OBJECTIVE: To prospectively evaluate the performance of computed tomography perfusion imaging (CTPI) in predicting the early response to transarterial chemo-lipiodol infusion (TACLI) and survival of patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Computed tomography perfusion imaging was performed before and 1 month after TACLI in 61 consecutive patients. Therapeutic response was evaluated on CT scans 1 month and 4 months after TACLI; the patients were classified as responders and non-responders based on 4-month CT scans after TACLI. The percentage change of CTPI parameters of target lesions were compared between responders and non-responders at 1 month after TACLI. The optimal parameter and cutoff value were determined. The patients were divided into 2 subgroups according to the cutoff value. The log-rank test was used to compare the survival rates of the 2 subgroups. RESULTS: Four-month images were obtained from 58 patients, of which 39.7% were responders and 60.3% were non-responders. The percentage change in hepatic arterial perfusion (HAP) 1 month after TACLI was the optimal predicting parameter (p = 0.003). The best cut-off value was -21.5% and patients who exhibited a > or = 21.5% decrease in HAP had a significantly higher overall survival rate than those who exhibited a < 21.5% decrease (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Computed tomography perfusion imaging can predict the early response to TACLI and survival of patients with CRLM. The percentage change in HAP after TACLI with a cutoff value of -21.5% is the optimal predictor.
Adult ; Aged ; Colorectal Neoplasms/mortality/*pathology ; Contrast Media/administration & dosage ; Ethiodized Oil/*administration & dosage ; Female ; Hepatic Artery/radiography ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/*drug therapy/mortality/*radiography/secondary ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Perfusion Imaging/*methods ; Prospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods

Non-spine bone metastasis accounts for approximately 20% of all skeletal metastases, but little data have been published that focused on bone metastasis to the pelvis and extremities as an initial manifestation of cancer. We determined 1) clinicopathologic characteristics of patients who presented with non-spine bone metastasis of unknown primary malignancy, and 2) process by which the diagnosis of primary cancer was made. We retrospectively reviewed 84 patients with bone metastasis of unknown primary cancer site at the time of presentation. The study population consisted of 56 men and 28 women, with a mean age of 59.1 yr (17.5-85.6 yr). The average follow-up period was 20.8 months (1-120 mo). Primary cancer site was identified in 79 patients (94.0%), and was determined to be the lung (46.4%), kidney (13.1%), liver (9.5%), thyroid (8.3%), and prostate (4.8%). Five-year overall survival rate was 28.0%. Multiple bone metastases, distant organ metastasis, and multiple bone with organ metastases were the significant prognostic factors in univariate analysis. Multiple bone metastases remained significant after multivariate analysis (P = 0.008). Lung cancer is the most common site of primary cancer, and patients with multiple bone metastases have a poor prognosis, possibly due to disseminated cancer and a greater tumor burden.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Neoplasms/mortality/pathology/*secondary ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms/pathology ; Liver Neoplasms/pathology ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology/radiography ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology ; Republic of Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To describe computed tomography (CT) features of metastatic gallbladder (GB) tumors (MGTs) from various primary tumors and to determine whether there are differential imaging features of MGTs according to different primary tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one patients who had pathologically confirmed MGTs and underwent CT were retrospectively enrolled. Clinical findings including presenting symptoms, type of surgery, and interval between primary and metastatic tumors were recorded. Histologic features of primary tumor and MGTs including depth of invasion were also reviewed. Imaging findings were analyzed for the location and morphology of MGTs, pattern and degree of enhancement, depth of invasion, presence of intact overlying mucosa, and concordance between imaging features of primary and metastatic tumors. Significant differences between the histologies of MGTs and imaging features were determined. RESULTS: The most common primary tumor metastasized to the GB was gastric cancer (n = 8), followed by renal cell carcinoma (n = 4) and hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 3). All MGTs (n = 21) manifested as infiltrative wall thickenings (n = 15) or as polypoid lesions (n = 6) on CT, similar to the features of primary GB cancers. There were significant differences in the morphology of MGTs, enhancement pattern, enhancement degree, and depth of invasion according to the histology of primary tumors (p < 0.05). Metastatic adenocarcinomas of the GB manifested as infiltrative and persistently enhancing wall thickenings, while non-adenocarcinomatous metastases usually manifested as polypoid lesions with early wash-in and wash-out. CONCLUSION: Although CT findings of MGTs are similar to those of primary GB cancer, they are significantly different between the various histologies of primary tumors.
