Combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CC) is a rare form of primary liver cancer composed of cells with histopathologic features of both hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC). Because of its low incidence, the information on clinical outcomes of cHCC-CC is very limited and there are no published reports describing non-surgical treatment options for cHCC-CC. We report a case of cHCC-CC exhibiting a favorable response to systemic chemotherapy with doxorubicin and cisplatin. A 62-year-old man who recurred after a right lobectomy for cHCC-CC received sorafenib for palliative systemic therapy, but follow up imaging studies showed disease progression. He received 2nd line chemotherapy with doxorubicin at 60 mg/m2 together with cisplatin at 70 mg/m2. After 2 cycles of chemotherapy, a computed tomography scan of the chest showed markedly decreased size and number of the multiple lung metastases. After completing 8 cycles of 2nd line therapy, we changed the regimen to a fluorouracil (5-FU) mono therapy because of the toxicities associated with doxorubicin and cisplatin. To date, the patient has completed his 15th cycle of 5-FU mono therapy with the disease status remaining stable during 18 months of follow-up.
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With their prolonged survival and malnutrition, cancer patients, and especially gastrointestinal (GI) tract cancer patients, can develop Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE). The aim of this study is to remind physicians of the importance of WE and prompt management in patients with GI tract cancer.
This study is a retrospective review of 2 cases of WE in advanced gastric cancer (AGC) patients, and we review the literature for cases of GI tract cancer related to WE.
A 48-year-old female with AGC presented dizziness and diplopia for 5 days and a 20 kg weight loss. Neurologic exam showed nystagmus and gaze disturbance. Her symptoms improved after daily parenteral injection of thiamine 100 mg for 17 days. A 58-year-old female with AGC presented with sudden disorientation, confusion and 15 kg weight loss. Neurologic exam showed gaze limitation and mild ataxia. Despite daily parenteral injection of thiamine 100 mg for 4 days, she died 5 days after the onset of neurologic symptoms. Combining the cases noted in the literature review with our 2 cases, the 7 gastric cancer cases and 2 colorectal cancer cases related to WE showed similar clinical characteristics; 1) a history of long-period malnutrition and weight loss, 2) relatively typical neurologic signs and symptoms and 3) specific magnetic resonance image findings. Except for 2 patients who had irreversible neurologic symptoms, the other 7 patients were improved with prompt thiamine treatment.
It is important to consider WE in GI tract cancer patients with acute neurologic symptoms and who are in a state of malnutrition. Thiamine should be given as soon as possible when WE is suspected.
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