Alexander Parker Mowat (5 April 1935 – 11 November 1995) was a Scottish paediatric hepatologist . He established the paediatric hepatology unit at King's College Hospital , London, which became a referral centre for children across Britain with liver diseases.
51-1490: Mowat is a surname of Scottish origin. Notable people with the surname include: Alex Mowat (1935–1995), Scottish paediatric hepatologist Angus Mowat (1892–1977), Canadian librarian, novelist, father of Farley Mowat C. L. Mowat (1911–1970), British-born American historian Claire Mowat (born 1933), Canadian writer of children's fiction, environmentalist Farley Mowat (1921–2014), Canadian novelist, environmentalist, husband of Claire Mowat Henry Mowat (1734–1798), Royal Navy officer Jack Mowat (1908-1995), Scottish football referee John Bower Mowat (1825–1900), Canadian Presbyterian minister, Queen's University professor John McDonald Mowat (1872–1916), Canadian politician, lawyer, World War I officer John Mowat (1791–1860), Scottish-born soldier; Canadian merchant, politician and educator Oliver Mowat (1820–1903), Canadian politician, Premier of Ontario 1872–1896 Vicki Mowat , Canadian provincial politician in Saskatchewan See also [ edit ] Mowat Block in Toronto Mowatt Mouat Moffat Montalt (disambiguation) Montalto Monte Alto References [ edit ] ^ Sims, Clifford Stanley (1862). The Origin and Signification of Scottish Surnames. With
102-543: A Vocabulary of Christian Names . Albany, New York: J. Munsell. p. 81 . OCLC 1060940902 – via Internet Archive . Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mowat&oldid=1244491718 " Category : Surnames of Scottish origin Alex Mowat Mowat was born in 1935 in Cullen, Moray , and was educated at Aberdeen Medical School , qualifying in 1958. After serving in
153-405: A few disorders that are known to cause cirrhosis and lead to cancer, including hereditary hemochromatosis and primary biliary cirrhosis . Aflatoxin exposure can lead to the development of HCC. The aflatoxins are a group of chemicals produced by the fungi Aspergillus flavus (the name comes from A. flavus toxin) and A. parasiticus . Food contamination by the fungi leads to ingestion of
204-470: A lecture at a medical conference in Chile. Liver cancer Liver cancer , also known as hepatic cancer , primary hepatic cancer , or primary hepatic malignancy , is cancer that starts in the liver . Liver cancer can be primary in which the cancer starts in the liver, or it can be liver metastasis , or secondary, in which the cancer spreads from elsewhere in the body to the liver. Liver metastasis
255-882: A non recurrence of cancer, or cure. For example, for HCC it is common to use the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Staging System. Treatments include surgery, medications, and ablation methods. There are many chemotherapeutic drugs approved for liver cancer including: atezolizumab , nivolumab , pembrolizumab , regorafenib . Increasingly, immunotherapy agents (also called targeted cancer therapies or precision medicine ) are being used to treat hepatobiliary cancers . Recent advances in liver cancer treatment are exploring T cells engineered with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) targeting glypican-3 (GPC3), such as GAP T cells, showing potential in addressing GPC3-positive tumors, especially in pediatric liver cancers. Partial surgical resection
306-794: A noted increase in liver transplantations for HCC that was attributable to NASH. More research is needed in this area and NASH/NAFL. Childhood liver cancer is uncommon. The liver cancer sub-types most commonly seen in children are hepatoblastoma , hepatocellular carcinoma , embryomal sarcoma of liver, infantile choriocarcinoma of liver, and biliary rhabdomyosarcoma. Increased risk for liver cancer in children can be caused by Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome (associated with hepatoblastoma), familial adenomatous polyposis (associated with hepatoblastoma), low birth weight (associated with hepatoblastoma), Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (associated with HCC) and Trisomy 18 (associated with hepatoblastoma). Many imaging modalities are used to aid in
357-459: A procedure known as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). In this procedure, drugs that kill cancer cells and interrupt the blood supply are applied to the tumor. Because most systemic drugs have no efficacy in the treatment of HCC, research into the molecular pathways involved in the production of liver cancer produced sorafenib , a targeted therapy drug that prevents cell proliferation and blood cell growth . Sorafenib obtained FDA approval for
408-495: A protocol to help diagnose and manage childhood liver tumors. Viral infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) or Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the chief cause of liver cancer in the world today, accounting for 80% of HCC. Men with chronic HCV or HBV are more likely to develop HCC than women with chronic HCV or HBV; however, the reasons for this gender difference is unknown. HBV infection is also linked to cholangiocarcinoma . The role of viruses other than HCV or HBV in liver cancer
