Portal hypertension increases the risk of hepatic decompensation after 90Yttrium radioembolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a cohort study.

Background: Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) is increasingly used in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This treatment can induce or impair portal hypertension, leading to hepatic decompensation. TARE also promotes changes in liver and spleen volumes that may modify therapeutic decisions and outcomes after therapy. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the impact of TARE on the incidence of decompensation events and its predictive factors. Design: In all, 63 consecutive patients treated with TARE between February 2012 and December 2018 were retrospectively included. Methods: We assessed clinical (including Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage, portal hypertension assessment, and liver decompensation), laboratory parameters, and liver and spleen volumes before and 6 and 12 weeks after treatment. A multivariate analysis was performed. Results: In total, 18 out of 63 (28.6%) patients had liver decompensation (ascites, variceal bleeding, jaundice, or encephalopathy) within the first 3 months after therapy, not associated with tumor progression. Clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) and bilobar treatment independently predicted the development of liver decompensation after TARE. A significant volume increase in the non-treated hemi-liver was observed only in patients with unilobar treatment (median volume increase of 20.2% in patients with right lobe TARE; p = 0.007), especially in those without CSPH. Spleen volume also increased after TARE (median volume increase of 16.1%; p = 0.0001) and was associated with worsening liver function scores and decreased platelet count. Conclusion: Bilobar TARE and CSPH may be associated with an increased risk of liver decompensation in patients with intermediate or advanced HCC. A careful assessment considering these variables before therapy may optimize candidate selection and improve treatment planning.

Assessing the impact of COVID-19 on liver cancer management (CERO-19).

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems and it may have heavily impacted patients with liver cancer (LC). Herein, we evaluated whether the schedule of LC screening or procedures has been interrupted or delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: An international survey evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical practice and clinical trials from March 2020 to June 2020, as the first phase of a multicentre, international, and observational project. The focus was on patients with hepatocellular carcinoma or intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, cared for around the world during the first COVID-19 pandemic wave. RESULTS: Ninety-one centres expressed interest to participate and 76 were included in the analysis, from Europe, South America, North America, Asia, and Africa (73.7%, 17.1%, 5.3%, 2.6%, and 1.3% per continent, respectively). Eighty-seven percent of the centres modified their clinical practice: 40.8% the diagnostic procedures, 80.9% the screening programme, 50% cancelled curative and/or palliative treatments for LC, and 41.7% modified the liver transplantation programme. Forty-five out of 69 (65.2%) centres in which clinical trials were running modified their treatments in that setting, but 58.1% were able to recruit new patients. The phone call service was modified in 51.4% of centres which had this service before the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 19/37). CONCLUSIONS: The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic had a tremendous impact on the routine care of patients with liver cancer. Modifications in screening, diagnostic, and treatment algorithms may have significantly impaired the outcome of patients. Ongoing data collection and future analyses will report the benefits and disadvantages of the strategies implemented, aiding future decision-making. LAY SUMMARY: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems globally. Herein, we assessed the impact of the first wave pandemic on patients with liver cancer and found that routine care for these patients has been majorly disrupted, which could have a significant impact on outcomes.

Cardiovascular toxicity and sorafenib: a case report.

We report a case of a 55-year-old male with chronic hepatitis C virus infection and compensated liver disease treated with sorafenib for advanced hepatocarcinoma (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C). At follow-up, the patient developed hypertension, which was well controlled with beta-blocker medication, and an aortic dilation detected by abdominal computerized tomography and echocardiography. There are some reports of the side effects of sorafenib on the cardiovascular system. The patient had no cardiac or aortic pathology before the start of this palliative chemotherapy. There is an article that describes the development of an aortic aneurysm in a patient with uncontrolled hypertension, who received treatment with sorafenib for renal carcinoma. However, our patient had a good control of blood pressure. The adverse vascular effects of Sorafenib may be due to the inhibition of the proliferation of vascular endothelial muscle cells. We believe that this case illustrates a probable relationship between sorafenib and aortic dilatation according to the Karch and Lasagna causality algorithm.

Antiangiogenic drugs and cardiogenic shock: a case report.

A 56-year-old man attended the emergency room with respiratory failure, deteriorated general status, fatigue, and diarrhea. His clinical history included a liver transplant because of alcoholic cirrhosis, which developed to hepatocellular carcinoma. Initial immunosuppression consisted of corticosteroids, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate mofetil. Examination of the explant revealed vascular invasion, and tacrolimus was replaced with everolimus. The patient presented recurrence of the carcinoma with peritoneal implants, and treatment with sorafenib was started. He was admitted to the gastroenterology department and, after withdrawal of sorafenib, the patient improved clinically. However, 6 days later, he was admitted to the intensive care unit with acute respiratory failure and metabolic acidosis. The final diagnosis was cardiogenic shock. Although cardiogenic shock is not mentioned in the summaries of product characteristics of sorafenib or everolimus, there are reports of a relationship between cardiotoxicity and antiangiogenic therapy that inhibits the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, as is the case with these drugs. We believe that there is a relationship between sorafenib (especially when combined with everolimus) and cardiogenic shock. Application of the Karch and Lasagna algorithm to assess the causality of the reaction induced by the combination of sorafenib and everolimus revealed the relationship to be probable.

Optimización del cultivo de líquido ascítico en el contexto clínico de la peritonitis bacteriana espontánea / Optimization of ascitic fluid culture in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

Introducción y objetivosLa peritonitis bacteriana espontánea (PBE) es la infección del líquido ascítico (LA) en ausencia de foco infeccioso intraperitoneal en pacientes con enfermedad hepática e hipertensión portal. El objetivo del estudio fue la evaluación de la rentabilidad de los cultivos microbiológicos tras la optimización de la sistemática en su recogida en la práctica clínica habitual.MétodosSe analizaron 2 series, la primera retrospectiva con datos de 156 episodios de PBE consecutivos de enero de 2003 a diciembre de 2005 (grupo R), y la segunda con un grupo prospectivo desde octubre de 2007 a octubre de 2008, constituido por 79 episodios, en los que se optimizó el protocolo diagnóstico de PBE (grupo P), con la recogida sistemática de 10ml de LA por bote de hemocultivo.ResultadosLas características basales epidemiológicas y clínicas entre los episodios fueron similares, salvo mayor incidencia de insuficiencia renal, ascitis a tensión e íleo adinámico, y en la etiología de la hepatopatía, más frecuente de origen etílico, en el grupo P. Se consiguió aislamiento microbiológico en LA en el 12,2% de los episodios del grupo R, frente al 53,2% del grupo P (p=0,001) y en hemocultivos en el 8,5 y 26,6% (p=0,001), respectivamente. Se obtuvo aislamiento microbiológico en el 65,8% de los episodios del grupo P frente al 19,2% del grupo R (OR 8; IC 95%: 4,4-14,9; p=0,001). El microorganismo más frecuentemente aislado en la en el grupo P fue Escherichia coli (42,9%).ConclusionesLa optimización en la realización de la sistemática diagnóstica en la práctica asistencial del paciente cirrótico con ascitis aumenta su rendimiento microbiológico diagnóstico (AU)

Introduction and aimsSpontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is ascitic fluid (AF) infection in the absence of an intraperitoneal source of infection in patients with liver disease and portal hypertension. The aim of this study was to evaluate the yield of microbiological cultures to optimize their collection and systematic implementation in routine clinical practice.MethodsWe analyzed two cohorts: the first consisted of retrospective data from the clinical records of 156 consecutive episodes of SBP from January 2003 to December 2005 (group R), and the second was composed of data collected prospectively from October 2007 to October 2008, consisting of 79 episodes (group P), with systematic inoculation of 10 cc of AF in each blood culture bottle.ResultsNo significant differences were demonstrated in baseline epidemiological or clinical characteristics among episodes, except the more frequent presence of alcoholic liver disease and the incidence of tense ascites, paralytic ileus and kidney failure at diagnosis in group P. Microbiological isolation in AF was achieved in 12.2% of the episodes in group R compared with 53.2% in group P (p=0.001) and 8.5 and 26.6% (p=0.001) in blood culture, respectively. Microbiological isolation was achieved in 65.8% of episodes in group P versus 19.2% in group R (OR 8; 95% CI: 4.4-14.9; p=0.001). The most frequently isolated organism in AF in group P was Escherichia coli (42.9%).ConclusionsOptimizing the diagnostic procedure in cirrhotic patients with ascites significantly increases diagnostic microbiologic performance(AU)

