Feasibility Study of Beam Angle Optimization Based on Scripts in Automated-planning for Liver Cancer / 中国医疗器械杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the feasibility and potential benefits of beam angle optimization (BAO) to automated planning in liver cancer.@*METHODS@#An approach of beam angle sampling is proposed to implement BAO along with the module Auto-planning in treatment planning system (TPS) Pinnacle. An in-house developed plan quality metric (PQM) is taken as the preferred evaluating method during the sampling. The process is driven automatically by in-house made Pinnacle scripts both in sampling and scoring. In addition, dosimetry analysis and physician's opinion are also performed as the supplementary and compared with the result of PQM.@*RESULTS@#It is revealed by the numerical analysis of PQM scores that only 15% patients whose superior trials evaluated by PQM are also the initial trials. Gantry optimization can bring benefit to plan quality along with auto-planning in liver cancer. Similar results are provided by both dose comparison and physician's opinion.@*CONCLUSIONS@#It is possible to introduce a full automated approach of beam angle optimization to automated planning process. The advantages of this procedure can be observed both in numerical analysis and physician's opinion.

Chinese expert consensus on selective internal radiation therapy with yttrium-90 for primary and metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华肝脏病杂志

Liver malignant tumors are one of the most common causes of cancer-related deaths in China. Selective internal yttrium-90 radioembolization therapy ((90)Y-SIRT) is a kind of promising local minimally invasive method, and its effectiveness and safety has been confirmed in clinical application over the past two decades. Moreover, it has been approved by the U.S. National Comprehensive Cancer Network and other international guidelines for the topical treatment of patients with liver malignancies. Taking into account the complexity of the (90)Y-SIRT and the need for multidisciplinary collaboration to improve the safety and success rate of treatment, the Nuclear Medicine Expert Committee of the Chinese society of Clinical Oncology, along with Beijing Nuclear Medicine Quality Control and Improvement Center invited experts from surgical oncology, interventional medicine, nuclear medicine, and other related fields to discuss and form a consensus on the clinical diagnosis, treatment and management, which mainly included definition, indications and contraindications, treatment procedures, postoperative follow-up, adverse reactions and complications, radiation safety management, etc. Herein, we provide the reference guidance to establish (90)Y-SIRT standardized management and treatment system various units for relevant practitioners.

Image-Guided BrachyAblation (IGBA) en hepatocarcinoma: descripción de la técnica y reporte del primer caso en Chile / Image-guided brachyablation for hepatocarcinoma: report of one case

Eighty percent of hepatocarcinomas are inoperable at the moment of diagnosis. Liver transplantation is the treatment of choice in these cases, but local therapies are another alternative. Among these, Image-Guided BrachyAblation is a safe choice. We report a 76-year-old male with a hepatocarcinoma, who was considered inoperable due to the high surgical risk of the patient. A local treatment with Image-Guided BrachyAblation was decided. A brachytherapy needle was placed in the tumor under computed tomography guidance and a 15 Gy single dose was delivered from an Iridium-192 source. The patient had no immediate complications and at one month of follow up he continued without incidents.

Les aspects tomodensitométriques et le profil épidémio-clinique des tumeurs du foie en Afrique subsaharienne

Contexte : La pathologie tumorale hépatique est marquée par la hantise du cancer primitif avec son pronostic effroyable. Son exploration fait appel à l'imagerie médicale de façon incontournable notamment le scanner qui est de plus en plus disponible dans nos contrées.Objectif : Décrire le profil épidémio-clinique et les aspects scanographiques des tumeurs hépatiques rencontrées en Afrique subsaharienne notamment à Abidjan.Méthodologie : Etude rétrospective descriptive, basée sur les scanners hépatiques réalisés sur la période de janvier 2012 à Décembre 2012, selon le protocole de la triple acquisition après injection de produit de contraste iodé. Tous les examens ont été réalisés à l'aide d'un scanner Toshiba de 64 barrettes. Tous les patients ayant une tumeur hépatique dont le type a été confirmé à l'anatomopathologie ont été retenus.Résultats : L'âge moyen des patients était de 61,7 ans avec des extrêmes de 41 et de 82 ans. Le sex ratio était de 2/3. Les principales indications étaient les foies hétéronodulaires (38,9%) et les bilans d'extension (27,7%). Nous avons dénombré 25 cas de tumeurs hépatiques. Il s'agissait de tumeurs malignes dans 64% versus 36% de tumeurs bénignes. Les tumeurs malignes étaient représentées par les hépatocarcinomes (40%), les métastases (24%) et le cholangiocarcinome (4%). Les tumeurs bénignes quant à elles étaient les kystes biliaires (28%), et l'angiome (4%).Conclusion : Les tumeurs malignes du foie sont plus fréquemment explorées au scanner. Elles sont dominées par le carcinome hépatocellulaire dans un contexte de cirrhose

