Intravenous adriamycin and external radiation therapy for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

ABSTRACT

Twenty four patients with primary malignant hepatocellular carcinoma [PHC], treated with either external radiation therapy alone [group I], or external radiotherapy with Adriamycin [group II], were evaluated. The median survival was 8 months for group I and 6 months for group II. The partial response rate was 46% for group I and 45% for group II. Acute and subacute toxicities developed in group II patients. It was found that external radiation therapy alone can palliate primary hepatocellular carcinoma for a reasonable duration and single agent Adriamycin chemotherapy does not add any further improvement