Multiple Hepatic Metastases Research Articles

Cauliflower Bowel: A Tumor-Induced Mesenteric Retraction

A 60-year-old female patient presented with epigastric pain, lower dysphagia, postprandial vomiting and significant weight loss. Upper endoscopy revealed an obstructive lesion of the esophagogastric junction, and biopsy analysis showed a squamous cell carcinoma of low differentiation. Endoscopic ultrasonography, computer tomography and positron emission tomography-computer tomography suggested a T2N1M0 stage. Initial treatment included neoadjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin and Docetaxel, followed by a simultaneous chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Four months later, she underwent a subtotal esophagogastrectomy. Follow-up at 2 months showed tumor progression with multiple hepatic metastasis, peritoneal carcinomatosis, and ascites. A "cauliflower" image of the small intestine at abdominal computer tomography (Figure 1) suggested mesenteric retraction. Mesenteric retraction may be the result of autoimmune diseases, abdominal trauma or surgery, mesenteric ischemia or infection and malignancies. 1. Daskalogiannaki M. Voloudaki A. Prassopoulos P. et al. CT evaluation of mesenteric panniculitis: prevalence and associated diseases. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2000; 174: 427-431 Crossref PubMed Scopus (237) Google Scholar Evidently, our case was associated with the peritoneal carcinomatosis. The patient's general condition degraded rapidly, and she was referred for palliative care, where she passed away 2 weeks later.

A rare and unusual case of acinic cell carcinoma of parotid gland evaluated by F-18 FDG PET/CT

Acinic Cell Carcinoma (ACC) is a rare parotid gland tumour. In this case, we present F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) images of a 75 year old male with a history of metastatic ACC. The patient was iniatially diagnosed in 2009 after he received multiple surgeries secondary to local recurrences. The patient was also treated with chemoradiation. PET/CT was performed as part of the treatment strategy evaluation. PET/CT demonstrated brain metastasis, multiple pulmonary metast a tic nodules, multiple hepatic metastasis, hilar, pleural and mesenteric masses and multiple osseous metastasis. Although ACC is a low grade malignancy, it has a tendency to recur and metastasize. In this case, we report diffuse metastatic disease of ACC. Hence, we conclude PET/CT could be a very valuble tool managing the disease.

A primer melanoma malignum ritka gastrointestinalis lokalizációi

Primary gastrointestinal melanomas, part of the mucosal melanoma group, are uncommon. They constitute about five percent of all melanomas and most of them are located in the rectum (3 percent of all melanomas). The prognosis is poor, overall 5-year survival in rectal melanoma is 10-20 percent. We present three of our cases. The first case - a 68-year-old male patient - was operated on for histologically proved rectal melanoma. Three years after radical excision and oncological treatment a metastasis of the primary tumor was diagnosed in the stomach. Total gastrectomy was performed, followed by oncological treatment. In the second case of a 59-year-old male patient an appendectomy was performed for symptoms of appendicitis. The histopathological examination revealed melanoma of the appendix. Further investigations revealed the primary tumor in the stomach and metastases in the lungs as well. The third case - an 82-year-old female patient - was investigated for frequent defecations, mucus in stool and fecal incontinence. Primary melanoma was proved in the lower third of the rectum with multiple hepatic metastases. These three cases in our practice are remarkable for the rarity of the disease, and in two cases the presence of both the primary tumor and the metastasis were located in the gastrointestinal tract.

Primary Duodenal Adenocarcinoma with Hepatic Metastasis: A Rare Case Report

Adenocarcinoma of the third part of the duodenum is a rare occurrence. It is diagnosed at later stages and follows an aggressive course. We present a 42-year-old patient who came to us with symptoms of florid intestinal obstruction and weight loss. Upper Gastro-intestinal (GI) endoscopy showed circumferential growth in the third part of the duodenum with stenosis. Endoscopic biopsy was done which showed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Computerised tomogram (CT) abdomen showed growth in 3rd and 4th portion of the duodenum with para-duodenal lymph nodes and multiple hepatic metastasis.