Emerging radiotherapy technology in a developing country: A single Brazilian institution assessment of stereotactic body radiotherapy application / Tecnologias emergentes em radioterapia em um país em desenvolvimento: perfil do uso de radiocirurgia extracraniana em uma instituição filantrópica privada

Summary Objective: To provide a quantitative profile of the indications and use of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in a developing country oncology-based institution. In addition, to describe the patients' and treatment characteristics, and to provide a temporal analysis. Method: SBRT patients treated from 2007 to 2015 were retrospectively evaluated by two independently investigators. Data were stratified and compared in two periods: first experience (FE) (May 2007 to April 2011), and following experience (FollowE) (May 2011 to April 2015). The following parameters were compared between the groups: total number of treated patients and lesions, treatment site, additional image fusion used, formal protocol adoption, and SBRT planning technique. Results: One hundred and seventy-six (176) patients with 191 lesions were treated: 34 (18%) lesions in the FE and 157 (82%) lesions in FollowE. The majority of lesions were metastases (60.3%), and lung (60.2%) was the most common treatment site, followed by spine (31%), and others (8.8%). An average of 1.4 (±0.6) additional imaging exams for delineation was performed. Conformal 3D radiotherapy planning technique was used in 64.4%, and intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) or volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in the remaining 35.6% (p=0.0001). Higher rates of curative treatments were observed in FE, as well as more lung lesions, patients ≥ 70 years, 3D conformal, number of additional images and ECOG 0, and all presented p<0.05. The global rate of protocol statement was 79%, lung treatment being the most stated. Conclusion: SBRT application is rapidly increasing in our setting. Treatment sites and planning techniques are becoming more diversified and complex.

Resumo Objetivo: realizar uma análise quantitativa das indicações e do uso de SBRT (stereotactic body radiotherapy) em uma instituição filantrópica. Além disso, descrever temporalmente as características dos pacientes e tratamentos. Método: retrospectivamente, foram coletados, por dois investigadores independentes, os dados de todos os pacientes tratados com SBRT na instituição no período de maio de 2007 a fevereiro de 2015. Dados foram estratificados e comparados em dois períodos: inicial (P1) (maio de 2007 a abril de 2011) e período seguinte (P2) (maio de 2011 a abril de 2015). Os seguintes parâmetros foram comparados entre os grupos: número total de pacientes e lesões tratadas, local de tratamento, uso de imagens adicionais, adoção formal de protocolo e técnica de planejamento. Resultados: foram avaliados 176 pacientes e 191 lesões, sendo 34 (18%) no P1 e 157 (82%) no P2, tratados com SBRT. A maioria das lesões eram metastáticas (60,3%), sendo pulmão o sítio mais prevalente, contabilizando 115/191 (60,2%) lesões, seguida de lesões ósseas (30,8%). Uma média de 1,4 (±0,6) exame de imagem adicional foi usada para o delineamento. Uso formal de protocolo/recomendações foi descrito em 79% das lesões. A técnica 3D-conformada (3DCRT - three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy) foi a mais utilizada para planejamento [123/191 (64,4%) lesões] quando comparada à intensidade modulada e ao arco dinâmico (p=0.0001). O P1 esteve associado a maior número de lesões primárias tratadas (OR 2,09; p=0,0005), lesões pulmonares (OR 3,85; p=0,0198), pacientes ≥ 70 anos (OR 2,77; p=0,0005), uso de planejamento 3D (OR 16; p=0,0001), menor uso de imagens adicionais [0 ou 1 (versus > 1)] (OR 7,5; p=0,0001) e ECOG 0 (vs. > 0) (OR 0,21; p=0,0431). Conclusão: o uso de SBRT aumentou ao longo do tempo na instituição. No P2, notou-se uma evolução técnica, com indicações mais diferenciadas, maior uso de imagens auxiliares para definição do alvo e técnicas de planejamento mais sofisticadas.