459-700: A risk factor for liver cancer. One of the most successful primary liver cancer preventions is vaccination against hepatitis B . Vaccination against the hepatitis C virus is currently unavailable. Other forms of primary prevention are aimed at limiting transmission of these viruses by promoting safe injection practices, screening blood donation products, and screening high-risk asymptomatic individuals. Aflatoxin exposure can be avoided by post-harvest intervention to discourage mold, which has been effective in west Africa . Reducing alcohol use disorder , obesity , and diabetes mellitus would also reduce rates of liver cancer. Diet control in hemochromatosis could decrease
510-429: A spectrum of mutations, including in the p53 tumor suppressor gene, which is a mutation seen in many types of cancers. Mutation in p53, presumably in conjunction with other aflatoxin-induced mutations and epigenetic alterations, is likely a common cause of aflatoxin-induced carcinogenesis . NASH and NAFL is beginning to be called a risk factor for liver cancer, particularly HCC. In recent years, there has been
561-405: Is hepatoblastoma , which is specifically formed by immature liver cells. It is a rare malignant tumor that primarily develops in children, and accounts for approximately 1% of all cancers in children and 79% of all primary liver cancers under the age of 15. Most hepatoblastomas form in the right lobe. Many cancers found in the liver are not true liver cancers but are cancers from other sites in
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#1732776592569612-493: Is a major factor in the production of the liver tumors. The viruses induce malignant changes in cells by altering gene methylation , affecting gene expression, and promoting or repressing cellular signal transduction pathways . By doing this, the viruses can prevent cells from undergoing a programmed form of cell death ( apoptosis ) and promote viral replication and persistence. HBV and HCV also induce malignant changes by causing DNA damage and genomic instability . This involves
663-486: Is associated with sweating , jaundice , abdominal pain , weight loss , and liver enlargement . Hepatocellular carcinoma is associated with abdominal mass , abdominal pain , vomiting , anemia , back pain , jaundice , itching , weight loss and fever . Treatment options may include surgery , targeted therapy and radiation therapy . In certain cases, ablation therapy , embolization therapy or liver transplantation may be used. Liver cancer can come from
714-547: Is common and increasing. Most recent epidemiological data suggests that liver cancer is in the Top 10 for both prevalence and mortality (noted to be the sixth-leading cause of cancer and fourth most-common cause of death). The Global Burden of Disease Liver Cancer Collaboration found that from 1990 to 2015 the new cases of liver cancer per year increased by 75%. Estimates based on most recent data suggest that each year there are 841,000 new liver cancer diagnoses and 782,000 deaths across
765-446: Is considered the 3rd most common cause of cancer mortalities. In terms of HCC diagnosis, it is recommended that people with risk factors (including known chronic liver disease , cirrhosis , etc.) should receive screening ultrasounds. If the ultrasound shows a focal area that is larger than 1 centimeter in size, patients should then get a triple-phase contrast-enhanced CT or MRI scan. HCC can then be diagnosed radiologically using
816-807: Is most frequent among those 55 to 65 years old. The leading cause of liver cancer is cirrhosis due to hepatitis B , hepatitis C , or alcohol . Other causes include aflatoxin , non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and liver flukes . The most common types are HCC, which makes up 80% of cases and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma . The diagnosis may be supported by blood tests and medical imaging , with confirmation by tissue biopsy . Given that there are many different causes of liver cancer, there are many approaches to liver cancer prevention. These efforts include immunization against hepatitis B , hepatitis B treatment, hepatitis C treatment, decreasing alcohol use, decreasing exposure to aflatoxin in agriculture, and management of obesity and diabetes . Screening
867-547: Is most useful for monitoring if liver cancers come back after treatment rather than for initial diagnosis. Cholangiocarcinoma can be detected with these commonly used tumor markers: carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19–9), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cancer antigen 125 ( CA125 ). These tumor markers are found in primary liver cancers, as well as in other cancers and certain other disorders. Prevention of cancers can be separated into primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. Primary prevention preemptively reduces exposure to
918-405: Is much less clear, even though there is some evidence that co-infection of HBV and hepatitis D virus may increase the risk for HCC. HBV and HCV can lead to HCC, because these viral infections cause massive inflammation , fibrosis , and eventual cirrhosis occurs within the liver. In addition, many genetic and epigenetic changes are formed in liver cells during HCV and HBV infection, which
