The albumin-bilirubin score as a predictor of outcomes in Japanese patients with PBC: an analysis using time-dependent ROC.

The albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score is calculated using only serum albumin and bilirubin levels, and was developed as a simple method to assess hepatic function. In this study, a total of 409 patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) were enrolled between March 1990 and October 2018. The predictive performances of the ALBI score and other well-established prognostic scores were compared using time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Utility and limitations of noninvasive fibrosis markers for predicting prognosis in biopsy-proven Japanese non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients.

Background And Aim: The fibrosis stage of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely associated with long-term prognosis, including liver-related mortality. However, it is not yet clear whether noninvasive fibrosis markers can predict the incidence of non-liver-related complications in Japanese NAFLD. In this study, we clarified the prognosis of NAFLD patients, including non-liver-related diseases, based on hepatic pathology and noninvasive fibrosis markers.

A case of acute hepatitis B in a chronic hepatitis C patient after daclatasvir and asunaprevir combination therapy: hepatitis B virus reactivation or acute self-limited hepatitis?

Reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in HBV surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive patients treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy is well known. HBV reactivation in patients with HBV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection caused by direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy has also recently been reported. We report a case of acute hepatitis B in a patient with HCV infection after DAA therapy.

[Subcutaneous continuous injection of octreotide decreased the tumor marker levels and induced cystic necrosis of the tumors in a case of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor with multiple hepatic metastases].

For symptom alleviation, subcutaneous continuous injection of octreotide was administered to a patient with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (NET) accompanied by multiple hepatic metastases and ascites. The level of the tumor marker neuron-specific enolase decreased to the normal range and cystic necrosis of the tumors was confirmed. There have been some reports on the antineoplastic effects of octreotide on pancreatic NET; therefore, octreotide appears to be a valid option as a therapeutic agent in patients with highly advanced pancreatic NET, in whom administration of molecular targeted or anticancer agents is difficult because of a poor general status.

[An autopsy case of penetration of a sigmoid colon diverticulum with septic shock during the treatment of lung cancer-related pain].

A 70-year-old man presented with septic shock and abdominal pain during treatment of pain caused by stage IV lung adenocarcinoma. CT revealed air collection from the retroperitoneum to the muscle around the thigh. Septic shock due to retroperitoneal penetration from the digestive tract was suspected.

[Effectiveness of mirtazapine for digestive symptoms in palliative care - retrospective study of 50 cases].

Background: Previous research has reported that mirtazapine, a 5-HT3 antagonist, is effective for alleviation of digestive symptoms.

Purpose: To elucidate the effect of low-dose mirtazapine on digestive symptoms.

Patients And Methods: Mirtazapine was administered to 50 cancer patients with digestive symptoms in palliative care, and the data were retrospectively examined.

[An autopsy of G-CSF-producing anaplastic carcinoma of the pancreas with impaired accumulation on FDG-PET after S-1 chemotherapy].

This paper presents a woman in her 70's with G-CSF producing anaplastic carcinoma of the pancreas(Stage IVb)who underwent chemotherapy by S-1 alone. On FDG-PET after the first course, accumulation of FDG was impaired remarkably. After the second course, the patient died of carcinomatous pleuritis and peritonitis on the 88th day after initiation of treatment.

[A case of successful treatment of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor producing hepatocellular carcinoma accompanying type B hepatitis with tegafur-uracil].

A 37-year-old man underwent lobectomy of the right liver for granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) producing hepatocellular carcinoma accompanying type B hepatitis. Within two months after the surgery, lung metastases were revealed and administration of sorafenib was begun, however, the lung metastases continued to enlarge. Changing the patient's medication to tegafur-uracil provided remarkable reduction of the lung metastases.

[Medical treatment including pregabalin and radiation therapy provided remarkable relief for neuropathic pain by brachial plexus invasion in a patient with esophageal cancer].

This paper presents the case of a man in his 60's with advanced esophageal cancer after the first course of 5-FU/CDDP therapy during follow-up visit, who had pain and numbness from right scapula to upper arm. MRI revealed bone metastasis in the first thoracic vertebra and lymph node metastasis to be diagnosed as neuropathic pain by brachial plexus invasion. Radiation therapy and medical treatment with lornoxicam and controlled-release oxycodone started.

[Low-dose mirtazapine improved nausea and appetite loss during S-1 therapy].

This paper presents a man in his 80's with pancreatic cancer(cStage IV). He suffered from nausea duringS -1 therapy, and therefore, prochlorperazine maleate at a daily dose of 15 mgwas administered. However, refractory nausea was diagnosed because it did not improve, and mirtazapine at a daily dose of 7.

[Oxycodone and pregabalin using transdermal fentanyl patch provided relief of symptoms for postherpetic neuropathic pain in a patient with non-small cell lung cancer].

This paper presents a man in his 70's with non-small cell lung cancer (cT3N2M0, Stage III A) after chemoradiation therapy during follow-up visits. He was referred to the department of palliative care 1 month after the occurrence of herpes zoster, because of pain. Opioids (transdermal fentanyl patch and rapid-release oxycodone) were administered for his cancer pain previously.

Characteristics and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma detected in sustained responders to interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis C.

Interferon (IFN) therapy allows the eradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in some part of patients with chronic hepatitis C which is major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To clarify characteristics and prognoses of HCC detected in these patients (sustained responders to IFN), we compared HCC in sustained responders with HCC detected in patients without a sustained response (non-sustained responders). Characteristics and prognoses were compared in nine cases of HCC detected in sustained responders after IFN therapy and 61 cases of HCC detected in non-sustained responders at one of five our institutions.

Prevalence and characterization of hepatitis C virus genotype 4 in Japanese hepatitis C carriers.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can be classified into six major genotypes, the prevalences of which differ around the world. In Japan, the main genotypes are HCV 1 and HCV 2; others are found only rarely. Little is known about the prevalence in Japan of HCV genotype 4 which, is found frequently in North and Central Africa and the Middle East.