Estudio descriptivo de la experiencia sobre carcinoma hepatocelular en hígado no cirrótico / Descriptive study of hepatocellular carcinoma in noncirrhotic liver

Introducción y objetivoEl carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) es la sexta causa de cáncer. En el mundo occidental su incidencia está en aumento y la gran mayoría asientan sobre una cirrosis hepática. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar las características del CHC en pacientes sin cirrosis.MétodosSe realizó una revisión retrospectiva de 469 pacientes con diagnóstico de CHC durante el periodo de enero de 2003 a diciembre de 2007. Se seleccionaron aquellos pacientes que cumplían criterios histológicos, o la conjunción de criterios clínicos, analíticos, radiológicos y/o de hemodinámica hepática, de ausencia de cirrosis hepática.ResultadosSe identificaron 29 pacientes con diagnóstico de CHC sobre hígado no cirrótico (6,2%). El 86,2% eran varones y con una mediana de edad de 61,6 (23 - 82) años. La enfermedad hepática fue hepatopatía crónica con fibrosis leve-moderada en el 68,9%. El 62,1% de los pacientes se encontraban asintomáticos al diagnóstico. El CHC era un nódulo único en el 86,2%, y la mediana del nódulo mayor fue 46 (20 - 150) mm. Se evidenció invasión vascular macroscópica en dos pacientes y metástasis óseas en otros dos. Se realizó tratamiento activo en 25 pacientes: 15 resección quirúrgica, 6 radiofrecuencia y 4 quimioembolización transarterial. La supervivencia acumulada a 1, 2 y 3 años, fue del 84,3; 67,2 y 50,1%, respectivamente.ConclusionesEl CHC sobre hígado no cirrótico es una patología poco frecuente, siendo tumores de gran tamaño al diagnóstico. A pesar de ello, se pueden aplicar tratamientos con intención curativa y alcanzar una supervivencia superior a la esperable en pacientes con cirrosis(AU)

Introduction and objectiveHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth leading cause of cancer. In western countries its impact is steadily growing and most of these tumors arise in cirrhotic liver. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and characteristics of HCC developing in noncirrhotic patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 469 patients diagnosed with HCC between January 2003 and December 2007. Patients who met the histological criteria, or a combination of clinical, laboratory, imaging and hemodynamic criteria for the absence of cirrhosis were included.ResultsWe identified 29 patients with a diagnosis of HCC in non-cirrhotic liver (6.2%). Most (86.2%) were men and the median age was 61.6 (23 - 82) years. The most frequent histology of the liver was mild-moderate liver fibrosis (68.9%) and 62.1% of the patients were asymptomatic at diagnosis. HCC was a solitary nodule in 86.2%, and the median size of the main nodule was 46 (20 - 150) mm. Macroscopic vascular invasion was demonstrated in two patients and bone metastases in a further two patients. Active treatment was provided in 25 patients, consisting of tumoral resection in 15, radiofrequency ablation in six and transarterial chemoembolization in four. The overall cumulative survival at 1, 2 and 3years was 84.3%, 67.2% and 50.1%, respectively.ConclusionHCC arising in non-cirrhotic liver is uncommon and there is wide tumor extension at diagnosis. Nevertheless, in most patients, treatment with curative intent can be applied, achieving better survival than that expected patients with cirrhosis(AU)

