Complicaciones, clínica y tratamiento de pacientes con hepatocarcinoma, posterior a quimioembolización en dos hospitales de Quito / Complications, symptoms and treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, after chemoembolization in two hospitals in Quito

INTRODUCCIÓN. La quimioembolización transarterial ha demostrado mejorar la tasa de sobrevida en los pacientes con hepatocarcinoma, se ha descrito como tratamiento paliativo; es útil, efectivo y bien tolerado. Esta terapéutica tiene el objetivo de disminuir el volumen tumoral. OBJETIVO. Determinar las complicaciones que presentan los pacientes con diagnóstico de hepatocarcinoma, posterior a la realización de quimioembolización transarterial del servicio de Gastroenterología del Hospital de Especialidades Carlos Andrade Marín y Hospital de Especialidades Eugenio Espejo, durante el período enero 2015 - enero 2020. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS. Es un estudio retrospectivo observacional transversal; se diseñó un formulario de recolección de información, utilizando media y desvío estándar para variables cuantitativas; frecuencia y porcentaje para cualitativas; en las variables con distribución no paramétrico se recurrió a la mediana, rango intercuartil y sus intervalos, además se utilizó Chi Cuadrado, Índice de Yates y test de U Mann Whitney. Se trabajó en el paquete estadístico SPSS versión 26. RESULTADOS. Se analizaron 97 pacientes, el 60,8% fue de sexo masculino de los cuales el 56.7% presentó alguna comorbilidad; la mayoría de los pacientes no tuvieron complicaciones, sin embargo, la hipertensión arterial se presentó como manifestación clínica post quimioembolización transarterial (10,3%); el choque, el síndrome ascítico ­ edematoso y el dolor abdominal fueron las complicaciones de mayor frecuencia. Los datos estadísticamente significativos fueron los siguientes: los pacientes con hepatocarcinoma y cirrosis hepática con severidad Child Pugh B, tuvieron un porcentaje mayor de complicaciones valor p = 0,01; un tamaño más grande del tumor sobre el número de lesiones, se relacionó con presentar alguna complicación postquimioembolización transarterial valor p = 0,001, lo que significó un aumento en la estancia hospitalaria valor p = 0,006; los pacientes que presentaron complicaciones mayores y menores tuvieron un tiempo de hospitalización más prolongado valor p < 0,05; la asociación entre la mortalidad y las complicaciones post quimioembolización en hospitalización y en UCI tuvieron una tasa general de 3,2% valor p = 0,001. CONCLUSIÓN. Las complicaciones mayores como el síndrome ascítico edematoso y el estado de choque, se mantuvieron sobre la media general. Con una tasa de mortalidad esperada según la tendencia internacional.

INTRODUCTION: Transarterial chemoembolization has been shown to improve the survival rate in patients with hepatocarcinoma, it has been described as palliative treatment; it is useful, effective and well tolerated. This therapy aims to reduce tumor volume, due to its embolic, vascular and cytotoxic effects. OBJECTIVE: To determine the complications presented by patients diagnosed with hepatocarcinoma, after performing transarterial chemoembolization of the Gastroenterology service of the Carlos Andrade Marín Specialty Hospital and Eugenio Espejo Specialty Hospital, during the period January 2015 - January 2020. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in patients with hepatocarcinoma who underwent transarterial chemoembolization. A form was designed for the collection of information, through a pseudonymized database, which was analyzed using the statistical package SPSS version 26. RESULTS: 97 patients were analyzed, 60.8% were male, of which 56.7% presented some comorbidity; Most of the patients had no complications, however, arterial hypertension presented as a clinical manifestation after transarterial chemoembolization in 10.3%; shock, ascites edema decompensation and abdominal pain were the most frequent complications. The statistically significant data were the following: patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cirrhosis with Child Pugh B severity had a higher percentage of complications valor p = 0,01; a larger tumor size compared to the number of lesions was related to presenting some post-transarterial chemoembolization complication valor p = 0,001, which meant an increase in hospital stay valor p = 0,006; patients who presented major and minor complications had a longer hospitalization time valor p < 0,05, the association between mortality and post chemoembolization complications in hospitalization and in the ICU had an overall rate of 3.2% valor p = 0,001. CONCLUSION. Major complications, such as edematous ascitic syndrome and shock, remained above the general average. With an expected mortality rate according to the international trend.

Resecciones Hepáticas Laparoscópicas por Hepatocarcinoma: Resultados Perioperatorios y Oncológicos / Outcomes of Laparoscopic Liver Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Single-Center Experience

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer in the world. Surgery is the treatment of choice in stages 0 and A in the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer classification. A minimally invasive technique in this scenario has the advantage of reducing postoperative pain, blood loss, and hospital stay. We present our experience and outcomes in laparoscopic liver resection in HCC. METHODS: Retrospective descriptive analysis from all patients who underwent laparoscopic liver resection for HCC in our center between August 2006 and December 2020. RESULTS: Laparoscopic liver resection for HCC was performed in 20 patients. The median age was 70 years, and the male gender was 75%. Sixteen patients had chronic liver disease, and 87.5% were Child A. The most common liver resection was the non-anatomical (45%). 30-day morbidity was 15%, without the need for reintervention. We had no 30-day mortality and postoperative liver failure. Negative margins were achieved in 90% of patients. Median disease-free survival and overall survival were 25 and 40.5 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic liver resection for the treatment of HCC in our series is safe, with no 30-day mortality, low incidence of complications, no postoperative liver failure, and suitable medium- and long-term oncological results

Experiencia de downstaging versus criterios de Milán para trasplante hepático por carcinoma hepatocelular en una cohorte prospectiva / Experience with downstaging versus Milan criteria for liver transplantation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in a prospective cohort

Introducción. El acceso al trasplante hepático (TH) en pacientes con carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) se basa en la aplicación de criterios morfológicos rigurosos estipulados desde 1996, co-nocidos como criterios de Milán. Una de las estrategias descritas para expandir estos criterios se conoce como downstaging (reducción del estadiaje tumoral mediante terapias locorregionales). El objetivo de este estudio fue describir el comportamiento postrasplante de pacientes con CHC que ingresaron dentro de los parámetros de Milán, comparado con el de aquellos pacientes llevados a terapia de downstaging en un centro colombiano. Metodología. Se incluyeron pacientes adultos con cirrosis hepática (CH) y CHC que fueron llevados a TH en el Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe, entre julio de 2012 a septiembre de 2021. Como desenlace principal se definió recurrencia y tiempo de recurrencia de la enfermedad tumoral, muerte por todas las causas y tiempo al fallecimiento. Se evaluaron las características sociodemográficas y clínicas de cada grupo. Se incluyeron scores pronósticos de recurrencia de la enfermedad tumoral. Resultados. Se trasplantaron 68 pacientes con CH y CHC, 50 (73,5 %) eran hombres y la edad promedio fue 59 años; 51 pacientes (75 %) cumplían con los criterios de Milán y 17 (25 %) fueron llevados a terapia de downstaging previo al TH. No hubo diferencias significativas en la supervivencia global y supervivencia libre de trasplante entre los dos grupos evaluados, p=0,479 y p=0,385, respectivamente. Tampoco hubo diferencia significativa en la recurrencia de la enfermedad tumoral entre ambos grupos (p=0,81). En total hubo 7 casos de recurrencia tumoral (10,2 %) y 11 casos de muerte (16,2 %). Conclusiones. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en recurrencia y mortalidad entre los pacientes que cumplían los criterios de Milán y los trasplantados luego de la terapia de downstaging, en un tiempo de se-guimiento de 53 meses hasta el último control posterior al trasplante hepático. Esta sería la primera evaluación prospectiva de un protocolo de downstaging para CHC en Colombia.

Introduction. Access to liver transplantation (LT) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is based on the application of rigorous morphological criteria stipulated since 1996, known as the Milan criteria. One of the strategies described to expand these criteria is known as downstaging (tu-mor staging reduction through locoregional therapies). The objective of this study was to describe the post-transplant performance of patients with HCC who were admitted within the Milan parameters, compared with those of patients taken to downstaging therapy, in a Colombian center. Methodolo-gy. Adult patients with cirrhosis and HCC that received LT between July 2012 and September 2021 at the Pablo Tobón Uribe Hospital were included. The main outcome was defined as recurrence and time to recurrence of the tumor disease, death from all causes, and time to death. The socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of each group were evaluated. Tumor disease recurrence prognostic scores were included. Results. Sixty-eight patients with cirrhosis and HCC received LT in the time frame, 50 (73.5%) were men and the mean age was 59 years. Fifty-one patients were trans-planted (75%) fulfilling Milan criteria, and 17 (25%) patients received downstaging therapies before LT. There were no significant differences in overall survival and transplant-free survival between the two groups, p=0.479 and p=0.385, respectively. There was also no significant difference in the recurrence of the tumor disease between both groups (p=0.81). In total there were 7 tumoral recurrences (10.2%) and 11 deaths (16.2%). Conclusions. There were no differences in recurrence and survival between patients transplanted fulfilling Milan criteria and those receiving downstaging therapies, following a mean time of 53 months after LT. This is the first prospective evaluation of the downstaging protocol in Colombia.

Hepatocellular carcinoma: A real-life experience in a specialized center in Bogotá, Colombia / Hepatocarcinoma: experiencia de la vida real en un centro especializado de Bogotá, Colombia

Abstract Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent malignant primary liver tumor globally. In 2018, it ranked sixth and represented the fourth cause of death from cancer; the five-year overall survival is 18 %. Most cases of HCC develop in patients with cirrhosis of any etiology, especially because of hepatitis B and C viruses, alcohol, and recently nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Aim: To analyze the clinical characteristics, diagnostic methods, treatments, prognostic variables, and survival. Materials and methods: This retrospective descriptive study was conducted on a cohort of patients diagnosed with cirrhosis and treated between January 2011 and December 2020 at a health care center in Bogotá. The diagnosis of HCC was confirmed radiologically or by biopsy. We analyzed the information descriptively with absolute frequency measures in the case of categorical variables. For continuous variables, the information was summarized with measures of central tendency (mean or median) and their relevant measures of dispersion. Results: We included 152 patients diagnosed with HCC, with a mean age of 69.4 years; 51.3 % were men. The leading cause of HCC was nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which accounted for almost a third of cases (32 %); other causes were alcohol (15 %) and hepatitis C virus (14 %). The median manifestation of the tumor was two nodules with a size close to 4 cm. Besides, 35 % of patients had a BCLC (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer) stage with curative options, and 25 % received curative treatment options. The first-line systemic therapy used in this cohort was sorafenib®, used in 35 patients (33.7 %). Survival curves showed that women, Child-Pugh class A, and BCLC stage 0 had higher median survival. Multivariate analysis showed a higher risk of death for males (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.16; confidence interval [CI]: 1.24-3.76), Child-Pugh class B (HR: 2.14; CI 1.16-3.95), and Child-Pugh class C (HR: 7.52; CI 2.88-19.57). Conclusions: NAFLD is the leading cause of HCC in this cohort. A third of patients are diagnosed in early BCLC stages with a curative treatment option, and 25 % are treated with curative therapies. Sorafenib was the first-line therapy in advanced HCC. Overall survival after diagnosis of HCC remains low, being necessary to join forces in the follow-up of patients with cirrhosis to improve these outcomes.

Resumen Introducción: el hepatocarcinoma (HCC) es el tumor hepático primario maligno más frecuente en el mundo: en 2018 ocupó la sexta posición y representó la cuarta causa de muerte por cáncer; la supervivencia global a 5 años es del 18 %. La mayoría de los casos de HCC se desarrolla en pacientes con cirrosis de cualquier etiología, especialmente por virus de la hepatitis B y C, alcohol y, recientemente, por la esteatohepatitis no alcohólica (NASH). Objetivo: analizar las características clínicas, métodos de diagnóstico, tratamientos, variables pronósticas y supervivencia. Metodología: estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de una cohorte de pacientes con diagnóstico de cirrosis atendidos entre enero de 2011 y diciembre de 2020 en un centro de atención médica de Bogotá, con diagnóstico de HCC confirmado radiológicamente o por biopsia. La información se analizó de forma descriptiva con medidas de frecuencia absoluta en el caso de las variables categóricas; para las variables continuas se resumió la información con medidas de tendencia central (media o medianas) y su respectiva medida de dispersión. Resultados: se incluyeron 152 pacientes diagnosticados con HCC, con edad promedio de 69,4 años, 51,3 % eran hombres. La principal causa de HCC fue el hígado graso no alcohólico (NAFLD), que representó casi una tercera parte de los casos (32 %); otras causas fueron el alcohol (15 %) y el virus de la hepatitis C (14 %). La mediana de presentación del tumor fue de 2 nódulos con un tamaño cercano a 4 cm. El 35 % de los pacientes tenía un estadio BCLC (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer) con opciones curativas y el 25 % de los pacientes recibió opciones curativas de tratamiento. La terapia sistémica de primera línea utilizada en esta cohorte fue el sorafenib®, que se utilizó en 35 pacientes (33,7 %). Las curvas de supervivencia mostraron que las mujeres, el estadio Child-Pugh A y el estadio BCLC 0 presentaron mayores medianas de supervivencia. El análisis multivariado evidenció un mayor riesgo de muerte al ser hombre (Hazard ratio [HR]: 2,16; intervalo de confianza [IC]: 1,24 a 3,76), estar en los estadios Child-Pugh B (HR: 2,14; IC: 1,16 a 3,95) y Child-Pugh C (HR: 7,52; IC: 2,88 a 19,57). Conclusiones: el NAFLD es la principal causa de HCC en la presente cohorte, una tercera parte de los pacientes se diagnostica en estadios BCLC tempranos con opción curativa de tratamiento, y un 25 % se trata con terapias curativas. El sorafenib fue la terapia de primera línea en HCC avanzado. La supervivencia global luego del diagnóstico de HCC sigue siendo baja, y es necesario aunar esfuerzos en el seguimiento de los pacientes con cirrosis para mejorar estos resultados.

Enfermedad hepatobiliar asociada a COVID-19 / Hepatobiliary disease associated with COVID-19

La enfermedad COVID-19, causada por el coronavirus tipo 2 (SARS-CoV-2), ha tenido un gran impacto en la salud a nivel mundial. A pesar de considerarse una enfermedad principalmente respiratoria, el virus SARS-CoV-2 también es responsable de otro tipo de manifestaciones extrapulmonares, como son las enfermedades hepatobiliares. En esta revisión se describen los posibles mecanismos de patogénesis implicados en la lesión hepática causada por el SARS-CoV-2. Adicionalmente, se analiza la relación entre COVID-19 y la enfermedad hepática crónica, las implicaciones que tiene en el carcinoma hepatocelular y en el trasplante hepático, así como las recomendaciones para la vacunación contra el SARS-CoV-2 en los pacientes afectados por enfermedad hepática. Por último, se proponen algunas estrategias para superar el reto al que se enfrenta el médico en el manejo delos pacientes con enfermedades hepatobiliares y COVID-19.

COVID-19, caused by the type 2 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), has had a major impact on health worldwide. Despite being mainly a respiratory disease, the SARS-CoV-2 virus is also responsible for other types of extrapulmonary manifestations, such as hepatobiliary diseases. This review describes the possible mechanisms of pathogenesis involved in liver injury caused by SARS-CoV-2, the relationship between COVID-19 and chronic liver disease, the effects that it has on hepatocellular carcinoma and liver transplantation, as well as the recommendations for vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in patients affected by liver disease. Finally, some strategies are suggested to overcome the challenge faced by the clinician in the management of patients with hepatobiliary disease and COVID-19.

Protocolo para estimar la mortalidad por cirrosis y por carcinoma hepatocelular atribuible a las hepatitis virales B y C

Una de las metas a alcanzar para el 2030 de la Estrategia mundial del sector de la salud contra las hepatitis víricas 2016-202: hacia el fin de las hepatitis víricas es reducir la mortalidad por el virus de la hepatitis B (VHB) y el virus de la hepatitis C (VHC). Para medir este indicador y darle seguimiento, los países requieren poner en funcionamiento un proceso sistemático para generar estimaciones nacionales de mortalidad por hepatitis virales. Esta publicación está dirigida a las instituciones y ministerios encargados de monitorizar los avances en cada país. El objetivo principal de este protocolo es presentar métodos sencillos para estimar la proporción de pacientes con cirrosis y con carcinoma hepatocelular que tienen infección por el VHB y el VHC, para luego calcular la mortalidad nacional por estas secuelas atribuibles a hepatitis virales, de preferencia dentro de un sistema de vigilancia. Además, se proporciona un marco general sobre cómo debe funcionar el sistema de vigilancia, cómo recopilar los datos y consideraciones éticas para tener en cuenta. El sistema de vigilancia se diseña sobre la base de centros centinela donde se recopilará información de pacientes con cirrosis y con carcinoma hepatocelular. Estos datos servirán para estimar la fracción de cirrosis y de carcinoma hepatocelular atribuible a la infección por los virus de las hepatitis B y C. Por otro lado, se recopilarán datos sobre el número de muertes a nivel nacional por cirrosis y por carcinoma hepatocelular. Con esta información, se calculará la mortalidad por cirrosis y por carcinoma hepatocelular atribuible a la infección por el VHB y el VHC.

Protocol to estimate mortality from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma attributable to viral hepatitis B and C

One of the goals to be achieved by 2030 of the Global Health Sector Strategy on Viral Hepatitis 2016-2021 is to reduce mortality from hepatitis viruses B (HBV) and C (HCV). To measure and monitor it, countries need to implement a systematic process to generate national estimates of mortality from viral hepatitis, which many lack. This document is aimed at the institutions and/or ministries in charge of monitoring progress in each country. The main objective of this protocol is to present simple methods to estimate the proportion of patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma who have HBV and HCV infection, and then calculate the national mortality due to these sequelae attributable to viral hepatitis, preferably within a surveillance system. In addition, a general framework is provided on how the surveillance system should function, how to collect the data, and ethical considerations. The surveillance system will be based on sentinel centers where information will be collected from patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. These data will be used to estimate the fraction of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma attributable to HBV and HCV. On the other hand, data will be collected on the number of deaths nationwide from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. With this information, mortality from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma attributable to HBV and HCV will be estimated.

Síndrome metabólico, hígado graso no alcohólico y hepatocarcinoma / Metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma

En las últimas décadas, los cambios en el estilo de vida pro-vocaron un incremento en la prevalencia del síndrome meta-bólico y que la enfermedad por hígado graso no alcohólico (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, NAFLD sus siglas en inglés) se convierta en la enfermedad hepática crónica más fre-cuente en todo el mundo. Los componentes del síndrome metabólico no son sólo altamente prevalentes en pacientes con hígado graso no alcohólico, sino que a la vez aumentan el riesgo de desarrollarlo. Esta relación bidireccional ha sido claramente establecida. Asimismo se considera que NAFLD podría ser el componente hepático del síndrome metabólico. Aunque NAFLD se considera principalmente una enfermedad benigna, puede progresar a fibrosis hepática grave y carcino-ma hepatocelular (CHC), incluso se encontraría este último en hígados no cirróticos. El objetivo de esta revisión es determinar los procesos fisio-patológicos comunes a estas entidades, cuáles son las estra-tegias diagnósticas recomendadas y cuáles las intervenciones terapéuticas actualmente aprobadas.

Pacientes com carcinoma hepatocelular são favorecidos no atual sistema brasileiro de alocação de fígados para transplante. Análise de riscos competitivos / Hepatocellular carcinoma patients are advantaged in the current brazilian liver transplant allocation system. a competing risk analysis

