Tamoxifen-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in patients with breast cancer: determination of a suitable biopsy site for diagnosis

Oncol Rep. 2003 Jan-Feb;10(1):97-100.

Abstract

We have evaluated the distribution of fatty infiltration in the liver for determination of a suitable biopsy site for diagnosis of tamoxifen-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in patients with breast cancer. Thirty-eight consecutive breast cancer patients undergoing tamoxifen treatment were analyzed by CT to identify hepatic steatosis (HS) via calculation of the liver/spleen CT ratio in Couinaud's 8 areas. We defined hepatic fatty infiltration as a liver/spleen ratio of less than 0.9. The extent and distribution of the fatty infiltration was assessed using the liver/spleen ratio of the patients who had the lowest CT ratio below 0.9 in the 8 areas. Thirteen (34.2%) of the 38 patients had hepatic fatty infiltration. The liver/spleen ratios of each area differed significantly in all patients (p<0.0001). The CT ratio of these 13 patients was significantly lower in the right lobe than the left lobe (p<0.0001), although the ratios did not differ significantly among the 4 areas of the right lobe (p=0.52). Needle biopsy for diagnosis of NASH should be performed at the right lobe, which contains significantly more infiltrated fat than the left lobe in the liver.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / adverse effects*
  • Biopsy, Needle / methods
  • Breast Neoplasms / complications
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / diagnostic imaging
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / etiology
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / pathology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fatty Liver / chemically induced
  • Fatty Liver / diagnostic imaging
  • Fatty Liver / pathology*
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Liver / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver / pathology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Spleen / diagnostic imaging
  • Tamoxifen / adverse effects*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Tamoxifen
  • Fluorouracil