Clinicopathological characteristics and treatment outcomes of luminal B1 breast cancer in Taiwan.

Background: Hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor II (HER2)-negative luminal B1 breast cancer is associated with a higher risk of disease relapse than luminal A breast cancer. Therefore, we assessed and compared the distant metastasis pattern and clinical outcomes associated with luminal B1 and luminal A breast cancer in an Asian population.

Methods: In this observational study, we assessed patients with estrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer who underwent surgery from 2009 to 2016.

HER2 immunohistochemical scores provide prognostic information for patients with HER2-type invasive breast cancer.

Aims: Invasive breast cancer patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) immunohistochemical (IHC) scores of 3+ or 2+ with reflex in-situ hybridisation (ISH) positivity are suitable for anti-HER2 therapies. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the prognoses between IHC 3+ patients and IHC 2+/ISH+ patients are different.

Methods And Results: We analysed the clinicopathological information of 886 consecutive cases of HER2-positive early breast cancer.

Prognostic factors of primary resected retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcoma: Analysis from a single asian tertiary center and external validation of gronchi's nomogram.

Background: Surgery is the potentially curative treatment for retroperitoneal sarcoma (RS), but complete resectability is frequently a challenge. This study aimed to characterize the clinical features, prognostic factors and treatment outcomes.

Methods: A cohort of 144 patients with RS was surveyed retrospectively from January 1st, 2000 to July 30th, 2011.

Elevation of soluble guanylate cyclase suppresses proliferation and survival of human breast cancer cells.

Nitric oxide (NO) is an essential signaling molecule in biological systems. Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), composing of α1 and β1 subunit, is the receptor for NO. Using radioimmunoassay, we discovered that activation of sGC by treatment with bradykinin or sodium nitroprusside (SNP) is impaired in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells as compared to normal breast epithelial 184A1 cells.

Mitochondrial DNA alterations correlate with the pathological status and the immunological ER, PR, HER-2/neu, p53 and Ki-67 expression in breast invasive ductal carcinoma.

We analyzed the changes in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy numbers and the shifting of mtDNA D310 sequence variations (D310 mutation) with their relationships to pathological status and the expression levels of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2/neu), tumor-suppressor protein p53 and cellular proliferation protein Ki-67 in breast invasive ductal carcinoma (BIDC), respectively. Fifty-one paraffin-embedded BIDCs and their paired non-cancerous breast tissues were dissected for DNA extraction. The mtDNA copy number and mtDNA D310 sequence variations were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) and PCR-based direct sequencing, respectively.

Outcomes of kidney transplant tourism and risk factors for de novo urothelial carcinoma.

Background: To date, the outcomes of transplant tourism have not been reported extensively. In addition, data about the accuracy of urine cytology for the detection and the role of the BK virus (BKV) in the carcinogenesis of urothelial carcinoma (UC) after renal transplantation are lacking.

Methods: Three hundred seven patients who received deceased donor kidney transplants between January 2003 and December 2009 were retrospectively studied.

Thyroid metastasis from breast cancer presenting with diffuse microcalcifications on sonography: a case report.

Microcalcifications are frequently associated with papillary thyroid cancers. Metastatic nodules from extrathyroid malignancies may mimic primary thyroid neoplasm on sonography, but do not present with microcalcifications. We report the case of a 45-year-old woman with a history of invasive ductal carcinomas of bilateral breasts, status post surgery and neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Effect of age and biological subtype on the risk and timing of brain metastasis in breast cancer patients.

Background: Brain metastasis is a major complication of breast cancer. This study aimed to analyze the effect of age and biological subtype on the risk and timing of brain metastasis in breast cancer patients.

Patients And Methods: We identified subtypes of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast by determining estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and HER2 status.

Significance of incorporation of model for end-stage liver disease score with TNM staging in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing hepatic resection.

Background/aims: Currently, the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) system is used in hepatectomy patients for tumor staging of HCC patients. However this can only evaluate the histopathological factor. MELD score is an objective measure for liver function widely used as a severity index for priority on the waiting list for liver transplantation.

Hepatic resection can provide long-term survival of patients with non-early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma: extending the indication for resection?

Background: Indications for resection of non-early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain controversial. This study aimed to identify factors that affect outcome of patients with Barcelona Clinical Liver Cancer Classification (BCLC) stage B or stage C HCC after hepatic resection.

Methods: From 1991 to 2006, 478 patients with HCC (BCLC stage B, n = 318 and BCLC stage C, n = 160) who underwent resection were enrolled.

Isolation and identification of Acanthamoeba species from thermal spring environments in southern Taiwan.

Acanthamoeba species are free-living amoebae found in a range of environments. Within this genus, a number of species are recognized as human pathogens, potentially causing Acanthamoeba keratitis, granulomatous amoebic encephalitis, and chronic granulomatous lesions. In this study, 60 water samples were taken from four thermal spring recreation areas in southern Taiwan.

Adjuvant oxaliplatin- or irinotecan-containing chemotherapy improves overall survival following resection of metachronous colorectal liver metastases.

