Scores of Child–Pugh Classification Impact Overall Survival After Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Primary and Metastatic Liver Tumors

Abstract

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) delivers high-dose radiation to tumor tissues in few fractions, thereby reducing radiation damage to at-risk organs. There are more potential effects of SBRT owing to the higher biological equivalent dose delivered. Herein, we retrospectively analyzed its effectiveness and toxicity at our institution. Data from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC; n= 10) and liver metastases (n= 10) who underwent SBRT (total dose of 30-50Gy in 5-10 fractions) between 2013 and 2016 were analyzed. Adverse events were recorded at the end of RT, 6 months after treatment, or upon death. Overall survival (OS) was calculated according to the biological effective dose (BED α/β=10) and liver function (Child-Pugh [CP] classification 5 or 6 vs. 7 or 8) after SBRT, using Kaplan-Meier analyses. Of the 20 patients, 6 declined the CP classification score after SBRT; grade 3 adverse events were not seen in any patient. A higher OS rate was seen in patients receiving a higher BED and in those with better CP classification after SBRT. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis yielded a median OS of 401 days and 1- and 2-year OS of 45% and 15%, respectively. The higher BED was significantly associated with tumor control, and there were no differences in the tumor control rate between HCC and metastatic tumors. Changes in CP scores after SBRT also affected the survival rate. Good liver function may permit multiple rounds of SBRT.