[Descriptive study of hepatocellular carcinoma in noncirrhotic liver]. / Estudio descriptivo de la experiencia sobre carcinoma hepatocelular en hígado no cirrótico.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth leading cause of cancer. In western countries its impact is steadily growing and most of these tumors arise in cirrhotic liver. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and characteristics of HCC developing in noncirrhotic patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 469 patients diagnosed with HCC between January 2003 and December 2007. Patients who met the histological criteria, or a combination of clinical, laboratory, imaging and hemodynamic criteria for the absence of cirrhosis were included. RESULTS: We identified 29 patients with a diagnosis of HCC in non-cirrhotic liver (6.2%). Most (86.2%) were men and the median age was 61.6 (23 - 82) years. The most frequent histology of the liver was mild-moderate liver fibrosis (68.9%) and 62.1% of the patients were asymptomatic at diagnosis. HCC was a solitary nodule in 86.2%, and the median size of the main nodule was 46 (20 - 150) mm. Macroscopic vascular invasion was demonstrated in two patients and bone metastases in a further two patients. Active treatment was provided in 25 patients, consisting of tumoral resection in 15, radiofrequency ablation in six and transarterial chemoembolization in four. The overall cumulative survival at 1, 2 and 3 years was 84.3%, 67.2% and 50.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: HCC arising in non-cirrhotic liver is uncommon and there is wide tumor extension at diagnosis. Nevertheless, in most patients, treatment with curative intent can be applied, achieving better survival than that expected patients with cirrhosis.

[Optimization of ascitic fluid culture in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis]. / Optimización del cultivo de líquido ascítico en el contexto clínico de la peritonitis bacteriana espontánea.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is ascitic fluid (AF) infection in the absence of an intraperitoneal source of infection in patients with liver disease and portal hypertension. The aim of this study was to evaluate the yield of microbiological cultures to optimize their collection and systematic implementation in routine clinical practice. METHODS: We analyzed two cohorts: the first consisted of retrospective data from the clinical records of 156 consecutive episodes of SBP from January 2003 to December 2005 (group R), and the second was composed of data collected prospectively from October 2007 to October 2008, consisting of 79 episodes (group P), with systematic inoculation of 10 cc of AF in each blood culture bottle. RESULTS: No significant differences were demonstrated in baseline epidemiological or clinical characteristics among episodes, except the more frequent presence of alcoholic liver disease and the incidence of tense ascites, paralytic ileus and kidney failure at diagnosis in group P. Microbiological isolation in AF was achieved in 12.2% of the episodes in group R compared with 53.2% in group P (p = 0.001) and 8.5 and 26.6% (p = 0.001) in blood culture, respectively. Microbiological isolation was achieved in 65.8% of episodes in group P versus 19.2% in group R (OR 8; 95% CI: 4.4-14.9; p = 0.001). The most frequently isolated organism in AF in group P was Escherichia coli (42.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Optimizing the diagnostic procedure in cirrhotic patients with ascites significantly increases diagnostic microbiologic performance.

[Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients over 65 years]. / Peritonitis bacteriana espontánea en pacientes con cirrosis mayores de 65 años.

AIMS: Our aim was to study the episodes of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in cirrhotic patients older than 65 years. Their clinical characteristics were compared with a cohort of cirrhotic patients with SBP. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study on all hospital discharged patients diagnosed with SBP in the period from January 2003 to December 2005, obtaining a total of 158 episodes. Two groups of patients were created: those over 65 (group 1: 73 episodes) and those aged 65 years (group 2: 86 episodes). A descriptive study, an analysis of survival by Kaplan Meier curves (compared with log-rank test) and a Cox regression analysis was conducted comparing the two groups. RESULTS: In Group 1, males were 74%, the average age was 72.4 (SD 4.2) years, and the Child-Pugh distribution was 8.2% (A), 68.5% (B) and 23.3% (C).The most usual etiology of cirrhosis was viral (65.8%). In comparison with group 2, there was a superior frequency of renal impairment at admission, hepatocellular carcinoma and a viral etiology. Yet the bilirubin levels were higher in group 2. In-hospital mortality rate was 23.3%. The survival at 3 and 6 months was of 69.5% and 54.8%, while in group 2 it was 80.3% and 78.4% respectively (p=0001). An age> 65 years, the existence of hepatocellular carcinoma and a Mean Arterial Pressure <75 mm Hg at admission, in the overall cohort, were independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSION: An age above 65 years is an independent predictor of mortality following the development of an episode of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients.

[Prognostic value of a spontaneous bacterial peritonitis episode in cirrhotic patients in clinical practice]. / Valor pronóstico de un episodio de peritonitis bacteriana espontánea en pacientes cirróticos en la práctica clínica.