Fluoroscopy-induced Subacute Radiation Dermatitis in Patient with Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 대한소화기학회지

Radiation dermatitis can develop after fluoroscopy-guided interventional procedures. Cases of fluoroscopy-induced radiation dermatitis have been reported since 1996, mostly documented in the fields of radiology, cardiology and dermatology. Since diagnosis and treatment of fluoroscopy-induced radiation dermatitis can be difficult, high grade of suspicion is required. The extent of this reaction is determined by radiation dose, duration of exposure, type of procedure, and host factors and can be aggravated by concomitant use of photosensitizers. Follow-up is important after long and complicated procedures and efforts to minimize radiation exposure time will be necessary to prevent radiation dermatitis. Herein, we report a case of a 58-year-old man with hepatocellular carcinoma presenting with subacute radiation dermatitis after prolonged fluoroscopic exposure during transarterial chemoembolization and chemoport insertion. Physicians should be aware that fluoroscopy is a potential cause of radiation dermatitis.

Re-Irradiation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Clinical Applicability of Deformable Image Registration

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate whether the deformable image registration (DIR) method is clinically applicable to the safe delivery of re-irradiation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between August 2010 and March 2012, 12 eligible HCC patients received re-irradiation using helical tomotherapy. The median total prescribed radiation doses at first irradiation and re-irradiation were 50 Gy (range, 36-60 Gy) and 50 Gy (range, 36-58.42 Gy), respectively. Most re-irradiation therapies (11 of 12) were administered to previously irradiated or marginal areas. Dose summation results were reproduced using DIR by rigid and deformable registration methods, and doses of organs-at-risk (OARs) were evaluated. Treatment outcomes were also assessed. RESULTS: Thirty-six dose summation indices were obtained for three OARs (bowel, duodenum, and stomach doses in each patient). There was no statistical difference between the two different types of DIR methods (rigid and deformable) in terms of calculated summation operatorD (0.1 cc, 1 cc, 2 cc, and max) in each OAR. The median total mean remaining liver doses (M(RLD)) in rigid- and deformable-type registration were not statistically different for all cohorts (p=0.248), although a large difference in M(RLD) was observed when there was a significant difference in spatial liver volume change between radiation intervals. One duodenal ulcer perforation developed 20 months after re-irradiation. CONCLUSION: Although current dose summation algorithms and uncertainties do not warrant accurate dosimetric results, OARs-based DIR dose summation can be usefully utilized in the re-irradiation of HCC. Appropriate cohort selection, watchful interpretation, and selective use of DIR methods are crucial to enhance the radio-therapeutic ratio.

Metástasis hepáticas de origen no colorrectal ni neuroendocrino: tratamiento en un hospital de segundo nivel / Liver metastases from non-colorectal non-neuroendocrine tumors: treatment in a hospital of second level

Introduction: Surgical treatment of liver metastases is broadly accepted for colorectal and neuroendocrine tumors. However, the approach to liver metastases of other origins is not well established. The objective is the evaluation of factors that might be associated with better or worse perioperative outcomes (morbidity and mortality) and survival of patients with non-colorectal, non-neuroendocrine liver metastases (NCNNLM) treated surgically in a second level hospital. Material and Methods: A prospective study of patients with NCNNLM treated surgically or with radiofrequency was completed in San Cecilio University Hospital of Granada, between March 2003 and June 2013. The statistical analysis was made with IBM-SPSS version 21. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Survival data were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier's method. Results: Twenty-two patients with 26 surgeries were analyzed, 19 liver resections, 6 radiofrequency treatments and 1 combined case with surgery and radiofrequency. Operatory mortality was 0 percent and overage mortality was 23.1 percent. Univariate analysis only showed statistical significance in two of the factors, presence of positive lymphatic nodes during the surgery of the primary tumor and presence of extra-hepatic disease. Accumulated survival was 81 percent, 66 percent and 52 percent at 1, 2 and 3 years respectively. Conclusions: Despite the fact of treating together in the same group several different tumors, the surgical treatment of NCNNLM (with or without radiofrequency) has an acceptable survival rate. Thus, they can be treated with safety when we use a multi-disciplinary approach to these patients.

Introducción: Aunque el tratamiento quirúrgico de las metástasis hepáticas está bien establecido en el cáncer colorrectal y los tumores neuroendocrinos. el enfoque de las metástasis hepáticas de otras localizaciones no está bien definido. El objetivo es valorar aquellos factores que pudieran asociarse a unos mejores o peores resultados perioperatorios (morbimortalidad) y a la supervivencia de los pacientes sometidos a tratamiento quirúrgico de las metástasis hepáticas de tumores no colorrectales ni neuroendocrinos(MHNCNN) en un hospital de segundo nivel. Material y Métodos: Se ha realizado un estudio prospectivo de pacientes con MHNCNN tratadas mediante cirugía y/o radiofrecuencia en el Hospital Universitario San Cecilio de Granada, entre marzo de 2003 y junio de 2013. Para el análisis estadístico se utilizó el programa IBM-SPSS versión 21, considerándose significativo un valor de p ≤ 0,05. El estudio de supervivencia se realizó mediante análisis de Kaplan-Meier. Resultados: Se analizan 22 pacientes, con 26 intervenciones: 19 resecciones quirúrgicas, 6 radiofrecuencias y 1 caso combinando resección y radiofrecuencia. La mortalidad operatoria es de 0 por ciento y la morbilidad del 23 por ciento. El análisis univariante sólo muestra significación estadística en dos factores, presencia de ganglios positivos en la intervención del tumor primario y la existencia de enfermedad extrahepática. La supervivencia acumulada es del 81 por ciento, 66 por ciento y 52 por ciento al año, dos años y tres años. Conclusiones: Aunque con las limitaciones que presenta el agrupar un conjunto heterogéneo de tumores. el tratamiento quirúrgico de las MHNCNN, asociado o no a radiofrecuencia, presenta una tasa de supervivencia aceptable, pudiendo ser estas tratadas con seguridad, siendo fundamental un abordaje multidisciplinario de los pacientes.

Resección de metástasis hepáticas en cáncer de colon: nuevas perspectivas / Resection of liver metástasis in colon cancer: new perspectives

Liver metastasis of colon cancer is a very common clinical entity. Resective surgery can be used to improve the overall survival and disease-free. The problem is that major resections are associated with hepatic failure caused by an inadequate residual volume. Chemotherapy with diagrams as FOLFOX, FOLFIRI associated with antibodies such as bevacizumab, cetuximab or panitumumable added an important role in the conversion of unresectable to resectable tumors. Another widely used technique is portal vein ligation in a first surgical procedure, that generates left hepatic growth, to perform the resection in a second surgical procedure. The liver hypertrophy is achieved in a period of 2 months. The latest new technical procedure is the association of the ligation portal to the liver partition of the hepatic parenchyma without resection, which allows a segmental hypertrophy of the liver remnant between 7 to 10 days. This technique is called ALPPS. Radiofrecuency also has a role in the treatment of liver metastases. However,it is secondary.

La metástasis hepáticas del cáncer de colon es una entidad clínica muy frecuente. La cirugía resectiva permite mejorar la sobrevida global y libre de enfermedad. El problema es que grandes resecciones se asocian a insuficiencia hepática por un inadecuado volumen residual. La quimioterapia con esquemas como FOLFOX, FOLFIRI asociada a anticuerpos como bevacizumab, cetuximab o panitumumable agregan un rol importante en la conversión de tumores irresecables a resecables. Otra técnica utilizada es la ligadura portal en un primer tiempo, que genera crecimiento hepático izquierdo, para realizar la resección en un segundo tiempo quirúrgico. La hipertrofia hepática se logra en un período de 2 meses. La última novedad técnica es la asociación de la ligadura portal a la transección del parénquima hepático sin resección, lo que permite una hipertrofia segmentaria del hígado remanente entre 7 a 10 días. Esta técnica se denomina ALPPS. La radiofrecuencia también tiene un rol en el tratamiento de las metástasis hepáticas, aunque este es secundario.

Fiducial Placement for Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy under Only Endoscopic Ultrasonography Guidance in Pancreatic and Hepatic Malignancy: Practical Feasibility and Safety

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for gastrointestinal malignancies requires the placement of fiducials to guide treatment delivery. This study aimed to determine the safety and technical feasibility of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided fiducial placement for SBRT. METHODS: From November 2010 to August 2012, 32 consecutive patients who were scheduled to receive SBRT for pancreatic and hepatic malignancies were referred for EUS-guided fiducial placement. Primary outcome measurements included technical success, the fiducial migration rate, and procedural complications. RESULTS: All 32 patients had successful fiducial placement under EUS guidance. The mean number of fiducials placed per patient was 2.94+/-0.24 (range, 2 to 3 seeds). Spontaneous fiducial migration was noted in one patient (3.1%). Of the 32 patients with fiducials placed, 29 patients (90.6%) successfully underwent SBRT. One patient (3.1%) developed mild pancreatitis, requiring a 2-day prolonged hospitalization after fiducial placement. Five patients (15.6%) underwent same-session, EUS-guided fine needle aspiration for histologic confirmation at the time of fiducial placement, without any procedure-related complication. CONCLUSIONS: EUS-guided fiducial placement is a safe and technically feasible technique for preparing patients with both pancreatic and hepatic malignancies for SBRT. The fiducial markers facilitate safe and accurate targeting of the tumor during SBRT.

