Journal of Liver Cancer

Original Articles

Current status of ultrasonography in national cancer surveillance program for hepatocellular carcinoma in South Korea: a large-scale multicenter study: Sun Hong Yoo, Soon Sun Kim, Sang Gyune Kim, Jung Hyun Kwon, Han-Ah Lee, Yeon Seok Seo, Young Kul Jung, Hyung Joon Yim, Do Seon Song, Seong Hee Kang, Moon Young Kim, Young-Hwan Ahn, Jieun Han, Young Seok Kim, Young Chang, Soung Won Jeong, Jae Young Jang, Jeong-Ju Yoo; J Liver Cancer. 2023;23(1):189-201. Published online March 24, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.17998/jlc.2023.03.11

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background/Aim
Abdominal ultrasonography (USG) is recommended as a surveillance test for high-risk groups for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to analyze the current status of the national cancer surveillance program for HCC in South Korea and investigate the effects of patient-, physician-, and machine-related factors on HCC detection sensitivity.
Methods
This multicenter retrospective cohort study collected surveillance USG data from the high-risk group for HCC (liver cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis B or C >40 years of age) at eight South Korean tertiary hospitals in 2017.
Results
In 2017, 45 experienced hepatologists or radiologists performed 8,512 USG examinations. The physicians had a mean 15.0±8.3 years of experience; more hepatologists (61.4%) than radiologists (38.6%) participated. Each USG scan took a mean 12.2±3.4 minutes. The HCC detection rate by surveillance USG was 0.3% (n=23). Over 27 months of follow-up, an additional 135 patients (0.7%) developed new HCC. The patients were classified into three groups based on timing of HCC diagnosis since the 1st surveillance USG, and no significant intergroup difference in HCC characteristics was noted. HCC detection was significantly associated with patient-related factors, such as old age and advanced fibrosis, but not with physician- or machine-related factors.
Conclusions
This is the first study of the current status of USG as a surveillance method for HCC at tertiary hospitals in South Korea. It is necessary to develop quality indicators and quality assessment procedures for USG to improve the detection rate of HCC.

The diagnostic value of circulating tumor DNA in hepatitis B virus induced hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis: Young Chang, Soung Won Jeong, Jae Young Jang, Hyuksoo Eun, Young‑Sun Lee, Do Seon Song, Su Jong Yu, Sae Hwan Lee, Won Kim, Hyun Woong Lee, Sang Gyune Kim, Seongho Ryu, Suyeon Park; J Liver Cancer. 2022;22(2):167-177. Published online September 29, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.17998/jlc.2022.09.19

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Background/Aim
New biomarkers are urgently needed to aid in the diagnosis of early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We performed a meta-analysis on the diagnostic utility of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) levels in patients with hepatitis B virus-induced HCC.
Methods
We retrieved relevant articles from PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library up to February 8, 2022. Two subgroups were defined; one subset of studies analyzed the ctDNA methylation status, and the other subset combined tumor markers and ctDNA assays. Pooled sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE), positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were analyzed.
Results
Nine articles including 2,161 participants were included. The overall SEN and SPE were 0.705 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.629-0.771) and 0.833 (95% CI, 0.769-0.882), respectively. The DOR, PLR, and NLR were 11.759 (95% CI, 7.982-17.322), 4.285 (95% CI, 3.098- 5.925), and 0.336 (0.301-0.366), respectively. The ctDNA assay subset exhibited an AUC of 0.835. The AUC of the combined tumor marker and ctDNA assay was 0.848, with an SEN of 0.761 (95% CI, 0.659-0.839) and an SPE of 0.828 (95% CI, 0.692-0.911).
Conclusions
Circulating tumor DNA has promising diagnostic potential for HCC. It can serve as an auxiliary tool for HCC screening and detection, especially when combined with tumor markers.

