Cyberknife stereotactic radiosurgery in patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

4645 Background: Conventional radiotherapy has historically played a limited role in the primary treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study evaluated the effect of Cyberknife stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) with for both for small primary non-resectable HCC, and for advanced HCC with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT). Methods: From March 2004 to March 2005, thirty one patients with HCC were treated Cyberknife SRS was used for 32 lesions in patients with SRS for primary HCC. There was performed in 22 patients (23 lesions) with targeting to the primary HCC was treated (Group A), and in 9 patients with targeting to the PVTT was treated (Group B). The total SRS doses treated were 30–39 Gy (median, 36 Gy) to the 70–85%, 3 fractions and the target volume was of 3.6–57.3 cc (median, 25.2 cc). Results: The median follow up was 10.5 months. A complete response (CR) was achieved in 10 lesions, a partial response (PR) in 13 lesions, stable disease was noted in 6 lesions, and disease progression in 3 lesions. The response rate (CR+PR) was 71.9% (group A: 82.6%, group B: 44.4%). The level of serum alpha-fetoprotein after the treatment was decreased significantly in 17 patients (54.8%) (group A: 54.5%, group B: 55.5%). Complications were observed in 15 patients, among them, greater than grade 3 complication was observed in two patients of group A (gastric ulcer bleeding (1), liver necrosis (1)). Conclusions: These results suggest that Cyberknife SRS could be considered as an effective and safe treatment for primary HCC. For PVTT, Cyberknife SRS as the only curative tool, and produced acceptable local control in this study. No significant financial relationships to disclose.