Efficacy and safety of selective internal radiation therapy with yttrium-90 for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: This retrospective analysis was undertaken to evaluate the efficiency of SIRT with Y-90 microspheres and determined prognostic factors affecting patients with unresectable HCC. METHODS: A total of 97 patients diagnosed with unresectable HCC who underwent SIRT with Y-90 microspheres. Patient survival was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and prognostic factors affecting survival were assessed using log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: Among the 97 patients (90 males, mean age 60.4 ± 12.3 years) who underwent SIRT, the median clinical follow-up was 16.4 (1.8-62) months. The median overall survival (OS) was 23.9 ± 2.4 months. Tumor response according to the Modified RECIST in patients followed up beyond 6 months included a complete response (CR) to treatment in 12 patients (18.8%), partial response (PR) in 23 (35.8%), stable disease (SD) in 8 (12.5%), and progressive disease (PD) in 21 (32.8%). Factors associated with longer OS included age > 65 years, BCLC stage B, tumor size < 5 cm, tumor burden < 25%, and tumor response (CR/PR). In multivariate analysis, unilobar disease and objective tumor response (CR/PR) were predictors of longer OS. CONCLUSION: SIRT was an effective treatment for unresectable HCC. Unilobar disease before SIRT and tumor response (CR/PR) were positive prognostic factors.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of 99mTc-MAA SPECT/CT for treatment planning of 90Y-resin microsphere radioembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: comparison with planar image.

99mTc-macroaggregated albumin (MAA) imaging is performed before transarterial radioembolization (TARE), in which SPECT/CT is presumed more precise than planar image. However, additive role of SPECT/CT has not been well established. Thirty-four consecutive hepatocellular carcinoma patients of intermediate and advanced stages who underwent 90Y-microsphere TARE were recruited. On pre-treatment planning scan using 99mTc-MAA, image characteristics and absorbed dose for target tumors calculated by partition model methods were estimated on planar image and SPECT/CT, respectively. The measurements were repeated on post-treatment 90Y PET/CT, as the reference standard. Treatment response was assessed and predictive values of image parameters were analyzed. The image characteristics including heterogeneity, necrosis and thrombosis uptake were better delineated on SPECT/CT than planar scan. The agreement and correlation of TNr between SPECT/CT and PET/CT were stronger than those between planar scan and PET/CT. Tumor dose estimated on 99mTc-MAA SPECT/CT was more effective than planar image for prediction of treatment response, with cutoff value 125 Gy (sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 75%). In conclusion, 99mTc-MAA SPECT/CT is more closely correlated with post-treatment 90Y PET/CT, and is more effective for predicting treatment response than planar scan. SPECT/CT is superior to planar image in simulation before 90Y TARE.