969-435: Is recommended for small, localized liver tumors as it is recommended that the area treated with radiofrequency ablation should be 2 centimeters or less. Resection is an option in cholangiocarcinoma, but fewer than 30% of cases of cholangiocarcinoma are resectable at diagnosis. The reason the majority of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas are not able to be surgically removed is because there are often multiple focal tumors within
1020-415: Is recommended in those with chronic liver disease . For example, it is recommended that people with chronic liver disease who are at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma be screened every 6 months using ultrasound imaging. Because liver cancer is an umbrella term for many types of cancer, the signs and symptoms depend on what type of cancer is present. Symptoms can be vague and broad. Cholangiocarcinoma
1071-467: Is suspected to be malignant, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), ultrasound, CT, MRI and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) are used. Tumor markers , chemicals sometimes found in the blood of people with cancer, can be helpful in diagnosing and monitoring the course of liver cancers. High levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in the blood can be found in many cases of HCC and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Of note, AFP
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#17327765925691122-506: Is the more common of the two liver cancers. Instances of liver cancer are increasing globally. Primary liver cancer is globally the sixth-most frequent cancer and the fourth-leading cause of death from cancer. In 2018, it occurred in 841,000 people and resulted in 782,000 deaths globally. Higher rates of liver cancer occur where hepatitis B and C are common, including Asia and sub-Saharan Africa . Males are more often affected with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) than females. Diagnosis
1173-492: Is the recommended treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) when patients have sufficient hepatic function reserve. 5-year survival rates after resection have massively improved over the last few decades and can now range from 41 to 74%. However, recurrence rates after resection can exceed 70%, whether due to spread of the initial tumor or formation of new tumors . Liver transplantation can also be considered in cases of HCC where this form of treatment can be tolerated and
1224-404: Is the second leading cause of primary liver cancer. It is more common in men and usually is diagnosed in 60-70 year olds. Risk factors for development of intrahepatic CCA include opisthorchus viverrini infection, Clonorchis sinensis infection, sclerosing cholangitis , choledochal cysts , past procedures of the biliary tree, exposure to thorotrast and dioxins , and cirrhosis . This cancer
1275-435: Is usually asymptomatic until the disease has progressed. Symptoms include abdominal pain, night sweats, weight loss, and fatigue. Liver markers that can be increased with intrahepatic CCA are carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) , CA19-9 , and CA-125 . These are rare and aggressive liver cancers, yet are the third most common primary liver cancer making up 0.1-2.0% of primary liver cancer. Angiosarcoma and hemangiosarcoma of
1326-733: The Royal Army Medical Corps in the Far East, he returned to Aberdeen to take up a research post in the Rowett Institute 's enzymology department. He also completed a two-year fellowship at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, where he studied hepatology (liver medicine). On his return from New York, Mowat became a paediatric registrar at Aberdeen Medical School. Mowat
1377-490: The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS). There is also a variant type of HCC that consists of both HCC and cholangiocarcinoma. Cancer of the bile duct ( cholangiocarcinoma and cholangiocellular cystadenocarcinoma ) account for approximately 6% of primary liver cancers. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an epithelial cancer of the intra-hepatic biliary tree branches. Intrahepatic CCA
1428-481: The United States, there were 42,810 new cases of liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancer in 2020, which represents 2.4% of all new cancer cases in the United States. There are about 89.950 people who have liver and intrahepatic liver cancer in the United States. In terms of mortality, the 5-year survival rate for liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancers in the United States is 19.6%. In the United States, there
1479-519: The best reputations in HCC, but the limitations include inability to treat tumors close to other organs and blood vessels due to heat generation and the heat sink effect, respectively. In addition, long-term of outcomes of percutaneous ablation procedures for HCC have not been well studied. In general, surgery is the preferred treatment modality when possible. Systemic chemotherapeutics are not routinely used in HCC, although local chemotherapy may be used in
