Systemic chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma in non-cirrhotic liver: a retrospective study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the efficacy and toxicity of systemic chemotherapy in a retrospective study of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurring in normal or fibrotic liver without cirrhosis.


METHODS
Twenty-four patients with metastatic or locally advanced HCC in a normal or a fibrotic liver were given systemic chemotherapy (epirubicin, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil or epirubicin, cisplatin and capecitabine regimens). Tumor response, time to progression, survival, and toxicity were evaluated.


RESULTS
There were 7 women and 17 men, mean age 54 +/- 10 years; 18 patients had a normal liver and 6 had a fibrotic liver (F1/F2 on biopsy). Mean tumor size was 14 cm, 5 patients had portal vein thrombosis and 7 had metastasis. Patients received a median of 4 chemotherapy sessions. Overall tolerance was good. There were 5 partial responses (objective response rate = 22%), and tumor control rate was 52%. Second line surgical resection was possible in two patients. Median survival was 11 mo, and 1- and 2-year overall survival rates were 50% +/- 10% and 32% +/- 11%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with HCC in a non-cirrhotic liver, chemotherapy was well tolerated and associated with an objective response rate of 22%, including two patients who underwent secondary surgical resection.
Edeline
Julien
J
Department of Medical Oncology, Centre E Marquis, 35042 Rennes Cedex, France.
Raoul
Jean-Luc
JL
Vauleon
Elodie
E
Guillygomac'h
Anne
A
Boudjema
Karim
K
Boucher
Eveline
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D017741:Survivors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult