title: External beam radiotherapy to treat intra- and extra-hepatic dissemination of hepatocellular carcinoma after radiofrequency thermal ablation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an alternative to percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT) for single non-surgical hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the risk of seeding along the needle track has been reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven patients presenting with neoplastic seeding after RFA or PEIT were treated with external beam radiotherapy using conventional fractionation. All patients underwent irradiation with a total dose in the range of 44-61 Gy (median and mode value: 50 Gy).
  
  
  RESULTS
  An objective response to treatment was achieved in six of seven patients (86%). A complete response was obtained in two patients (29%). The median survival time was 14.7 months and the actuarial 1- and 2-year survivals were 67% and 50%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The response to treatment was relatively good without serious complications. Seeding from hepatocellular carcinoma is sensitive to external beam radiotherapy. It is useful in the treatment of these patients with 50 Gy in 25 fractions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. yamashitah-rad@h.u-tokyo.ac.jp
authors.forename: Hideomi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamashita
authors.forename: Keiichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakagawa
authors.forename: Kenshiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shiraishi
authors.forename: Masao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tago
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Igaki
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Nakashi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sasano
authors.forename: Shuichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shiina
authors.forename: Masao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Omata
authors.forename: Kuni
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ohtomo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome