Prospective non-randomized trial for the evaluation of anti-estrogen agent [tamoxifen] in the palliation of patients with unrespectable hepatocellular carcinoma

ABSTRACT

This is a prospective non-randomized trial including 14 patients suffering from unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma who attended Kasr El Aini Center for Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Mcdicine [NEMROCK], from January 1991 till January 1994. All patients received the anti-estrogen Tamoxifen [TAM], as a palliative treatment. The maximum survival was 24 months [two patients], and the minimum survival was three months [five patients]. The maximum duration of subjective response was 18 months, and the minimum duration of subjective response was two months. There was an objective response evidenced by a drop of the median level of serum alpha-fetoprotein. The drop in serum alpha fetoprotein was maintained for 6 months in 12 patients and in two patients, it was maintained for 18 months