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Biomedical subjects

H C Hsu

Publications and source records attributed to H C Hsu.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

Prognostic significance of histologic findings in resected small hepatocellular carcinoma.

Fifty-one patients with histologically proven small (less than 5 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma underwent hepatic resection. In ten cases (group A) the cancer cells were confined within the tumor capsule, in ten (group B) there was extracapsular extension of growth, in 23 (group C) there was also invasion of the portal vein from the main tumor or from satellite nodules, or both, and in eight cases (group D) the findings were the same as in group C but there was no tumor capsule. The mean follow-up period was 54 +/- 12 months, minimum 37 months. The estimated 7-year survival rates in groups A-D were, respectively 100, 47.5, 47.5 and 37.5%. The classification of gross tumor appearance as typical or atypical was fairly well correlated to the histologic pattern in groups A, C and D, but not in group B. Although safety margin at resection did not emerge as a prognostic factor, the group A patients with a good margin were free from tumour recurrence.

Aged↗

Immunohistochemical studies on intrahepatic lymphocyte infiltrates in chronic type B hepatitis, with special emphasis on the activation status of the lymphocytes.

To study the immunopathogenesis of chronic type B hepatitis, we used a panel of monoclonal antibodies to characterize the intrahepatic mononuclear cell infiltrates in 39 patients with various forms of chronic hepatitis induced by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and, for comparison, in 10 with non-A, non-B (NANB)-induced chronic hepatitis. In portal areas, the OKT4:OKT8 ratio reversed because of the relative increase of OKT8+ cells. The mean intraportal T4:T8 ratio was significantly lower in HBV-associated chronic active hepatitis (CAH) than in chronic persistent hepatitis induced by HBV or NANB viruses. OKT8+ cells were predominant in the infiltrates of periportal areas (piecemeal necrosis) and lobules. As to the activation status of the infiltrates, T10 was found much more frequently on mononuclear infiltrates of piecemeal necrosis and peripheral portion of portal areas in CAH cases, regardless of viral etiology, and its existence was correlated with the severity of CAH. Natural killer cells, killer cells, and B-cells played little role in the pathogenesis of hepatocytolysis. We conclude that T-cell cytotoxicity is the main mechanism of hepatocytolysis, either in lobules or in periportal regions, and that T10 antigen defines a group of cells which may play an important role associated with the formation of piecemeal necrosis.

Adult↗

Reactivation of hepatitis B virus in anti-HBe-positive chronic active type B hepatitis: molecular and immunohistochemical studies.

The causes of acute clinical exacerbations, and the role of reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 16 non-cirrhotic patients with chronic active type B hepatitis (CAH-B) negative for serum hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) but positive for anti-HBE, were studied by molecular hybridization and immunohistochemical methods. IgM antibody to hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV IgM) and antibody to delta agent (anti-delta) were negative in all. HBeAg reappeared transiently in only two patients. Serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels increased during acute exacerbations in 14 patients (88%), and decreased after the episode. Cytoplasmic hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) expression was found in 9 out of 13 patients (69%) during acute exacerbation. By Southern blot hybridization, 5 of 6 (83%) liver tissues obtained during clinical exacerbations had free replicative forms of HBV DNA. In 20 control patients with no exacerbation, serum HBV DNA, HBcAg expression in hepatocytes and free replicative forms of HBV DNA were positive in 15% (3/20), 10% (2/20) and 25% (2/8), respectively--figures significantly lower than those of the group studied. We conclude that acute exacerbations sometimes seen in patients with anti-HBe-positive CAH-B in Taiwan are caused mainly by reactivation of HBV.

Adult↗

Pathology of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Proposal of a new histologic classification correlated with prognosis.

To establish a new histologic classification with better correlation with patient prognosis, the histologic features of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) were correlated with prognosis and clinical stage among 494 patients who had been followed a minimum of 5 years after initial radiotherapy. A slight modification of World Health Organization (WHO) classification by the separation of spindle cell variant from the nonkeratinizing (NK) and undifferentiated carcinomas (UD) provided a better prognostic correlation: keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma (KS), spindle cell carcinoma (SP), round cell carcinoma (RC), and mixed cell carcinoma (Mix, or NK); 5-year survival rates were 21%, 41%, 51.8%, and 54%, respectively. This prognostic distinction was further improved by dividing the three nonkeratinizing carcinomas (SP, RC, and Mix) into two subtypes each, according to the degree of cell anaplasia and pleomorphism: Type A (with marked anaplasia and/or pleomorphism), and Type B (with moderate or little anaplasia). The three Type A carcinomas had very similar 5-year survival rates (33.3 to 38.6%), as did the three Type B carcinomas (60% to 71.8%). Therefore, a working formulation for the malignancy of NPC emerged: high-grade malignancy (KS; 5-year survival, 21%), intermediate malignancy (Type A carcinomas, 5-year survival, 30%-40%), and low-grade malignancy (Type B carcinomas, 5-year survival rate, 60%-72%). The prognostic distinction remained true after stratification by clinical stage. Therefore, the histologic condition of the tumor of NPC correlated with patient's prognosis.