1530-513: The body that have spread to the liver (known as metastases ). Frequently, the site of origin is the gastrointestinal tract , since the liver is close to many of these metabolically active, blood-rich organs near to blood vessels and lymph nodes (such as pancreatic cancer , stomach cancer , colon cancer and carcinoid tumors mainly of the appendix ), but also from breast cancer , ovarian cancer , lung cancer , renal cancer , prostate cancer . The Children's Oncology Group (COG) has developed
1581-493: The chemicals, which are very toxic to the liver. Common foodstuffs contaminated with the toxins are cereals, peanuts, and other vegetables. The amount (dose) and how long (duration) that a person is in contact with aflatoxin is associated with HCC. Contamination of food is common in Africa, South-East Asia, and China. The mechanism by which aflatoxins cause cancer is through mutations and epigenetic alterations . Aflatoxins induce
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1632-578: The definitive diagnosis. While the cause is often never identified (75% are idiopathic ), they are associated with exposures to substances such as vinyl chloride , arsenic , thorotrast (e.g. occupational exposure). Radiation is also a risk factor. In adults, these tumors are more common in males; however, in children they are more common in females. Even with surgery , prognosis is poor with most individuals not living longer than six months after diagnosis. Only 3% of individuals live longer than two years. Another type of cancer formed by liver cells
1683-403: The diagnosis of liver cancer. For HCC these include medical ultrasound , computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). When imaging the liver with ultrasound, large lesions are likely to be HCC (e.g., a mass greater than 2 cm has more than 95% chance of being HCC).Given the blood flow to the liver , HCC would be most visible when the contrast flows through the arteries of
1734-536: The effects of aflatoxin. Tertiary prevention includes treatments to prevent the recurrence of liver cancer. These include the use of surgical interventions, chemotherapy drugs, and antiviral drugs. Like many cancers, treatment depends on the specific type of liver cancer as well as stage of the cancer. The main way cancer is staged is based on the TMN staging systems. There are also liver cancer specific staging systems, each of which has treatment options that may result in
1785-401: The generation of reactive oxygen species , expression of proteins that interfere with DNA repair enzymes, and HCV induced activation of a mutator enzyme . In addition to virus-related cirrhosis described above, other causes of cirrhosis can lead to HCC. Alcohol intake correlates with risk of HCC, and the risk is far greater in individuals with an alcohol-induced cirrhotic liver. There are
1836-780: The globe. Liver cancer is the most common cancer in Egypt , the Gambia , Guinea , Mongolia , Cambodia , and Vietnam . In terms of gender breakdown, globally liver cancer is more common in men than in women. Given that HCC is the most-common type of liver cancer, the areas around the world with the most new cases of HCC each year are Northern and Western Africa as well as Eastern and South-Eastern Asia. China has 50% of HCC cases globally, and more than 80% of total cases occur in sub-Saharan Africa or in East-Asia due to hepatitis B virus. In these high disease burden areas, evidence indicates
1887-524: The high levels of HCC. In terms of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, we currently do not have sufficient epidemiological data because it is a rare cancer. According to the United States National Cancer Institute, the incidence of cholangiocarcinoma is not known. Cholangiocarcinoma also has a significant geographical distribution, with Thailand showing the highest rates worldwide due to the presence of liver fluke. In
1938-478: The liver parenchyma as well as other structures within the liver such as the bile duct , blood vessels and immune cells There are many sub-types of liver cancer, the most common of which are described below. The most frequent liver cancer, accounting for approximately 75% of all primary liver cancers, is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC is a cancer formed by liver cells, known as hepatocytes , that become malignant. In terms of cancer deaths, worldwide HCC
1989-417: The liver (also called the arterial phase) rather than when the contrast flows through the veins (also called the venous phase). Sometimes doctors will get a liver biopsy , if they are worried about HCC and the imaging studies (CT or MRI) do not have clear results. The majority of cholangiocarcimas occur in the hilar region of the liver, and often present as bile duct obstruction. If the cause of obstruction
2040-440: The liver come from the blood vessel's endothelial layer . These tumors have poor outcomes because they grow rapidly and metastasise easily. They are also hard to diagnose but are typically suspected on CT or MRI scans that show focal lesions with differing amounts of signal intensity (these tumors have a lot of bleeding or hemorrhage and subsequent dying of tissue ( necrosis )). Biopsy with histopathological evaluation yields