Case Report

A Case of Abscopal Effect on Pulmonary Metastasis after Palliative Radiotherapy on Bone Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Do Seon Song, U Im Chang, Ho Jung An, Sung Hwan Kim, Jin Mo Yang; J Liver Cancer. 2017;17(2):168-173. Published online September 30, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.17998/jlc.17.2.168

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Abstract PDF: The abscopal effect is a rare phenomenon that characterized by tumor regression of untreated metastatic lesions after a local radiotherapy. The mechanisms of abscopal effect are speculated to be associated with cytokine release and host immune system. In this case, we report a case of abscopal effect in a 64-year-old male with hepatocellular carcinoma with lung and bone metastasis, who had complete response in the lung after receiving radiation to the metastatic bone lesions.

Review Article

Treatments Other than Sorafenib for Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Do Seon Song, Si Hyun Bae; J Liver Cancer. 2016;16(1):1-6. Published online March 31, 2016; DOI: https://doi.org/10.17998/jlc.16.1.1

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Abstract PDF

Sorafenib is the standard treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma according to the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging system. However, because of its unsatisfactory efficacy, adverse effects, and high cost, the use of sorafenib is limited, and other treatment modalities are required. Recent studies reported that treatment modalities other than sorafenib, such as hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy and transarterial radioembolization, showed comparable or better response rates and survival rates than sorafenib. In this review, treatment modalities that could be used as alternatives to sorafenib will be discussed. (J Liver Cancer 2016;16:1-6)

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Phase I Radiation Dose-Escalation Study to Investigate the Dose-Limiting Toxicity of Concurrent Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Yeona Cho, Jun Won Kim, Ja Kyung Kim, Kwan Sik Lee, Jung Il Lee, Hyun Woong Lee, Kwang-Hun Lee, Seung-Moon Joo, Jin Hong Lim, Ik Jae Lee
Cancers.2020; 12(6): 1612. CrossRef

Original Article

Comparative Study between Metronomic Chemotherapy and Transarterial Chemoembolization in Patients with Child-Pugh Class B Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Hyun Yang, Myeong Jun Song, Hee Chul Nam, Hae Lim Lee, Sung Won Lee, Do Seon Song, Jeong Won Jang, Si Hyun Bae, Jong Yong Choi, Seung Kew Yoon; J Liver Cancer. 2015;15(2):92-99. Published online September 30, 2015; DOI: https://doi.org/10.17998/jlc.15.2.92

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Abstract PDF

Background/Aim
s: Metronomic (MET) chemotherapy is a treatment characterized by frequent infusion of low doses of chemotherapeutic agent without extended break. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of MET chemotherapy compared with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in patients with child B class advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Methods
Seventy-three patients with child B class advanced HCC were analyzed between April, 2007 and August, 2013 according to two treatment groups: (i) MET chemotherapy group (n=43, Epirubicin 35 mg/body surface area [BSA] every 4 weeks, and cisplatin 15 mg/BSA and 5-fluorouracil 50 mg/BSA weekly for 3 weeks) via an implantable port system with 1 week break. (ii) TACE group (n=30, Adriamycin 20-50 mg) every 4 weeks. Primary endpoint was overall survival (OS).
Results
The median survival times in the MET and TACE groups were 4.5 months and 3.1 months, respectively. The overall survival rate showed significantly better in the MET treatment group than in the TACE group (P=0.039). When the factors affecting patient OS were analyzed, MET chemotherapy (P=0.038, hazard ratio {HR} 0.538 [95% confidence interval {CI} 0.299-0.967]) was independently associated with OS. Larger maximal tumor size, extrahepatic metastasis and advanced stage also were significant factors for OS (P=0.009, HR 1.064 [95% CI 1.014-16.064]; P=0.014, HR 2.120 [95% CI 1.164-3.861]; P=0.019, HR 2.046 [95% CI 1.125-3.720], respectively).
Conclusions
MET chemotherapy showed survival benefit than TACE in patients with child class B advanced HCC. Therefore, MET chemotherapy may be considered as a treatment option for advanced HCC with poor liver function. (J Liver Cancer 2015;15:92-99)