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: In Brazil, the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score is used to prioritize patients for deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT). Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receive standardized MELD exception points to account for their cancer risk of mortality, which is not reflected by their MELD score. OBJECTIVE: To compare DDLT rates between patients with and without HCC in Rio Grande do Sul, the Southernmost state of Brazil. METHODS - We retrospectively studied 825 patients on the liver-transplant waiting list from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2016, in a transplant center located in Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, to compare DDLT rates between those with and without HCC. The time-varying hazard of waiting list/DDLT was estimated, reporting the subhazard ratio (SHR) of waiting list/DDLT/dropout with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The final competing risk model was adjusted for age, MELD score, exception points, and ABO group. RESULTS: Patients with HCC underwent a transplant almost three times faster than patients with a calculated MELD score (SHR 2.64; 95% CI 2.10-3.31; P<0.001). The DDLT rate per 100 person-months was 11.86 for HCC patients vs 3.38 for non-HCC patients. The median time on the waiting list was 5.6 months for patients with HCC and 25 months for patients without HCC. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that, in our center, patients on the waiting list with HCC have a clear advantage over candidates listed with a calculated MELD score.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: No Brasil, o escore MELD (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease) é utilizado para priorizar os pacientes para transplante hepático de doador falecido (THDF). Pacientes com carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) recebem pontos de exceção padronizados pelo MELD para contrapesar o risco de mortalidade do seu câncer, que não é refletido pelo seu escore MELD. OBJETIVO: Comparar as taxas de THDF entre pacientes com e sem CHC no Rio Grande do Sul, o Estado mais ao sul do Brasil. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados retrospectivamente 825 pacientes em lista de espera de transplante de fígado entre 1 de janeiro de 2007 e 31 de dezembro de 2016 em um centro de transplantes localizado em Porto Alegre, capital do Rio Grande do Sul, para comparação das taxas de THDF entre aqueles com e sem CHC. Foi estimado o risco variável no tempo de lista de espera/THDF, com relato da taxa de sub-risco (SHR) de lista de espera/THDF/desistência com intervalos de confiança (IC) de 95%. O modelo final de risco competitivo foi ajustado para idade, escore MELD, pontos de exceção e grupo ABO. RESULTADOS: Os candidatos com CHC foram submetidos a um transplante quase três vezes mais rápido do que os pacientes com um escore MELD calculado (SHR 2,64; IC 95% 2,10-3,31; P<0,001). A taxa de THDF por 100 pessoas-mês foi de 11,86 para os pacientes com CHC vs 3,38 para os pacientes sem CHC. O tempo mediano de permanência em lista de espera foi de 5,6 meses para os pacientes com CHC e 25 meses para os pacientes sem CHC. CONCLUSÃO: Nossos resultados demonstraram que, em nosso centro, pacientes em lista de espera com CHC têm evidente vantagem sobre candidatos listados com um escore MELD calculado.

Surgical management of large hepatocellular carcinoma: the first single-center study from western india / Manejo cirúrgico de grandes carcinomas hepatocelulares: primeiro estudo de um único centro da índia ocidental

ABSTRACT Background: Majority of patients with large size HCC (>10 cm) are not offered surgery as per Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) criteria and hence, their outcomes are not well studied, especially from India, owing to a lower incidence. Aim: To analyze outcomes of surgery for large HCCs. Methods: This retrospective observational study included all patients who underwent surgery for large HCC from January 2007 to December 2017. The entire perioperative and follow up data was collected and analyzed. Results: Nineteen patients were included. Ten were non-cirrhotic; 16 were BCLC grade A; one BCLC grade B; and two were BCLC C. Two cirrhotic and three non-cirrhotic underwent preoperative sequential trans-arterial chemoembolization and portal vein embolization. Right hepatectomy was the most commonly done procedure. The postoperative 30-day mortality rate was 5% (1/19). Wound infection and postoperative ascites was seen in seven patients each. Postoperative liver failure was seen in five. Two cirrhotic and two non-cirrhotic patients had postoperative bile leak. The hospital stay was 11.9±5.4 days (median 12 days). Vascular invasion was present in four cirrhotic and five non-cirrhotic patients. The median follow-up was 32 months. Five patients died in the follow-up period. Seven had recurrence and median recurrence free survival was 18 months. The cumulative recurrence free survival was 88% and 54%, whereas the cumulative overall survival was 94% and 73% at one and three years respectively. Both were better in non-cirrhotic; however, the difference was not statistically significant. The recurrence free survival was better in patients without vascular invasion and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.011). Conclusion: Large HCC is not a contraindication for surgery. Vascular invasion if present, adversely affects survival. Proper case selection can provide the most favorable survival with minimal morbidity.

RESUMO Racional: A maioria dos pacientes com CHC de grande porte (>10 cm) não tem indicação cirúrgica conforme os critérios do Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) e, portanto, seus resultados não são bem estudados, principalmente na Índia, devido a uma menor incidência. Objetivo: Analisar os resultados da cirurgia para HCCs de grande porte. Métodos: Este estudo observacional retrospectivo incluiu todos os pacientes submetidos à cirurgia para grandes CHC de janeiro de 2007 a dezembro de 2017. Todos os dados perioperatórios e de acompanhamento foram coletados e analisados. Resultados: Dezenove pacientes foram incluídos. Dez não eram cirróticos; 16 eram BCLC grau A; um BCLC grau B; e dois eram BCLC C. Dois cirróticos e três não-cirróticos foram submetidos à quimioembolização transarterial sequencial pré-operatória e embolização da veia porta. Hepatectomia direita foi o procedimento mais comumente realizado. A taxa de mortalidade pós-operatória em 30 dias foi de 5% (1/19). Infecção da ferida e ascite pós-operatória foram observadas em sete pacientes cada. Insuficiência hepática pós-operatória foi observada em cinco. Dois pacientes cirróticos e dois não cirróticos apresentaram vazamento de bile no pós-operatório. O tempo de internação foi de 11,9±5,4 dias (mediana de 12 dias). A invasão vascular estava presente em quatro pacientes cirróticos e cinco não cirróticos. O acompanhamento médio foi de 32 meses. Cinco pacientes morreram no período de acompanhamento. Sete tiveram recorrência e sobrevida mediana livre de recorrência foi de 18 meses. A sobrevida livre de recorrência cumulativa foi de 88% e 54%, enquanto a sobrevida global cumulativa foi de 94% e 73% em um e três anos, respectivamente. Ambos eram melhores em não-cirróticos; no entanto, a diferença não foi estatisticamente significante. A sobrevida livre de recidiva foi melhor nos pacientes sem invasão vascular e a diferença foi estatisticamente significante (p=0,011). Conclusão: CHC grande não é contraindicação para cirurgia. Invasão vascular, se presente, afeta adversamente a sobrevida. Seleção adequada de casos pode fornecer sobrevida mais favorável com morbidade mínima.

Mortalidade por carcinoma hepatocelular associado às hepatites virais B e C no estado de São Paulo / Hepatocellular carcinoma mortality associated with viral hepatitis B and C in the State of São Paulo

Introdução: A mortalidade por carcinoma hepatocelular associado às hepatites virais B e C representa um grave problema de saúde pública. O carcinoma hepatocelular constitui a terceira maior causa de morte de etiologia neoplásica e o quinto tumor maligno mais frequente no mundo. A infecção crônica pelo vírus da hepatite B e pelo vírus da hepatite C são as principais causas de doença hepática crônica e carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC). Objetivos: descrever os óbitos por CHC associados às hepatites virais B e C no Estado de São Paulo e analisar a distribuição espacial e temporal desses óbitos. Métodos: Estudo descritivo ecológico com análise temporal e distribuição espacial dos óbitos por CHC associados às hepatites virais B e C no Estado de São Paulo, no período de 2009 a 2017, com dados do Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade (SIM). Foram calculadas as taxas de mortalidade por CHC associado às hepatites virais B e C. A tendência temporal foi analisada por regressão de Prais-Winsten. Os óbitos foram descritos segundo as características sociodemográficas e comparados pelo teste de qui-quadrado de Pearson ou teste exato de Fisher. Os óbitos foram espacialmente distribuídos segundo departamento regional de saúde. Foram calculadas as taxas brutas de mortalidade e as taxas suavizadas pelo método Bayesiano Empírico Local. Resultados: No período de 2009 a 2017, 26,3% dos óbitos por CHC no estado de São Paulo foram associados ao HBV ou ao HCV. Observou-se uma maior proporção de óbitos por CHC associado ao HCV (22,2%) quando comparado ao HBV (3,9%). A taxa de mortalidade por CHC associado às hepatites B ou C apresentou tendência de queda e decréscimo de 0,41 (2009) para 0,33 (2017) óbitos por 100.000 habitantes/ano, com diminuição anual de 3,0%. A taxa de mortalidade por CHC associado à hepatite B também apresentou tendência de queda, variando de 0,07 (2009) para 0,04 (2017) óbitos por 100.000 habitantes/ano, com diminuição anual de 9,1%. No entanto, a taxa de mortalidade por CHC associado à hepatite C apresentou tendência estacionária, de 0,34 (2009) para 0,29 (2017) óbitos por 100.000 habitantes/ano. Os óbitos predominaram no sexo masculino e em indivíduos de raça branca. A faixa etária que apresentou maior número de óbitos foi de 50 a 59 anos de idade. A maioria dos óbitos tinham de 8 a 11 anos de estudo. A distribuição espacial revelou uma distribuição heterogênea dos óbitos no estado de São Paulo. Conclusões: A tendência de queda nas taxas de mortalidade por CHC associado à hepatite B evidência um importante avanço no controle do agravo devido as ações de imunização com a vacina Hepatite B. No entanto, a taxa de mortalidade por CHC associado à hepatite C vem se mantendo estável ao longo do período estudado, indicando a necessidade de ações para a redução dessas taxas. A distribuição espacial dos óbitos auxiliará os gestores e profissionais dos DRS, que poderão olhar para esses dados e levantar hipóteses para conhecimento mais aprofundado das suas regiões, a partir desses resultados.

Introduction: Mortality from hepatocellular carcinoma associated with viral hepatitis B and C represents a serious public health problem. Hepatocellular carcinoma is the third leading cause of death of neoplastic etiology and the fifth most common malignant tumor in the world. Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus are the main causes of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Objectives: describe the deaths due to HCC associated with viral hepatitis B and C in the State of São Paulo and analyze the spatial and temporal distribution of these deaths. Methods: Descriptive ecological study with temporal analysis and spatial distribution of deaths from HCC associated with viral hepatitis B and C in the State of São Paulo, from 2009 to 2017, with data from the Mortality Information System (SIM). Mortality rates for HCC associated with viral hepatitis B and C were calculated. The temporal trend was analyzed by Prais-Winsten regression. Deaths were described according to sociodemographic characteristics and compared using Pearson's chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. The deaths were spatially distributed according to the regional health department. Crude mortality rates and smoothed rates were calculated using the Local Empirical Bayesian method. Results: In the period from 2009 to 2017, 26.3% of deaths from HCC in the state of São Paulo were associated to HBV or HCV. There was a higher proportion of deaths from HCC associated to HCV (22.2%) when compared to HBV (3.9%). The mortality rate due to HCC associated with hepatitis B or C showed a downward trend and a decrease from 0.41 (2009) to 0.33 (2017) deaths per 100,000 inhabitants / year, with an annual decrease of 3.0%. The mortality rate due to HCC associated with hepatitis B also showed a downward trend, ranging from 0.07 (2009) to 0.04 (2017) deaths per 100,000 inhabitants / year, with an annual decrease of 9.1%. However, the HCC mortality rate associated with hepatitis C showed a stationary trend, from 0.34 (2009) to 0.29 (2017) deaths per 100,000 inhabitants / year. Deaths predominated in males and in white individuals. The age group with the highest number of deaths was 50 to 59 years old. Most deaths had 8 to 11 years of study. The spatial distribution revealed a heterogeneous distribution of deaths in the state of São Paulo. Conclusions: The downward trend in mortality rates due to HCC associated with hepatitis B shows an important advance in the control of the disease due to the immunization actions with the Hepatitis B vaccine. However, the mortality rate due to HCC associated with hepatitis C has been keeping stable over the study period, indicating the need for actions and measures to reduce these rates. The spatial distribution of deaths will assist the managers and professionals of the DRS, who will be able to look at this data and raise hypotheses for a deeper knowledge of their regions, based on these results.

Transarterial radioembolization for liver tumors as neoadjuvant therapy: three case reports / Radioembolização transarterial hepática como terapia neoadjuvante: relato de três casos

ABSTRACT Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with yttrium-90 microspheres is a palliative locoregional treatment, minimally invasive for liver tumors. The neoadjuvant aim of this treatment is still controversial, however, selected cases with lesions initially considered unresectable have been enframed as candidates for curative therapy after hepatic transarterial radioembolization. We report three cases in which the hepatic transarterial radioembolization was used as neoadjuvant therapy in an effective way, allowing posterior potentially curative therapies.

RESUMO A radioembolização transarterial hepática com microesferas de ítrio-90 é uma modalidade paliativa de tratamento locorregional minimamente invasiva. O objetivo neoadjuvante deste tratamento ainda é controverso, mas casos selecionados de lesões consideradas inicialmente irressecáveis reenquadram-se como candidatos à terapia curativa após a radioembolização transarterial hepática. Relatamos três casos em que a radioembolização transarterial hepática foi utilizada como terapia neoadjuvante de forma efetiva possibilitando aplicação posterior de terapias potencialmente curativas.

Image-Guided BrachyAblation (IGBA) en hepatocarcinoma: descripción de la técnica y reporte del primer caso en Chile / Image-guided brachyablation for hepatocarcinoma: report of one case

Eighty percent of hepatocarcinomas are inoperable at the moment of diagnosis. Liver transplantation is the treatment of choice in these cases, but local therapies are another alternative. Among these, Image-Guided BrachyAblation is a safe choice. We report a 76-year-old male with a hepatocarcinoma, who was considered inoperable due to the high surgical risk of the patient. A local treatment with Image-Guided BrachyAblation was decided. A brachytherapy needle was placed in the tumor under computed tomography guidance and a 15 Gy single dose was delivered from an Iridium-192 source. The patient had no immediate complications and at one month of follow up he continued without incidents.

Retrospective analysis of efficacy, safety, and prognostic factors in a cohort of Chinese hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization

The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy, safety, and prognostic factors of drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) in Chinese hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Patients (n=102) diagnosed as primary HCC were consecutively enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. Treatment responses were assessed following the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated, and adverse events (AEs) as well as liver function-related laboratory indexes of all DEB-TACE records (N=131) were assessed. Complete response (CR) rate, objective response rate, and disease control rate were 51.0, 87.3, and 95.1%, respectively, at 1-3 months post DEB-TACE. The mean PFS and OS were 227 (95%CI: 200-255) days and 343 (95%CI: 309-377) days, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that portal vein invasion and abnormal total protein (TP) were independent predictive factors for worse CR, and multivariate Cox's regression analysis showed that multifocal disease independently correlated with shorter PFS. Most of the liver function-related laboratory indexes worsened at 1 week but recovered at 1-3 months post-treatment, only the percentage of patients with abnormal ALP increased at 1-3 months. In addition, 112 (85.5%), 84 (64.1%), 53 (40.5%), 40 (30.5%), and 16 (12.2%) patients had pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, and other AEs, respectively. DEB-TACE is efficient and safe in Chinese HCC patients, and portal vein invasion, abnormal TP level as well as multifocal disease could be used as unfavorable prognostic factors to DEB-TACE treatment.

HPA-1a/1b could be considered a molecular predictor of poor prognosis in chronic hepatitis C

Abstract INTRODUCTION: HPA polymorphism has been associated with HCV presence and fibrosis progression in chronic hepatitis C. However, it is unknown if there is an association between HPA-1 polymorphism and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate HPA-1 polymorphism in the presence of HCC. METHODS: PCR-SSP was used to perform HPA genotyping on 76 HCV-infected patients. RESULTS: There was no association between patients with and without HCC. There was significant difference in HPA-1 genotypic frequency distribution between HCC and F1/F2 fibrosis degree. CONCLUSIONS: The HPA-1a/1b polymorphism appears to be more associated with liver damage progression than with HCC presence.

