Yttrium-90 Radiation Segmentectomy in Oligometastatic Secondary Hepatic Malignancies.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of yttrium-90 (90Y) radiation segmentectomy (RS) in the treatment of oligometastatic secondary hepatic malignancies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This institutional review board-approved retrospective study evaluated 16 patients with oligometastatic secondary hepatic malignancies who were treated with RS. The median patient age was 61.9 years (range, 38.6-85.7 years). Of the 16 patients, 11 (68.8%) presented with solitary lesions. The median index tumor size was 3.1 cm (95% CI, 2.3-3.9). Primary outcomes were evaluation of clinical and biochemical toxicities using National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 5.0, and imaging response using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, version 1.1. Secondary outcomes were time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS) as estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Clinical Grade 3 toxicities were limited to 1 (6.7%) patient who experienced fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Biochemical Grade 3 toxicities occurred in 1 (6.7%) patient who experienced lymphopenia. No Grade 4 clinical or biochemical toxicities were identified. Disease control was achieved in 14 (93.3%) of 15 patients. The median TTP of the treated tumor was 72.9 months (95% CI, 11.2 to no estimate). The median OS was 60.9 months (95% CI, 24.7 to no estimate). CONCLUSIONS: 90Y RS displayed an excellent safety profile and was effective in achieving a high disease control rate in the treatment of oligometastatic secondary hepatic malignancies.

Impact of Portal Hypertension on Adverse Events after Splenic Arterial Aneurysm Embolization.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of splenic artery aneurysm (SAA) embolization and compare adverse event (AE) rates after embolization in patients with and without portal hypertension (PHTN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent embolization of SAAs at 2 institutions was performed (34 patients from institution 1 and 7 patients from institution 2). Baseline demographic characteristics, preprocedural imaging, procedural techniques, and postprocedural outcomes were evaluated. Thirty-day postprocedural severe and life-threatening AEs were evaluated using the Society of Interventional Radiology guidelines. Thirty-day mortality and readmission rates were also evaluated. t test, χ2 test, and/or Fisher exact test were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between patients with and without PHTN in the location, number, and size of SAA(s). All procedures were technically successful. There were 13 (32%) patients with and 28 (68%) patients without PHTN. The 30-day mortality rate (31% vs 0%; P = .007), readmission rates (61% vs 7%; P < .001), and severe/life-threatening AE rates (69% vs 0%; P < .001) were significantly higher in patients with PHTN than in those without PHTN. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significantly higher mortality and severe/life-threatening AE rate in patients with PHTN than in those without PHTN. SAAs in patients with PHTN need to be managed very cautiously, given the risk of severe/life-threatening AEs after embolization.

Correlation and Agreement of Yttrium-90 Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography with Ex Vivo Radioembolization Microsphere Deposition in the Rabbit VX2 Liver Tumor Model.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate a stronger correlation and agreement of yttrium-90 (90Y) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) measurements with explant liver tumor dosing compared with the standard model (SM) for radioembolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hepatic VX2 tumors were implanted into New Zealand white rabbits, with growth confirmed by 7 T magnetic resonance imaging. Seventeen VX2 rabbits provided 33 analyzed tumors. Treatment volumes were calculated from manually drawn volumes of interest (VOI) with three-dimensional surface renderings. Radioembolization was performed with glass 90Y microspheres. PET/CT imaging was completed with scatter and attenuation correction. Three-dimensional ellipsoid VOI were drawn to encompass tumors on fused images. Tumors and livers were then explanted for inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-optical emission spectroscopy (OES) analysis of microsphere content. 90Y PET/CT and SM measurements were compared with reference standard ICP-OES measurements of tumor dosing with Pearson correlation and Bland-Altman analyses for agreement testing with and without adjustment for tumor necrosis. RESULTS: The median infused activity was 33.3 MBq (range, 5.9-152.9). Tumor dose was significantly correlated with 90Y PET/CT measurements (r = 0.903, P < .001) and SM estimates (r = 0.607, P < .001). Bland-Altman analyses showed that the SM tended to underestimate the tumor dosing by a mean of -8.5 Gy (CI, -26.3-9.3), and the degree of underestimation increased to a mean of -18.3 Gy (CI, -38.5-1.9) after the adjustment for tumor necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: 90Y PET/CT estimates were strongly correlated and had better agreement with reference measurements of tumor dosing than SM estimates.

Institutional decision to adopt Y90 as primary treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma informed by a 1,000-patient 15-year experience.

Yttrium-90 transarterial radioembolization (TARE) is a locoregional therapy (LRT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we present overall survival (OS) outcomes in a 1,000-patient cohort acquired over a 15-year period. Between December 1, 2003 and March 31, 2017, 1,000 patients with HCC were treated with TARE as part of a prospective cohort study. A comprehensive review of toxicity and survival outcomes was performed. Outcomes were stratified by baseline Child-Pugh (CP) class, United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging systems. Albumin and bilirubin laboratory toxicities were compared to baseline. OS outcomes were reported using censoring and intention-to-treat methodologies. All treatments were outpatient, with a median one treatment per patient. Five hundred six (51%) were CP A, 450 (45%) CP B, and 44 (4%) CP C. Two hundred sixty-three (26%) patients were BCLC A, 152 (15%) B, 541 (54%) C, and 44 (4%) D. Three hundred sixty-eight (37%) were UNOS T1/T2, 169 (17%) T3, 147 (15%) T4a, 223 (22%) T4b, and 93 (9%) N/M. In CP A patients, censored OS for BCLC A was 47.3 (confidence interval [CI], 39.5-80.3) months, BCLC B 25.0 (CI, 17.3-30.5) months, and BCLC C 15.0 (CI, 13.8-17.7) months. In CP B patients, censored OS for BCLC A was 27 (CI, 21-30.2) months, BCLC B 15.0 (CI, 12.3-19.0) months, and BCLC C 8.0 (CI, 6.8-9.5) months. Forty-nine (5%) and 110 (11%) patients developed grade 3/4 albumin and bilirubin toxicities, respectively. CONCLUSION: Based on our experience with 1,000 patients over 15 years, we have made a decision to adopt TARE as the first-line transarterial LRT for patients with HCC. Our decision was informed by prospective data and incrementally reported demonstrating outcomes stratified by BCLC, applied as either neoadjuvant or definitive treatment. (Hepatology 2017).

Single-Center Retrospective Review of Radiofrequency Wire Recanalization of Refractory Central Venous Occlusions.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively review the effectiveness and safety of radiofrequency (RF) wire recanalization of refractory central venous occlusions (CVOs) and compare recurrent and nonrecurrent CVOs in terms of patient and occlusion characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty CVOs were treated in 18 patients (age 40 y ± 13; 9 women) with 11 superior vena cava (SVC) or brachiocephalic vein occlusions (ie, supradiaphragmatic) and 9 inferior vena cava or iliac vein occlusions (ie, infradiaphragmatic). Indications included pain, edema, ulceration, and/or dialysis arteriovenous fistula dysfunction peripheral to the CVO(s). All patients had multiple venous thrombotic risk factors, including mechanical venous compression, endothelial injury, and/or coagulopathies. CVO traversal was first attempted with standard and advanced techniques before RF wire recanalization and followed up with computed tomographic venography and clinic visits approximately 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. RESULTS: Sixteen CVOs (80%) were successfully transversed and associated with symptom relief. One major complication occurred involving SVC perforation into the pericardial space. Primary CVO patency rate was 56% at a median follow-up of 14.1 months (interquartile range [IQR], 9.2-20.0 mo). Recurrent CVOs tended to be infradiaphragmatic (71% vs 12% for supradiaphragmatic; P = .02), longer (12.9 cm ± 10.0 vs 2.3 cm ± 1.3; P < .01), and associated with implanted venous stents, filters, or cardiac pacer/defibrillator leads (86% vs 22%; P = .01). Median time to restenosis/occlusion was 1.5 months (IQR, 1.1-6.1 mo). CONCLUSIONS: RF wire recanalization is a relatively effective and safe option for refractory CVOs. Patients with longer, infradiaphragmatic CVOs associated with indwelling devices may require closer follow-up for CVO recurrence.

