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Biomedical subjects

Taichi Shuto

Publications and source records attributed to Taichi Shuto.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Influence of interferon therapy on outcome after surgery for hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

Influence of interferon (IFN) therapy on postoperative outcomes in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still inconclusive. Of 518 patients who underwent hepatic resection for HCV-related HCC, 312 patients with Japan integrated staging score 0-2 were included in this study. Of 50 patients underwent IFN therapy, 29 patients who obtained a normalized alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity irrespective of disappearance of serum HCV RNA were classified as the response group, while 21 patients were classified as the non-response group because their ALT activities were not normalized and serum HCV RNA persisted. The non-IFN group included 262 patients who had not received IFN therapy. The tumor-free and the overall survival rates for patients in the response group were significantly higher than those in other groups. Only one patient in the response group died of HCC recurrence, and the proportion of deaths associated with liver disease (HCC recurrence or cirrhosis) was significantly lower in the response group than other two groups. IFN therapy can improve postoperative outcomes in patients with HCV-related HCC because of suppression of recurrence and preventing progress of cirrhosis, especially when IFN therapy has controlled their active hepatitis.

Journal Article↗

Clinicopathologic characteristics of hepatitis C virus-associated intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Although hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a possible pathogenetic factor for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), clinicopathologic features of ICC patients with HCV infection remain unclear. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of 50 patients with ICC treated, 19 were infected with HCV (HCV-positive group) and 38 underwent surgical treatment. Clinicopathologic features and postoperative outcome were compared between patients with and without HCV infection. RESULTS: In 15 patients in the HCV-positive group, ICC was detected during follow-up for chronic hepatitis C. The proportion of patients who underwent curative resection was significantly higher in the HCV-positive than in the HCV-negative group, and tumors were significantly smaller in the HCV-positive than in the HCV-negative group. In the HCV-positive group, tumors were significantly smaller in patients who were followed up for chronic hepatitis C than in patients who were not followed up. Although cumulative survival rates did not differ significantly between groups, prognoses of patients with small ICC were significantly better than those with large ICC. CONCLUSION: Follow-up for patients with chronic hepatitis C by imaging series at regular intervals is important and provides the possibility to detect a small ICC as well as a hepatocellular carcinoma. Resection should be guided by liver function and the tumor stage in patients with HCV-associated ICC.

Adult↗

Impact of mediastinal lymph node dissection on octogenarians with non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Impacts of mediastinal lymph node dissection on a patient's course after pulmonary resection is unclear in octogenarians with non-small cell lung cancer. METHODS: Retrospectively identified subjects included 39 octogenarians and 1 nonagenarian, with grades according to the Charlson Comorbidity Index ranging from only 0 to 2. We performed mediastinal lymph node dissection in 19 patients (D group), and just lymph node sampling biopsy in the other 21 (S group). We compared clinicopathologic features and outcome after surgery between both groups. RESULTS: Deterioration of performance status at the time of discharge, evident in 17 patients overall, was significantly more frequent in the D group. Postoperative complications occurred in 27 patients overall and there was no significant difference between the two groups. Survival rates in younger patients at 1, 3, and 5 years were 86, 59, and 49%, respectively; in octogenarians these were 83, 58, and 42% (no significant difference). Nor did survival differ significantly by surgical management of mediastinal lymph nodes; 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 94, 63, and 40%, respectively in the D group and 78, 66, and 43%, respectively in the S group. CONCLUSION: Octogenarians with non-small cell lung cancer should be treated by urgent pulmonary resection whenever possible. Since mediastinal lymph node dissection has little effect on long-term survival or the carried risk of worsening performance status at discharge, pulmonary resection without complete mediastinal lymph node dissection should be considered.

Age Factors↗

Immunohistochemical demonstration of c-Kit protooncogene product in gallbladder cancer.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Although some gallbladder carcinomas are immunoreactive for c-Kit, the reasons for the c-Kit expression and its clinicopathologic implications are unknown. METHODS: We investigated the prevalence of c-Kit immunoreactivity, its clinicopathologic correlates (including microvessel density and postoperative outcome), and the possible mechanisms of c-Kit expression. We reviewed retrospectively, the clinicopathologic records of 47 patients who had undergone macroscopically complete gallbladder carcinoma resection. The numbers of patients at pathologic stages I to IV, according to current TNM-based staging, were 10, 5, 18, and 14, respectively. For immunohistochemical examination, we used monoclonal antibodies against c-Kit and CD 34 (progenitor cell markers), cytokeratin 7 and cytokeratin 19 (cholangiocyte markers), and OCH1E5 (a hepatocyte marker). Control tissue samples were from five gallbladder specimens each with chronic cholecystitis, polyp, and adenoma. RESULTS: Cytoplasmic immunostaining for c-Kit was detected in 21 of the 47 gallbladder carcinomas (45%), and in 1 of the 15 control specimens (diagnosis, chronic cholecystitis). Young age was significantly associated with c-Kit positivity; however, there were no significant differences in the incidence of c-Kit positivity among other variables, including tumor stage and outcome. However, microvessel density was significantly higher in c-Kit-positive gallbladder carcinoma compared with c-Kit-negative gallbladder carcinoma. None of the 47 cancer specimens or the 15 control specimens were stained for CD34 and OCH1E5, but all 47 cancer specimens were stained for cytokeratins 7 and 19. CONCLUSIONS: Gallbladder carcinomas positive for c-Kit are unlikely to arise from immature cells, but may be associated with neovascularization. Angiogenesis inhibitors, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, therefore, may suppress the growth of some gallbladder cancers.

Adult↗

Hepatocellular carcinoma arising from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: report of two cases.

Sporadic cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) originating from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) have recently been reported. Thus, we investigated the prevalence of NASH in patients with HCC. A review of the clinical records of 481 patients who underwent liver resection for HCC in our department between January 1991 and December 2003 revealed only two (0.4%) patients with HCC associated with NASH. Both of these patients had noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and neither had a history of alcohol consumption or blood transfusion. All serologic markers for hepatitis B and C viruses were negative. Histological examination of the noncancerous hepatic tissue revealed NASH with moderate hepatic fibrosis in one patient and cirrhosis in the other. Thus, clinical follow-up and screening for HCC should be done for patients with hepatic fibrosis caused by NASH, even though this form of hepatitis is an uncommon cause of HCC.

Aged↗

Alcohol abuse as an etiologic factor for hepatocellular carcinoma in Japan.

The etiologic role of alcoholic liver disease for hepatocellular carcinoma is uncertain. To assess the role of alcoholic liver disease on the development of carcinoma, we examined history of alcohol abuse and viral markers in the sera and/or resected specimens in 454 patients who underwent liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma. Sera from 20 of the 454 patients were negative for hepatitis B, C, and D viruses. Of the 20 patients, one patient had autoimmune hepatitis, one had primary biliary cirrhosis, two had non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Of the remaining 16 patients, 8 patients were alcohol abusers and 5 of the 8 patients were heavy alcohol abusers. Hepatitis G virus was not detected in sera form the 16 patients. Although hepatitis B x gene was detected in the cancerous and/or non-cancerous tissues in all three alcohol abusers but not heavy abusers and in 5 of 6 non-alcohol abusers whose surgical specimens were available, the gene was detected in only one of the five heavy alcohol abusers. The five heavy alcohol abusers had advanced hepatic fibrosis and active hepatitis. Alcoholic liver disease with advanced hepatic fibrosis and active hepatitis is a possible cause for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Journal Article↗

Prognostic effects of causative virus in hepatocellular carcinoma according to the Japan integrated staging (JIS) score.

BACKGROUND: The Japan integrated staging (JIS) score is recognized to be useful in managing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We evaluated the effects of the causative virus in patients stratified by this system. METHODS: We compared clinicopathologic features, cumulative and tumor-free survival rates, and causes of death between 301 hepatitis C virus-positive patients (HCV group) and 60 hepatitis B virus-positive patients (HBV group). RESULTS: Among patients with low JIS scores (0 or 1), the proportions of patients with high aspartate and alanine aminotranferase activities, moderate-to-severe active hepatitis, and with cirrhosis were significantly higher in the HCV than in the HBV group. Among patients with high JIS scores (2 to 4), the proportion with moderate-to-severe active hepatitis was also significantly higher in the HCV group. In patients with low JIS scores, those in the HCV group had significantly lower tumor-free and cumulative survival rates than those in the HBV group. Although no patient in the HBV group died of causes other than liver disease (HCC or hepatic failure), some patients in the HCV group died of causes other than liver disease. The proportion of patients who died because of HCC recurrence tended to be higher among patients with high JIS scores than among patients with a low JIS score. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of viral status on survival outcomes are greatest in patients with JIS scores of 0 or 1.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

Type IV collagen 7s domain as a predictor of poor efficacy of portal vein embolization before major hepatectomy.