Selective internal radiation therapy: 90 Y (yttrium) labeled microspheres for liver malignancies (primary and metastatic).

Selective Internal Radiation Therapy is a relatively new technique that irradiates malignant liver lesions using microscopic beads. It provides micro-embolization coupled with high-dose interstitial radiotherapy. Besides colorectal cancers, this therapy has shown benefit in patients with a variety of other tumors including carcinoid tumors, lung, breast, sarcoma, colon, hepatocellular and ocular melanoma. Its clinical benefit can be as much as 85%, survival can be doubled and patients with extensive colorectal metastases not amenable to resection or ablation can be offered a 32% chance of surviving for 18 months. Ongoing and future studies will refine our understanding of optimizing patient eligibility, dosage, frequency as well as novel applications.

A Case of Hepaticoduodenal Fistula Development after Transarterial Chemoembolization in Patient with Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 대한소화기학회지

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is recommended as one of the first line therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Rupture of HCC following TACE is a rare and potentially fatal complication. We report a case of hepaticoduodenal fistula with ruptured HCC and liver abscess complicated by TACE. A 52-year-old male was treated by TACE three times, followed by radiation therapy and systemic chemotherapy. 30 days after the last TACE, right upper quadrant pain of abdomen was developed. About 1 month later, computed tomography of abdomen showed ruptured HCC with debris containing liver abscess and hepaticoduodenal fistula. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed hepaticoduodenal fistula and hepatic parenchyme covered with exudate. The patient was managed with supportive care, but the hepaticoduodenal fistula persisted.

The Efficacy of Hepatic Resection after Neoadjuvant Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) and Radiation Therapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Greater Than 5 cm in Size

In cases of large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), neoadjuvant treatment such as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiation therapy can be performed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of these treatments prior to hepatic resection. Between January 1994 and May 2007, 16 patients with HCC greater than 5 cm in size were treated with TACE and radiation therapy prior to hepatic resection. The clinicopathologic factors were reviewed retrospectively. Of the 16 patients, there were 14 men and two women, and the median age was 52.5 yr. TACE was performed three times in average, and the median radiation dosage was 45 Gy. The median diameter of tumor on specimen was 9.0 cm. The degree of tumor necrosis was more than 90% in 14 patients. The median survival time was 13.3 months. Five patients had survived more than 2 yr and there were two patients who had survived more than 5 yr. Although the prognosis of large HCC treated with neoadjuvant therapy is not satisfactory, some showed long-term survival loger than 5 yr. Further research will be required to examine the survival and disease control effect in a prospective randomized study.

Radiofrequency ablation of hepatic metastasis: results of treatment in forty patients.

AIM: To evaluate the local control of hepatic metastasis with radiofrequency ablation treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We did a retrospective analysis in 40 patients treated with radiofrequency ablation for hepatic metastasis. The tumors ablated included up to two metastatic liver lesions, with primaries in breast, gastrointestinal tract, cervix, etc. Radiofrequency ablation was performed under general anesthesia in all cases, using ultrasound guidance. Radionics Cool-Tip RF System was used to deliver the treatment. RESULTS: The median age of patients treated was 49 years. There were 13 female and 27 male patients. The median tumor size ablated was 1.5 cm (0.75-4.0 cm). A total of 52 radiofrequency ablation cycles were delivered. Successful ablation was achieved in all patients with hepatic metastasis less than 3 cm in size. Pain was the most common complication seen (75%). One patients developed skin burns. At 2-year follow-up 7.5% of patients had locally recurrent disease. CONCLUSIONS: Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive treatment modality. It can be useful in a select group of patients with solitary liver metastasis of less than 3 cm size.

