J Korean Cancer Assoc.  2000 Feb;32(1):220-228.

Efficacy of Local Radiotherapy as a Salvage Modality for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Which is Refractory to TACE ( Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization )

• Park HC
• Seong J
• Lim JJ
• Kim GE
• Han KH
• Chon CY
• Moon YM
• Lee DY
• Lee JT
• Suh CO

Abstract

PURPOSE: Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been actively performed for the treatment of unresectable or inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma. However, for the patients with treatment failure after TACE, few options are available for salvage. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of local radiotherapy as a salvage moda- lity for treatment failure after TACE.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From January 1993 to December 1997, 27 patients were included in this study. Exclusion criteria included the presence of extrahepatic metastasis, liver cirrhosis of Childs class C, tumors occupying more than two thirds of the entire liver, and performance status on the ECOG scale of more than 3. Mean tumor size was 7.2+/- 2.9 cm. Liver cirrhosis was associated in 10 patients. Portal vein thrombosis was presented in 5 patients. Serum alpha-fetoprotein was positive in 8 patients. According to VICC staging, the number of patients in III and IVA were 17 and 10, respectively. Treatment failure to TACE was evaluated by CT scan and angiography. Radiotherapy was given to the field including tumor with generous margin using 10-MV X-ray. Mean tumor dose was 51.8+-7.9 Gy in daily 1.8 Gy fractions. Tumor response was based on CT scans 4~6 weeks following completion of treatment.
RESULTS
An objective response was observed in 16 of 24 patients who were possible to be evaluated, giving a response rate of 66.7%. Survival rates after salvage radiotherapy at 1, 2, 3 years were 55.9%, 35.7%, and 21.4%, respectively. The median survival was 14 months. Six patients among responders are surviving at present. Acute toxicity included G1 elevation of AST/ALT in 4 patients, G2 thrombocytopenia in 2, G2 hyperbilirubinemia in 5, and G2 hypoalbuminemia in 3. During follow-up, 4 patients developed ascites. At 6 months after treatment, gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcer were developed in 2 and 1 patient, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Local radiotherapy for treatment failure after TACE in hepatocellular carci- noma appears to be a feasible and effective salvage modality. It gives a 66.7% response rate with a median survival of 14 months. Acute toxicity was self-limiting and manageable. Gastric and duodenal ulcer were significant toxicities after treatment. Further studies are required to find optimal methods of radiotherapy to minimize toxicity.

Keyword

Hepatocellular carcinoma; Unresectable; Transcatheter arterial chemoem- bolization; Radiotherapy

MeSH Terms

alpha-Fetoproteins
Angiography
Ascites
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular*
Child
Duodenal Ulcer
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Hyperbilirubinemia
Hypoalbuminemia
Liver
Liver Cirrhosis
Neoplasm Metastasis
Noma
Radiotherapy*
Stomach Ulcer
Survival Rate
Thrombocytopenia
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Treatment Failure
Venous Thrombosis
alpha-Fetoproteins