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Background Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is a predictor of clinical outcome in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. However, its predictive role in the clinical outcomes of sorafenib treatment has been poorly documented. The correlation between LDH levels and clinical outcomes in HCC patients treated with sorafenib and included in the nationwide Italian database ITA.LI.CA was investigated here. Patients and Methods The ITA.LI.CA database contains data for 5,136 HCC patients. All patients treated with sorafenib treatment and with available LDH values were considered. Overall survival (OS) and time to progression (TTP) were compared in patients with LDH levels above and below a defined threshold, determined through an ROC analysis. An explorative analysis investigated the relationship between the variation of LDH levels during treatment and response to sorafenib. Results Baseline LDH levels were available for 97 patients. The most accurate cutoff value for LDH concentration was 297 U/L. Patients with LDH values above (n=45) and below (n=52) this threshold showed equal OS (12.0 months) and TTP (4.0 months) values. Data on LDH levels during sorafenib treatment were reported for 10 patients. LDH values decreased in 3 patients (mean difference = -219 U/L) who also reported a prolonged OS and TTP versus those with unmodified/increased LDH (OS: NE (not evaluated) vs. 8.0 months, p=0.0083; TTP: 19.0 vs. 3.0 months, p=0.008). Conclusions The clinical benefits of sorafenib do not seem to be influenced by baseline LDH. According to the results of an explorative analysis, however, a decreased LDH concentration during sorafenib might be associated with improved clinical outcomes.

Learning objectives Background Imaging findings OR Procedure details Conclusion Personal Information References, Learning objectives: 1. To illustrate an organ-by-organ review of the distributions and features of metastatic melanoma (MM) in the head, chest, abdomen and musculoskeletal system. 2. To describe imaging findings for each common and uncommon lesion with particular...

Learning objectives Background Imaging findings OR Procedure details Conclusion Personal Information References, Learning objectives: 1. To review multimodality imaging of adrenal glands pathologies. 2. To discuss the differential diagnosis with particular regard to the distinction between benign and malignant disease. 3. To highlight the imaging features that can lead to the best...

Purpose Methods and Materials Results Conclusion References Personal Information, Purpose: - To identify the typical magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings of Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC). - To assess if preoperative MRI in breast cancer can predict the final pathologic diagnosis of IBC. - To evaluate if MRI can be decisive in...

Learning objectives Background Imaging findings OR Procedure details Conclusion Personal Information References, Learning objectives: To illustrate urine leaks and urinomas of the kidney, ureter, urinary bladder, and urethra To describe imaging findings of urine extravasations To discuss their complications with respect to causes, diagnosis and imaging...

Purpose Methods and Materials Results Conclusion References Personal Information, Purpose: Vascular asymmetry is a parameter often associated with invasive breast cancer especially in cases of locally advanced cancer ( fig. 1, 2, 3, 4 ).An asymmetric increase in breast vascularity ipsilateral to a cancer may be caused by: a reduced flow...

Purpose Methods and Materials Results Conclusion References Personal Information, Purpose: To assess the clinical outcome of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in a series of patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer, BCLC, stage A), within Milan criteria, but clinically unfit for liver...

Learning objectives Background Imaging findings OR Procedure details Conclusion Personal Information References, Learning objectives: To understand the pathogenesis of gestational trophoblastic disease To learn epidemiologic and clinical features and risk factors in gestational trophoblastic disease To identify the most common imaging findings To discuss the added value of imaging...

Purpose Methods and Materials Results Conclusion References Personal Information, Purpose: Breast MRI is currently used to accurately diagnose primary and recurrent breast cancers, particularly when mammography and breast ultrasound (US) are inconclusive or yield discrepancies. It give us information about: -vascular permeability...