Recent Developments in Radiotherapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 대한간학회지

With the accumulation of clinical experiences, the efficacy of radiotherapy has been recognized in management scheme for HCC. While hepatologists are beginning to show less reluctance for applying radiotherapy to the treatment of HCC, it is necessary that the hepatologists be informed of the rapid developments in technical strategy for radiation oncology. Recent advances in several technologies have opened a new era in radiation oncology. Modern imaging technologies can provide a 3-dimensional model of patient's anatomy, and this allows radiation oncologists to identify accurate tumor volumes as well as the tumors' relationship with the adjacent normal tissues. Moreover, the development of the computer-controlled multileaf collimator systems now enables physicians to perform precise beam shaping and to modulate the radiation dose distribution. A combination of these systems, 3-DCRT, is rapidly replacing the more conventional 2-D radiotherapy. 3-DCRT has evolved into a more sophisticated technology, intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). In IMRT, with the powerful computer-aided optimization process, the radiation dose can be delivered to the target using highly complex isodose profiles. This new technology has been further developed into IGRT, which combines the CT-images scanning system and radiation equipments into one hardware package, and this system is currently ready for clinical application. In parallel with the radiation technologies described above, the strategy of stereotactic radiation has evolved from the conventional linear accelerator-based system to a gammaknife, and more recently, to a cyberknife. These systems are primarily based on the concept of radiosurgery. Currently, various radiation technologies have been adopted for the radiotherapy of HCC. In this article, each strategy will be discussed as well as the indications for radiotherapy and the radiation-related complications.

Conduta no hemangioma hepático: revisäo da literatura / Liver hemangioma: review of the literature

Os autores consultaram vários artigos com a finalidade de avaliar a conduta diagnóstica e terapêutica neste tumor. Observou-se que os meios diagnósticos podem variar desde a Ultra-sonografia (USG) até a Ressonância Nuclear Magnética (RNM), e que para o tratamento pode-se adotar desde a conduta conservadora até o transplante hepático ou radioterapia local.

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy in treatment of primary hepatic tumours

The present study comprised 25 patients who were randomly allocated to receive either intravenous systemic chemotherapy [group A] or chemotherapy coupled with hepatic irradiation [group B]. Subjective response was obtained in about 20 patients, complete disappearance of all symptoms was encountered in 7.7% and 16.6% of patients in group A and group B, respectively. When pain control was evaluated, a statistically significant better response was found in the group of combined chemotherapy and hepatic irradiation. There was no complete objective response to either chemotherapy or chemotherapy coupled with hepatic irradiation, partial response was achieved in 6 patients of group B [combined treatment]. In all patients showed objective response, the response was maintained for more than 4 weeks. No single life threatening complication has been faced. Moreover, the incidence of sever toxicity grade III was much lower than mild, moderate [I, II] toxicities in both treatment modalities. Mean overall survival in [months] in groups A was 4.86 +/- 1.31 versus 5.6 +/- 1.8 in group B

Combined treatment of radiotherapy and hyperthermia for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma

Eighty-four patients with unresectable primary hepatocellular carcinoma due either to locally advanced lesion or to association with liver cirrhosis were treated with combined radiotherapy and hyperthermia from April 1988 to January 1991. Purpose of this study was to assess thermometry, response rate, toxicity, and survival in those patients. External radiotherapy was given with a total of 30.6 Gy/3.5 wks. Hyperthermia was given twice a week with a total of 6 treatment sessions using an 8 MHz radiofrequency capacitive type heating machine. Each hyperthermia session was started within 30 min following radiotherapy and continued for 30-60 min. Thermal data were analysed with maximum, minimum, and average temperatures of the tumors. Thermal mapping was also done. In thermometry results, maximum, minimum, and average temperatures of the tumors were 41.9 +/- 1.3 degrees C, 39.9 +/- 1.0 degrees C, and 40.8 +/- 0.9 degrees C, respectively. The fraction over 40 degrees C was 73 +/- 32% with a wide variation from 15% to 100%. Among 67 assessable patients, 27 patients showed tumor regression of more than 50% of the original tumor volume (40.3% response rate). Symptomatic improvement was observed in 78.6% of the patients. Acute toxicities during the treatment were mostly acceptable local pain (51.2%) and local fat necrosis (13.1%). The actuarial 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year survival rates were 44.8%, 19.7%, and 15.6%, respectively. Median survival was 6 months. In view of acceptable toxicities and the current rate of survival, further evaluation of combined treatment of radiotherapy and hyperthermia for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma is warranted.