Transarterial infusion with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin for the treatment of unresectable pancreatic cancer.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and the safety of transarterial infusion (TAI) with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer (PC). After celiac arteriogram and super-mesenteric arteriography, 1000 mg/m gemcitabine and 100 mg/m oxaliplatin were infused through 4- or 5-Fr catheters in arteries supplying blood to the tumor. In cases in which the blood-supplying artery could be selectively catheterized, the infusion was performed through a 3-Fr catheter placed in the tumor-supplying artery.

Fine needle aspirating and cutting is superior to Tru-cut core needle in liver biopsy.

Background: Liver biopsy is the "gold standard" for evaluating liver disorders, but controversies over the potential risk of complications and patient discomfort still exist. Using a 21G fine needle, we developed a new biopsy procedure, fine needle aspirating and cutting (FNAC). Our procedure obtains enough tissue for pathological examination and meanwhile, reduces the risk of biopsy complications.

Damage to pig bile duct caused by intraluminal brachytherapy using a (125)I ribbon.

Background: Stent occlusion by tumor ingrowth or overgrowth is the main cause of jaundice recurrence after metal stent insertion in patients with malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ). The application of intraluminal brachytherapy (ILBT) in patients with MOJ results in local control of malignant tumors, which prolong stent patency.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety of ILBT in pig bile ducts using ribbons of iodine-125 ((125)I) seeds.

The efficacy of TACE combined sorafenib in advanced stages hepatocellullar carcinoma.

Background: The long-term survival in hepatocellullar carcinoma (HCC) patients after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) remains dismal due to local and/or regional recurrence as well as distant metastasis. The efficacy of sorafenib in advanced HCC has been demonstrated and brought great hope. Recently, the use of sorafenib in combination with TACE for BCLC stage B and C HCC patients was recommended.

The use of ¹²⁵I seed strands for intraluminal brachytherapy of malignant obstructive jaundice.

This study is sought to evaluate the feasibility and safety of using ¹²⁵I seed strands for intraluminal brachytherapy (ILBT) in the treatment of malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ), and its clinical effect on stent patency. A total of 34 patients found to have MOJ were randomly assigned to an ILBT treatment group or a control group before biliary stent insertion. For the ILBT group, ¹²⁵I seed strands were implanted into the obstructive segment of the bile duct after stent insertion.

Identifying serum biomarkers for TACE therapy efficiency of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization (TACE) is the first line of treatment in inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma. Magnetic affinity beads can be used to extract peptides from un-fractionated serum samples. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) can detect the presence and the molecular mass of peptides.

[Features of blood supply and results of transarterial infusion and embolization in spinal metastases].

Objective: To study the features of blood supply and results of transarterial infusion and embolization in spinal metastases.

Methods: Forty-one patients with spinal metastasis received transarterial infusion and embolization between March 2001 and June 2008. The inclusion criteria were: The metastatic lesion caused back pain; The metastatic lesion involved vertebra at or below T3 level.

[The preliminary study of metallic stent implantation in combination with three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma patients with portal vein tumor thrombus].

Objective: To study the clinical efficiency of metallic stent implantation in combination with three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with portal vein tumor thrombus.

Methods: 22 cases of HCC patients with portal vein tumor thrombus were devided into 2 groups: 10 patients (group A) recieved stent implantation in combination with conformal radiation therapy, 12 patients (group B) recieved stent implantation and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. The adverse reactions, and liver function before and after treatment were compared between the two groups.

[Epirubicin in the treatment of malignant obstructive jaundice].

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficiency of epirubicin in the treatment of malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ).

Methods: Thirty-nine patients with diagnosis of MOJ, whose serum total bilirubin (TB) had not dropped to normal level after stent placement or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage, received trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE). During TACE, epirubicin emulsion containing pharmorubicin at dose of 30 mg/m(2) was used.

HDR-192Ir intraluminal brachytherapy in treatment of malignant obstructive jaundice.

Aim: To determine the feasibility and safety of intraluminal brachytherapy in treatment of malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ) and to evaluate the clinical effect of intraluminal brachytherapy on stent patency and patient survival.

Methods: Thirty-four patients with MOJ were included in this study. Having biliary stent placed, all patients were classified into intraluminal brachytherapy group (group A, n = 14) and control group (group B, n = 20) according to their own choice.