Tübingen, Universiẗat, Diss., 2007.

Patienten mit einem hepatisch metastasierten Nebennierenkarzinom und ohne Hinweise auf extrahepatische Tumormanifestationen profitieren von einer Operation im Hinblick auf das Gesamtüberleben. Dies gilt sowohl für synchron- als auch für metachron metastasierte Patienten. / Liver resection in case of ACC liver metastases can achieve long term survival, but disease free survival is short despite metastasectomy. Time to recurrence is a predictive factor for the outcome.

Dies ist eine retrospektive unizentrische Analyse um den Einfluss des Resektionsabstandes auf prognostische Faktoren wie das rezidivfreie und Gesamtüberleben bei Patienten mit hepatocellulären Carcinom zu untersuchen. Es ließ sich kein Vorteil eines weiten (>5mm) tumorfreien Abstands zum Resektatrand gegenüber einem schmalen (5mm) tumorfreien Abstand nachweisen. Allerdings wurden andere tumor- und patientenspezifische unabhängige Risikofaktoren für das rezidivfreie und Gesamtüberleben identifiziert. So ist ein präoperativer AFP-Wert >15µg/l mit einem signifikant schlechteren krankheitsfreien und Gesamtüberleben assoziiert. Ebenso haben schlecht differenzierte (G3) HCCs, sowie HCC mit einer vaskulären Invasion (V1/V2) ein deutlich reduziertes rezidivfreies Überleben. Auch eine Tumorgröße >5cm war in dieser Studie ein unabhängiger Risikofaktor für ein verkürztes Gesamtüberleben. / This is a retrospective single center study regarding the influence of the resection margin after liver resection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, we identified all patients undergoing liver resection between 2004-2018 at the university hostpital Würzburg for curative intention with hepatocellular carcinoma. Regarding the resection margin the study group was dichtomised in two groups, the LRwide group (resection margin >5mm) and the LRnarrow group (resection margin 5mm). We could not find a difference in disease free or overall survival between the groups. Nevertheless, we could identify the preoperative AFP levels >15µg/l to be an independent risk factor for worse disease free and overall survival. Also, large tumors (>5cm) are associates with reduced overall survival.

Zugl.: Berlin, Humboldt-Univ., Habil.-Schr., 2005

Die Therapieentscheidung beim HCC richtet sich derzeit nach den BCLC-Kriterien. Die effektivste Therapieoption, eine Resektion, wird allerdings nur in den frühen Stadien empfohlen. Um postoperative Komplikationen zu vermeiden, benötigt es unter anderem eine effiziente präoperative Leberfunktionsevaluation zur Auswahl der Resektionskandidaten. Frühere Studien konnten zeigen, dass der LiMAx-Test hierfür geeignet ist. Da aber Daten zu HCC-Patienten noch fehlen, war das Ziel dieser Studie zu untersuchen, ob der LiMAx-Test die präoperative Evaluation von HCC-Patienten erleichtert und so die postoperative Morbidität und Mortalität insbesondere für Patienten mit Leberzirrhose gesenkt werden kann. Insgesamt erhielten 92 HCC Patienten zur Therapieevaluation eine LiMAx-Messung und wurden in eine Gruppe mit Zirrhose (LZ-Gruppe) und eine ohne (NL-Gruppe) eingeteilt und miteinander verglichen. Jeder Fall wurde in einer Tumorkonferenz besprochen und anhand der erhobenen Leberfunktionsparameter entschieden. 46 Patienten erhielten eine Resektion, 46 wurden abgelehnt, 17 aufgrund zu schlechter LiMAx-Ergebnisse. Die LiMAx-Werte der Resezierten waren mit 388 vs. 322µg/kg/h höher als die der abgelehnten Patienten (p=0,004). Zudem waren sie ein unabhängiger Risikofaktor für eine Leberzirrhose und Prädiktoren für eine unzureichende Leberfunktionsreserve. Ein unterer Grenzwert von 221µg/kg/h wurde ermittelt, bei welchem auch bei Zirrhosepatienten eine Resektion noch sicher durchgeführt werden kann. Generell gab es in der LZ-Gruppe nicht mehr postoperative Komplikationen als in der NL-Gruppe. Eine Vorhersage zur Entwicklung eines postoperativen Leberversagens durch den LiMAx-Test konnte in unserer Studie nicht gezeigt werden. Präoperativ eingesetzt, ermöglicht der LiMAx-Test somit eine effektive und sichere Evaluation von HCC Patienten, die von einer Resektion profitieren, mit niedriger postoperativer Morbiditäts- und Mortalitätsrate, sowohl bei Patienten mit oder ohne Leberzirrhose. / The treatment decision in HCC is currently based on the BCLC criteria. However, the most effective therapeutic option, resection, is recommended only in the early stages. To avoid postoperative complications, it requires, among other things, an efficient preoperative liver function evaluation to select resection candidates. Previous studies have shown that the LiMAx test is suitable for this purpose. However, since data on HCC patients are still lacking, the aim of this study was to investigate whether the LiMAx test can facilitate the preoperative evaluation of HCC patients and thus reduce postoperative morbidity and mortality, especially for patients with liver cirrhosis. A total of 92 HCC patients received LiMAx measurement for treatment evaluation and were divided into a group with cirrhosis (LZ group) and one without (NL group) and afterwards compared. Each case was discussed in a tumor conference and a decision was made based on the liver function parameters obtained. 46 patients received resection, 46 were rejected, and 17 because of too poor LiMAx results. The LiMAx values of the resected patients were higher than those of the rejected patients, 388 vs. 322µg/kg/h (p=0.004). Moreover, they were an independent risk factor for liver cirrhosis and predictors of inadequate liver functional reserve. A lower limit of 221µg/kg/h was identified at which resection can still be safely performed even in cirrhotic patients. In general, there were no more postoperative complications in the LZ group than in the NL group. A prediction of the development of postoperative liver failure by the LiMAx test could not be shown in our study. Thus, used preoperatively, the LiMAx test allows an effective and safe evaluation of HCC patients who benefit from resection, with low postoperative morbidity and mortality rates, both in patients with or without liver cirrhosis.

