Pseudomyxoma peritonei: visceral scalloping on CT is a predictor of recurrence after complete cytoreductive surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is characterized by peritoneal dissemination of gelatinous ascites following rupture of a mucinous tumor. Treatment by cytoreductive surgery (CRS) has improved its prognosis. Although visceral scalloping, notably liver scalloping, on computed tomography (CT) is a typical feature of PMP, its prognostic value remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of liver scalloping in predicting recurrence in PMP patients. METHODS: Among 159 consecutive patients with PMP who had contrast-enhanced CT between September 2012 and December 2018, 64 treatment-naïve patients who subsequently underwent CRS with complete resection (i.e., completeness of cytoreduction score (CC)-0 or CC-1), were included in analysis. Presence of liver scalloping and maximum thickness of mucin deposition at the liver surface were evaluated on CT. Disease-free survival (DFS) was determined based on the combination of postoperative CT features and tumor marker values. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 24.3 months. CT revealed liver scalloping in 40/64 (63.4%) patients. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significantly shorter DFS in patients with scalloping than in those without (p = 0.001; hazard ratio, 4.3). In patients with scalloping, greater mucin deposition (thickness ≥ 20 mm) significantly correlated with poorer DFS (p = 0.042). In multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression including CC status, pathologic type, and tumor markers, the presence of scalloping independently and significantly correlated with DFS (p = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: Liver scalloping was an independent predictor even after adjusting for clinical covariates. The presence of liver scalloping can lead to a high recurrence rate after CRS. KEY POINTS: • The presence of liver scalloping is a prognostic factor independent of histological grade and tumor markers. • Greater mucin deposition (thickness ≥ 20 mm at the liver surface) is associated with higher recurrence rates in patients with liver scalloping.

Phase 2 trial of daily, oral epigallocatechin gallate in patients with light-chain amyloidosis.

Previous studies have suggested that an increase in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species may cause organ damage in patients with light-chain (AL) amyloidosis; however, this damage can be decreased by antioxidant-agent treatment. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the major natural catechin in green tea, has potent antioxidant activity. Because EGCG has recently been reported to have a favorable toxicity profile for treating amyloidosis, we sought to examine the clinical efficacy and toxicity of EGCG in patients with AL amyloidosis. Fifty-seven patients were randomly assigned to the EGCG and observation groups and observed for six months. There were no increases in grade 3-5 adverse events and EGCG therapy was well tolerated. Although a decrease in the urinary albumin level was found in the EGCG group in patients with obvious albuminuria after treatment initiation, its antioxidant activity may not be sufficient to clarify the potential effect of EGCG in patients with AL amyloidosis. Because some of the biological markers responsible for organ damage were well correlated to the level of antioxidant potential in patients' plasma, the status of oxidative stress in the blood may indicate the extent of organ damage in clinical situations.