Conformal radiation therapy for portal vein tumor thrombosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Background and purpose: The prognosis of patients with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is poor; without treatment, their survival is less than 3months. We retrospectively evaluated the treatment outcomes of conformal radiation therapy (CRT) in patients with HCC-PVTT.

Materials and methods: Thirty-eight HCC patients with PVTT in whom other treatment modalities were not indicated underwent CRT. The total dose was translated into a biologic effective dose (BED) of 23.4-59.5Gy(10) (median 50.7Gy(10)) as the alpha/beta ratio=10. Predictive factors including the age, performance status, Child-Pugh classification, PVTT size, and BED were evaluated for tumor response and survival.

Results: Complete response (CR), partial response (PR), stable disease (SD), and progressive disease (PD) were observed in 6 (15.8%), 11 (28.9%), 17 (44.7%), and 4 (10.5%) patients, respectively. The response rate (CR+PR) was 44.7%. The PVTT size (<30 vs. 30mm) and BED (<58 vs. 58Gy(10)) were significant factors for tumor response. The median survival and 1-year survival rate were 9.6months and 39.4%. The Child-Pugh classification (A vs. B) and BED were significant factors for survival.

Conclusions: CRT is effective not only for tumor response but also for survival in HCC-PVTT patients in whom other treatment modalities are not indicated.