Therapeutic effect and prognostic analysis of intensity-modulated radiotherapy for primary hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein and/or inferior vena cava tumor thrombus / 临床肝胆病杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo determine the efficacy and prognostic factors of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein and/or inferior vena cava tumor thrombus. MethodsTwenty-three HCC patients with portal vein and/or inferior vena cava tumor thrombus received IMRT with an 8 MV linear accelerator at the Cancer Center of General Hospital of Armed Police Forces, Anhui Medical University, from April 2008 to August 2011. A single dose of 3 to 6 Gy was delivered at five fractions per week, with a total dose of 56 to 96 Gy and a median dose of 60 Gy. Survival time was recorded, and adverse reactions were evaluated. Survival rate calculation and survival analysis were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Comparison of categorical between two groups was made by chi-square test. ResultsOne patient did not complete radiotherapy due to upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Of 22 patients who completed IMRT, 4 achieved complete remission and 10 achieved partial remission, with an overall response rate of 63.7%. Our analysis showed that the type of tumor thrombus and tumor size were associated with tumor response rate and were significant prognostic factors (P＜0.05). The median survival time was 13.4 months. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates were 59%, 27%, and 18%, respectively. The 22 patients who completed radiotherapy did not experience acute radiation injury or late adverse outcomes such as radiation-induced liver disease. ConclusionThis study suggests IMRT is a safe and effective treatment option for HCC patients with portal vein and/or inferior vena cava tumor thrombus.