PURPOSE: We investigated the correlation between serum concentrations of type IV collagen 7s domain (7s collagen) and changes in the volume of the nonembolized liver lobe after subsequent portal vein embolization (PVE). METHODS: The relationship between the pre-embolization results of laboratory tests and the increase in the left lobe volume was evaluated in 32 patients who underwent preoperative PVE via the right portal vein. RESULTS: By 2 weeks after PVE, the mean volume of the left lobe had increased significantly (P < 0.001). The percent increase in the left lobe volume correlated negatively with the pre-embolization serum concentration of 7s collagen (r = -0.472, P = 0.0063). In three of four patients with high serum concentrations (>8 ng/ml), the percent increase was less than 100% and right lobectomy was not performed. The serum 7s collagen concentration correlated with the histologic activity score (r = 0.469, P = 0.0061) and the histologic fibrosis score (r = 0.425, P = 0.0145). CONCLUSION: The serum concentration of 7s collagen may predict the efficacy of PVE. Performing PVE before right lobectomy may not be indicated in patients with high serum concentrations of 7s collagen because the increases in left lobe volume may be insufficient.

Adult↗

Clinicopathologic features and outcome after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with concurrent versus previous chronic hepatitis B.

PURPOSE: We compared the clinicopathologic features affecting outcome after surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) between patients with concurrent and previous chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: Group A consisted of 58 patients with concurrent chronic hepatitis B, defined by seropositivity for the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and group B consisted of 18 patients whose HCC was detected after disappearance of the HBsAg. We assessed the influence of various characteristics on outcome. RESULTS: The mean age and percentage of patients suffering from alcohol abuse or diabetes mellitus were significantly greater in group B than in group A, whereas histologic hepatitis activity, hepatic fibrosis, and alanine aminotransferase activity were significantly lower in group B than in group A. The tumor-free survival rates were similar between the two groups, but the risk factors of recurrence differed. In group A, relative youth, high aspartate aminotransferase activity, low platelet count, multiple tumors, large tumor size, portal invasion, cirrhosis, nonanatomic resection, and positive surgical margin were risk factors. In group B, large tumor size and poor differentiation were risk factors. CONCLUSION: Hepatitis B status, tumor factors, and the type of operation affected cancer recurrence after surgery for HCC in patients with concurrent chronic HBV, as opposed to only tumor factors in patients with previous chronic hepatitis B.

Age Distribution↗

Pseudoaneurysm of the dorsal pancreatic artery with obstruction of the celiac axis after pancreatoduodenectomy: report of a case.

Pancreatoduodenectomy can be difficult in patients with obstruction of the celiac axis because of the development of collateral arteries around the head of the pancreas. Bleeding from a pseudoaneurysm is a rare and serious complication of pancreatoduodenectomy. We report a case of a pseudoaneurysm of an enlarged dorsal pancreatic artery, which formed as a result of obstruction of the celiac axis after pancreatoduodenectomy. We assumed that a weakness in the wall of this dorsal pancreatic artery caused by the dissection led to the formation of the aneurysm. Although transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) could not treat the aneurysm or stop bleeding from the aneurysm completely, it achieved transient hemostasis, whereby the patient's condition improved, making laparotomy safe. This case demonstrates that the dissection of arteries that have developed around the head of the pancreas must be considered in patients with obstruction of the celiac axis.

Aneurysm, False↗

Potentiality of combined hepatocellular and intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma originating from a hepatic precursor cell: Immunohistochemical evidence.

