of transarterial embolization and low-dose continuous hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with oxaliplatin and raltitrexed in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) with major portal vein tumor thrombus(MPVTT).METHODS eighty-six patients with MPVTT accepted routine embolization. The catheter was kept in the hepatic artery and oxaliplatin(50 mg in 250 m L of glucose) was infused by pump for 4 h,followed by raltitrexed(2 mg in 100 m L of 0.9% saline) infusion by pump for the next 1 h. The efficacy and safety were evaluated afterthe transarterial chemoembolization(TACe).RESULTS Full or partial embolization was achieved in 86 cases,where all the cases received low dose continuous hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy. Complete responses(CRs),partial responses(PRs),stable disease(SD),and disease progression(PD) for intrahepatic disease were observed in 0,45,20,and 21 patients,respectively. The 1-,2-and 3-year overall survival rates of the 86 patients were 40.7%,22.1%,and 8.1% respectively,and the median survival time was 8.7 mo. Complication was limited. CONCLUSION TACE with low dose continuous hepatic arterial infusion of oxaliplatin and raltitrexed could be an option in MPVTT patient; it was shown to be effective in patients with advanced HCC with MPVTT with less toxicity.

Identification of portal vein tumor thrombus with an independent clonal origin in hepatocellular carcinoma via multi-omics data analysis

Objective: Multiple mechanisms underlying the development of portal vein tumor thrombus(PVTT) in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) have been reported recently. However, the origins of PVTT remain unknown. Increasing multi-omics data on PVTTs in HCCs have made it possible to investigate whether PVTTs originate from the corresponding primary tumors(Ts).Methods: The clonal relationship between PVTTs and their corresponding primary Ts was investigated using datasets deposited in public databases. One DNA copy number variations dataset and three gene expression datasets were downloaded for the analyses.Clonality analysis was performed to investigate the clonal relationship between PVTTs and Ts from an individual patient.Differential gene expression analysis was applied to investigate the gene expression profiles of PVTTs and Ts.Results: One out of 19 PVTTs had no clonal relationship with its corresponding T, whereas the others did. The PVTTs with independent clonal origin showed different gene expression and enrichment in biological processes from the primary Ts. Based on the unique gene expression profiles, a gene signature including 24 genes was used to identify pairs of PVTTs and primary Ts without any clonal relationship. Validation in three datasets showed that these types of pairs of PVTTs and Ts can be identified by the 24-gene signature.Conclusions: Our findings show a direct evidence for PVTT origin and consolidate the heterogeneity of PVTTs observed in clinic.The results suggest that PVTT investigation at a molecular level is clinically necessary for diagnosis and treatment.

Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma accompanied by portal vein tumor thrombus

The prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accompanied by portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) is generally poor if left untreated: a median survival time of 2.7-4.0 mo has been reported. Furthermore, while transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been shown to be safe in selected patients, the median survival time with this treatment is still only 3.8-9.5 mo. Systemic single-agent chemotherapy for HCC with PVTT has failed to improve the prognosis, and the response rates have been less than 20%. While regional chemotherapy with low-dose cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil or interferon and 5-fluorouracil via hepatic arterial infusion has increased the response rate, the median survival time has not exceeded 12 (range 4.5-11.8) mo. Combined treatment consisting of radiation for PVTT and TACE for liver tumor has achieved a high response rate, but the median survival rates have still been only 3.8-10.7 mo. With hepatic resection as monotherapy, the 5-year survival rate and median survival time were reportedly 4%-28.5% and 6-14 mo. The most promising results were reported for combined treatments consisting of hepatectomy and TACE, chemotherapy, or internal radiation. The reported 5-year survival rates and median survival times were 42% and 31 mo for TACE followed by hepatectomy; 36.3% and 22.1 mo for hepatectomy followed by hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy; and 56% for chemotherapy or internal radiation followed by hepatectomy.

Highly metabolic thrombus of the portal vein:^(18)F fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computer tomography demonstration and clinical significance in hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM:To assess the ability of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computer tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) to differentiate between benign and malignant portal vein thrombosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. METHODS:Five consecutive patients who had HBV cirrhosis, biopsy-proven HCC, and thrombosis of the main portal vein and/or left/right portal vein on ultrasound (US), computer tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were studied with 18F-FDG PET/CT. The presence or absence of a highly metabolic thrombus on 18F-FDG PET/CT was considered diagnostic for malignant or benign portal vein thrombosis, respectively. All patients were followed-up monthly with US, CT or MRI. Shrinkage of the thrombus or recanalization of the vessels on US, CT or MRI during follow-up was considered to be definitive evidence of the benign nature of the thrombosis, whereas enlargement of the thrombus, disruption of the vessel wall, and parenchymal infiltration over follow-up were considered to be consistent with malignancy. 18F-FDG PET/CT, and US, CT or MRI results were compared. RESULTS:Follow-up (1 to 10 mo) showed signs of malignant thrombosis in 4 of the 5 patients. US, CT or MRI produced a true-positive result for malignancy in 4 of the patients, and a false-positive result in 1. 18F-FDG PET/CT showed a highly metabolic thrombus in 4 of the 5 patients. 18F-FDG PET/CT achieved a true-positive result in all 4 of these patients, and a true-negative result in the other patient. No false-positive result was observed using 18F-FDG PET/CT. CONCLUSION:18F-FDG PET/CT may be helpful in discriminating between benign and malignant portal vein thrombi. Patients may benefit from 18F-FDG PET/CT when portal vein thrombi can not be diagnosed exactly by US, CT or MRI.

Combined endovascular brachytherapy, sorafenib, and transarterial chemobolization therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma patients with portal vein tumor thrombus

AIM To evaluate the safety and efficacy of combined endovascular brachytherapy(EVBT),transarterial chemoembolization(TACE),and sorafenib to treat hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) patients with main portal vein tumor thrombus(MPVTT).METHODS This single-center retrospective study involved 68 patients with unresectable HCC or those who were unfit for liver transplantation and percutaneous frequency ablation according to the BCLC classification. All patients had Child-Pugh classification grade A or B,Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group(ECOG)performance status of 0-2,and MPVTT. The patients received either EVBT with stent placement,TACE,and sorafenib(group A,n = 37),or TACE with sorafenib(group B,n = 31). The time to progression(TTP) and overall survival(OS) were evaluated by propensity score analysis.RESULTS In the entire cohort,the 6-,12-,and 24-mo survival rates were 88.9%,54.3%,and 14.1% in group A,and 45.8%,0%,and 0% in group B,respectively(P < 0.001). The median TTP and OS were significantly longer in group A than group B(TTP: 9.0 mo vs 3.4 mo,P < 0.001; OS: 12.3 mo vs 5.2 mo,P < 0.001). In the propensity score-matched cohort,the median OS was longer in group A than in group B(10.3 mo vs 6.0 mo,P < 0.001). Similarly,the median TTP was longer in group A than in group B(9.0 mo vs 3.4 mo,P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox analysis revealed that the EVBT combined with stent placement,TACE,and sorafenib strategy was an independent predictor of favorable OS(HR = 0.18,P < 0.001). CONCLUSION EVBT combined with stent placement,TACE,and sorafenib might be a safe and effective palliative treatment option for MPVTT.

Transarterial chemoembolization plus stent placement for hepatocellular carcinoma with main portal vein tumor thrombosis:A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Portal vein tumor thrombus is an important indicator of poor prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.Transarterial chemoembolization is recommended as the standard first-line therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.Portal vein stent placement is a safe and effective therapy for promptly restoring flow and relieving portal hypertension caused by tumor thrombus.AIM To assess the clinical significance of transarterial chemoembolization plus stent placement for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with main portal vein tumor thrombosis.METHODS We searched English and Chinese databases,assessed the quality of the included studies,analyzed the characteristic data,tested heterogeneity,explored heterogeneity,and tested publication bias.RESULTS In total,eight clinical controlled trials were included.The results showed that the pressure in the main portal vein after stent placement was significantly lower than that with no stent placement.The cumulative stent patency and survival rates at 6 and 12 months were lower in the transarterial chemoembolization+stent placement group than in the transarterial chemoembolization+stent placement+brachytherapy/radiotherapy group.The survival rates of patients treated with transarterial chemoembolization+stent placement for 6 and 12 months were higher than those of patients treated with transarterial chemoembolization alone.CONCLUSION For Chinese patients with hepatocellular carcinoma with main portal vein tumor thrombosis,transarterial chemoembolization plus stenting is effective.Transarterial chemoembolization+stent placement is more effective than transarterial chemoembolization alone.Transarterial chemoembolization+stent placement+brachytherapy/radiotherapy is more effective than transarterial chemoembolization+stenting.

Deep Vein Thrombosis of the Upper Limb: About 6 Cases Collected in Dakar

Deep vein thrombosis of the upper limb is a rare location of venous thromboembolic disease. Data on this form of thrombosis are limited. We report six cases collected in Dakar. The sex ratio was 0.5 and the average age was 27.6 years with extremes of 17 and 39. Painful limb edema was the most constant sign and involved the non-dominant limb in almost all patients. Thrombosis occurred in a field of peripartum cardiomyopathy in two patients and SS sickle cell disease in one patient taking oral contraception. There was neither cancer nor venous catheter in medical history. The diagnosis was made by venous Doppler ultrasound in all patients. Subclavian involvement was the most common. The thrombophilia assessment, done for two patients, was normal. It was about exertion thrombosis on three (3) patients. All the patients had received antivitamin K treatment relaying a low molecular weight heparin. Venous limb compression was associated with anticoagulation for all patients. The treatment duration was six (6) months. There were no reports of pulmonary embolism or death. One patient presented a post-thrombotic syndrome.