Adolescent↗

Fulminant hepatitis in children in Taiwan: the important role of hepatitis B virus.

In a recent period of 64 months, fulminant hepatitis was diagnosed in 17 children at National Taiwan University Hospital. Eleven patients were younger than 12 months of age. Hepatitis A IgM antibody and delta-antibody were negative in all 17. Eleven (65%) patients had hepatitis B core IgM antibody, fulminant hepatitis B. Two to 5 months before onset of hepatitis. Five of the 11 children had received blood transfusions. Three of the five donors had hepatitis B e antibody (anti-HBe) and were hepatitis B virus DNA-negative hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers; another two were HBsAg negative, screened by a less sensitive reverse passive hemagglutination method. The mothers of all six infants younger than 6 months of age had HBsAg. HBe antigen and antibody were studied in five of these six mothers; all five had anti-HBe. We conclude that hepatitis B virus is the most important cause of fulminant hepatitis in children in Taiwan.

Acute Disease↗

Clearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) after surgical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma.

The serum HBsAg in 4 chronic HBsAg carrier patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cleared within 4-38 months after surgical resection of their hepatic tumors. Two patients developed anti-HBs. During the follow-up period from 21 to 28 months after HBsAg clearance, none of the patients regained positive serum HBsAg. Two patients who had had tissue HBsAg present, exclusively in the tumor, showed quick HBsAg clearance after resection. The other 2 patients had a delayed HBsAg clearance. One had tissue HBsAg in both the tumor and nontumoral liver. Only 1 patient had tissue HBsAg in the liver, but not in the tumor. During the same period of observation of 323 chronic HBsAg carriers, who had a variety of histologically-verified chronic liver diseases and were followed for more than 6 months, only 1 cleared the antigen. The spontaneous HBsAg clearance in our HBsAg carriers (1/323) was significantly lower than that (4/64) of HBsAg-positive HCC patients with tumor resection, P less than 0.004. The mechanisms of HBsAg clearance in HCC patients after surgical resection of tumors are discussed.

Aged↗

Childhood hepatocellular carcinoma develops exclusively in hepatitis B surface antigen carriers in three decades in Taiwan. Report of 51 cases strongly associated with rapid development of liver cirrhosis.

To elucidate the etiologic role of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and the role of liver cirrhosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), pathologic and virologic features of the disease were studied in 51 children with HCC; these accounted for 4.3% of 1195 pathologically proven HCC patients examined in the last three decades. Males predominated (M/F = 3.3:1), and the mean age was 11 years (range: 4-15 years). Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was detected in the liver and/or serum of 100% of 42 children by immunocytochemical and/or radioimmunoassay, in the serum of 90% of 10 siblings, and more importantly in 94.1% of 17 mothers, suggesting that infection from familial HBsAg carriers, particularly carrier mothers, may contribute to the high incidence. Liver cirrhosis was frequent (74%), especially in the unresectable cases (87%); in the 20 children under 9 years of age, 95% were cirrhotic, a significantly higher level than the 58% of the 26 older children, P less than 0.005. All but one had advanced HCC, with 1-year survival in only 10.5%. The advanced HCC coupled with young age suggests that HCC can develop rapidly. The low positive rates of serum hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg, 18%) and liver hepatitis B core antigen (11%) coupled with high frequency of liver cirrhosis indicate that an early HBeAg seroconversion to anti-HBe, in association with severe liver injury, may play an important role in the rapid development of HCC in children.

Adolescent↗

Biologic and prognostic significance of hepatocyte hepatitis B core antigen expressions in the natural course of chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

To elucidate the biologic significance of hepatocyte hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) expression and its relation to the natural course of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the patterns of HBcAg were correlated with HBV virus replication state and the disease activity in 598 needle liver biopsies performed on 569 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers aged 1-81 years. A good correlation of liver HBcAg with serum HBeAg and HBV DNA status was demonstrated. HBcAg was present in the hepatocyte nuclei (nHBcAg) or cytoplasm (cHBcAg), or in both (mixed). Pure nHBcAg was seen mainly in children and young adults; 86% of the patients had non-aggressive disease, but rare cases of chronic active hepatitis (CAH) and HBeAg seroconversion were observed. In contrast, cHBcAg was predominantly associated with CAH (52%) and accompanied by a significantly higher HBeAg seroconversion rate (27%). The HBeAg-negative group, particularly the liver HBcAg-negative subgroup, had a lower frequency of CAH, but an increased incidence of non-aggressive disease as well as cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma, indicating that HBeAg seroconversion to anti-HBe does not necessarily mean a favorable prognosis. The results suggest that expression of HBcAg correlates with the liver pathology and the three phases of chronic HBV infection: (1) the early immune tolerance phase is characterized by nHBcAg, mild disease and low HBeAg seroconversion rate; (2) the virus replication/elimination phase by cHBcAg or negative HBcAg, frequent CAH, and high HBeAg seroconversion rate; and (3) the inactive virus replication phase by negative HBcAg and a bipolar disease spectrum.

