Radiation‐induced hepatic toxicity after radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to analyze hepatic toxicity following radiotherapy combined with regional chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). From 2001 to 2003, a total of 132 patients with HCC received 3-D conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) combined with chemotherapy. Patients were divided into two groups based on drug localization: the transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) group, where the chemotherapeutic drug (adriamycin) was localized within the tumor, and the non-TACE group, where the drugs (adriamycin, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil) were diffusely spread over the entire liver. Patients were evaluated by biochemical parameters for any hepatic toxicity prior to, during, and until 12 months after 3D-CRT. Hepatic toxicity was defined as radiation-induced liver disease (RILD) or combined modality-induced liver disease (CMILD), which is defined as RILD with abnormal elevation of total bilirubin levels. In the TACE group, three patients developed RILD (5.6%) and none developed CMILD. In the non-TACE group, three patients (3.7%) and seven patients (8.8%) developed RILD and CMILD, respectively. Hepatic toxicity following radiotherapy combined with regional chemotherapy for HCC might be influenced by the distribution of the chemotherapeutic drugs. A more precise understanding of hepatic toxicity from chemoradiotherapy will help design optimal treatments for HCC.