Multiple factors affect the regeneration of liver

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE To study factors affecting the liver regeneration after hepatectomy METHODS With 3D reconstitution technology, liver regeneration ability of 117 patients was analysed, and relative factors were studied. RESULTS There was no statistically difference between the volume of simulated liver resection and the actual liver resection. All livers had different degrees of regeneration after surgery. Age, gender and blood indicators had no impact on liver regeneration, while surgery time, intraoperative blood loss, blood flow blocking time and different ways of liver resection had a significant impact on liver regeneration; In addition, the patients' own pathological status, including, hepatitis and liver fibrosis all had a significant impact on liver regeneration. CONCLUSION 3D reconstitution model is a good model to calculate liver volume. Age, gender, blood indicators and biochemistry indicators have no impact on liver regeneration, but surgery indicators and patients' own pathological status have influence on liver regeneration.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Estudar os fatores que afetam a regeneração hepática após hepatectomia. MÉTODOS A capacidade de regeneração hepática de 117 pacientes foi analisada com a tecnologia de reconstituição 3D e foram estudados os fatores relacionados. RESULTADOS Não houve diferença estatística significante entre o volume de ressecção hepática simulada e a ressecção atual. Todos os fígados apresentaram diferentes graus de regeneração após cirurgia. Idade, gênero e indicadores sanguíneos não tiveram impacto na regeneração hepática, enquanto que tempo de cirurgia, perda sanguínea intraoperatória, tempo de bloqueio do fluxo sanguíneo e diferentes formas de ressecção mostraram impacto significante na regeneração do órgão. Além disso, condições patológicas dos pacientes, incluindo hepatite e fibrose hepática, tiveram impacto significante na regeneração hepática. CONCLUSÃO O modelo de reconstituição 3D é um bom modelo para calcular o volume do fígado. Idade, gênero, indicadores sanguíneos e bioquímicos não tiveram impacto na regeneração hepática, mas indicadores operatórios e condição patológica dos pacientes mostraram influência na regeneração do órgão.

Schistosomal liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma - case series of patients submitted to liver transplantation

ABSTRACT Schistosomiasis affects approximately 207 million people in 76 countries. The association between hepatocellular carcinoma and Schistosoma mansoni infection has been investigated. Studies using animal models suggest that the parasite may accelerate the oncogenic process when combined with other factors, such as hepatitis C virus infection or exposure to a carcinogen. Herein, we report a case series of six hepatocellular carcinoma patients from Northeast Brazil, with negative serology for both hepatitis B and C virus, submitted to liver transplantation, whose explant showed evidence of schistosomal liver fibrosis. Since all patients enrolled in this study were submitted to liver transplantation, we were able to access the whole explanted liver and perform histopathological analysis, which is often not possible in other situations. Although 50% of them showed signs of liver failure, no cirrhosis or any liver disease other than schistosomal fibrosis had been detected. These uncommon findings suggest that Schistosoma mansoni infection might predispose to hepatocellular carcinoma development, regardless of the absence of other risk factors.

Hepatocarcinoma y trasplante hepático en Perú: resultados de 15 años del Departamento de Trasplantes del Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen - EsSalud / Liver transplant and hepatocellular carcinoma in Peru: outcome after 15 years in the transplant department of the Guillermo Almenara Hospital - EsSalud

El carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) es una neoplasia con incidencia y prevalencia significativa en el mundo. Ésta en gran porcentaje se origina en el hígado cirrótico. El trasplante hepático bajo condiciones especiales, ha demostrado ser efectivo en el tratamiento simultáneo de ambas condiciones. En América latina la información es escasa. Este es un estudio de tipo descriptivo retrospectivo de corte transversal, cuyo universo es conformado por los primeros 200 trasplantes de hígado de nuestra serie (Años 2000-2015). Durante el periodo mencionado 26 (13%) pacientes tuvieron diagnóstico de CHC. De los 26 trasplantados con CHC, 21 (81%) pacientes fueron de sexo masculino. El promedio de edad fue 59,7 años. La etiología cirrótica más frecuente fue NASH con 9 (35%) casos, seguida de VHC y OH con 6 (23%). El promedio de AFP pre trasplante fue de 113,3. El ¨downstaging¨ fue realizado en 4 pacientes. La sobrevida global obtenida es de 90,9% a más de 5 años. La sobrevida libre de recurrencia en nuestra serie es de 95,5% a 5 años.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a neoplasm with significant incidence and prevalence in the world. In large percentage it originates from a cirrhotic liver. Liver transplantation under special conditions is effective in the simultaneous treatment of both conditions. Information is scarce in Latin America. This is a cross-sectional study of the first 200 liver transplants of our series (Years 2000-2015). During this period, 26 (13%) patients had a diagnosis of HCC. Of the 26 transplanted with HCC, 21 (81%) patients were male. The average age was 59.7 years. The most frequent cirrhotic etiology was NASH with nine (35%) cases, followed by HCV and OH with six (23%). The average of AFP pre-transplant was 113.3. Downstaging was performed in four patients. The overall survival obtained is 90.9% over 5 years. The recurrence-free survival in our series is 95.5% at 5 years.

Negative serology of Fasciola hepatica infection in patients with liver cancer in Peru: a preliminary report

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The etiology of several hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases remains largely unknown. Although Fasciola hepatica has been associated with liver fibrosis in Latin America, it has not yet been associated with HCC. This study aimed to determine the existence of specific IgG antibodies against F. hepatica in the serum samples of HCC patients. METHODS In total, 13 serum samples from 13 HCC patients were screened using Fas2-ELISA. RESULTS Fas2-ELISA demonstrated negative results in all HCC patients included in this study. CONCLUSIONS The pre-existence of F. hepatica infection in HCC patients needs to be further investigated in epidemiological and experimental studies.