Preoperative Alpha-Fetoprotein and Radiological Total Tumor Diameter as Predictors of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence After Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation is a unique treatment opportunity for patients with chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Selection of HCC patients for transplantation was revolutionized by Milan-based criteria, but tumor recurrence and shortage of organs are still a major concern. Nowadays, additional preoperative tumor parameters can help to refine the graft allocation process. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value and cut-off points of pretransplant serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels and radiological tumor parameters on liver transplantation outcomes. METHODS: This is a single-team retrospective cohort of 162 consecutive deceased donor liver transplants (DDLT) with pathologically confirmed HCC. Pretransplant serum AFP levels and radiological tumor parameters were retrieved from a preoperative follow-up. Receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curves were used to evaluate cut-off points for each outcome. Multivariate Cox regression model was used to assess the predictors of HCC relapse and recipient mortality. RESULTS: Twelve recipients (7.4%) had HCC recurrence after transplantation, with median survival time of 5.8 months. Pretransplant AFP ≥30 ng/mL (hazard ratio [HR]: 13.84, P = .003) and radiological total tumor diameter (TTD) ≥5 cm (HR: 12.89, P = .005) were independent predictors for HCC relapse. Moreover, pretransplant AFP ≥150 ng/mL was independently associated with recipient mortality (HR: 4.45, P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: Pretransplant AFP levels and radiological TTD were independently associated with HCC relapse and recipient mortality after DDLT, with different cut-off points predicting different outcomes. These findings may contribute to improving decision-making in the context of liver transplantation for HCC patients.

McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome secondary to rectal adenocarcinoma

Introduction: McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome is a rare condition that arises from a hypersecretory state secondary to large colorectal tumors, mainly villous adenomas, leading to an electrolytic disorder associated with chronic diarrhea that usually persists for years. It is a relatively unknown disease that can lead to severe complications such as acute kidney injury, severe hyponatremia, and hypokalemia. In fact, it causes death in most untreated cases. Surgical removal of the tumor is the most successful treatment, and symptoms tend to disappear after proper management. Case Report: A 62-year-old man with a 2-year history of mucoid diarrhea preceded by abdominal pain presented with acute kidney injury, hyponatremia, and hypokalemia. A digital rectal examination and sigmoidoscopy were performed, and revealed a large laterally-spreading tumor in the rectum. Further investigation showed a rectal tubulovillous adenoma with secondary McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome. An anterior resection of the rectum with a colonic J-pouch and a diverting ileostomy were performed, and the patient improved with the resolution of the renal failure and electrolyte disturbances. The histopathological analysis revealed an invasive rectal adenocarcinoma. Discussion: McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome is a condition with a low incidence that needs early intervention and proper diagnosis. It is of extreme importance that this disease is included in the differential diagnoses for chronic diarrhea associated with an electrolytic disorder. (AU)