Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy with chemotherapy for hepatic carcinoma: Analysis of short-term effects in 87 cases / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the short-term effects of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) associated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in the treatment of primary hepatic carcinoma and 3D-CRT associated with chemotherapy in the treatment of metastatic hepatic carcinoma. Methods In 52 patients with primary hepatic carcinoma, first of all a single TACE was conducted. Then after an interval of 2 weeks, the conformal radiotherapy was given, with a radiation dose of 2~3 Gy every fraction, once daily or once every other day and 3~5 fractions every week. The total radiation dose to the target was 42.2~60.0 Gy (mean, 52.2 Gy). Afterwards, 2 additional TACEs were given after the radiotherapy. In 35 patients with metastatic hepatic carcinoma, chemotherapy was carried out for 1 treatment course firstly. Then 3D-CRT was employed. After the radiotherapy, another 2 courses of consolidating chemotherapy were administrated. The patient continued with the chemotherapy for additional 3 treatment courses (a total of 6 courses) if efficacy evaluation showed the patient had responded to the chemotherapy. Results The response outcomes were: complete remission (CR) 23 0% (20/87), partial remission (PR) 39 1% (34/87), stable disease (SD) 34 5% (30/87) and progressive disease (PD) 3 4% (3/87), the response rate (RR) being 62 1% (54/87). Conclusions 3D-CRT with TACE for primary hepatic carcinoma and 3D-CRT with chemotherapy for metastatic hepatic carcinoma offers high local control rates and good short-term effects.