• Clinical Endoscopy
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• 제56권1호
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• pp.65-74
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• 2023

Background/Aims: Gastric varices (GV) are present in 25% of cirrhotic patients with high rates of rebleeding and mortality. Data on endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided treatment in severe liver disease (model for end stage liver disease sodium [MELD-Na] >18 and Child-Turcotte-Pugh [CTP] C with GV) are scarce. Thus, we performed a retrospective comparison of endoscopic glue injection with EUS-guided therapy in cirrhotic patients with large GV. Methods: A retrospective study was performed in the tertiary hospitals of India. A total of 80 patients were recruited. The inclusion criteria were gastroesophageal varices type 2, isolated gastric varices type 1, bleeding within 6 weeks, size of GV >10 mm, and a MELD-Na >18. Treatment outcomes and complications of endoscopic glue injection and EUS-guided GV therapy were compared. Results: In this study, the patients' age, sex, liver disease severity (CTP, MELD-Na) and clinical parameters were comparable. The median number of procedures, injected glue volume, complications, and GV obturation were better in the EUS group, respectively. On subgroup analysis of the EUS method (e.g., direct gastric fundus vs. paragastric collateral [PGC] coil placement), PGC coil placement showed decreased coil requirement, less injected glue volume, decreased luminal coil extrusion, and increased successful GV obturation. Conclusions: EUS-guided treatment is more efficient and safer, and requires a smaller number of treatment sessions, as compared to endoscopic treatment in severe liver disease patients with large GV. Furthermore, PGC coil placement increases the complete obliteration of GV.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.217-223
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• 2013

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide, and the outcomes for patients are still poor. It is important to determine the original type of synchronous multinodular HCC for preoperative assessment and the choice of treatment therapy as well as for the prediction of prognosis after treatment. Aims: To analyze clinicopathologic characteristics and prognoses in patients with multicentric occurrence (MO) and intrahepatic metastasis (IM) of synchronous multinodular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: The study group comprised 42 multinodular HCC patients with a total of 112 nodules. The control group comprised 20 HCC patients with 16 single nodular HCC cases and 4 HCC cases with a portal vein tumor emboli. The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop region was sequenced, and the patients of the study group were categorized as MO or IM based on the sequence variations. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine the important clinicopathologic characteristics in the two groups. Results: In the study group, 20 cases were categorized as MO, and 22 as IM, whereas all 20 cases in the control group were characterized as IM. Several factors significantly differed between the IM and MO patients, including hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), cumulative tumor size, tumor nodule location, cirrhosis, portal vein and/or microvascular tumor embolus and the histological grade of the primary nodule. Multivariate analysis further demonstrated that cirrhosis and portal vein and/or microvascular tumor thrombus were independent factors differentiating between IM and MO patients. The tumor-free survival time of the MO subjects was significantly longer than that of the IM subjects ($25.7{\pm}4.8$ months vs. $8.9{\pm}3.1$ months, p=0.017). Similarly, the overall survival time of the MO subjects was longer ($31.6{\pm}5.3$ months vs. $15.4{\pm}3.4$ months, p=0.024). The multivariate analysis further demonstrated that the original type (p=0.035) and Child-Pugh grade (p<0.001) were independent predictors of tumor-free survival time. Cirrhosis (p=0.011), original type (p=0.034) and Child-Pugh grade (p<0.001) were independent predictors of overall survival time. Conclusions: HBeAg, cumulative tumor size, tumor nodule location, cirrhosis, portal vein and/or microvascular tumor embolus and histological grade of the primary nodule are important factors for differentiating IM and MO. MO HCC patients might have a favorable outcome compared with IM patients.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.137-145
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• 2000

