Selective internal radiation therapy by yttrium-90 microspheres for hepatocellular carcinoma after renal transplantation.
We report a HBsAg-positive patient who developed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) 7 years after cadaveric kidney transplantation. The tumor was unresectable because of coexisting cirrhosis. Selective internal radiation (SIR) therapy, a novel therapy with the technique recently perfected, was used. Yttrium-90 microspheres were given via an angiographic catheter under fluoroscopy guidance. Serum alpha-fetal protein (AFP) was normalized within 2 wk. A follow-up abdominal CT scan revealed significant necrosis of the tumor and compensatory hypertrophy of non-diseased liver. The treatment was well tolerated except for transient liver function deterioration. The patient enjoyed 15 months of symptom-free survival before she died of liver failure. Practical aspects and potential applications of SIR therapy in this group of patients are discussed.
Szeto
C C
CC
Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China. ccszeto@cuhk.edu.hk
Wong
T Y
TY
Leung
C B
CB
Leung
T W
TW
Wang
A Y
AY
Lui
S F
SF
Li
P K
PK
D000328:Adult; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000379:methods; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008863:Microspheres; D015021:Yttrium Radioisotopes / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D015021:Yttrium Radioisotopes