OBJECTIVES: To assess survival and predictive factors of mortality after an episode of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in cirrhotic patients and to analyze the diagnostic and therapeutic measures used. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 158 consecutive episodes of SBP treated between January 2003 and December 2005. Survival was studied by Kaplan-Meier curves, compared by the log-rank test. Independent predictive factors of mortality were obtained by a Cox regression model, while independent predictive factors of in-hospital mortality were obtained by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 80.4% of the SBP episodes occurred in men and the mean age was 61.23 +/- 12.49 years. The most frequent etiology of cirrhosis was viral (51.3%), followed by alcoholic (39.9%). The distribution of Child-Pugh classification was 5.7% (A), 63.3% (B) and 31% (C). Overall 3-year survival in the sample was 43.3%. Four variables were identified as independent predictive factors of in-hospital and 3-month mortality: renal impairment, hepatic encephalopathy, diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) < 75 mmHg. At the end of the monitoring period, the results of the analysis were as follows: diagnosis of HCC, MAP < 75 mmHg, and age > 65 years. Microbiological detection was achieved in 21% of the episodes. The most frequent microorganisms detected were Escherichia coli in ascitic fluid and Staphylococcus aureus in blood cultures. CONCLUSIONS: SBP has a poor short- and long-term prognosis in cirrhotic patients. Independent predictive factors of short-term survival are renal impairment, hepatic encephalopathy, MAP < 75 mmHg, and the presence of HCC.

Valor pronóstico de un episodio de peritonitis bacteriana espontánea en pacientes cirróticos en la práctica clínica / Prognostic value of a spontaneous bacterial peritonitis episode in cirrhotic patients in clinical practice

OBJETIVOS: Evaluar la supervivencia y los factores pronósticotras el diagnóstico de un episodio de peritonitis bacterianaespontánea (PBE) en pacientes cirróticos y las medidasdiagnosticadas y terapéuticas utilizadas.MÉTODOS: Se revisaron de manera retrospectiva los datos de158 episodios de PBE consecutivos durante el período deenero de 2003 a diciembre de 2005. Se procedió a un análisisde supervivencia mediante curvas de Kaplan-Meier, su comparaciónmediante el test de rangos logarítmicos, y valoraciónde los factores predictivos independientes mediante regresiónde Cox, y de mortalidad intrahospitalaria medianteregresión logística.RESULTADOS: El 80,4% de los episodios de PBE se produjoen varones, y la edad media fue de 61,23 ± 12,49 años. Laetiología de la cirrosis más prevalente fue viral (51,3%) seguidadel origen etílico (39,9%), y la distribución según laclasificación de Child-Pugh fue del 5,7% (A), 63,3% (B) y31% (C). La supervivencia global de la cohorte a los 3 añosdel seguimiento fue del 43,3%. Se determinaron como factoresindependientes asociados a mortalidad, tanto intrahospitalariacomo a los 3 meses tras la PBE el deterioro de funciónrenal, la presencia de encefalopatía hepática, laexistencia de carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) y una presiónarterial media (PAM) < 75 mmHg, y a largo plazo la edad> 65 años, la existencia de CHC y la PAM < 75 mmHg. Seconsiguió el aislamiento microbiológico en el 20,3% de losepisodios. El microorganismo más frecuentemente aisladoen el líquido ascítico fue Escherichia coli y en hemocultivosStaphylococcus aureus.CONCLUSIONES: La PBE es un evento pronóstico importanteen la cirrosis hepática, y los factores independientes de mortalidada corto plazo son el deterioro de función renal, lapresencia de encefalopatía hepática, la existencia de CHC yPAM < 75 mmHg