간세포암에 대한 방사선 치료의 효과를 평가하고자 1984년 1월부터 2000년 1월까지 영남대학교 의과대학 부속병원에서 간세포암으로 진단된 환자들 중에서 방사선 치료 단독 혹은 간동맥 색전술과 병합요법을 한 18명의 환자들의 의무기록과 방사선 사진을 검토하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 남자가 15명, 여자가 3명이었으며 평균 나이는 51세였다. 복수가 4명(22.2%)에서 있었으며 간경변이 11명(61.1%)에서 있었다. 간기능은 Child-Pugh class A, B, C가 각각 6명, 3명, 2명이었다. 14명(77.8%)에서 HBs 항원 양성이었으며 anti-HCV 양성은 없었다. 사망원인은 간성혼수를 포함한 간부전이 2명(11.1%), 위장관출혈이 1명(5.6%), 암사망이 1명(5.6%), 현재 생존이 4명(22.2%)였으며 10명(55.6%)은 불명이었다. 종양의 위치는 간우염이 10례 좌염이 3례 양쪽 모두가 5례였으며, 종양의 형태는 결절형이 4례, 괴상형이 7례, 미만형이 7례였다. 8례(44.4%)에서 동정맥우회(shunt)가 있었으며 간문맥혈전증이 4례(22. 2%)에서 있었다. 병기는 I기, II기, III기, IV기 각각 0례, 5례, 4례, 9례였다. 종양의 크기(volume percentage)는 4025%(5-96)였다. 치료에 대한 반응은 partial response가 2례(11.1%), minimal response가 4례(22.2%), no change가 11례(61.1%), progressive disease가 1례(5.6%)였다. 평균 생존률은 97개월(2-25)로 반응율(response rate)은 33.3%였다. 3개월, 6개월, 12개월, 24개월 생존률은 각각 81.3%, 43.8%, 18.8%, 6.3%였다. 결론적으로, 간세포암에 있어서 방사선 치료는 생존률을 향상시키지는 못하더라도 종양의 크기를 줄이는데 효과가 있었다. 간동맥 색전술과의 병합치료가 치료효과를 강화하는 것으로 생각되나 방사선 단독 치료의 효과를 알기 위해서는 더 많은 연구가 필요할 것으로 생각된다.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.123-129
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• 2002

목적 : 수술적 절제가 불가능한 원발성 간암 환자들을 대상으로 삼차원적인 방사선치료계획 시스템을 이용한 입체조형 방사선치료를 전향적으로 실시하고 조기 임상 결과를 분석하였다. 또한, 이를 통해 원발성 간암의 비수술적 치료에서 입체조형 방사선치료의 잠재적인 역할과 가능성을 판단해 보고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법 : 1995년 1월부터 1997년 6월까지 원발성 간암으로 진단 후 입체조형 방사선치료의 기법을 적용하여 치료를 받은 17명의 환자가 본 연구 대상에 포함되었다. 대상 환자의 선정 기준은 방사선치료의 과거력이 없는 경우, 간외 전이가 없는 경우, 간경변증의 정도가 Child-Pugh classification A또는 B군인 경우, 종양이 전체 간 용적의 2/3를 넘지 않는 경우, 전신수행도가 European Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 3기 이상으로 악화되지 않은 경우이었다. 15명의 환자에서 경동맥화학색전술과 입체조형 방사선치료의 병용요법이 시행되었다. 대상 환자는 In-ternational Union Against Cancer (UICC) 병기별로 II기 1명, III기 8명, IVA기 8명이었다. 4명의 환자에서 간문맥 혈전증이 동반되었으며, 종양의 평균 직경은 8 cm이었다. 조사영역은 종양과 주변 1.5 cm이었고 조사선량의 분포는 $36\~60\;Gy$로 중앙값은 59.4 Gy이었다. 종양의 반응은 치료 후 $4\~8$주에 시행한 영상 진단을 기준으로 평가하였다. 추적관찰기간의 중앙값은 15개월이었다. 결과 : 2년 생존율은 $21.2\%$였고 평균 생존 기간은 19개월이었다. 완전 반응과 부분 반응을 포함하여 11명의 환자에서 치료에 대한 반응을 보여 반응률은 $64.7\%$였다. 종양의 진행을 보인 환자는 3명으로 이 중 2명의 환자가 조사영역 밖에서 종양의 진행을 보였다. 추적 기간 중 6명의 환자에서 원격 전이가 나타났고 폐 전이와 뼈 전이가 각각 5명과 1명이었다. 삼차원 입체 조형 치료와 관련된 것으로 판단되는 방사선 간염은 발생하지 않았으며 Grade 2의 위염과 십이지장염이 각각 1명씩 발생했다. 치료로 인해 사망하였던 경우는 없었다. 결론 : 절제 불가능한 원발성 간암의 치료에 입체조형 방사선치료를 적용할 것은 비교적 안전하였고 실제적인 치료 효과를 나타내었다. 향후 원발성 간암의 비수술적 치료에 입체조형 방사선치료의 역할이 기대되며 이 치료법의 우수성을 입증하기 위한 제 3상 연구가 뒤따라야 할 것으로 사료된다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권9호
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• pp.3915-3920
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• 2014