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

A comparative study of sorafenib and metronomic chemotherapy for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer-stage C hepatocellular carcinoma with poor liver function
Hyun Yang, Hyun Young Woo, Soon Kyu Lee, Ji Won Han, Bohyun Jang, Hee Chul Nam, Hae Lim Lee, Sung Won Lee, Do Seon Song, Myeong Jun Song, Jung Suk Oh, Ho Jong Chun, Jeong Won Jang, Angelo Lozada, Si Hyun Bae, Jong Young Choi, Seung Kew Yoon
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology.2017; 23(2): 128. CrossRef

Case Reports

A Case of Combination Therapy Using Radioembolization and Transarterial Chemoembolization with Drug-eluting Beads in Bilobar Hepatocellular Carcinomas: Hee Yeon Kim, Chung-Hwa Park, Do Seon Song, Myeong Jun Song, Jong Young Choi, Seung Kew Yoon, Si Hyun Bae, Ho Jung Chun; Journal of the Korean Liver Cancer Study Group. 2012;12(2):128-132. Published online September 30, 2012

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Abstract PDF: Bilobar multifocal hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) can be treated with transarterial radioembolization in a sequential lobar, or whole liver manner. However, radioembolization could result in a risk of radiation-induced liver toxicity in patients with reduced functional reserve. Here we describe a case with bilobar HCCs successfully treated with a combination therapy using radioembolization and transarterial chemoembolization with drug-eluting beads without significant side effects. A 72-year-old female with liver cirrhosis was diagnosed of hepatocellular carcinoma with bilobar involvement. The main mass in the left lobe was treated with radioembolization while the other lesion in the right lobe was treated with transarterial chemoembolization using drug-eluting beads, and the patient was tolerable. A combination of radioembolization and selective transarterial chemoem- bolization may be considered for an alternative option in patients with bilobar multifocal HCCs with decreased liver function.

A Case of Hepatocellular Carcinoma which Showed Response to Transarterial Chemoembolization with DC Bead® in the Patient who Showed No Response to Conventional Transarterial Chemoembolization: Do Seon Song, Hee Yeon Kim, Myeong Jun Song, Si Hyun Bae, Jong Young Choi, Seung Kew Yoon, Ho Jong Chun; Journal of the Korean Liver Cancer Study Group. 2012;12(2):133-136. Published online September 30, 2012

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Abstract PDF: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most important cause of cancer death in South Korea. Approximately two thirds of the HCC patients are diagnosed in the unresectable stage. Conventional transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) showed survival benefit in the unresectable HCC patients, but it had some limitations, such as low response rate and systemic toxicity. Drug eluting bead has been reported low systemic toxicity and higher tumor necrosis rate. We report a case which showed response to TACE with DC bead in patient that showed no response to conventional TACE.

A Case of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a 10 Year Old Child Treated with Yttrium Radioembolization and Transarterial Chemoembolization: Sung Won Lee, Hee Yeon Kim, Do Seon Song, Chung-Hwa Park, Myeong Jun Song, Jong Young Choi, Seung Kew Yoon, Jung Suk Oh, Ho Jong Chun, Si Hyun Bae; Journal of the Korean Liver Cancer Study Group. 2012;12(2):137-140. Published online September 30, 2012

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Abstract PDF: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in childhood is rare but is the second most common malignant liver neoplasm after hepatoblastoma in children. Surgical resectability is the foundation of curative therapy but only one third of newly diagnosed HCCs are resectable, and unresectable HCC remains largely unresponsive to systemic chemotherapy. In all reported series of HCC in children, therapeutic results are poor with overall survival less than 30%. Systemic chemotherapy is only partially effective but if preoperative downstaging can be achieved, it would result in a higher survival rate. There are scarce data regarding local ablative treatments such as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and therefore survival benefits are still unclear. TACE may be considered as a therapeutic alternative in cases of unresectable tumors after systemic chemotherapy or in unresectable, non-metastatic HCCs. The use of orthotopic liver transplantation in childhood HCC remains controversial. Radioembolization is a mode of treatment that aims to selectively target radiation to all liver tumors using yttrium-90 microspheres while limiting the dose to normal liver parenchyma. It may be considered as another treatment option in childhood HCC with the purpose of preoperative downstaging but further studies are required to determine the treatment benefits and safety of radioembolization treatment.