Significant Symptom Relief with Hepatic Artery Embolization in a VIPoma with Liver Metastases

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-secreting tumors (VIPomas) cause VIPoma syndrome, which is characterized by watery diarrhea, hypokalemia, and achlorhydria. The treatment options for metastatic VIPomas include somatostatin analogs, cytoreductive surgery, and chemotherapy. We report the case of a 54-year-old male who presented with a peripancreatic mass with multiple hepatic metastases on computed tomography. After resection, the peripancreatic mass was demonstrated pathologically to be a neuroendocrine tumor. Although the patient received systemic chemotherapy and somatostatin analogs for the hepatic metastatic masses, the tumor increased in size. The patient then experienced severe diarrhea, despite treatment with the somatostatin analogs. Elevated serum VIP levels (3,260 pg/mL) and typical symptoms confirmed the diagnosis of VIPoma. We performed hepatic artery embolization (HAE) to reduce the tumor volume and control his symptoms, which led to a very rapid symptomatic response. The patient has remained symptom-free for 18 months with repeated HAE. (Korean J Med 2014;87:363-368)

Long-term Outcomes Following Tumor Ablation for Treatment of Bilateral Colorectal Liver Metastases

Ablative therapies extend the capability of delivering potentially curative treatment for bilateral hepatic colorectal metastases. To compare the long-term effectiveness of ablation with that of resection in patients with bilateral hepatic colorectal metastases. Review of a prospective database of 2123 operative cases of hepatic colorectal metastases. A large institution with expertise in ablation and resection. Patients with bilateral colorectal liver metastases undergoing operation with a curative intent. A total of 141 patients had been treated with bilateral resection (BR) and 95 had undergone ablation. Radiofrequency or microwave ablation alone or in combination with resection (A/R) compared with BR. We compared tumor characteristics and operative and postoperative outcomes using χ2 or Wilcoxon tests as appropriate and assessed overall survival differences between the 2 groups using the log-rank test. During the study, 141 patients were treated with BR and 95 patients with A/R. The A/R group was a significantly poorer prognostic group than the BR group as judged by the Clinical Risk Score (P < .01). There was no difference in median operative time (A/R: 280 minutes, BR: 282 minutes; P = .52), but a lower blood loss (A/R: 300 mL, BR: 500 mL; P < .01) and a shorter length of stay (A/R: 7 days, BR: 9 days; P < .01) was achieved in the A/R group. Long-term outcome was not significantly different between the groups (5-year overall survival, A/R: 56%, BR: 49%; P = .16). Treatment of bilateral, multiple hepatic metastases with combined resection and ablation was associated with improved perioperative outcomes without compromising long-term survival compared with bilateral resection. Ablative therapies extend the capability of delivering potentially curative treatment for bilateral hepatic colorectal metastases.

Eosinophilic Infiltration in the Colon and Liver Mimicking Primary Colon Cancer With Hepatic Metastases on 18F-FDG PET/CT

We describe the case of a 78-year-old man presenting with abdominal pain and a weight loss of 5 kg over 2 months. Colonoscopy and abdominal CT suggested colon cancer of hepatic flexure. F-FDG PET/CT scan showed moderate FDG uptake lesion at the hepatic flexure colon and multiple foci of FDG accumulation in the liver. These were considered as colon cancer with multiple hepatic metastases. However, the pathologic finding of colonoscopic biopsy and CT-guided liver biopsy showed only eosinophilic infiltration and no evidence of malignancy.

Sunitinib Malate as First-Line Treatment for An Advanced, Poorly Differentiated Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are rare, accounting for approximately 2% of primary malignant tumors of the pancreas. Compared with common pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas, they grow more slowly, are less invasive and have a better prognosis. At present, surgery is the preferred method of treatment of PNETs, and offers the only chance of a cure. However, owing to the occult onset of PNETs, once diagnosed they are often inoperable when the diagnosis is established, and the optimal treatment of patients with inoperable liver metastases remains uncertain. In recent years, targeted drug therapies have emerged and have proved effective in prolonging progression-free survival in patients with advanced well-differentiated PNETs, but hardly any progress has been made in the treatment of poorly differentiated PNETs. In the patient described in this report, who had a poorly differentiated PNET with multiple hepatic metastases and had refused cytotoxic chemotherapy, oral sunitinib malate treatment for 22 months with regular follow-ups proved tolerable and effective in significantly reducing the size of the intrahepatic masses.

Highlights from Recent Cancer Literature

Highlights from Recent Cancer Literature

Prolonged Neutropenia after Sunitinib Treatment in a Patient with a Glucagonoma and Multiple Hepatic Metastases

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNET) are rare, with approximately 2.2 in 1,000,000 people affected annually. In the classification of neuroendocrine tumors, glucagonomas are a functional PNET and comprise 1.6% of PNET. Glucagonoma syndrome is a paraneoplastic syndrome that is characterized by necrolytic migratory erythema, weight loss, anemia, and diabetes mellitus. Metastatic disease at presentation is common, but is often limited to the liver and regional lymph nodes. Sunitinib malate improves the progression-free and overall survival of PNET. This report presents a 45-year-old Asian woman with prolonged neutropenia after sunitinib treatment of a glucagonoma with multiple hepatic metastases. The severity of the neutropenia after the sunitinib treatment fluctuated from grade 1 to 4 repeatedly, with a non-febrile pattern. Ultimately, the patient did not recover from the neutropenia, even after stopping the sunitinib. (Korean J Med 2013;84:405-410)

Growth patterns of liver metastases as compared to resected tumors of the same colorectal cancer patients.

519 Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) affects one million people a year. 25% of the patients have metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. Metastatic disease is one of the major challenges in the treatment of cancer. Even though the TNM staging system is a good prognostic marker, tumours have a biological diversity that cannot be evaluated by the TNM system. Recently three different growth patterns of CRC liver metastases were identified. The aim of this study was to determine the growth patterns of CRC liver metastases from patients with more than one metastasis. Methods: A pilot study was conducted including 34 patients resected for CRC liver metastases, 28 patients selected from a database of 200 patients, operated in Copenhagen between 2007-2010 and 6 patients, operated in Montreal. From these 34 patients, 15 patients were resected for two or more liver metastases. All paraffin embedded tissue sections were stained for reticulin and haematoxylin and eosin at the Finsen Laboratory. Evaluation of the growth pattern was done by three different observers from Antwerp and Copenhagen. Reproducibility was &gt;90%. Results: In the fifteen patients, 9 from Copenhagen and 6 from Montreal, that had multiple hepatic metastases, there was uniformity in the growth pattern of the individual metastases. 40% had a desmoplastic, 33% a pushing and 20% a replacement growth pattern and 7% had a mix pattern. Of the 9 patients from Copenhagen 33% were synchronous and 67% metachronous metastases. Within patients, all patterns were identical. Conclusions: The uniformity of growth patterns seen in each patient suggests that these patterns are not random. The identical growth pattern may be determined by specific interactions between the tumor and the host microenvironment, as postulated by Paget’s seed and soil theory. This could represent three different stromal and cytokine responses or oncogenic pathway responses and could represent metastatic tumour growth in different microenvironments.

Hepatic colorectal cancer metastases showing a distinctive pattern of pathological response after metronomic capecitabine and bevacizumab

A 48-year-old man was referred to our hospital with the diagnosis of colon cancer with multiple hepatic metastases. After right hemicolectomy, the rapid progression of liver disease was treated with metronomic capecitabine and bevacizumab according to a study protocol. A gradual regression of metastatic lesions was observed during a 9-month treatment period. After conversion of liver disease to resectability, the histological examination disclosed the complete necrosis of all lesions, with the exception of small neoplastic foci inside a single nodule. The comparison of this type of histological findings with the classic sclero-hyaline pathological response, as well as its importance as indicator of response to antiangiogenic treatment, is discussed.