Hypothesizing that combined hepatocellular and intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma originates from hepatic stem cells, we conducted a series of immunohistochemical studies using hepatic stem cell markers to better understand the origin of the tumor. Specially, we investigated 15 combined tumors confirmed to be immunoreactive to anti-hepatocyte paraffin 1, and anti-cytokeratin 7 and 19 antibodies. Macroscopic investigation revealed cancer cells morphologically intermediate between neoplastic hepatocytes and cholangiocytes (combined tumor with intermediate morphology) in 11 of 15 tumors. The remaining four tumors lacking these cells were considered ordinary combined tumors. We used 20 hepatocellular carcinomas and 10 cholangiocarcinomas as controls. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed using stem cell markers (c-kit and CD34). Of the 15 combined tumors, 8 stained for c-kit (2 of the 4 ordinary tumors and 6 of the 11 intermediate morphologic tumors). Both of the tumor cell types in both of the ordinary combined tumors stained for c-kit. The c-kit staining was present in cells of all three morphologic types, including the intermediate cells, in all six of the intermediate combined tumors. None of the cells in the combined tumors showed immunoreactivity for CD34. None of the 30 control tumors expressed CD 34 or c-kit. The present study suggests that combined hepatocellular and intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinomas originate not from a hepatic stem cell, but from a hepatic precursor cell, such as the canal of Hering cell. Alternatively, these tumors might show up-regulation of c-kit in relation to angiogenesis.

Journal Article↗

Risk factors for postoperative delirium after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma.

We investigated risk factors for delirium in 100 patients who underwent liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma. Postoperative delirium developed in 17 (17%). Univariate analysis revealed that advanced age (especially = 70 years old), a history of smoking, a decreased serum albumin concentration (especially < 3.8 g/dl), advanced cancer stage (II-IV), major hepatectomy, prolonged operating time, and large intraoperative blood loss were possible risk factors for postoperative delirium. When patients' preoperative condition and laboratory test results were subjected to multivariate analysis, only advanced age [odds ratio (OR) 1.201; confidence interval (CI) 1.063-1.357] and a decreased serum albumin concentration (OR 0.151; CI 0.025-0.900) were independent risk factors for the delirium. The percentages of patients with high aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activities, a high indocyanine green retention rate at 15 minutes, a low platelet count, and advanced cancer stage (II-IV) were higher in patients with a low (< 3.8 g/dl), rather than high (= 3.8 g/dl) serum albumin concentration. These findings indicate that multiple factors, including advanced age, impaired liver function, and advanced cancer stage, affect the development of postoperative delirium after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Adult↗

Previous or occult hepatitis B virus infection in hepatitis B surface antigen-negative and anti-hepatitis C-negative patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: We investigated the clinical and virologic findings in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative and anti-hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV)-negative patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to investigate the role of previous or occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections in the development of HCC. METHODS: We examined sera and HCC samples from 40 HBsAg-negative and anti-HCV-negative patients. Sera were tested for some viral markers, and genomic DNA was extracted from the HCC samples. HBx RNA was also extracted from the HCC and amplified by a polymerase chain reaction with reverse transcription (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Hepatocellular carcinomas from five patients with anti-HBc (group 1, 25 patients) and nine patients without anti-HBc (group 2, 15 patients) were examined for HBx RNA. HBx RNA was detected in four of the five HCC samples from group 1 and in four of the nine HCC samples from group 2. CONCLUSION: These findings suggested that previous or occult hepatitis B virus infection is common in HBsAg-negative and anti-HCV-negative patients with HCC.

Adult↗

Clinicopathologic characteristics of small intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas of mass-forming type.

We investigated the clinicopathologic characteristics of and outcome after treatment for small intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas of mass-forming type (3cm or smaller) in nine patients to study appropriate treatment. In seven of the nine patients, the cancer was detected during follow-up for hepatitis C virus-related disease. One patient was seropositive for anti-hepatitis B core antibody alone. One patient had alcoholic cirrhosis. Three patients also had hepatocellular carcinoma. Seven patients underwent liver resection and two other patients underwent microwave coagulation therapy. In the resection specimens, no vascular or lymphatic invasion, or invasion of perineural spaces, was evident pathologically. No patient had intrahepatic metastasis or lymph node metastasis; all had hepatic fibrosis. Lung metastases developed after surgery in one patient whose surgical margin was positive for cancer. In one patient with both type of carcinoma, the hepatocellular carcinoma recurred. Screening for not only hepatocellular carcinoma but also intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is necessary in patients with hepatic fibrosis, especially those infected with hepatitis C virus. For small intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas of mass-forming type located peripherally in the liver, partial resection or ablation therapy with care to obtain a negative surgical margin may be appropriate.

Journal Article↗