Evaluation of the effectiveness of drug-eluting transarterial chemoebolization in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background and Aim: Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) therapy is currently considered as first option therapy in the intermediate stage HCC. The purpose of our study is to assess the efficacy and prognostic factors related to the DEB- TACE therapy. Materials and Methods: The data from 133 patients with unresecetable HCC who were treated with DEB-TACE and followed between January 2011-March 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. To assess the efficacy of therapy, control imagings were performed at 30th and 90th days after the procedure. Response rates, survival outcomes, and prognostic factors were investigated. Results: According to the Barcelona staging system, 16 patients (13%) were in the early stage, 58 patients (48%) were in the intermediate stage and 48 patients (39%) were in the advanced stage. There were complete response (CR) in 20 patients (17%), partial response (PR) in 36 patients (32%), stable disease (SD) in 24 patients (21%) and progressed disease (PD) in 35 (30%) patients. Median follow-up time was 14 months (range 1-77 months). Median PFS and OS were 4 months and 11 months, respectively. In multivariate analysis, posttreatment AFP ≥400 ng/ml was found to be an independent prognostic factor on both PFS and OS. Child-Pugh classification and tumor size >7 cm were independent prognostic factors on OS. Conclusion: DEB-TACE is effective and a tolerable treatment method for unresectable HCC patients.

A case of spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome in extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer: A rare oncologic emergency.

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is an oncologic emergency. It generally occurs after chemotherapy but sometimes develops spontaneously in hematologic malignancy, such as leukemia. TLS is a rare phenomenon in patients with solid tumors, particularly when it develops spontaneously. Here, we present a case of spontaneous TLS (STLS) in a patient with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). We report a case of STLS in a 59-year-old male patient who presented with dyspnea and oliguria. Clinicians should suspect TLS in patients with malignancy, who demonstrate the classic electrolyte abnormalities of TLS even if not receiving treatment such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.