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a dismal tumor with a high incidence, prevalence and poor prognosis and survival. Management of HCC necessitates multidisciplinary clinics due to the wide heterogeneity in its presentation, different therapeutic options, variable biologic behavior and background presence of chronic liver disease. We studied the different prognostic factors that affected survival of our patients to improve future HCC management and patient survival. Materials and Methods: This study is performed in a specialized multidisciplinary clinic for HCC in Kasr El Eini Hospital, Cairo University, Egypt. We retrospectively analyzed the different patient and tumor characteristics and the primary mode of management applied to our patients. Further analysis was performed using univariate and multivariate statistics. Results: During the period February 2009 till February 2013, 290 HCC patients presented to our multidisciplinary clinic. They were predominantly males and the mean age was $56.5{\pm}7.7years$. All cases developed HCC on top of cirrhosis that was mainly due to HCV (71%). Most of our patients were Child-Pugh A (50%) or B (36.9%) and commonly presented with small single lesions. Transarterial chemoembolization was the most common line of treatment used (32.4%). The overall survival was 79.9% at 6 months, 54.5% at 1 year and 22.4% at 2 years. Serum bilirubin, site of the tumor and type of treatment were the significant independent prognostic factors for survival. Conclusions: Our main prognostic variables are the bilirubin level, the bilobar hepatic affection and the application of specific treatment (either curative or palliative). Multidisciplinary clinics enhance better HCC management.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.167-172
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• 2017

말기 간경변은 간이식이 아니면 근본적 회복을 기대하기 어려운 질환으로, 환자와 가족의 장기간의 고통을 수반하기에 호스피스 완화의료적 접근에 대한 고려가 필요하며 이와 관련된 논의와 법규 정비가 이루어지고 있다. 말기 간경변에 따른 여러 증상은 다양한 중증도를 갖기에 그 대상자를 선별함에 주의가 필요하고, 일반적으로 Child-Pugh 분류상 C단계의 비대상성 환자들 중 적극 치료해도 호전되지 않는 간신증후군, 간성 뇌증 및 정맥류 출혈 환자로 한정하고 있다. 간이식이라는 완치적 치료법이 있는 점도 호스피스 완화의료적 접근 전에 충분히 환자 및 가족들과 상의 되어야 한다. 이러한 의학적 상태에 대한 판단은 때론 다변적이고 경계가 모호한 경우가 많아, 장기간의 진료와 평가를 기반으로 하는 것이 바람직하다. 따라서, 말기 간경변 환자에서 호스피스 완화치료 대상자의 선별은 전문 치료와 호스피스 완화치료 사이에 균형을 이루고 최선의 치료가 될 수 있도록, 간질환 전문가를 비롯한 여러 전문가들의 상호 협의와 다학제적 접근을 통해 이루어져야 한다. 본문에서는 호스피스 완화의료적 측면에서 말기 간경변이 갖는 특징과 고려해야 할 사항에 대해서 간략히 검토해 보고자 한다.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제36권1호
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• pp.25-34
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the initial outcomes of proton beam therapy (PBT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in terms of tumor response and safety. Materials and Methods: HCC patients who were not indicated for standard curative local modalities and who were treated with PBT at Samsung Medical Center from January 2016 to February 2017 were enrolled. Toxicity was scored using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 4.0. Tumor response was evaluated using modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST). Results: A total of 101 HCC patients treated with PBT were included. Patients were treated with an equivalent dose of $62-92GyE_{10}$. Liver function status was not significantly affected after PBT. Greater than 80% of patients had Child-Pugh class A and albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade 1 up to 3-months after PBT. Of 78 patients followed for three months after PBT, infield complete and partial responses were achieved in 54 (69.2%) and 14 (17.9%) patients, respectively. Conclusion: PBT treatment of HCC patients showed a favorable infield complete response rate of 69.2% with acceptable acute toxicity. An additional follow-up study of these patients will be conducted.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권23호
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• pp.10209-10215
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• 2015