Adenocarcinoma/pathology/radiography/secondary ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology/radiography/secondary ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell/pathology/radiography/secondary ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology/radiography/secondary ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Gallbladder Neoplasms/pathology/*radiography/*secondary ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms/pathology ; Liver Neoplasms/pathology ; Male ; Melanoma/pathology/radiography/secondary ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness/radiography ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms/pathology ; *Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas) are unusual mesenchymal neoplasms composed of histologically and immunohistochemically distinct perivascular epithelioid cells (PECs). Although PEComas have the potential to behave in a malignant fashion, malignant PEComas arising from the retroperitoneum are extremely rare. A 68-year-old woman presented with a painful palpable mass in her left upper abdomen. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed a 9 cm sized heterogeneous mass in left para-aortic space and multiple hypervascular nodules in the liver. 18F-fludeoxyglucose-PET/CT showed multifocal hypermetabolic lesions in retroperitoneum, liver, and skeletal bones. Percutaneous needle biopsies were done on the retroperitoneal and hepatic mass. Both specimens were positive for human melanoma black-45 (HMB-45) on histological and immunohistochemical staining which was compatible with PEComas. Herein, we report a rare case of retroperitoneal PEComa with multiple metastases involving liver and bone at initial diagnosis that exhibited aggressive behavior and resulted in a devastating prognosis.
Aged ; Bone Neoplasms/pathology/radiography/secondary ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/pathology/radiography/secondary ; Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is one of the most effective therapies for unresectable hepatocelluar carcinoma or metastatic hypervascular tumors. Abscess occurring in the other organs beside the liver after TACE is a complication that often occurs, sometimes potentially fatal. We report a case of spinal epidural abscess occurred after liver abscess complicated by TACE in a patient with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors to the liver. A 67-year-old female underwent TACE first for the metastatic lesions to liver, with a history of pancreatoduodenectomy for the primary pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. Four days after TACE, sudden high fever occurred, and liver abscess was found on abdominal CT. Two days later, back pain and radiating pain to the right leg occurred, and lumbar spine MRI showed spinal epidural abscess. After intravenous antibiotics for 8 weeks and partial laminectomy, the patient recovered and was discharged without complications.
Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/secondary/*therapy ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic/*adverse effects ; Epidural Abscess/*etiology/microbiology/surgery ; Escherichia coli/isolation & purification ; Escherichia coli Infections/drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Liver Abscess/*etiology ; Liver Neoplasms/secondary/*therapy ; Lumbar Vertebrae/microbiology/radiography ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neuroendocrine Tumors/pathology/surgery ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Imatinib, the first-line treatment in patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), is generally well tolerated, although some patients have difficulty tolerating the standard dose of 400 mg/day. Adjusting imatinib dosage by plasma level monitoring may facilitate management of patients who experience intolerable toxicities due to overexposure to the drug. We present two cases of advanced GIST patients in whom we managed imatinib-related toxicities through dose modifications guided by imatinib plasma level monitoring. Imatinib blood level testing may be a promising approach for fine-tuning imatinib dosage for better tolerability and optimal clinical outcomes in patients with advanced GIST.
Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents/blood/*therapeutic use ; Benzamides/blood/*therapeutic use ; Drug Monitoring ; Exons ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/*drug therapy/pathology/radiography ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors/*drug therapy/pathology/radiography ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/secondary ; Male ; Mutation ; Piperazines/blood/*therapeutic use ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit/genetics ; Pyrimidines/blood/*therapeutic use ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma is a rare and aggressive variant of squamous cell carcinoma, which mostly occurs in the upper aerodigestive tracts. Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma also typically arises in the anal canal, but is extremely rare in the lower gastrointestinal tract. A 70-year-old man presented with loose stool and intermittent hematochezia 2 months ago. Colonoscopy showed an ulceroinfiltrative mass on the rectosigmoid colon from 16 cm to 18 cm above the anal verge. Conventional colonoscope could not pass through the lesion but it was possible with pediatric colonoscope. Abdominal CT scan showed 1.6 cm sized wall thickening with circumferential luminal narrowing in the rectosigmoid colon and multiple ill-defined low density masses in both lobes of the liver. Therefore, colon cancer with liver metastasis was suspected. However, basaloid cells were noted on histologic examination, and they were weakly positive for synaptophysin on immunohistochemical study. After palliative lower anterior resection, histologic examination of the resected specimen revealed basaloid differentiation with keratin pearls, and tumor cells were positively stained with high molecular weighted cytokeratin (34BE12) and CK 5/6. Thus, the patient was finally diagnosed with basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of rectosigmoid colon with distant metastases.
Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/*diagnosis/pathology/surgery ; Colonoscopy ; Colorectal Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology/surgery ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratins/metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms/radiography/secondary ; Lung Neoplasms/radionuclide imaging/secondary ; Male ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Synaptophysin/metabolism ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

No abstract available.
Adult ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Breast Neoplasms/*pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis/etiology/*radiography ; Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy/*radiography/secondary ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Reports of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) without a primary liver tumor are rare. Here we present a case of isolated HCC that had metastasized to the pelvic bone without a primary focus. A 73-year-old man presented with severe back and right-leg pain. Radiological examinations, including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), revealed a huge mass on the pelvic bone (13x10 cm). He underwent an incisional biopsy, and the results of the subsequent histological examination were consistent with metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma. The tumor cells were positive for cytokeratin (AE1/AE3), hepatocyte paraffin 1, and glypican-3, and negative for CD56, chromogranin A, and synaptophysin on immunohistochemical staining. Examination of the liver by CT, MRI, positron-emission tomography scan, and angiography produced no evidence of a primary tumor. Radiotherapy and transarterial chemoembolization were performed on the pelvic bone, followed by systemic chemotherapy. These combination treatments resulted in tumor regression with necrotic changes. However, multiple lung metastases developed 1 year after the treatment, and the patient was treated with additional systemic chemotherapy.
Aged ; Bone Neoplasms/*diagnosis/*pathology/radiotherapy ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/*pathology/radiography/*secondary ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Glypicans/metabolism ; Humans ; Keratin-1/metabolism ; Keratin-3/metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms/*pathology/radiography/*secondary ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Paraffin/metabolism ; Pelvic Bones/*pathology/radiography ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been used widely to treat patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. However, this method can induce various adverse events caused by necrosis of the tumor itself or damage to nontumor tissues. In particular, neurologic side effects such as cerebral infarction and paraplegia, although rare, may cause severe sequelae and permanent disability. Detailed information regarding the treatment process and prognosis associated with this procedure is not yet available. We experienced a case of paraplegia that occurred after conducting TACE through the intercostal artery to treat hepatocellular carcinoma that had metastasized to the rib. In this case, TACE was attempted to relieve severe bone pain, which had persisted even after palliative radiotherapy. A sudden impairment of sensory and motor functions after TACE developed in the trunk below the level of the sternum and in both lower extremities. The patient subsequently received steroid pulse therapy along with supportive care and continuous rehabilitation. At the time of discharge the patient had recovered sufficiently to enable him to walk by himself, although some paresthesia and spasticity remained.
Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use ; Bone Neoplasms/radiography/secondary ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/diagnosis/pathology/*therapy ; Catheter Ablation ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic/*adverse effects ; Hepatitis B/complications/drug therapy ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis/etiology ; Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis/pathology/*therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms/secondary ; Spinal Cord Injuries/*etiology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed