Acciones metodológicas para implementar la estrategia curricular de Inglés con fines profesionales en Medicina / Methodological actions to implement the English language curricular strategy in English for specific purposes in medicine

Fundamento: la finalidad de la estrategia curricular Dominio del Idioma Inglés, propuesta por la subcomisión de estrategias curriculares de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de la Habana desde el 2009, es la competitividad idiomática de los profesionales de la salud. Objetivo: diseñar acciones metodológicas para la implementación de la estrategia curricular Dominio del Idioma Inglés en la carrera de Medicina de la Filial Universitaria Municipal de Santo Domingo. Métodos: se realizó una investigación de desarrollo con enfoque mixto entre enero de 2011 y diciembre de 2013; se utilizaron métodos teóricos: análisis-síntesis e inducción-deducción y empíricos: análisis documental de la Resolución 210/2007, planes de trabajo metodológico y actas en los diferentes niveles organizativos, modelo del profesional y planes de clase; y la encuesta en forma de entrevista a directivos, y de cuestionario a docentes para identificar las principales insuficiencias en la preparación idiomática y metodológica. Resultados: se constató que las principales insuficiencias están relacionadas con la dirección y ejecución del trabajo metodológico interdisciplinar y con el pobre desarrollo de habilidades para la gestión de la información médica en idioma inglés, por lo que se diseñaron acciones metodológicas para lograr una mayor objetividad en la implementación interdisciplinar de esta estrategia que tribute al actual modelo del profesional de la salud. Conclusiones: las acciones fueron valoradas como pertinentes por criterios de especialistas, porque contribuyeron a transformar progresivamente la realización del trabajo metodológico para desarrollar una competencia idiomática interdisciplinar y profesional como garantía de un desempeño competente en contextos de habla inglesa.

Background: the purpose of the curricular strategy of the English Language command, proposed by the subcommittee of curricular strategies of Havana University of Medical Sciences since 2009 is the idiomatic competence of health professionals. Objective: to design methodological actions for the implementation of the curricular strategy of the English Language command in the Medicine career of Santo Domingo's Municipality Health University Site. Methods: it was carried out a development investigation with a combined approach from January 2011 to December 2013; theoretical methods were used: analysis-synthesis and induction-deduction and empiric ones: documental analysis of the 210/2007 Regulation from the Ministry of Higher Education , methodological plans and meeting records at different organizational levels, model of the professional and lesson plans; and the survey in interview form was applied to administrative leaders and a questionnaire was applied to the professors to identify the main inadequacies in the idiomatic and methodological preparation. Results: it was verified that the main inadequacies are related with the management and execution of the interdisciplinary methodological work and with the poor development of abilities for the medical information management in the English language, that's why methodological actions were designed to achieve a bigger objectivity in the interdisciplinary implementation of this strategy that contributes with the current model of health professionals. Conclusions: the actions were valued as pertinent by the specialists' criteria, because they contributed to transform the work with the methodological activity progressively to develop an interdisciplinary and professional idiomatic competence as guarantee of a competent performance in English-speaking contexts.

Fitoplancton del río Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, México y algunas relaciones biogeográficas / Phytoplankton from Tehuantepec River, Oaxaca, Mexico and some biogeographical relationships

Phytoplankton species collected from the limnetic to euryhaline sections of Tehuantepec River were identified, classified and compared with regional information from Mexico and South America. We collected 15 samples every three months from July 1997 through August 1998 with a 20 microm net and a Van Dorn bottle. Indicator values and a code checklist are included. A total of 58 families, 121 genera, 273 species, one subspecies, 75 varieties, 13 forms and one morphotype were identified in the taxa Bacillariophyta (42.0 %), Chlorophyta (29.0 %), Cyanoprocaryota (18.0 %), Euglenophyta (5.0 %), Dinophyta (3.0 %), Cryptophyta (2.0 %) and Chrysophyta (1.0 %). The predominant families were Scenedesmaceae (24 species), Oocystaceae (22), Bacillariophyceae (21), Chaetocerotaceae (15) and Euglenaceae (14). Five families, eight genera, 72 species, 45 varieties and eight forms are first records for Mexico. The species Chroococcus turgidus, Microcystis flosaquae and Pseudanabaena limnetica (which produce massive blooms or red tides) are important in this river of moderate water quality.