Age Factors↗

The disaccharide effect of sucrose feeding on excretion of intravenously injected [1,2-3H]aldosterone and conjugated glucuronic acid in normotensive rats.

The hypothesis tested was that feeding rats sucrose rather than invert sugar (50:50 mixture of glucose and fructose) or cornstarch would result in a more rapid excretion of glucuronides and tritium from intravenously injected [1,2-3H]aldosterone. Thirty 56-d-old male rats of the Sprague-Dawley strain were fed for 8 wk one of three diets containing 45% of dietary energy from sucrose, invert sugar or cornstarch; 15% of energy was from protein and 40% from fat. Body weights and systolic blood pressures were measured weekly. After 60 d of feeding the diets ad libitum, all rats were injected intravenously with [1,2-3H]aldosterone and the percent recovery of tritium in both urine and feces was determined over the next 4 d. Urinary and fecal excretion of both free and conjugated glucuronic acid was determined over those 4 d. Urinary excretion of sodium and potassium (mg/d) was also determined. There were no differences between groups in food or water intakes, body weights, systolic blood pressures, daily fecal weights and daily urine volumes. The cornstarch-fed group excreted less sodium and potassium than did the other groups (P less than 0.05). The sucrose-fed group had a greater 4-d excretion of tritium (urinary + fecal) than did the invert sugar- or cornstarch-fed groups (P less than 0.01). The sucrose-fed group had a greater percentage of excreted glucuronic acid that was conjugated (urinary + fecal) than did the invert sugar- or cornstarch-fed groups (P less than 0.05). These results tended to confirm the hypothesis.

Aldosterone↗

DNA clonal heterogeneity of hepatocellular carcinoma demonstrated by Feulgen-DNA analysis.

To demonstrate DNA clonal heterogeneity of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), the DNA histographic pattern of both primary HCCs and their recurrent or metastatic lesions were studied among 36 patients (33 men and 3 women). Thirty-six paired aspirations or imprints taken from primary, recurrent or metastatic lesions were stained, using the modified Feulgen method, and the DNA content was measured with a scanning microdensitometer at a wavelength of 550 nm. Paired aspirations or imprints taken from different parts of the same HCC were examined in 17 cases; the DNA distribution patterns were similar in 15 (88%) and differed in only two (12%). A similar DNA histogram was also shown among different tumors in 10 (71%) of 14 patients with multiple HCCs, with a DNA ploidy discrepancy in only four (29%). Two of two subcutaneous metastases and two of three recurrent tumors showed DNA distribution patterns similar to those in their primary HCCs. In summary, a DNA clonal heterogeneity of HCC was found in 19% (7/36). In contrast, the similar DNA histographic patterns found in most instances among different parts of the HCC and between the primary and recurrent or metastatic lesions suggest that HCC may derive from a single cell clone in the majority of cases.

Adult↗

Small hepatocellular carcinoma: intratumor ethanol treatment using new needle and guidance systems.

Intratumor injection of absolute ethanol to treat small hepatocellular carcinoma sometimes results in incomplete necrosis of the tumor. Causes of this include inhomogeneous distribution of the ethanol and difficulty in identifying the tumor after previous ethanol injections. To solve these problems, the authors designed a multiple-side-hole needle for ethanol injection and implanted one or more small steel coils into the tumor before treatment to serve as a landmark. Six patients thus treated all showed adequate necrosis on follow-up computed tomography, biopsy, and angiography studies; initially elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein levels present in five patients were decreased. A resected surgical specimen obtained in one patient showed extensive necrosis of the tumor as well as of the surrounding healthy liver; only a small locus of equivocally viable cancer cells remained in the tumor margin.

Aged↗

Metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma to the proximal jejunum manifested by occult gastrointestinal bleeding.

A 31-yr-old man, who had received left hepatic lobectomy for a ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma 17 months previously, began to have elevation of serum alpha-fetoprotein and occult gastrointestinal bleeding. Abdominal computed tomography, angiography, ultrasonography, upper gastrointestinal panendoscopy, colon-fiberscopy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography failed to disclose any recurrent intrahepatic tumor or bleeder in the gastrointestinal tract. However, a barium meal study revealed an intussusception with a suspicious nodular lesion in the proximal jejunum as the leading edge, which, after laparotomy, was proven to be a metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma and the cause of the gastrointestinal bleeding. The serosal side of this lesion was free from cancer involvement and there was no peritoneal implantation or lymph node involvement. The metastasis is probably hematogenous. The extremely unusual location involved by hepatocellular carcinoma in this patient signifies the ubiquitous nature of metastasis in this cancer.

Adult↗