Perceptions of Quality in Interventional Oncology.

PURPOSE: To inductively characterize perceptions of quality in interventional oncology (IO) based on values and experiences of patients and referring providers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Brief ethnographic interviews were completed with referring providers and patients before and after a variety of liver-directed procedures about their experiences, concerns, and perceptions of IO services at a single institution. Constructivist grounded theory was used to systematically analyze interview transcripts for themes until thematic saturation was achieved. All transcripts were analyzed by a reviewer with 3-years of experience performing such analyses, and 50% were randomly selected to be coded by 2 additional blinded reviewers. Interreviewer agreement was assessed via Cohen κ. RESULTS: Interviews with 22 patients (mean age, 65 y ± 13; 9 women) and 12 providers (mean age, 54 y ± 9; 6 women) were required to reach and confirm thematic saturation. Interreviewer agreement for interview themes was excellent (κ = 0.78; P < .001). Perceptions of high-quality IO care relied on interventional radiologists being responsive, friendly, and open; engaging in multidisciplinary collaboration; having thoughtful, dedicated support staff; and facilitating well-coordinated care after procedures and follow-up more than technical expertise and periprocedural comfort. Patient and provider perceptions of quality differed, but disjointed care after procedures was the most common critique among both groups. CONCLUSIONS: An inductive qualitative approach effectively characterized specific aspects of perceptions of high-quality IO care among patients and referring providers.

Y90 Radioembolization Significantly Prolongs Time to Progression Compared With Chemoembolization in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) is used to treat patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Radioembolization is a minimally invasive procedure that involves implantation of radioactive micron-sized particles loaded with yttrium-90 (Y90) inside the blood vessels that supply a tumor. We performed a randomized, phase 2 study to compare the effects of cTACE and Y90 radioembolization in patients with HCC. METHODS: From October 2009 through October 2015, we reviewed patients with HCC of all Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stages for eligibility. Of these, 179 patients with BCLC stages A or B met our enrollment criteria and were candidates for cTACE or Y90 therapy. Patients were assigned randomly to groups that received Y90 therapy (n = 24; 50% Child-Pugh A) or cTACE (n = 21; 71% Child-Pugh A). The primary outcome was time to progression (TTP), evaluated by intention-to-treat analysis. Secondary outcomes included safety, rate of response (based on tumor size and necrosis criteria), and Kaplan-Meier survival time. We performed inverse probability of censoring weighting and competing risk analyses. RESULTS: Patients in the Y90 radioembolization group had significant longer median TTP (>26 mo) than patients in the cTACE group (6.8 mo; P = .0012) (hazard ratio, 0.122; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.027-0.557; P = .007). This was confirmed by competing risk and inverse probability of censoring weighting analyses accounting for transplantation or death. A significantly greater proportion of patients in the cTACE group developed diarrhea (21%) than in the Y90 group (0%; P = .031) or hypoalbuminemia (58% in the cTACE group vs 4% in the Y90 group; P < .001). Similar proportions of patients in each group had a response to therapy, marked by necrosis (74% in the cTACE group vs 87% in the Y90 group) (P = .433). The median survival time, censored to liver transplantation, was 17.7 months for the cTACE group (95% CI, 8.3-not calculable) vs 18.6 months for the Y90 group (95% CI, 7.4-32.5) (P = .99). CONCLUSIONS: In a randomized phase 2 study of patients with HCC of BCLC stages A or B, we found Y90 radioembolization to provide significantly longer TTP than cTACE. Y90 radioembolization provides better tumor control and could reduce drop-out from transplant waitlists. ClinicalTrials.gov no. NCT00956930.

Analysis of the RENAL and mRENAL Scores and the Relative Importance of Their Components in the Prediction of Complications and Local Progression after Percutaneous Renal Cryoablation.

PURPOSE: To determine if modified RENAL (mRENAL) score and its individual components have superior predictive value relative to the RENAL nephrometry score in prediction of complications and recurrence after percutaneous renal cryoablation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary masses treated with CT-guided percutaneous renal cryoablation between June 2007 and May 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. RENAL and mRENAL scores were used to stratify masses into low, medium, and high complexity tertiles. Complications were characterized by SIR criteria. Predictors of complications and local progression were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: There were 95 renal cryoablation procedures in 86 patients. Of ablations, 89 had at least 1 follow-up imaging study, with median follow-up of 29 months. There were 11 (12.4%) complications, including 5 (6.5%) major complications. Mass complexity, as measured by mRENAL complexity tertile, was associated with increased risk of complications on multivariate analysis (P = .045). Endophytic location was the only individual ordinal component of the RENAL and mRENAL scores associated with complications (P = .021). Local progression occurred in 7 (8.3%) masses. Complexity as measured by either scoring system was not associated with local progression. Only diameter > 3 cm was associated with increased risk of local progression (hazard ratio = 9.9, 95% confidence interval = 2.1-45, P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: mRENAL score was predictive of complications and tumor size was predictive of recurrence. Use of mRENAL score for complications and tumor size for recurrence should allow for simpler risk stratification and more accurate patient counseling.

Percutaneous Cryoablation for the Treatment of Primary and Metastatic Lung Tumors: Identification of Risk Factors for Recurrence and Major Complications.

PURPOSE: To identify risk factors for local recurrence and major complications associated with percutaneous cryoablation of lung tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All cases between April 2007 and September 2014 at 1 institution were retrospectively reviewed. Procedures were performed using computed tomography guidance and a double freeze-thaw protocol. Tumor progression was determined via World Health Organization guidelines, and complications were classified using SIR reporting standards. Measures of efficacy were calculated via Kaplan-Meier analysis. Predictors of local progression and major complications were identified by Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression. RESULTS: There were 47 tumors (25 primary, 22 metastatic) treated with median follow-up of 11.1 months. Mean diameter before treatment was 2.4 cm, and an average of 2.1 cryoprobes were used per procedure. Major complications (most commonly, pneumothorax requiring chest tube) occurred in 12 (25%) cases, and minor complications occurred in 13 (27%) cases. Median time to local progression was 14 months (16 mo for primary tumors and 10 mo for metastatic tumors), and median overall survival was 33 months (43 mo for patients with primary tumors and 22 mo for patients with metastatic tumors). On multivariate analysis, tumor diameter > 3 cm was associated with local progression (hazard ratio = 3.2, P = .013), and use of multiple cryoprobes (relative risk [RR] = 7.2, P = .045) and previous local therapy (RR = 15, P = .030) were associated with major complications. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous cryoablation of lung tumors is technically feasible with a complication rate comparable to other percutaneous ablation techniques. Percutaneous cryoablation is more efficacious and has fewer complications when offered to patients with small, previously untreated lesions.

Single- versus Triple-Drug Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Comparing Outcomes by Toxicity, Imaging Response, and Survival.

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of single- versus triple-drug chemoembolization for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, as measured by toxicity, tumor response, time to progression (TTP), and overall survival (OS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center retrospective review was performed on 337 patients who underwent chemoembolization over a 14-year period; 172 patients underwent triple-drug conventional transarterial chemoembolization, and 165 patients underwent single-agent doxorubicin chemoembolization. Imaging characteristics and clinical follow-up after conventional transarterial chemoembolization were evaluated to determine TTP. Imaging response was determined per World Health Organization and European Association for the Study of Liver criteria. OS from time of first chemoembolization was calculated. RESULTS: Median TTP was similar between groups: 7.9 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.1-9.4) and 6.8 months (95% CI, 4.6-8.6) for triple- and single-drug regimens, respectively (P > .05). For single-agent conventional transarterial chemoembolization, median OS varied significantly by Barcelona Clinic for Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage: A, 40.8 months; B, 36.4 months; C, 10.9 months (P < .01). Median OS for triple-drug therapy also varied significantly by BCLC: A, 28.9 months; B, 18.1 months; C, 9.0 months (P < .01). Single-drug conventional transarterial chemoembolization demonstrated longer median OS compared with triple-drug therapy (P < .05) for BCLC A/B patients. CONCLUSIONS: Single-agent chemoembolization with doxorubicin and ethiodized oil demonstrates acceptable efficacy as measured by TTP and OS. Results compare favorably with traditional triple-drug therapy.

Unresectable solitary hepatocellular carcinoma not amenable to radiofrequency ablation: multicenter radiology-pathology correlation and survival of radiation segmentectomy.

UNLABELLED: Resection and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are treatment options for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) <3 cm; there is interest in expanding the role of ablation to 3-5 cm. RFA is considered high-risk when the lesion is in close proximity to critical structures. Combining microcatheter technology and the localized emission properties of Y90, highly selective radioembolization is a possible alternative to RFA in such cases. We assessed the efficacy (response, radiology-pathology correlation, survival) of radiation segmentectomy in solitary HCC not amenable to RFA or resection. Patients with treatment-naïve, unresectable, solitary HCC ≤ 5 cm not amenable to RFA were included in this multicenter study. Administered dose, response rate, time-to-progression (modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors [mRECIST]), radiology-pathology correlation and long-term survival were assessed. In all, 102 patients were included in this study. mRECIST complete response (CR), partial response (PR), and stable disease (SD) were 47/99 (47%), 39/99 (39%), and 12/99 (12%), respectively. Median time-to-disease-progression was 33.1 months. In all, 33/102 (32%) patients were transplanted with a median (interquartile range [IQR]) time-to-transplantation of 6.3 months (3.6-9.7). Pathology revealed 100% and 50-99% necrosis in 17/33 (52%) and 16/33 (48%), respectively. Median overall survival was 53.4 months. Univariate analysis demonstrated a survival benefit for Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 0 patients. In the multivariate model, age <65, ECOG 0, and Child-Pugh A were characteristics associated with longer survival. CONCLUSION: Radiation segmentectomy is an effective technique with a favorable risk profile and radiology-pathology outcomes for solitary HCC ≤ 5 cm. This approach may allow for treatment of HCC in difficult locations. Since RFA and resection are not options given tumor location, there appears to be a strong rationale for this technique as second choice.

Perfusion reduction at transcatheter intraarterial perfusion MR imaging: a promising intraprocedural biomarker to predict transplant-free survival during chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To investigate the predictive value of transcatheter intraarterial perfusion (TRIP) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-measured tumor perfusion changes during transarterial chemoembolization on transplant-free survival (TFS) in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This HIPAA-compliant prospective study was approved by the institutional review board. Written informed consent was obtained from all patients. Fifty-one consecutive adult patients with surgically unresectable single or multifocal measurable HCC and adequate laboratory parameters who underwent chemoembolization in a combined MR imaging-interventional radiology suite between February 2006 and June 2010 were studied. Tumor perfusion changes during chemoembolization were measured by using TRIP MR imaging with area under the time-signal intensity curve calculation. The end point of the study was TFS. The authors assessed the correlation between the percentage perfusion reduction in the tumor during chemoembolization and TFS by using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Fifty patients (mean age, 61 years; 39 men aged 42-87 years [mean age, 61 years] and 11 women aged 49-83 years [mean age, 62 years]) were eligible for the analysis. Patients with 35%-85% intraprocedural tumor area under the time-signal intensity curve reduction (n = 32) showed significantly improved median TFS compared with patients with an area under the time-signal intensity curve reduction outside this range (n = 18) (16.6 months [95% confidence interval: 11.2, 22.0 months] vs 9.3 months [95% confidence interval: 6.6, 12.0 months], respectively; P = .046; hazard ratio: 0.46; 95% confidence interval: 0.21, 1.00). The cumulative TFS rates in the 35%-85% and less than 35% or more than 85% perfusion reduction groups at 1, 2, and 5 years after chemoembolization were 66.4%, 42.2%, and 28.2% versus 33.8%, 16.9%, and 0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The study shows evidence of an association between intraprocedural tumor perfusion reduction during chemoembolization and TFS and suggests the utility of TRIP MR imaging- measured tumor perfusion reduction as an intraprocedural imaging biomarker during chemoembolization.

Sustained safety and efficacy of extended-shelf-life (90)Y glass microspheres: long-term follow-up in a 134-patient cohort.

PURPOSE: To validate our initial pilot study and confirm sustained safety and tumor response of extended-shelf-life (90)Y glass microspheres. We hypothesized that for the same planned tissue dose, the increase in number of glass microspheres (decayed to the second week of their allowable shelf-life) administered for the same absorbed dose would result in better tumor distribution of the microspheres without causing additional adverse events. METHODS: Between June 2007 and January 2010, 134 patients underwent radioembolization with extended-shelf-life (90)Y glass microspheres; data from 84 new patients were combined with data from our 50-patient pilot study cohort. Baseline and follow-up imaging and laboratory data were obtained 1 and 3 months after therapy and every 3 months thereafter. Clinical and biochemical toxicities were prospectively captured and categorized according to the Common Terminology Criteria. Response in the index lesion was assessed using WHO and EASL guidelines. RESULTS: The mean delivered radiation dose was 123 Gy to the target liver tissue. The mean increase in number of microspheres with this approach compared to standard (90)Y glass microsphere dosimetry was 103%, corresponding to an increase from 3.84 to 7.78 million microspheres. Clinical toxicities included fatigue (89 patients, 66%), abdominal pain (49 patients, 36.6%), and nausea/vomiting (25 patients, 18.7%). Grade 3/4 bilirubin toxicity was seen in three patients (2%). Two (1%) of the initial 50-patient cohort showed gastroduodenal ulcers; gastroduodenal ulcers were not seen in any of the subsequent 84 patients. According to WHO and EASL guidelines, response rates were 48% and 57%, respectively, and 21% demonstrated a complete EASL response. CONCLUSION: This study showed sustained safety and efficacy of extended-shelf-life (90)Y glass microspheres in a larger, 134-patient cohort. The increase in number of microspheres administered theoretically resulted in better tumor distribution of the microspheres without an increase in adverse events.

Twelve-year experience of radioembolization for colorectal hepatic metastases in 214 patients: survival by era and chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the safety, treatment characteristics and survival outcomes of Yttrium-90 (Y90) radioembolization for unresectable colorectal carcinoma (CRC) liver metastases refractory to standard of care therapy. METHODS: A total of 214 patients with CRC metastases were treated with Y90 radioembolization over 12 years. Toxicity was assessed using National Cancer Institute common terminology criteria. Overall survival was analyzed from date of diagnosis of primary cancer, hepatic metastases and from the first Y90. Uni/multivariate analyses were performed. Substratification by era of chemotherapeutics was performed. RESULTS: Most patients were male (60 %) and <65 years old (61 %). Of them, 98 % had been exposed to chemotherapy. Grade 3 lymphocyte, bilirubin, albumin, ALP and AST toxicities were observed in 39 %, 11 %, 10 %, 8 % and 4 % of patients, respectively. Grade 4 lymphocyte and ALP toxicities were observed in 5 % and 3 % of patients, respectively. Median overall survival was 43.0, 34.6, and 10.6 months from date of diagnosis of primary cancer, hepatic metastases and first Y90, respectively. Survival was significantly longer in patients: (1) who received ≤2 cytotoxic drugs (n = 104) than those who received 3 (n = 110) (15.2 vs. 7.5 months, p = 0.0001); and (2) who received no biologic agents (n = 52) compared with those that did (n = 162) (18.6 vs. 9.4 months, p = 0.0001). Multivariate analyses identified ≤2 cytotoxic agents, no exposure to biologics, ECOG 0, tumor burden <25 %, lack of extrahepatic disease and albumin >3 g/dL as independent predictors of survival. CONCLUSION: In this largest metastatic CRC series published to date, Y90 radioembolization was found to be safe; survival varied by prior therapy. Further studies are required to further refine the role of Y90 in metastatic CRC.

Yttrium-90 radioembolization stops progression of targeted breast cancer liver metastases after failed chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: To determine, in an open-label, retrospective report, the safety and effectiveness of locoregional therapy with yttrium-90 ((90)Y) radioembolization for patients with progressing breast cancer liver metastases (BCLMs) despite multi-agent chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-five patients with progressing BCLMs and stable extrahepatic disease were treated with radioembolization at a single institution. Retrospective review of a prospectively collected database was performed to evaluate clinical and biochemical toxicities, tumor response, overall survival (OS), and time to progression. Radiologic response assessments included Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors in primary index lesions and metabolic activity on positron emission tomography (PET). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: The mortality rate at 30 days was 4% (n = 3). Clinical toxicity and hyperbilirubinemia of grade 3 or worse occurred in 7.6% (n = 5) and 5.9% of patients (n = 4), respectively. Partial response (PR) was seen in 35.3% of patients (n = 24), stable disease (SD) in 63.2% (n = 43), and progressive disease in 1.5% (n = 1). PET imaging was available in 25 patients, and 21 (84%) had a complete response, PR, or SD. The median OS was 6.6 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.0-9.2 mo). The hazard ratio (HR) for OS on multivariate analysis was 0.39 (95% CI, 0.23-0.66) for tumor burden less than 25% compared with greater burden. Elevated bilirubin levels were shown to reduce OS. The HR for hepatic progression was 0.22 (95% CI, 0.05-0.98) for solitary versus multifocal disease. CONCLUSIONS: Locoregional therapy with (90)Y radioembolization is safe and stops or delays the progression of targeted chemorefractory BCLMs. Adverse prognosticators were identified.

Safety and Diagnostic Efficacy of Image-Guided Biopsy of Small Renal Masses.

INTRODUCTION: Image-guided renal mass biopsy is gaining increased diagnostic acceptance, but there are limited data concerning the safety and diagnostic yield of biopsy for small renal masses (≤4 cm). This study evaluated the safety, diagnostic yield, and management after image-guided percutaneous biopsy for small renal masses. METHODS: A retrospective IRB-approved study was conducted on patients who underwent renal mass biopsy for histopathologic diagnosis at a single center from 2015 to 2021. Patients with a prior history of malignancy or a renal mass >4 cm were excluded. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize patient demographics, tumor size, the imaging modality used for biopsy, procedure details, complications, pathological diagnosis, and post-biopsy management. A biopsy was considered successful when the specimen was sufficient for diagnosis without need for a repeat biopsy. Complications were graded according to the SIR classification of adverse events. A chi-squared test (significance level set at p ≤ 0.05) was used to compare the success rate of biopsies in different lesion size groups. RESULTS: A total of 167 patients met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 65 years (range: 26-87) and 51% were male. The median renal mass size was 2.6 cm (range: one-four). Ultrasound was solely employed in 60% of procedures, CT in 33%, a combination of US/CT in 6%, and MRI in one case. With on-site cytopathology, the median number of specimens obtained per procedure was four (range: one-nine). The overall complication rate was 5%. Grade A complications were seen in 4% (n = 7), consisting of perinephric hematoma (n = 6) and retroperitoneal hematoma (n = 1). There was one grade B complication (0.5%; pain) and one grade D complication (0.5%; pyelonephritis). There was no patient mortality within 30 days post-biopsy. Biopsy was successful in 88% of cases. A sub-group analysis showed a success rate of 85% in tumors <3 cm and 93% in tumors ≥3 cm (p = 0.01). Pathological diagnoses included renal cell carcinoma (65%), oncocytoma (18%), clear cell papillary renal cell tumors (9%), angiomyolipoma (4%), xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (1%), lymphoma (1%), high-grade papillary urothelial carcinoma (1%), and metanephric adenoma (1%), revealing benign diagnosis in 30% of cases. The most common treatment was surgery (40%), followed by percutaneous cryoablation (22%). In total, 37% of patients were managed conservatively, and one patient received chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the safety and diagnostic efficacy of image-guided biopsy of small renal masses. The diagnostic yield was significantly higher for masses 3-4 cm in size compared to those <3 cm. The biopsy results showed a high percentage of benign diagnoses and informed treatment decisions in most patients.

Radiation lobectomy: time-dependent analysis of future liver remnant volume in unresectable liver cancer as a bridge to resection.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Portal vein embolization (PVE) is a standard technique for patients not amenable to liver resection due to small future liver remnant ratio (FLR). Radiation lobectomy (RL) with (90)Y-loaded microspheres (Y90) is hypothesized to induce comparable volumetric changes in liver lobes, while potentially controlling the liver tumor and limiting tumor progression in the untreated lobe. We aimed at testing this concept by performing a comprehensive time-dependent analysis of liver volumes following radioembolization. METHODS: 83 patients with right unilobar disease with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC; N=67), cholangiocarcinoma (CC; N=8) or colorectal cancer (CRC; N=8) were treated by Y90 RL. The total liver volume, lobar (parenchymal) and tumor volumes, FLR and percentage of FLR hypertrophy from baseline (%FLR hypertrophy) were assessed on pre- and post-Y90 CT/MRI scans in a dynamic fashion. RESULTS: Right lobe atrophy (p=0.003), left lobe hypertrophy (p<0.001), and FLR hypertrophy (p<0.001) were observed 1 month after Y90 and this was consistent at all follow-up time points. Median %FLR hypertrophy reached 45% (5-186) after 9 months (p<0.001). The median maximal %FLR hypertrophy was 26% (-14 → 86). Portal vein thrombosis was correlated to %FLR hypertrophy (p=0.02). Median Child-Pugh score worsening (6 → 7) was seen at 1 to 3 months (p=0.03) and 3 to 6 months (p=0.05) after treatment. Five patients underwent successful right lobectomy (HCC N=3, CRC N=1, CC N=1) and 6 HCCs were transplanted. CONCLUSIONS: Radiation lobectomy by Y90 is a safe and effective technique to hypertrophy the FLR. Volumetric changes are comparable (albeit slightly slower) to PVE while the right lobe tumor is treated synchronously. This novel technique is of particular interest in the bridge-to-resection setting.

Cancer concepts and principles: primer for the interventional oncologist-part I.

A sophisticated understanding of the rapidly changing field of oncology, including a broad knowledge of oncologic disease and the therapies available to treat them, is fundamental to the interventional radiologist providing oncologic therapies, and is necessary to affirm interventional oncology as one of the four pillars of cancer care alongside medical, surgical, and radiation oncology. The first part of this review intends to provide a concise overview of the fundamentals of oncologic clinical trials, including trial design, methods to assess therapeutic response, common statistical analyses, and the levels of evidence provided by clinical trials.

Cancer concepts and principles: primer for the interventional oncologist-part II.

This is the second of a two-part overview of the fundamentals of oncology for interventional radiologists. The first part focused on clinical trials, basic statistics, assessment of response, and overall concepts in oncology. This second part aims to review the methods of tumor characterization; principles of the oncology specialties, including medical, surgical, radiation, and interventional oncology; and current treatment paradigms for the most common cancers encountered in interventional oncology, along with the levels of evidence that guide these treatments.