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Diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background body signal suppression (DWIBS) images show significant contrast for cancer tissues against non-cancerous tissues. Fusion of a DWIBS and a T2-weighted image (DWIBS/T2) can be used to obtain functional, as well as anatomic, information. In the present study, the performance of DWIBS/T2 in the diagnosis of abdominal solid cancer was evaluated. The records of 14 patients were retrospectively analyzed [5 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 4 with metastatic liver cancer, 3 with pancreatic cancer, 1 with renal cellular carcinoma and 1 with malignant lymphoma of the para-aortic lymph node]. T1WI and T2WI scans did not detect pancreatic cancer in certain cases, whereas DWIs and DWIBS/T2 clearly demonstrated pancreatic cancer in all cases. In addition, metastatic liver cancer and HCC were successfully detected with abdominal US and CECT; however, US did not detect pancreatic cancer in 1 case, while CECT and DWIBS/T2 detected pancreatic cancer in all cases. In conclusion, the diagnostic performance of DWIBS/T2 was the same as that of abdominal US and CECT in detecting primary and metastatic liver cancer. DWIBS/T2 enabled the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in cases where it was not detected with US, T1WI or T2WI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background body signal suppression (DWIBS) yields positive results for cancer against the surrounding tissues. The combination of DWIBS and T2-weighted images (DWIBS/T2) in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal tract cancers was retrospectively analyzed in the present study. Patients were subjected to magnetic resonance imaging after cancer was diagnosed through specimens obtained via biopsy or endoscopic mucosal resection. Sixteen patients were assessed between July, 2012 and June, 2013 and the correlation between detection with DWIBS/T2 and T staging was analyzed. Regarding patients who underwent surgery, the correlation between detection with DWIBS/T2 and the diameter or depth of invasion was analyzed. All cancers that had advanced to >T2 stage were detectable by DWIBS/T2, whereas all cancers staged as T2) or invading beyond the muscularis propria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Purpose. The aim of this report was to assess the outcome of aggressive surgical treatment for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Methods. From 1984 to 2001, we encountered 64 patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Of the 64 patients, 50 patients who underwent surgical resection with macroscopically curative objectives (78%) were reviewed for surgical procedures and outcomes. Results. Hemi- or more extensive hepatectomy was required for surgical resection in 40 patients (80%). Overall hospital morbidity and mortality rates were 50% and 8%, respectively. Curative resection with pathological free margins was achieved in 34 patients (68%). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year patient survival and tumor-free survival rates were 61.6%, 37.6%, and 22.5%; and 55%, 11%, and 11%, respectively. Among the macroscopic types, all 9 patients with intraductal growth type are alive 11?75 months after surgery. Survival rates among patients who had undergone curative resection were significantly better than those in patients who had undergone noncurative resection, even when patients with the intraductal growth type were excluded. Nodal status did not affect patient survival. Conclusions. Although the overall survival rate after surgical resection remains unsatisfactory, long-term survival is possible through extended surgical resection with pathological free margins. Patients with the intraductal growth type of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma might have the best chance of being cured by surgical treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]