Liver cancer is one of the world’s most prevalent malignancies, and is also the third leading cause of cancer death in China. Hepatitis and cirrhosis background is a major feature of liver cancer patients in China, which makes specific requirements that suits the national conditions in many aspects of prevention and control like screening diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis follow-up. The Specifications for Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Liver Cancer (2017 Edition), which is based on China’s practice, proposes liver cancer staging in line with China’s national conditions and forms a multi-disciplinary joint diagnosis and treatment model based on surgical treatment. Liver transplantation is included in liver cancer as one of the surgical treatments option. It also emphasizes the support of evidence-based medicine. The Specifications for Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Liver Cancer (2017 Edition) may have laid a solid foundation for future diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer in China.
Objective To explore the curative effect of surgical treatment for primary liver cancer with portal vein tumor thrombus（PVTT）. Methods The clinical data of 227 patients who were performed surgical treatment because of primary liver cancer with PVTT were analyzed retrospectively. Results Two hundreds and seventeen cases were performed surgical resection, 14 cases died from postoperative complications. The median survival time was 17.7 months, and the l-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 61.9%, 37.2%, 21.7%, and 4.0% respectively. There were 40 cases with PVTT ofⅠtype, the l-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 82.3% , 61.7%, 38.6%, and 6.6% respectively，which was obviously higher than those with PVTT of Ⅱ type （n=129, 61.1%, 34.3%, 20.8%, and 5.3%） and PVTT of Ⅲ type （n=48, 46.8%, 24.0%, 9.6%, and 0）, P＜0.05. There were 84 cases whose PVTT and tumor were resected together, the l-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 67.3%, 43.2%, 28.1%, and 7.9% respectively，which were obviously higher than those patients whose PVTT were removed from cross-section of liver （n= 85, 65.1%, 38.8%, 22.3%, and 3.4%） and patients whose PVTT were removed by cutting the portal vein （n=48, 46.8%, 24.0%, 9.6%, and 0）, P＜0.05. The l-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of 76 cases who received postoperative therapy of TACE/TAI were 75.3%, 53.2%, 33.1%, and 5.7% respectively, which were obviously higher than those patients who were not received any postoperative therapy （n=141, 54.8%, 29.1%, 15.9%, and 3.2%）, P＜0.05. Conclusions Surgical treatment is an effective treatment for primary liver cancer with PVTT. Surgery should strive for resecting the tumor and PVTT together, and postoperative therapy of TACE/TAI may have a favorable effect on the long term survival rate.
Objective To study the effects of pcDNA3/AFP/TK/Angio fusion gene targeting therapy for human primary liver cancer in nude mice implanted with SMMC-7721. Methods Human liver cancer cell line SMMC-7721 was implanted subcutaneously in nude mice to establish experiment model. Animals bearing liver cancer were randomly divided into five groups: control group， vector group， GCV (ganciclovir) group， pcDNA3/TK/Angio group; pcDNA3/AFP/TK/Angio group. Different plasmids were directly injected into tumors and GCV was intraperitoneally administrated simultaneously according to different groups. The growth of tumors was observed and the pathology was examined as well. Serum AFP level was measured by radioimmunology, the ultrastructural change of tumor cells was studied by using electron microscopy, the expressions of MVD and VEGF were respectively detected with immunohistochemistry and the cell apoptosis in situ was detected by TUNEL. Results The success rate to establish subcutaneous implanted liver cancer model in nude mice was 100%. The tumor volume, serum AFP level, VEGF and MVD expressions of pcDNA3/TK/Angio group and pcDNA3/AFP/TK/Angio group were lower than those in control group, vector group and GCV group (P＜0.05) and more apoptosis cells could be observed. While the tumor volume, serum AFP level, VEGF and MVD expressions of pcDNA3/AFP/TK/Angio group was lower than those in pcDNA3/TK/Angio group (P＜0.05); and apoptosis index was higher than that of the latter (P＜0.05).Conclusion pcDNA3/AFP/TK/Angio fusion gene inhibits the growth of tumor remarkably and becomes a promising new biological agent to treat human primary liver cancer.
ObjectiveTo study the epidemiologic characteristics of primary liver cancer (PLC). MethodsThe literatures about regional distribution and etiologic epidemiology of PLC were reviewed. Results PLC was mainly distributed on caostland in the south-east of China. The main cause of PLC was hepatitis B virus, aflatoxin and contamination of drinking water. Otherwise, PLS was also related with lack of some trace element, sex horemones, genealogy cause and so on.Conclusion The genesis of PLC was by multiple factors.
ObjectiveTo study the clinical role of spleen/remnant liver volume ratio in evaluating liver reserve function after surgical treatment for liver cancer. MethodsTo calculate the ratio of spleen volume/remnant liver volume after tumor excision with imaging method and immersion method; to analyze the relationships between spleen/remnant liver volume ratio and liver function score after operation as well as hospital stay. ResultsLiver function ChildPugh score was related mainly with spleen/remnant liver volume ratio (t=7.831, P=0.000), which was proved by multiple regression analysis. The median hospital stay of the group with spleen/remnant liver ratio ≤0.9 was 14 d （12-16 d）, which was less than that (22 d, 15-29 d) of the other group with the ratio gt;0.9 (P=0.000). ConclusionsSpleen/remnant liver volume ratio can predict effectively recovery ability of patients after operation for liver cancer， and assess correctly the reserve function of liver. When the ratio is less than or equal 0.9, the operation is safe.
Objective To summarize the role of the relationship between liver cancer and cellular immunological function, and the role of immune therapy in clinical application. Methods To analyze the relationship between liver cancer and cellular immunological function, and the present research situation of immune therapy for liver cancer in clinical application retrospectively via review the related domestic and foreign literatures. Results The cellular immune dysfunction existed in all liver cancer patients. The state of body’s cellular immunological function is closely related with the arising and development of liver cancer, and the lowness of cellular immunological function is an important factor of hepatocellular carcinoma hard to cure or recurrence and metastasis. Immune therapy plays an important role in the treatment of liver cancer by adjusting the body’s cellular immunological function. Conclusions Liver cancer is closely related with the body’s cellular immunological function. Immune therapy is expected to offer a new way for the treatment of liver cancer, which can also be used as an important auxiliary treatment way.
ObjectivesTo classify the high risk population for primary liver cancer (PLC) in rural China.MethodsBetween June 2011 and June 2013, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers were identified in clinical laboratory of Qidong People’s Hospital and surveyed by questionnaires. Cox proportional hazard regression model was introduced to demonstrate independent risk factors associated with PLC occurrence. Moreover, receiver characteristic operating (ROC) curve was utilized to evaluate discrimination power of risk factor panel for PLC risk classification.ResultsA total of 1 296 HBsAg carriers were enrolled, among which 686 participants were male with an average age of 45.73±11.58 years, and 610 participants were female with an average age of 45.67±12.33 years. After a mean follow up period of 5.5 years, 43 incident PLC cases were confirmed, which generated a PLC incidence of 60.5 millions person years. Multi-univariate Cox model showed that increase of age (HR=1.055, 95%CI 1.029 to 1.083, P<0.000 1), male (HR=3.263, 95%CI 1.567 to 6.796,P=0.001 6), having family history of PLC (HR=2.315, 95%CI 1.260 to 4.252, P=0.006 8), HBeAg positivity (HR=2.367, 95%CI 1.267 to 4.419, P=0.006 9) and GGT abnormality (HR=2.721, 95%CI 1.457 to 5.083, P=0.001 7) were the independent risk factors of PLC.ConclusionRoutine host, viral and liver biochemical parameters which are readily accessible in daily clinical practice can be utilized in identification of the targeted population for prevention of PLC in rural China.
Objective To systematically evaluate AFP as the diagnostic standard for Chinese primary liver cancer (PLC). Methods A comprehensive electronic search and additional manual tracking were performed to retrieve relevant studies on AFP in diagnosis of Chinese PLC. All studies were divided into three groups according to the cutoff value of AFP: 20 or 25 ?g/L, 200 ?g/L, 400 ?g/L (Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively). The data about the accuracy of the included studies were extracted for further heterogeneity studies; statistical pooling and SROC (summary receiver operating characteristics) were analyzed using MetaDisc 1.4 software. Results Twenty studies which were selected from 1,062 references met the inclusion criteria. Heterogeneity (except for threshold effect) was found within the three groups. A Meta-analysis was performed using the random effect model. Compared with the other two groups, the specificity of Group 3 (AFP 400 ?g/L) was the highest (0.977, 95%CI 0.967 to 0.985) and sensitivity was the lowest (0.422, 95%CI 0.403 to 0.441). The values of LR+ and dOR were lower than those of Group 2 (AFP 200?g/L) (17.691: 19.669; 32.820: 53.599, respectively). Area under curve (AUC) of SROC and Q index of Group 3 were also lower than those of Group 2 (0.6575: 0.832 3; 0.633 8: 0.782 2, respectively). Conclusion Four-hundred ?g/L of AFP as the diagnostic standard for PLC is not good enough, and we suggest that 200 ?g/L may be better than 400 ?g/L for PLC diagnosis.
Objective To evaluate the impact of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization（TACE） on survival and tumor recurrence in patients with primary liver cancer， provide reference of clinical diagnosis and treatment for the primary liver cancer patients. Methods Two hundred and twenty-two cases of primary liver cancer were divided into TACE group （n=110） and control group （n=110）， TACE was performed after operation in the TACE group， convention treatment was performed after operation in the control group. The survival and tumor recurrence rates were compared between the TACE group and control group. Results The 1-， 2-， and 3-year survival rates were 83.64%， 56.36%，and 42.73% in the TACE group， respectively， which were 65.45%， 40.91%， and 21.82% in the control group，respectively. The differences were statistically significant （P＜0.05）. The 1-， 2-， and 3-year tumor recurrence rates were 20.91%， 54.55%， and 67.27% in the TACE group， respectively， which were 38.18%， 57.27%， and 70.91% in the control group， respectively. The 1-year tumor recurrence rate in the TACE group was significantly lower than that in the control group （P＜0.05）， but the differences of the 2- and 3-year recurrence rates were not statistically significant（P＞0.05）. Conclusions TACE treatment for primary liver cancer patients can increase long-term survival， but can’tdecrease long-term recurrence.
Objective To improve the prognosis of primary liver cancer with portal vein tumor thrombus （PVTT）， the progress of treatment for primary liver cancer with PVTT was reviewed. Methods The therapeutic approach and its efficacy for primary liver cancer with PVTT were summarized by literature search within recent years. Results PVTT is a common complication of primary liver cancer， the therapeutic approach are surgical resection， transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), intraportal venous therapy， radiotherapy， ablation therapy, molecular targeted therapy， etc. The excision rate for primary liver cancer with PVTT is low， the treatment is difficult and the outcome is dismal. It remains a poor prognosis at present， and the therapeutic effect need to be promoted. Conclusions The main treatment for primary liver cancer with PVTT should be surgical excision combine with other multidisciplinary comprehensive treatment to improve the survival in patients with PVTT， moreover， the therapeutic approach should be individualized and sequentially according to the patient’s condition and the type of PVTT.