OBJECTIVES: To assess survival and predictive factors ofmortality after an episode of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis(SBP) in cirrhotic patients and to analyze the diagnosticand therapeutic measures used.METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical recordsof 158 consecutive episodes of SBP treated between January2003 and December 2005. Survival was studied by Kaplan-Meier curves, compared by the log-rank test. Independentpredictive factors of mortality were obtained by a Cox regressionmodel, while independent predictive factors of inhospitalmortality were obtained by logistic regressionanalysis.RESULTS: A total of 80.4% of the SBP episodes occurred inmen and the mean age was 61.23 ± 12.49 years. The mostfrequent etiology of cirrhosis was viral (51.3%), followed byalcoholic (39.9%). The distribution of Child-Pugh classificationwas 5.7% (A), 63.3% (B) and 31% (C). Overall 3-yearsurvival in the sample was 43.3%. Four variables were identifiedas independent predictive factors of in-hospital and 3-month mortality: renal impairment, hepatic encephalopathy,diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) andmean arterial pressure (MAP) < 75 mmHg. At the end of themonitoring period, the results of the analysis were as follows:diagnosis of HCC, MAP < 75 mmHg, and age > 65 years.Microbiological detection was achieved in 21% of theepisodes. The most frequent microorganisms detected wereEscherichia coli in ascitic fluid and Staphylococcus aureus inblood cultures.CONCLUSIONS: SBP has a poor short- and long-term prognosisin cirrhotic patients. Independent predictive factors ofshort-term survival are renal impairment, hepatic encephalopathy,MAP < 75 mmHg, and the presence of HCC (AU)

[Acute portal thrombosis in patients with hepatitis C treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin]. / Trombosis portal aguda en pacientes con hepatitis C crónica en tratamiento con interferón pegilado y ribavirina.

The combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin is the first option treatment for chronic hepatitis C (HCC). Although not frequent, several vascular adverse events, such as Raynaud's phenomenon, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, hemolytic uremic syndrome and central retinal vein occlusion, have been associated with the use of pegylated and standard interferon. We report the cases of two patients with HCC who, while receiving treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin, developed decompensated liver disease. Radiological tests revealed acute portal thrombosis. After the diagnosis was established, anticoagulant therapy was started, which resolved the portal thrombosis.

Trombosis portal aguda en pacientes con hepatitis C crónica en tratamiento con interferón pegilado y ribavirina / Acute portal thrombosis in patients with hepatitis C treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin

La combinación de interferón pegilado (IFN-Peg) con ribavirina es el tratamiento de elección de la hepatitis C crónica (HCC). Aunque infrecuentes, se han descrito diferentes eventos vasculares asociados con el uso de IFN estándar o IFN-Peg, como el fenómeno de Raynaud, la púrpura trombótica trombocitopénica, el síndrome hemolítico urémico o la trombosis de la vena central de la retina. Presentamos 2 casos de pacientes con HCC que, estando en tratamiento con IFN-Peg más ribavirina, consultaron por una descompensación de su enfermedad hepática, en cuyas pruebas radiológicas se demostró la presencia de una trombosis portal aguda. Tras el diagnóstico, se inició tratamiento anticoagulante con resolución de la trombosis portal

The combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin is the first option treatment for chronic hepatitis C (HCC). Although not frequent, several vascular adverse events, such as Raynaud's phenomenon, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, hemolytic uremic syndrome and central retinal vein occlusion, have been associated with the use of pegylated and standard interferon. We report the cases of two patients with HCC who, while receiving treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin, developed decompensated liver disease. Radiological tests revealed acute portal thrombosis. After the diagnosis was established, anticoagulant therapy was started, which resolved the portal thrombosis

[Prognostic factors in patients with non-active treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma]. / Factores pronósticos en pacientes con carcinoma hepatocelular desestimado para tratamiento.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate factors associated with poor survival in patients with non-active treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between May 2003 and June 2005, 50 patients with HCC were deemed unsuitable for active treatment, following the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging system. Symptomatic treatment was provided. Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed and compared by the log-rank test to identify factors associated with poor survival. Independent factors predictive of survival were evaluated by multivariate Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean age was 65.6 +/- 11.9 years and 84% of the patients were men. Forty-eight percent of the patients had hepatitis C infection and 58% were Child-Pugh grade A. HCC was multinodular in 54% and the total tumor size was more than 5 cm in 90% of patients. Thirty-four percent of the patients had malignant portal thrombosis and four patients had metastases. Thirty-eight percent of the patients had received previous treatment. The median follow-up was 9.2 months and 1- and 2-year survival was 46% and 17.5%, respectively. Poor survival was associated with male sex, alpha-fetoprotein values of > 400 ng/ml, albumin levels of < 3 g/dl, and metastases. Independent predictors identified by multivariate Cox regression analysis were male sex, albumin levels of < 3 g/dl, and alpha-fetoprotein values of > 400 ng/ml. The median survival in patients with two or more independent factors was significantly lower than that in patients with none or only one factor (14.2 vs. 4.1 months). CONCLUSION: Survival in patients with non-active treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma can be estimated and the factors involved allow separate groups of patients with different short- to medium-term prognoses to be identified.