El fitoplancton recolectado en el río Tehuantepec con características limnéticas a eurihalinas se determinó, clasificó y comparó con información regional de México y Suramérica. Se incluyen valores indicadores y un código del listado florístico para facilitar el manejo de estas algas. Se determinó un total de 58 familias, 121 géneros, 273 especies, una subespecie, 75 variedades, 13 formas y un morfotipo, pertenecientes a las divisiones Bacillariophyta (42.0 %), Chlorophyta (29.0 %), Cyanoprocaryota (18.0 %), Euglenophyta (5.0 %), Dinophyta (3.0 %), Cryptophyta (2.0 %) y Chrysophyta (1.0 %). Las familias mejor representadas fueron Scenedesmaceae (24 especies), Oocystaceae (22), Bacillariophyceae (21), Chaetocerotaceae (15) y Euglenaceae (14). Se establecen nuevos registros para México: cinco familias, ocho géneros, 72 especies, 45 variedades y ocho formas. En este río, que presenta una moderada calidad del agua, sobresalieron las especies Chroococcus turgidus, Microcystis flosaquae y Pseudanabaena limnetica (como productoras de mareas rojas).

[Medical school's experience with Arabization 1993-2003: Gezira University]

This paper examines the importance of teaching in the mother tongue and looks at the political decisions taken in this respect. The preparations for Arabization in the Faculty of Medicine, Gezira University [in 1993] are reviewed and the experience of implementation from 1994 to 2002 is analysed by questioning the students and professors. The successes, failures, problems and obstacles are discussed in detail. The paper concludes with discussion and recommendations on how to boost success in Arabization based on previous experience

[Water problems in the Eastern Mediterranean Region]

The Eastern Mediterranean Region of the World Health Organization is confronted with formidable water problems due to: increased water dem and both for consumption and for irrigation in agriculture that is becoming more productive and more polluting; scarce water resources; drought, erosion and pollution; inappropriate management; inadequate policies; and institutional and legal considerations. Added to these problems are the risks of regional conflicts because of the lack of "shared" management of cross-border waters which are an object of contention between neighbouring countries. This report analyses the issues relating to water availability, health and development on the basis of the distribution of water resources, and their use by industry and the huge proportion for agricultural use. It raises the question whether countries in the Region are ready to review their strategies on water priorities, particularly in the areas of health, agriculture and food self-sufficiency

[Analysis of the appropriateness of hospitalizations in Monastir, Tunisia]

We aimed to measure the extent of inappropriate hospital admissions and to identify factors associated with inappropriate hospital use. A descriptive study was carried out on a r and omized sample of 411 hospitalizations in 3 regional hospitals. The appropriateness of admissions was assessed using the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol [AEP]. We found 21% [95% CI: 17%-25%] of the admissions were avoidable according to the AEP. Inappropriate admissions were associated with the hospital [P = 0.005], patient age [P = 0.003], length of stay and diagnosis [P < 0.001]. The most frequent reasons for appropriate admissions were parenteral therapy, an acute or progressive sensory motor circulatory or respiratory condition sufficient to incapacitate the patient and severe electrolyte or blood gas abnormality. Our study highlights the need to improve hospital management and to develop alternatives to hospitalization

[Work injuries in building construction, metal shaping, and food production sectors in Jericho District in the Palestinian Territory]

Work injuries and accidents have a considerable impact on public and community health. This study targeted three work sectors: metal shaping, food production and building construction. Work injuries that occurred in these sectors were compared for the years 1999 and 2000 in Jericho District in the West Bank of Palestine. One hundred three injuries were examined and information recorded about the nature of the injury, site of injury in the body, direct cause of injury and some personal information about the injured worker. The most vulnerable group were young people in their twenties, and mostly those working in the metal shaping and building construction sectors. The kinds and sites of injuries varied. The data were compared with data from 1997, 1998 and 2001-2003, although only loosley as the available data about work injuries for these years were limited and inaccurate

[Prevalence of hepatitis G virus among Tunisian blood donors]

Prevalence of hepatitis G virus among Tunisian blood donors Hepatitis G virus [GBV-C/HGV] is a recently identified virus which occurs worldwide. The prevalence of GBV-C/HGV in Tunisia has not been previously studied. We aimed to assess the prevalence of GBV-C/HGV infection in Tunisian blood donors. A total of 912 blood donors were tested for anti-E2 antibodies of GBV-C/HGV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and 600 were tested by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. GBV-C/HGV RNA was found in 5.3% of the sample and HGV antibodies occurred in 4.9%. A correlation was noticed between GBV-C/HGV infection and hepatitis C virus [P = 0.006]. The prevalence of GBV-C/HGV is similar to that reported worldwide

Current Status of Liver Transplantation in Korea / 대한소화기학회지

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is now considered as a standard procedure for patients with end-stage liver disease. The number of patients listed for OLT using the brain-dead donor continues to outpace the number of OLT performed since early 1990s because the improved results of OLT had made it as a therapeutic means for irreversible liver disease. This scarcity of organs from the deceased donors has resulted in the increased use of the living donor liver grafts. Although the shortage of the brain-dead donor organs is a world-wide problem, the situation is especially serious in our country, where the deceased donor organ donation remains below 2 per million population per year. Now, Korea has the greatest need for living donor liver transplantation although it is more complex and demanding procedure than the deceased donor (whole organ) liver transplantation. Refinements of the technique and good results have rapidly established the position of the living donor liver transplantation in our country's transplant medicine. 2,345 OLTs (1,860 from the living donor and 485 from the deceased donor) were performed in 24 institutes from March 1988 to December 2004, although 5 institutes had performed more than 10 OLTs per year. Definitely, living donors represent a large pool of organs, but there might be a significant cost, mainly donor risk, to draw from this pool. To alleviate some disadvantages of the living donor liver transplantation and to provide organ to the patients who cannot find out the potential living donor from family members, recognition of necessity and nation-wide cooperative participation of organ donation after the brain-death should be propagated and encouraged in our country.

Expression of Cyclin Dependent Kinase Inhibitors of KIP Family in Gastric Cancer / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKI) including p21, p27, and p57 of the kinase inhibitor protein (KIP) family are negative regulators of cell cycle progression and potentially act as tumor suppressor. Tumor behavior and growth are influenced by the extent of tumor cell proliferation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of KIP family CDKI in gastric cancer tissue, and to examine the relationship between these expression and various clinicopathological parameters including tumor cell proliferation. METHODS: We conducted an immunohistochemical analysis of p21, p27, and p57 expression in 109 gastric cancer tissues. Tumor cell proliferation was assessed by immunohistochemistry with antibody against Ki-67. RESULTS: Negative expression of p21, p27, and p57 was demonstrated in 45.9%, 65.1%, and 57.8% of cancer tissues, respectively. Negative expression of p21 correlated with larger tumor size, poor differentiation, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis and advanced TNM stage (p=0.048, 0.041, 0.001, 0.005, and 0.001 respectively). Negative expression of p21 correlated with poor survival (p=0.037). Tumors with negative p21 expression had higher Ki-67 expression than those with positive p21 expression (p=0.024). No significant correlation could be observed between status of p27 and p57 expression and various clinicopathological parameters including survival and tumor cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that negative expression of p21 may play an important role in carcinogenesis by stimulating tumor cell proliferation, and may help in predicting the prognosis of gastric cancer.

The Trend of Eradication Rates of Second-Line Quadruple Therapy Containing Metronidazole for Helicobacter pylori Infection: An Analysis of Recent Eight Years / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Failure rates of Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment turned out to be exceeding 10%, causing recurrence of peptic ulcers. In the case of eradication failure, the Korean College of Helicobacter Research and Practice recommends quadruple therapy consisting of proton pump inhibitor, bismuth, tetracycline and metronidazole. Many reports regarding the eradication rates of quadruple therapy have been reported. However, most were limited by short follow-up periods. Hence, we evaluated the efficacy of the metronidazole containing quadruple therapy as a second line treatment from April, 1996 through July, 2004. METHODS: Sixty-three patients were enrolled. Treatment consisted of aforementioned quadruple therapy for 1 week. Four to six weeks after completion of treatment, biopsies and CLO tests were performed to detect the presence of H. pylori. The patients were then followed-up with upper endoscopy once every year. RESULTS: The efficacy of the quadruple therapy was 74.6% in intention-to-treat analysis and 83.9% in per protocol analysis. Eradication rates of the years 1996, 1999-2000, 2001, and 2002-2004 were 75.0%, 93.8%, 100%, and 72.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our data can not reveal the evidence of decreasing trend for eradication rate quadruple therapy of H. pylori in 8 years. However, eradication rate of 72.7% in recent 2 years necessitates the development of more efficient eradication regimen.

Analysis of Pouchitis after Restorative Proctocolectomy / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pouchitis is one of the most common and debilitating complications of a restorative proctocolectomy. We aimed to analyze the features of pouchitis after restorative proctocolecomy and to determine the risk factors related to its development. METHODS: A study was undertaken in 169 patients who underwent total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis between July 1989 and December 2003. Pouchitis was defined as change of bowel habit, change in stool consistency, hematochezia or abdominal pain, febrile sensation and/or low-grade fever improved by metronidazole or ciprofloxacin without evidence of infectious disease and sphincter damage. RESULTS: Among the 169 patients, patients with ulcerative colitis were 64, familial and attenuated adenomatous polyposis 44, Crohn's disease 2, and synchronous or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer were 59 cases. Overall, pouchitis occurred in 15.9% of the patients. The incidence was 37.5% in ulcerative colitis, 1% in non-ulcerative colitis, and 50% in Crohn's disease. In ulcerative colitis group, most of the pouchitis (60.9%) occurred within 6 months after the operation and the remainder experienced the first attack within 1 year after operation. Three patients progressed to chronic pouchitis. There was no association between pouchitis rate and sex, history of smoking, steroid use, temporary ileostomy construction, involvement of appendix or proximal colon, and evidence of indeterminate colitis. Only age was significantly related to the occurrence of pouchitis. CONCLUSIONS: Pouchitis developed exclusively in ulcerative colitis than other disease groups. Pouchitis occurred most frequently within 6 months after the operation, therefore, it is important to investigate carefully during one year after the operation in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Natural History of Acute Symptomatic Hepatitis C in Korea / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Acute hepatitis C (AHC) has a high chronicity rate of up to 85%. Recently, several studies have demonstrated AHC has a self-limited course in about 50% especially in symptomatic cases. However, there is no investigation about the natural course of AHC in Korea. We intended to define the natural course of AHC and the influential factors on it. METHODS: We enrolled the patients with AHC from 2001 to 2004. The diagnosis of AHC was based on seroconversion to anti-HCV antibodies or the clinical and biochemical diagnostic criteria satisfactory to AHC and on the presence of HCV RNA in first serum sample. The self-limited course of AHC was defined as permanent (>6 months) loss of HCV RNA in serum and normalization of ALT. RESULTS: Eighteen patients presented with AHC. Seventeen out of eighteen was symptomatic. Twelve out of eighteen (66.7%, 95% CI 41.7-84.9%) showed spontaneous remissions. Presence of anti-HCV on first serum samples predicted chronic courses. Antibody to HCV was not detected during follow-up periods in nine patients, who all showed spontaneous viral clearance. CONCLUSIONS: AHC has a high rate of spontaneous viral resolution. Further study is needed to define the influential factors on the viral clearance in AHC.

Treatment Outcome after Endoscopic Papillectomy of Tumors of the Major Duodenal Papilla / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic papillectomy is reported to be relatively safe and reliable for complete resection of benign tumors of the major duodenal papilla. We evaluated methods and treatment outcome of the patients who have undergone endoscopic papillectomy. METHODS: Medical records of 22 consecutive patients with tumor of the major duodenal papilla (10 women, 12 men; mean age 55.8+/-2.8 yrs) who have undergone endoscopic papillectomy were reviewed retrospectively. Endoscopic papillectomy was defined the successful when complete excision of the tumor was achieved. RESULTS: Mean duration of follow-up was 8.4+/-2.4 months (range 1-43 months). Endoscopic papillectomy was successful in 16 patients (72.7%), but incomplete resection occurred in 6 patients. Only one patient showed recurrence. Histopathologic evaluation after endoscopic papillectomy revealed adenoma (n=11, 50%), high-grade dysplasia (n=3, 13.6%), adenocarcinoma (n=2, 9.1%), carcinoid (n=1), chronic inflammation (n=3, 13.6%), papillary adenomatous hyperplasia (n=1), and cavernous lymphangioma (n=1). The mean size of the resected lesions was 10.3+/-1.2 mm (range 2-20 mm). There was no factor which could predict the endoscopic success statistically. A pancreatic duct stent was placed in 11 patients (50.0%) and was removed after 3 to 39 days. There were 8 (36.8%) procedure-related complications: bleeding (n=4), papillary stenosis (n=1), perforation (n=1), cholangitis (n=1), and asymptomatic liver function abnormality (n=1). There was no pancreatitis or mortality. All the complications resolved with conservative management. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic papillectomy in selected patients seemed to be highly successful and safe. Longer follow-up is needed to assess the long-term efficacy.

Survival Analysis according to Treatment Modality in Pancreatic Cancer Patients / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pancreatic cancer is the 5th leading cause of cancer death in Korea and its incidence is increasing. At present, surgical resection offers the best chance of cure. However, most of pancreatic cancers are already unresectable at initial diagnosis. Thus, the majority of patients depend on chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or supportive care. We investigated the effect of treatment modalities on the survival in pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Between September 1994 and May 2003, one hundred and fifty four patients with pancreatic cancer were treated by surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or conservative management. The clinical datas were analyzed retrospectively for survival according to stage and treatment modality. RESULTS: Overall median survival time was 5.7 months and 1 year survival rate was 18.3%. In patients with stage I to III disease, the median survival time was 13.9 months in surgery group, 10.2 months in radiation group, and 6.1 months in supportive care group (p<0.01). Survival rate according to treatment modality was significantly different among groups. In patients with stage IV disease, the median survival time was 6.1 months in radiation therapy group, 7.1 months in chemotherapy group, and 2.7 months in supportive care group. Overall survival was significantly higher in treatment groups than in supportive care group (p<0.01), but there was no difference in survival between chemotherapy group and radiotherapy group. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with stage I to III pancreatic cancer, surgery can improve median survival. In patients with stage IV, either chemotherapy or radiotherapy can prolong survival compared to supportive care. These results suggest that more active treatment of pancreatic cancer even in advanced stage will be needed to prolong the survival.

A Case of Spontaneous Biloma Complicated with Choledocholithiasis and Chronic Cholecystitis / 대한소화기학회지

A biloma is an encapsulated bile collection outside the biliary tree. Most cases of biloma are caused by iatrogenic injury or trauma. Intrahepatic rupture of the biliary tree due to nontraumatic cause is a rare event. A 68- year-old man was admitted because of abdominal pain and fever. He had no past history of abdominal surgery, instrumentation or trauma. Computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) demonstrated a large subcapsular fluid collection in the right liver associated with choledocholithiasis and cholecystitis. Biloma was confirmed by sono-guided percutaneous needle aspiration and was drained through a pigtail catheter. After the successful treatment by percutaneous drainage and endoscopic sphincterotomy, the patient recovered. Here, we report an uncommon case of spontaneous biloma formation in association with choledocholithiasis with a review of literatures.

Small Bowel Metastasis from Breast Cancer: A Case Report / 대한소화기학회지

Breast cancer is a common malignancy in women and frequently metastasizes to various organs such as liver, lung, brain, bone and so on. But metastasis to gastrointestinal tract is rare. We describe a 73-year-old woman with small intestinal metastasis of breast cancer. She was diagnosed as right breast cancer in stage I, received modified radical mastectomy 6 years ago and had been followed up without any evidence of residual disease. During investigation for lower abdominal pain and weight loss of 9 kg, we found a small bowel mass. The histology of the tissue taken from small bowel mass was adenocarcinoma, poorly differentiated. The immunohistochemical stain of this specimen showed 75% positivity of estrogen receptor and 90% positivity of progesterone receptor. This is a case of small bowel metastasis from breast cancer and we report this case with a review of literatures.

A Clinical Study of Pyogenic Liver Abscess at Two Different Local Hospitals / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Despite the improvement of personal and social hygiene, pyogenic liver abscess is still a common disease. We compared the incidence, infection route, underlying disease and major complications between two different local hospitals. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical data of 100 patients with pyogenic liver abscess who were treated at Seoul and Guri Hanyang University Hospital from 1999 to 2003. RESULTS: There were 64 males and 36 females in the study group; they were aged from 19 to 94 years with a mean of 56.5 years. Every year 19 to 23 pyogenic liver abscess patients were admitted to both hospitals. The most common organism isolated was Klebsiella pneumoniae in both local hospitals. In the Seoul hospital, diabetes (40.9%) was most common associated condition. In the Guri hospital, biliary tract disease or a history of hepatobiliary surgery (54.2%) was the most common associated condition. Catheter drainage and/or percutaneous needle aspiration were established as the standard treatment modality. CONCLUSIONS: In both regional hospitals, the incidence of pyogenic liver abscess did not decrease and Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common organism. Diabetes and biliary tract disease, including, previous hepatobiliary surgery, were the most identifiable underlying disease.

A Prospective Study on the Prevalence and Clinical Significance of Autoantibodies in Patients with Suspected Nonalcholic Fatty Liver Disease / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Exclusion of liver disease from other causes such as autoimmune hepatitis is necessary for diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, there has been no study on the prevalence and significance of autoantibodies in the patients with clinically suspected NAFLD in Korea, where hepatitis B is endemic and autoimmune hepatitis is relatively uncommon. METHODS: We prospectively tested for anti-nuclear antibody (ANA), anti-smooth muscle antibody (ASMA), and anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA) in 135 serially enrolled patients with suspected NAFLD. We compared the clinical characteristics and biochemical indices of the ANA-positive or ASMA-positive group with those of the autoantibody-negative group. RESULTS: Sixteen patients (11.8%) had serum autoantibodies; there was ANA in 8 patients (5.9%), ASMA in 7 (5.1%), and AMA in 2 (1.5%). Both ANA and AMA were positive in one patient. The ANA-positive or ASMA-positive group showed an older age (49.5+/-13.0 vs. 42.0+/-10.9 years, respectively, P=0.018) and higher levels of serum globulin (3.1+/-0.4 vs. 2.9+/-0.4 g/dL, respectively, P=0.037), compared with the autoantibody-negative group. Two cases with positive ANA or ASMA fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for probable autoimmune hepatitis and two cases with positive AMA were suspected as primary biliary cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that autoantibodies could be found in some patients with suspected NAFLD in Korea, AMA-positivity or ASMA-positivity could be associated with old age and high serum globulin, and some of the autoantibody-positive cases could be diagnosed as autoimmune hepatitis or primary biliary cirrhosis. Further studies are necessary to clarify the clinical significance of autoantibody positivity in those patients.

Efficacy of Repeated Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombosis / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study is to elucidate the efficacy of repeated hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) and different chemotherapeutic regimens for treating patients having advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT). METHODS: From Jan. 1999 and Dec. 2003, a total of 103 patients diagnosed as having HCC with PVTT, but without extrahepatic spreading, were enrolled in this study. They were stratified into two groups. Group I (67 patients) received intraarterial cisplatin (CDDP, 80 mg/m2 for 2 hours on Day 1), Group II (36 patients) received intraarterial CDDP (60 mg/m2 for 2 hours on Day 2) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU, 500 mg/m2 for 5 hours on Day 1-3). They were scheduled to receive at least three consecutive courses of the HAIC at 1 month intervals. RESULTS: Among the 66 patients who completed the protocol, one (2.5%) and seven (17.5%) patients of group I, and one (3.8%) and four (15.4%) of group II, exhibited complete and partial responses, respectively. The median survival period of all the patients was 6 months. Group II showed a tendency to improve the median survival compared to group I (8.5 vs 5.0 months, respectively, P=0.45). The most common adverse reaction was nausea (58.2%). However, an elevation of the total bilirubin level was more frequent in Group I than in Group II (61.3% vs 20.7%, respectively, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Repeated HAIC using CDDP achieved favorable results in a few patients with HCC with PVTT, and additional 5-FU may be useful.