Cerebral Metastasis from a Previously Undiagnosed Appendiceal Adenocarcinoma

Brain metastases arise in 10%–40% of all cancer patients. Up to one third of the patients do not have previous cancer history. We report a case of a 67-years-old male patient who presented with confusion, tremor, and apraxia. A brain MRI revealed an isolated right temporal lobe lesion. A thorax-abdomen-pelvis CT scan showed no primary lesion. The patient underwent a craniotomy with gross-total resection. Histopathology revealed an intestinal-type adenocarcinoma. A colonoscopy found no primary lesion, but a PET-CT scan showed elevated FDG uptake in the appendiceal nodule. A right hemicolectomy was performed, and the specimen showed a moderately differentiated mucinous appendiceal adenocarcinoma. Whole brain radiotherapy was administrated. A subsequent thorax-abdomen CT scan revealed multiple lung and hepatic metastasis. Seven months later, the patient died of disease progression. In cases of undiagnosed primary lesions, patients present in better general condition, but overall survival does not change. Eventual identification of the primary tumor does not affect survival. PET/CT might be a helpful tool in detecting lesions of the appendiceal region. To the best of our knowledge, such a case was never reported in the literature, and an appendiceal malignancy should be suspected in patients with brain metastasis from an undiagnosed primary tumor.

Unresectable gastric cancer with gastric outlet obstruction and distant metastasis responding to intraperitoneal and folfox chemotherapy after palliative laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy: report of a case

BackgroundGastric outlet obstruction (GOO) caused by unresectable gastric cancer is a challenging aspect of patient care. There have been no reports involving patients with obstructing gastric cancer and several incurable factors curatively treated by multimodal treatments.Case presentationWe report a case of 55-year-old man who was diagnosed with a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma in the pre-pyloric antrum with GOO by gastroscopy. An abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan revealed thickening of the gastric wall and adjacent fat infiltration, and a large amount of food in the stomach suggesting a passage disturbance, enlarged lymph nodes along the common hepatic and left gastric arteries, and multiple hepatic metastases. The serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level was 343 ng/ml and the carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 level was within normal limits. The patient underwent a laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy for palliation of the GOO. On the 3rd and 12th days after surgery, he received intraperitoneal chemotherapy with 40 mg of docetaxel and 150 mg of carboplatin. Simultaneously, combined chemotherapy with 85 mg/m2 of oxaliplatin for the 1st day and 600 mg/m2 of 5-FU for 2 days (FOLFOX regimen) was administered from the 8th post-operative day. After completion of nine courses of FOLFOX, the patient achieved a complete response (CR) with complete disappearance of the primary tumor and the metastatic foci. He underwent a radical subtotal gastrectomy with D3 lymph node dissection 4 months after the initial palliative surgery. The pathologic results revealed no residual primary tumor and no lymph node metastasis in 43 dissected lymph nodes. He has maintained a CR for 18 months since the last operation.ConclusionCombination chemotherapy with systemic and intraperitoneal chemotherapy following laparoscopic bypass surgery showed marked efficacy in the treatment for unresectable advanced gastric cancer with GOO.

Massive bleeding of ruptured metastatic hepatic melanoma treated by transarterial embolization

Although melanoma frequently metastasizes to the liver, its spontaneous rupture is rare. We report herein an unusual case of a 73-year-old man with rupture of multiple hepatic metastases from scalp melanoma and resulting massive intraperitoneal bleeding, which was successfully controlled by transarterial embolization.

A Gastric Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Expressing Somatostatin in a Bearded Dragon (Pogona Vitticeps)

A metastatic gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma in a 2.5-year-old inland bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) with a chronic history of anorexia, weight loss, depression, and acute melena is described. Histologic examination of the gastric mass revealed a densely cellular tumor arranged in nests and occasional rosettes of hyperchromatic cells with oval to spindle-shaped nuclei and minimal cytoplasm; the tumor was supported by a moderate fibrovascular stroma. Similar cells invaded through the gastric mucosa, and there were multiple hepatic metastases. The neoplastic cells were weakly immunopositive for neuron-specific enolase and moderately positive for somatostatin but were negative for chromogranin AB and gastrin. Ultrastructural studies revealed scattered neurosecretory granules in the neoplastic cells, confirming the diagnosis of a neuroendocrine carcinoma.

