Stereotactic body radiation therapy as a salvage treatment for single viable hepatocellular carcinoma at the site of incomplete transarterial chemoembolization: a retrospective analysis of 302 patients.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients who received stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for single viable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at the site of incomplete transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).

METHODS:

Patients treated with SBRT for single viable HCC after incomplete TACE between 2012 and 2017 at Asan Medical Center (Seoul, South Korea) were included. Incomplete TACE was defined as (1) evidence of viable HCC at the site of TACE on follow-up dynamic computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging following one or more consecutive TACEs, (2) no definite tumor staining on superselective hepatic angiogram, or (3) no definite iodized oil uptake on post-embolization angiogram or CT. Doses of 10-15 Gy per fraction were given over 3-4 consecutive days. The primary outcome was local control rate at 3 years and secondary outcome included tumor response, overall survival rate, out-of-field intrahepatic recurrence-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival and treatment-related toxicities. Treatment-related adverse events were evaluated according to the common terminology criteria for adverse events, version 4.03.

RESULTS:

A total of 302 patients were analyzed. The median follow-up duration was 32.9 months (interquartile range [IQR], 23.6-41.7) and the median tumor size was 2.0 cm (range, 0.7-6.9). The local control (LC) and overall survival rates at 3 years were 91.2 and 72.7%, respectively. 95.4% of the tumors reached complete response (CR) during the entire follow-up period (anyCR). The median interval from SBRT to anyCR was 3.4 months (IQR, 1.9-4.7), and 39.9 and 83.3% of the lesions reached CR at 3- and 6-months after SBRT, respectively. Radiation-induced liver disease was observed in 8 (2.6%) patients. No patients experienced gastroduodenal bleeding within the radiation field.

CONCLUSION:

SBRT could be considered a feasible salvage treatment option for HCC after incomplete TACE.

• Authors: Sumin Lee, Jinhong Jung, Jin-Hong Park, So Yeon Kim, Jonggi Choi, Danbi Lee, Ju Hyun Shim, Kang Mo Kim, Young-Suk Lim, Han Chu Lee, Hee Hyun Park, Jong Hoon Kim, Sang Min Yoon
• Journal: BMC cancer (BMC Cancer) Vol. 22 Issue 1 Pg. 175 (Feb 16 2022) ISSN: 1471-2407 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 35172769 (Publication Type: Evaluation Study, Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2022. The Author(s).

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (mortality, radiotherapy)
• Chemoembolization, Therapeutic
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Liver Neoplasms (mortality, radiotherapy)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Radiosurgery (methods, mortality)
• Republic of Korea
• Retrospective Studies
• Salvage Therapy
• Survival Rate
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• Treatment Outcome