Provider Attitudes and Practice Patterns for Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy for Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are effective against hepatitis C virus and sustained virologic response is associated with reduced incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, there is controversy over the use of DAAs in patients with active or treated HCC and uncertainty about optimal management of these patients. We aimed to characterize attitudes and practice patterns of hepatology practitioners in the United States regarding the use of DAAs in patients with HCC. METHODS: We conducted a survey of hepatology providers at 47 tertiary care centers in 25 states. Surveys were sent to 476 providers and we received 279 responses (58.6%). RESULTS: Provider beliefs about risk of HCC recurrence after DAA therapy varied: 48% responded that DAAs reduce risk, 36% responded that DAAs do not change risk, and 16% responded that DAAs increase risk of HCC recurrence. However, most providers believed DAAs to be beneficial to and reduce mortality of patients with complete response to HCC treatment. Accordingly, nearly all providers (94.9%) reported recommending DAA therapy to patients with early-stage HCC who received curative treatment. However, fewer providers recommended DAA therapy for patients with intermediate (72.9%) or advanced (57.5%) HCC undergoing palliative therapies. Timing of DAA initiation varied among providers based on HCC treatment modality: 49.1% of providers reported they would initiate DAA therapy within 3 months of surgical resection whereas 45.9% and 5.0% would delay DAA initiation for 3-12 months and >1 year post-surgery, respectively. For patients undergoing transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), 42.0% of providers would provide DAAs within 3 months of the procedure, 46.7% would delay DAAs until 3-12 months afterward, and 11.3% would delay DAAs more than 1 year after TACE. CONCLUSIONS: Based on a survey sent to hepatology providers, there is variation in provider attitudes and practice patterns regarding use and timing of DAAs for patients with HCC. Further studies are needed to characterize the risks and benefits of DAA therapy in this patient population.

Transarterial chemoembolization for HCC in patients with extensive liver transplantation waiting times.

The treatment of hepatocellular cancer (HCC) with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) prior to orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) is of increasing importance due to the rise in HCC incidence and donor shortage. This single-center study examines 28 patients treated with TACE and 7 patients not treated with TACE, with HCC prior to OLT between 1999 and 2008. The overall 1- and 5-year survival of all transplanted patients with HCC was 94% (33 of 35) and 80% (28 of 35). There was no difference in survival (P = .99) between patients who underwent transplantation immediately (median 95 days) and patients who had significantly longer wait times (median 308 days) when treated with TACE. During extensive wait times for OLT, TACE can be used to keep patients with HCC on the waiting list by preventing tumor progression, with similar outcomes compared with those who underwent transplantation immediately.

Success and complications of endoscopic removal of giant duodenal and ampullary polyps: a comparative series.

BACKGROUND: Increasing reports suggest that endoscopic removal of benign ampullary and duodenal polyps is safe and frequently definitive; however, most reported polyps have been small in size (<3 cm). We have developed experience with endoscopic removal of increasingly large and complex polyps. PATIENTS: Fifty-one cases of endoscopic removal were attempted and grouped according to size: group A (n = 22) polyps 1 to 3 cm and group B (n = 29) polyps 3 cm or larger, including 7 cases larger than 5 cm. When the ampulla was involved, biductal sphincterotomy and prophylactic pancreatic duct stent placement was performed first, followed by saline solution-assisted piecemeal polypectomy, argon plasma coagulation, selective endoclip placement, and recovery of all polyp fragments. INTERVENTIONS: Endoscopic removal of duodenal and ampullary adenomas. RESULTS: The outcomes of small and large adenoma removal include mean number of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies required for complete removal (2.09 vs 2.56, P = .392), number of complications (4.5% vs 13.9%, P = .375), discovery of unsuspected cancer (0% vs 10.3%, P = .242), and final definitive resolution (100% vs 86.2%, P = .124). Complete removal was achieved in 92.2% of all patients. LIMITATIONS: This was a single center retrospective study. CONCLUSIONS: Large (>/=3 cm) ampullary and duodenal polyps comprised 56.9% of our endoscopically treated cases and present special challenges to definitive endoscopic removal. Successful removal of even very large sessile lesions is possible with minimal increase in risk.