A Clinical Potential of the Anti-Cancer Drug Sensitivity Test for Patients with Endocrine Cell Carcinoma of the Rectum: Report of a Case

Endocrine cell carcinoma (ECC) of the rectum is a rare neoplasm usually associated with a poor prognosis. No standard chemotherapeutic regimens exist for the treatment of ECC. We encountered a case of rectal ECC in which chemotherapy was administered based on the results of a chemosensitivity test, the collagen gel droplet–embedded culture drug sensitivity test (CD–DST). A 64–year–old man with anal pain was diagnosed with rectal cancer. The patient received Mile's operation and was microscopically diagnosed as having ECC with foci of differentiation to adenocarcinoma. Multiple hepatic metastases were found 1 month after surgery. The patient received TEGAFIRI (oral UFT and leucovorin with irinotecan), which was intermediately sensitive based on the CD–DST. TEGAFIRI initially reduced the extent of hepatic metastases, indicating a partial response after 3 months of administration. However, progress of the disease was confirmed and TEGAFIRI had become ineffective after 5 months of administration. Thereafter, although mFOLFOX6 with bevacizumab, which was insensitive based on the CD–DST, was administered, the progression of hepatic metastases continued, indicating progressive disease. The patient died 13 months after surgery. In conclusion, we suggest that CD–DST may be useful for identifying sensitive antitumor agents for the treatment of rectal ECC for which no standard chemotherapeutic regimens exist.

Weekly docetaxel and cisplatin plus fluorouracil as a preoperative treatment for gastric cancer patients with synchronous multiple hepatic metastases: a pilot study

This pilot study was undertaken to assess the effect of weekly docetaxel, cisplatin and fluorouracil (DCF) as a preoperative treatment for gastric cancer with multiple synchronous hepatic metastases. Gastric cancer patients with synchronous multiple liver metastasis were first given preoperative chemotherapy consisting of two courses (each course consisted of 6-week administration and 2-week withdrawal) of weekly DCF regimen. Following the operation, postoperative chemotherapy and hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) treatment were performed as required. Eight patients completed two courses of preoperative chemotherapy with weekly DCF regimen. No toxicity of grade 3 or more was observed during the course of chemotherapy. The response rate was 100% according to the RECIST criteria. Seven of the patients have survived for over 1year, and six of them are still alive after more than 1year. Because of the unexpected high response to weekly DCF, we consider that it should be verified through phase II and III trials as an important part of the comprehensive treatment for gastric cancer with liver metastasis.

Retroperitoneal abscess complicated with necrotizing fasciitis of the thigh in a patient with sigmoid colon cancer

BackgroundNecrotizing fasciitis of the thigh due to the colon cancer, especially during chemotherepy, has not been previously reported.Case presentationA 67-year-old man admitted to the hospital was diagnosed with sigmoid colon cancer that had spread to the left psoas muscle. Multiple hepatic metastases were also found, and combination chemotherapy with irinotecan and S-1 was administered. Four months after the initiation of chemotherapy, the patient developed gait disturbance and high fever and was therefore admitted to the emergency department of our hospital. Blood examination revealed generalized inflammation with a high C-reactive protein level. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis showed gas and fluid collection in the retroperitoneum adjacent to the sigmoid colon cancer. The abscess was locally drained under computed tomographic guidance; however, the infection continued to spread and necrotizing fasciitis developed. Consequently, emergent debridement was performed. The patient recovered well, and the primary tumor was resected after remission of the local inflammation.ConclusionNecrotizing fasciitis of the thigh due to the spread of sigmoid colon cancer is unusual, but this fatal complication should be considered during chemotherapy for patients with unresectable colorectal cancer.

Deactivating Cardiac Pacemakers and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators in Terminally Ill Patients

A 68-year-old patient who suffered from gastric cancer diagnosed 8 months earlier presented with multiple peritoneal and hepatic metastasis, despite several rounds of chemo- and radiotherapy. After admission to hospital, his general condition quickly became severely compromised. He was nearly emaciated, despite being on partial parenteral feeding. Four years earlier, due to a cardiac arrhythmia that was refractory to medication, the patient had a cardiac pacemaker (CPM) implanted, regulated to go off at frequencies of below 70 beats per minute. Given the patient's terminal situation, the team started developing some doubts about the pacemaker's effects during his dying process. The patient had mentioned his intention to donate his pacemaker after his death, but had not asked for its deactivation. The specialists were not sure about the effect of the pacemaker in unnecessarily prolonging the patient's final hour. Nevertheless, they opposed deactivation, which they considered ethically uncertain. The family, who had been initially for the deactivation, decided against it. The patient's condition was progressively deteriorating, as he was falling into a state of sopor and, later, into a coma.