Stereotactic-body radiotherapy for portal vein tumor thrombosis in hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

Abstract

442 Background: Portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) is commonly accompanied by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, and in these cases the treatment options became limited and treatment outcome was poor. Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is one of the possible treatment options, which can deliver higher doses with highly conformal target have conducted for treatment of PVTT. However, only few studies about the SBRT have reported, even treatment schedules were not consistent. In this study, we report our institutional experience of treating PVTT in HCC patients using SBRT. Methods: 24 HCC patients with PVTT were treated with SBRT at our institution. All patients had unresectable HCC with PVTT, baseline liver function of Child-Pugh class A or B. SBRT was performed by Cyberknife based on 4D-simulation and 4D-planning. The prescription dose was 45 Gy in 3 fractions in 17 (70.8%) patients, and was modified to 39 to 42 Gy in 3 to 4 fractions in 7 (29.2%) patients whose target was large or adjacent to the bowel. After SBRT, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) was performed in 16 (66.7%) patients within 3 months. Results: There were 2 (8.3%) patients of PVTT showed complete response, and 11 (45.8%) patients showed partial response. Stable disease was found in 7 (29.2%) patients, and progression in 4 (16.7%) patients. The response rate was lower in patients with tumor thrombus at main portal vein than those at branch of portal vein (main, 30% vs. branch, 71.4%, p = 0.052). The 1- and 2-year overall survival (OS) was 67.5%, 48.2%, respectively, with median survival of 20.8 months. The combination SBRT followed by TACE, and presence of grade 3 hepatic toxicities impacted on survival. The 1-year OS was 71.4% in patients whom TACE was combined after SBRT, which was higher than that of 14.6% who were treated with SBRT alone (p < 0.001). The 1-year OS was 81.1% in patients who did not occur grade 3 hepatic toxicity, while 0% in patients who had grade 3 hepatic toxicity (p = 0.002). Conclusions: SBRT is a relatively effective treatment option for HCC patients of PVTT. Especially combined with TACE. Finding an optimal dose schedule which can reduce hepatic toxicity, while keeping the response seems important to increase the survival.