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Abstract Details
Long Term Outcomes of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Without Macrovascular Invasion
J Cancer. 2020 Jul;134:41-51. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2020.04.024. Epub 2020 May 24.
Ashwathy Susan Mathew1, Eshetu G Atenafu2, Dawn Owen3, Chris Maurino3, Anthony Brade1, James Brierley1, Robert Dinniwell1, John Kim1, Charles Cho1, Jolie Ringash1, Rebecca Wong1, Kyle Cuneo3, Mary Feng3, Theodore S Lawrence3, Laura A Dawson4
Author information
1Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
2Department of Biostatistics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
3Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Michigan, United States.
4Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: Laura.Dawson@rmp.uhn.ca.
Abstract
Background: Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) is a non-invasive ablative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This report aimed to address the limited availability of long-term outcomes after SBRT for HCC from North America.
Methods: Localized HCC patients without vascular invasion, who were ineligible for other liver-directed therapies and treated with SBRT at the University of Toronto or University of Michigan, were pooled to determine overall survival (OS), cumulative recurrence rates, and ≥ grade-3 toxicity. Multivariable analysis determined factors affecting OS and local recurrence rates.
Results: In 297 patients with 436 HCCs (42% > 3 cm), one-, three- and five-year OS was 77·3%, 39·0% and 24·1%, respectively. On Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, liver transplant after SBRT, Child-Pugh A liver function, alpha-fetoprotein ≤ 10 ng/ml, and Eastern Co-operative Oncology Group performance status 0 significantly improved OS (hazard ratio [HR] = 0·06, 95% confidence interval [CI- 0·02-0·25; p<0·001; HR = 0·42, 95% CI = 0·29-0·60, p<0·001; HR = 0·61, 95% CI- 0·44-0·83; p=0·002 and HR = 0·71, 95% CI = 0·51-0·97, p=0·034, respectively). Cumulative local recurrence was 6·3% (95% CI = 0.03-0.09) and 13·3% (95% CI = 0.06-0.21) at one and three years, respectively. Using Cox regression modelling, local control was significantly higher using breath-hold motion management and in HCC smaller than 3 cm (HR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.58-0.98; p=0.042 and HR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.26-0.98; p=0.042, respectively). Worsening of Child-Pugh score by ≥2 points three months after SBRT was seen in 15.9%.
Conclusions: SBRT confers high local control and long-term survival in a substantial proportion of HCC patients unsuitable for, or refractory to standard loco-regional treatments. Liver transplant should be considered if appropriate downsizing occurs after SBRT.