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Announcing a New Series Entitled: New Approaches to the Treatment of Hepatic Malignancies

From the Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Correspondence: Address correspondence to: Mark S. Roh, MD, Allegheny General Hospital, 320 E. North Ave., CCC-5th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15212; Fax: 412-359-6288; E-mail: mroh{at}mac.com

Involvement of the liver is the primary determinant of survival in patients with cancer. Over the past two decades, progress has been made in the treatment of hepatic malignancies. The number of patients that are cured of their disease continues to improve yet only the minority will achieve this end point. Active research continues with the goal of improving the outcome of patients with hepatic malignancies.

This issue marks the beginning of a series of articles devoted to the new and emerging approaches to the treatment of hepatic malignancies. One topic will be reviewed in each of the next seven issues of the Annals of Surgical Oncology. In this issue, Dr. Curley¹ reviews the role of radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of hepatic malignancies. Patient selection, treatment approach, and the outcomes are described and critically assessed. Dr. Izzo will describe alternative thermal ablation techniques. The principles, clinical indications, and results of microwave and interstitial laser ablation will be critically reviewed. Drs. Mullen and Tanabe will review the cytotoxic mechanisms of oncolytic viruses and focus special attention on the development and use in the treatment of malignant liver tumors. Dr. Stoeltzing et al. will review the role of angiogenesis in colon cancer progression and metastatic spread. Clinical trials using new approaches that inhibit the angiogenic process will be discussed. Dr. Cusack will discuss the molecular mechanisms that influence cancer cell death in response to treatment. This article will explore the strategies to overcome this resistance and enhance chemotherapy sensitivity. Dr. Jaeck will review the impact of portal nodal metastases upon hepatic resection. He will present evidence to support performing hepatic resection in the presence of nodal metastases. Dr. Roh will review the changes occurring in the approach to the treatment of patients with hepatic malignancies. Classic contraindications to numerous therapies are being challenged and are leading to improved strategies to treat patients.

Received for publication March 26, 2003. Accepted for publication March 27, 2003.

REFERENCE

1. Curley SA. Radiofrequency ablation of malignant liver tumors. Ann Surg Oncol 2003; 10: 338–47.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

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