Fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy in patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of our study was to evaluate the feasibility and treatment outcomes of fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) for primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).


METHODS
We enrolled 20 patients who had been histologically diagnosed as HCC patients and treated by fractionated SRT. Tumor size was 2-6.5 cm (average: 3.8 cm). We prescribed 50 Gy in 5 or 10 fractions at the 85-90% isodose line of the planning target volume for 2 weeks. The follow-up period was 3-55 months (median: 23 months).


RESULTS
The overall response rate was 80%, with 4 patients showing complete response (20%), 14 patients showing partial response (60%) and 4 patients showing stable disease (20%). The 1-year and 2-year survival rates were 70.0 and 43.1%, respectively (median: 20 months). The 1-year and 2-year disease-free survival rates were 65.0 and 32.5%, respectively (median: 19 months). The fractionated SRT was well tolerated, because grade 3 or grade 4 toxicity was not observed.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that fractionated SRT is a relatively safe and effective method for treating small primary HCC. Thus, fractionated SRT may be suggested as a local treatment of choice for small HCC when the patients are inoperable or when the patients refuse operation.
Choi
Byung Ock
BO
Department of Radiation Oncology, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Jang
Hong Seok
HS
Kang
Ki Mun
KM
Lee
Sang Wook
SW
Kang
Young Nam
YN
Chai
Gyu Young
GY
Choi
Ihl Bhong
IB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome