Preventive effect of regional radiotherapy with phosphorus-32 glass microspheres in hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after hepatectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the preventive effects of phosphorus-32 glass microspheres (P32-GMS) in the recurrence of massive hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) after tumor resection.


METHODS
Twenty-nine patients with massive HCCs received local P32-GMS implantation after liver tumors were removed, while the other 38 patients with massive HCCs were not treated with P32-GMS after hepatectomies. The radioactivity of the blood, urine and liver were examined. The complications, HCC recurrence and overall survival rates in the patients were analyzed.


RESULTS
P32-GMS implanted in the liver did not cause systemic absorption of P32. There were no significant differences of postoperative complications between the patients with and without P32-GMS treatment. The short-term (six months and 1 year) and long-term (2, 3 and over 3 years) recurrence rates in patients who received P32-GMS radiotherapy were significantly decreased, and the overall survival rates in this group were significantly improved.


CONCLUSIONS
P32-GMS implantation in the liver can significantly decrease the postoperative recurrence and improve the overall survival in HCCs patients after hepatectomy. This therapy may provide an innovative method in prevention of HCC recurrence after operation.
Wang
Xiao-Ming
XM
Department of Hepatobillary Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Digestive Disease Institute, Xiamen University, South Hubin Road #209, Xiamen 361004, Fujian Province, China. wxm@xmzsh.com
Yin
Zhen-Yu
ZY
Yu
Ren-Xiang
RX
Peng
You-Yuan
YY
Liu
Ping-Guo
PG
Wu
Guo-Yang
GY
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005898:Glass; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008863:Microspheres; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D010761:Phosphorus Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000379:methods*
D010761:Phosphorus Radioisotopes