To assess the contribution of tumor necrosis factor $(TNF){\beta}$ +252 polymorphisms to risk and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we enrolled 150 pairs of sex- and age-matched patients with HCC, patients with cirrhosis alone, and unrelated healthy controls. $TNF{\beta}$ +252 genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction with restriction fragment length polymorphism. Multivariate analysis indicated that $TNF{\beta}$ G/G genotype [odds ratio (OR), 3.64; 95%CI, 1.49-8.91], hepatitis B surface antigen (OR, 16.38; 95%CI, 8.30-32.33), and antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV) (OR, 39.11; 95%CI, 14.83-103.14) were independent risk factors for HCC. There was an additive interaction between $TNF{\beta}$ G/G genotype and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)/HCV infection (synergy index=1.15). Multivariate analysis indicated that factors associated with $TNF{\beta}$ G/G genotype included cirrhosis with Child-Pugh C (OR, 4.06; 95%CI, 1.34-12.29), thrombocytopenia (OR, 6.55; 95%CI, 1.46-29.43), and higher serum ${\alpha}$-fetoprotein concentration (OR, 2.53; 95%CI, 1.14-5.62). Patients with $TNF{\beta}$ G/G genotype had poor cumulative survival (p=0.005). Cox proportional hazard model indicated that $TNF{\beta}$ G/G genotype was a biomarker for poor HCC survival (hazard ratio, 1.70; 95%CI, 1.07-2.69). In conclusion, there are independent and additive effects between $TNF{\beta}$ G/G genotype and chronic HBV/HCV infection on risk for HCC. It is a biomarker for poor HCC survival. Carriage of this genotype correlates with disease severity and advanced hepatic fibrosis, which may contribute to a higher risk and poor survival of HCC. Chronic HBV/HCV infected subjects with this genotype should receive more intensive surveillance for early detection of HCC.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.14-22
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• 2014

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) followed by radiotherapy (RT) in treatment-na$\ddot{i}$ve patients with locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods: Eligibility criteria were as follows: newly diagnosed with HCC, the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C, Child-Pugh class A or B, and no prior treatment for HCC. Patients with extrahepatic spread were excluded. A total of 59 patients were retrospectively enrolled. All patients were treated with TACE followed by RT. The time interval between TACE and RT was 2 weeks as per protocol. A median RT dose was 47.25 $Gy_{10}$ as the biologically effective dose using the ${\alpha}/{\beta}$ = 10 (range, 39 to 65.25 $Gy_{10}$). Results: At 1 month, complete response was obtained in 3 patients (5%), partial response in 27 patients (46%), stable disease in 13 patients (22%), and progressive disease in 16 patients (27%). The actuarial one- and two-year OS rates were 60.1% and 47.2%, respectively. The median OS was 17 months (95% confidence interval, 5.6 to 28.4 months). The median time to progression was 4 months (range, 1 to 35 months). Grade 3 or greater liver enzyme elevation occurred in only two patients (3%) after RT. Grade 3 gastroduodenal toxicity developed in two patients (3%). Conclusion: The combination treatment of TACE followed by RT with two-week interval was safe and it showed favorable outcomes in treatment-na$\ddot{i}$ve patients with locally advanced HCC. A prospective randomized trial is needed to validate these results.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.170-178
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• 2014

Purpose: We sought to evaluate the clinical outcomes of 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) for portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) alone in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data on 46 patients who received 3D-CRT for PVTT alone between June 2002 and December 2011. Response was evaluated following the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. Prognostic factors and 1-year survival rates were compared between responders and non-responders. Results: Thirty-seven patients (80.4%) had category B Child-Pugh scores. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score was 2 in 20 patients. Thirty patients (65.2%) had main or bilateral PVTT. The median irradiation dose was 50 Gy (range, 35 to 60 Gy) and the daily median dose was 2 Gy (range, 2.0 to 2.5 Gy). PVTT response was classified as complete response in 3 patients (6.5%), partial response in 12 (26.1%), stable disease in 19 (41.3%), and progressive disease in 12 (26.1%). There were 2 cases of grade 3 toxicities during or 3 months after radiotherapy. Twelve patients in the responder group (15 patients) received at least 50 Gy irradiation, but about 84% of patients in the non-responder group received less than 50 Gy. The 1-year survival rate was 66.8% in responders and 27.4% in non-responders constituting a statistically significant difference (p = 0.008). Conclusion: Conformal radiotherapy for PVTT alone could be chosen as a palliative treatment modality in patients with unfavorable conditions (liver, patient, or tumor factors). However, more than 50 Gy of radiation may be required.