Factores pronósticos en pacientes con carcinoma hepatocelular desestimado para tratamiento / Prognostic factors in patients with non-active treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Objetivo: Evaluar los factores pronósticos relacionados con la supervivencia de los pacientes con carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) desestimados para el tratamiento activo. Material y métodos: Entre mayo de 2003 y junio de 2005 se desestimaron 50 pacientes para el tratamiento curativo o paliativo del CHC, según los criterios de la Clasificación de Barcelona, y desde ese momento se realizó un soporte sintomático. Se valoraron los factores pronósticos independientes de la mortalidad mediante curvas de Kaplan-Meier, comparadas a través del test de rangos logarítmicos, y posteriormente mediante análisis de regresión de Cox. Resultados: La edad media fue de 65,9 ± 11,9 años y el 84% eran varones. El 48% de los pacientes tenían hepatitis C, y el 58% tenían un grado A de Child-Pugh. El CHC era multinodular en el 54% de los pacientes, y en el 90% el tamaño tumoral total fue mayor de 5 cm. El 34% presentaba una trombosis portal maligna y 4 pacientes, metástasis. El 38% había sido tratado previamente a su desestimación. La mediana de seguimiento fue de 9,2 meses, y la supervivencia a 1 y 2 años fue del 46 y del 17,5%, respectivamente. Los factores asociados a una mayor mortalidad fueron los siguientes: sexo masculino, alfafetoproteína > 400 ng/ml, albúmina sérica < 3 g/dl y presencia de metástasis. Se identificaron los siguientes factores pronósticos independientes de la mortalidad: sexo masculino, albúmina < 3 g/dl y alfafetoproteína > 400 ng/ml. La mediana de supervivencia de los pacientes sin ninguno o un factor de mortalidad fue claramente superior respecto a los pacientes con 2 o más factores (14,2 frente a 4,1 meses). Conclusión: La supervivencia de los pacientes desestimados para el tratamiento activo del CHC puede ser estimada, y los factores implicados permiten separar grupos de pacientes con diferente pronóstico a corto-medio plazo

Objective: To evaluate factors associated with poor survival in patients with non-active treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Material and Methods: Between May 2003 and June 2005, 50 patients with HCC were deemed unsuitable for active treatment, following the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging system. Symptomatic treatment was provided. Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed and compared by the log-rank test to identify factors associated with poor survival. Independent factors predictive of survival were evaluated by multivariate Cox regression analysis. Results: The mean age was 65.6 ± 11.9 years and 84% of the patients were men. Forty-eight percent of the patients had hepatitis C infection and 58% were Child-Pugh grade A. HCC was multinodular in 54% and the total tumor size was more than 5 cm in 90% of patients. Thirty-four percent of the patients had malignant portal thrombosis and four patients had metastases. Thirty-eight percent of the patients had received previous treatment. The median follow-up was 9.2 months and 1- and 2-year survival was 46% and 17.5%, respectively. Poor survival was associated with male sex, alpha-fetoprotein values of > 400 ng/ml, albumin levels of < 3 g/dl, and metastases. Independent predictors identified by multivariate Cox regression analysis were male sex, albumin levels of < 3 g/dl, and alpha-fetoprotein values of > 400 ng/ml. The median survival in patients with two or more independent factors was significantly lower than that in patients with none or only one factor (14.2 vs. 4.1 months). Conclusion: Survival in patients with non-active treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma can be estimated and the factors involved allow separate groups of patients with different short- to medium-term prognoses to be identified