2091-450: The liver. After surgery, recurrence rates are up to 60%. Liver transplant may be used where partial resection is not an option, and adjuvant chemoradiation may benefit some cases. 60% of cholangiocarcinomas form in the perihilar region and photodynamic therapy can be used to improve quality of life and survival time in these un-resectable cases. Photodynamic therapy is a novel treatment that uses light activated molecules to treat
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2142-586: The majority of the HBC and HCV infections occur via perinatal transmission (also called mother-to-child transmission). However, it is important to note that the risk factors for HCC varies by geographic region. For example, in China , chronic HBV infection and aflatoxin are the largest risk factors; whereas, in Mongolia , it is a combination of HBV and HCV co-infection and high levels of alcohol use that are driving
2193-405: The risk of iron overload , decreasing the risk of cancer. Secondary prevention includes both cure of the agent involved in the formation of cancer ( carcinogenesis ) and the prevention of carcinogenesis if this is not possible. Cure of virus-infected individuals is not possible, but treatment with antiviral drugs can decrease the risk of liver cancer. Chlorophyllin may have potential in reducing
2244-402: The systemic treatment of hepatoblastoma. Out of these drugs, cisplatin seems to be the most effective. Many of these tumors end up not being amenable to surgical treatment. Treatment options include surgically removing parts of the liver that are affected. Liver transplantation and chemotherapy are not effective for angiosarcomas and hemangiosarcomas of the liver. Globally, liver cancer
2295-714: The treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma in November 2007. This drug provides a survival benefit for advanced HCC. Transarterial radioembolization (TRACE) is another option for HCC. In this procedure, radiation treatment is targeted at the tumor. TRACE is still considered an add on treatment rather than the first choice for treatment of HCC, as dual treatments of radiotherapy plus chemoembolization, local chemotherapy, systemic chemotherapy or targeted therapy drugs may show benefit over radiotherapy alone. Ablation methods (e.g. radiofrequency ablation or microwave ablation ) are also an option for HCC treatment. This method
2346-572: The treatment of cholangiocarcinoma and can sometimes improve bile flow , which can decrease the symptoms a patient experiences. Radiotherapy may be used in the adjuvant setting or for palliative treatment of cholangiocarcinoma. Removing the tumor by either surgical resection or liver transplant can be used in the treatment of hepatoblastoma. In some cases surgery can offer a cure. Chemotherapy may be used before and after surgery and transplant. Chemotherapy , including cisplatin , vincristine , cyclophosphamide , and doxorubicin are used for
2397-637: The tumor fits specific criteria (such as the Milan criteria ). In general, patients who are being considered for liver transplantation have multiple hepatic lesions, severe underlying liver dysfunction, or both. Percutaneous ablation is the only non-surgical treatment that can offer cure. There are many forms of percutaneous ablation, which consist of either injecting chemicals into the liver ( ethanol or acetic acid ) or producing extremes of temperature using radio frequency ablation , microwaves , lasers or cryotherapy . Of these, radio frequency ablation has one of
2448-411: The tumor. The compounds are activated in the tumor region by laser light, which causes the release of toxic reactive oxygen species, killing tumor cells. Systemic chemotherapies such as gemcitabine and cisplatin are sometimes used in inoperable cases of cholangiocarcinoma. Radio frequency ablation , transarterial chemoembolization and internal radiotherapy ( brachytherapy ) all show promise in
2499-517: The unit pioneered new techniques for liver transplantation in children, one of which involves a parent donating part of their liver to the child. In 1986, Mowat received government funding which made the King's paediatric hepatology unit a supraregional referral centre for children all over the United Kingdom. He was appointed professor of paediatric hepatology at King's College in 1990. Mowat
2550-603: Was appointed a consultant paediatrician and paediatric hepatologist to King's College Hospital in London in 1970. At the time, paediatric hepatology was a nascent specialty in medicine, and at King's Mowat established one of the first specialised units to treat children with rare diseases including biliary atresia , portal hypertension and liver cancers . He staffed the unit with a combination of hepatologists, paediatric surgeons, transplant surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, specialist nurses and dieticians. Under Mowat's direction,
2601-613: Was elected Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in 1975. He authored the textbook Liver Disorders in Childhood , first published in 1979, which was regarded as the leading reference on the subject, and his research group at King's published over 200 articles on the subject of paediatric hepatology. He was made an honorary consultant in paediatrics to the Royal Air Force . Mowat died suddenly in 1995 after giving
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