A Case of Progressive Superior Mesenteric Vein Thrombosis after Percutaneous Transhepatic Obliteration in Infiltrative Hepatocellular Carcinomaswith Portal Vein Thrombosis: Hee Yeon Kim, Chung-Hwa Park, Sung won Lee, Do Seon Song, Myeong Jun Song, Jong Young Choi, Seung Kew Yoon, Si Hyun Bae, Jung Suk Oh, Ho Jong Chun; Journal of the Korean Liver Cancer Study Group. 2012;12(2):146-150. Published online September 30, 2012

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Abstract PDF: Percutaneous transhepatic obliteration of gastroesophageal varices is one of the effective emergency procedure when endoscopic therapy is not indicated or has been failed. One of the major complications of this procedure is portal thrombosis. A 53-year-old male with hepatitis B virus infection was diagnosed of infiltrative hepatocellular carcinoma with right portal vein thrombosis. On the next day after being hospitalization, the patient developed variceal bleeding. With medical management, endoscopic therapy was initially attempted, however, it ended in failure. Emergency percutaneous transhepatic obliteration of bleeding gastroesophageal varices was considered as a next option. Bleeding from gastroesophageal varices was stopped after percutaneous obliateration, however, portal thrombosis was extended to splenic vein or superior mesenteric veins.

A Case of Liver Transplantation after Combination of Sorafenib and Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy in the Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patient with Portal Vein Thrombosis: Do Seon Song, Myeong Jun Song, Si Hyun Bae, Jong Young Choi, Seung Kew Yoon, Ho Jong Chun, Dong Goo Kim; Journal of the Korean Liver Cancer Study Group. 2012;12(1):62-66. Published online February 28, 2012

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Abstract PDF: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most common malignancy in Korea where chronic hepatitis B virus is prevalent. More than 60-70% of HCC cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage that are not eligible for curative therapy such as surgical resection, liver transplantation, radiofrequency ablation, and percutaneous ethanol injection. According to Barcellona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging and treatment, standard treatment of advanced HCC is sorafenib. And there are some reports that hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) could be a beneficial therapeutic option for patients with advanced HCC. We report a case of advanced HCC with portal vein thrombosis that received liver transplantation after combination treatment of HAIC and sorafenib.

Review Article

Changes of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Guidelines during the Last Ten-Year Period: Do Seon Song, Si Hyun Bae; Journal of the Korean Liver Cancer Study Group. 2011;11(2):136-143. Published online September 30, 2011

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Abstract PDF: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most common cause of cancer death in the world. There has been many advances in diagnosis of HCC during the last ten-year period, especially imaging techniques. The Korean Liver cancer study group (KLCSG), European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL), American Association for the Study of Liver disease (AASLD) and Asian-Pacific Association for the Study of Liver (APASL) have made and changed HCC guidelines with advances of imaging technique and results of research on HCC. We reviewed the changes of imaging guidelines in HCC diagnosis according to the advances of imaging. In addition, further studies will be needed to solve the controversies in diagnosis of HCC smaller than 1 cm in size.

Case Report

Conus Medullaris Syndrome after Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization in Patient with Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Sun Hong Yoo, Si Hyun Bae, Pil Soo Sung, Hee Yeon Kim, Do Seon Song, Myeong Jun Song, Jong Young Choi, Seung Kew Yoon, Ho Jong Chun; Journal of the Korean Liver Cancer Study Group. 2011;11(2):185-189. Published online September 30, 2011

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Abstract PDF: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth most common cancer in Korea and a common cause of cancer death. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is used as palliative therapy for patients with inoperable HCC. TACE is an effective treatments for inoperable HCC, but variable complications due to using embolic agents can occur after TACE. Complications due to embolic agents include pulmonary lipiodol embolism, splenic infarction, cerebral lipiodol infarction, and spinal cord injury. This is a rare case of spinal cord injury after a sixth TACE via right T9 intercostal artery.

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