Purpose: Adjuvant systemic 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemotherapy improves survival after resection of synchronous colorectal liver metastases (CLMs), but not metachronous. We retrospectively examined if adjuvant chemotherapy with new regimen containing oxaliplatin or irinotecan improved survivals after resection of metachronous CLMs.

Methods: Between 2000 and 2007, 52 patients having undertaken resection of metachronous CLMs with curative intent were identified from Taipei Veterans General Hospital hospitalization registry.

Pseudoaneurysm of the iliac artery secondary to Aspergillus infection after kidney transplantation.

Infectious complications are the top causes of morbidity and mortality in patients who undergo renal transplantation. We report a patient who received a cadaveric renal transplant in Mainland China. One year post-transplantation, the patient had right buttock pain with radiation to the leg.

Predicting morbidity and mortality after hepatic resection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: the role of Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score.

Background: The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score is currently used as a disease severity index of cirrhotic patients awaiting liver transplantation. This study evaluated the usefulness of the MELD score in predicting mortality and morbidity of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing hepatic resection.

Methods: The study cohort consisted of 1,017 patients who underwent hepatic resection for HCC between 1991 and 2005.

Prognostic value and clinical relevance of the 6th Edition 2002 American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system in patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: A simplified American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM staging system for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (the 6th edition) was proposed in 2002. In this study, we validated the prognostic value of the staging system in a patient cohort undergoing hepatic resection with longterm followup.

Study Design: From a prospective database, the study cohort consisted of 440 patients who underwent curative hepatic resection for HCC between July 1991 and January 1999.

Postresectional adjuvant intraportal chemotherapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a case-control study.

Background: The postresectional tumor recurrence rate is high in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Tumor portal venous invasion is the most important factor related to recurrence. Adjuvant intraportal infusion chemotherapy (IPIC) was used in HCC patients to improve the outcomes.

Evaluation of effect of hemihepatic vascular occlusion and the Pringle maneuver during hepatic resection for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and impaired liver function.

Reducing blood loss during resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with impaired liver function is important. This study evaluated the effect and safety of inflow occlusion (hemihepatic vascular occlusion and the Pringle maneuver) in reducing blood loss during hepatectomy. A total of 120 HCC patients with impaired liver function (with a preoperative indocyanine green retention rate at 15 minutes > 10%) who underwent hepatectomy were included in this retrospective study.

Risk factors associated with bile leakage after hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background/aims: Bile leakage after hepatic resection can cause septic complications and mortality. This study evaluated the risk factors associated with postoperative bile leakage in hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

Methodology: Between July 1991 and December 2000, 605 consecutive hepatocellular carcinoma patients who underwent hepatic resection were enrolled.

Hepatocellular carcinoma confined to Couinaud segment VIII: experience with extensive or limited resection.

Background/aims: Surgical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) confined to Couinaud segment VIII has been regarded as difficult. This study evaluates surgical and oncological results after extensive or limited resection of the tumor(s).

Methodology: Of the 399 HCC patients that underwent hepatic resection, 36 patients had the tumor(s) confined to segment VIII.

Clinical characteristics of patients undergoing surgical resection of benign liver tumors in Taiwan, an endemic area for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background And Purpose: The management of benign liver tumors in Asian countries endemic for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may be different from that in western countries with a lower prevalence of HCC. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of surgically treated benign liver tumors in a liver disease treatment center in Taiwan, an area prevalent for HCC.

Methods: Between January 1991 and June 2001, 57 patients with benign liver tumors underwent liver resection.

Long-term results of hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma originating from the noncirrhotic liver.

Hypothesis: In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who do not have cirrhosis, the clinicopathologic characteristics and long-term postresectional outcomes must be clarified and liver transplantation may also have a role in future treatment strategy.

Design: Case series. The mean (SD) follow-up time was 52.

Deterioration of hepatic functional reserve in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after resection: incidence, risk factors, and association with intrahepatic tumor recurrence.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is frequently associated with liver cirrhosis. Patients with HCCs undergoing surgical resection may have declining hepatic functional reserve over time. However, the incidence and risk factors of hepatic decompensation, and its relation to postoperative tumor recurrence are unknown.

Risk factors associated with intra-operative major blood loss in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent hepatic resection.

Background: Minimizing intraoperative blood loss during hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) decreases the need for blood transfusion. The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors associated with major blood loss in performing liver resection for HCC.

Methods: A total of 643 consecutive patients who underwent hepatic resection for HCC were included in this retrospective study.

Tacrolimus-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome: a case analysis.

Background: Tacrolimus is an effective organ transplantation immunosuppressant. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a rare but severe complication of tacrolimus.

Methods: We report a case of tacrolimus-associated HUS and review the 15 previously reported cases.

Factors for prolonged length of stay after elective hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma. The surgeon's role in the managed care era.

Background/aims: Length of stay is an important marker of medical resource consumption. In the modern managed care era physicians are driven to deliver the highest quality of care while using fewest resources. Hepatectomy represents a technically challenging and resource-intensive procedure, particularly in the setting of hepatic malignancy and liver cirrhosis.