Background: The value of liver-directed therapy (LDT) in patients with metastasic renal cell carcinoma (MRCC) is still an active field of research, particularly in the era of tyrosinkinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. Methods: The records of 35 patients with MRCC undergoing LDT of metastasic liver lesions between 1992 and 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Immediate postoperative TKI was given in a subgroup of patients after LDT for metastasic lesions. Uni- and multivariate models were applied to assess overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Results: Following primary tumor (renal cell cancer) resection and LDT, respectively, median OS was better for a total of 16 patients (41 %) receiving immediate postoperative TKI with 151 and 98 months, when compared to patients without TKI therapy with 61 (p = 0.003) and 40 months (p = 0.032). Immediate postoperative TKI was associated with better median PFS (47 months versus 19 months; p = 0.023), whereas in DFS only a trend was observed (51 months versus 19 months; p = 0.110). Conclusions: LDT should be considered as a suitable additive tool in the era of TKI therapy of MRCC to the liver. In this context, postoperative TKI therapy seems to be associated with better OS and PFS, but not DFS.

Background: Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) promote tumor progression and have an effect on survival in human cancer. However, little is known regarding their influence on tumor progression and prognosis in human hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Methods: We analyzed surgically resected tumor specimens of hilar cholangiocarcinoma (n = 47) for distribution and localization of TAMs, as defined by expression of CD68. Abundance of TAMs was correlated with clinicopathologic characteristics, tumor recurrence and patients’ survival. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Results: Patients with high density of TAMs in tumor invasive front (TIF) showed significantly higher local and overall tumor recurrence (both ρ < 0.05). Furthermore, high density of TAMs was associated with decreased overall (one-year 83.6 % vs. 75.1 %; three-year 61.3 % vs. 42.4 %; both ρ < 0.05) and recurrence-free survival (one-year 93.9 % vs. 57.4 %; three-year 59.8 % vs. 26.2 %; both ρ < 0.05). TAMs in TIF and tumor recurrence, were confirmed as the only independent prognostic variables in the multivariate survival analysis (all ρ < 0.05). Conclusions: Overall survival and recurrence free survival of patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma significantly improved in patients with low levels of TAMs in the area of TIF, when compared to those with a high density of TAMs. These observations suggest their utilization as valuable prognostic markers in routine histopathologic evaluation, and might indicate future therapeutic approaches by targeting TAMs.

Ideally, tumors that might cause morbidity and mortality should be treated, preferably early, with proven, convincing, and effective therapy to prevent tumor progression or recurrence, while maintaining a favorable risk-benefit profile for the individual patient. For patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), this diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic precision is currently impossible. Despite significant improvements in diagnostic procedures, a sizable number of patients with CRC have liver metastases either at presentation or will subsequently develop it. And in many parts of the world, most cancer-related deaths are still due to metastases that are resistant to conventional therapy. Metastases to the liver occur in more than 50% of patients with CRC and represent the major determinant of outcome following curative treatment of the primary tumor. Liver resection offers the best chance of cure for metastases confined to the liver. However, due to a paucity of randomized controlled trials, its timing is controversial and a hotly debated topic. This article reviews some of the main controversies surrounding the surgical management of colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM).

Background: The value of liver-directed therapy (LDT) in patients with metastasic renal cell carcinoma (MRCC) is still an active field of research, particularly in the era of tyrosinkinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. Methods: The records of 35 patients with MRCC undergoing LDT of metastasic liver lesions between 1992 and 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Immediate postoperative TKI was given in a subgroup of patients after LDT for metastasic lesions. Uni- and multivariate models were applied to assess overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Results: Following primary tumor (renal cell cancer) resection and LDT, respectively, median OS was better for a total of 16 patients (41 %) receiving immediate postoperative TKI with 151 and 98 months, when compared to patients without TKI therapy with 61 (p = 0.003) and 40 months (p = 0.032). Immediate postoperative TKI was associated with better median PFS (47 months versus 19 months; p = 0.023), whereas in DFS only a trend was observed (51 months versus 19 months; p = 0.110). Conclusions: LDT should be considered as a suitable additive tool in the era of TKI therapy of MRCC to the liver. In this context, postoperative TKI therapy seems to be associated with better OS and PFS, but not DFS.

Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FL-HCC) is a malignant liver tumor which is thought to be a variant of conventional hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It accounts for a small proportion of HCC cases and occurs in a distinctly different group of patients which are young and usually not in the setting of chronic liver disease. The diagnosis of FL-HCC requires the integration of clinical information, imaging studies, and histology. In terms of the treatment options, the only potentially curative treatment option for patients who have resectable disease is surgery either liver resection (LR) or liver transplantation (LT). When performed in a context of aggressive therapy, long-term outcomes after surgery, particularly liver resection for FL-HCC, were favorable. The clinical outcome of patients with unresectable disease is suboptimal with median survival of less than 12 months. The aim of this review is to update the available evidence on diagnosis, treatment options, outcome predictors, and recent developments of patients with this rare disease and to provide a summarized overview of the available literature.