Stereotactic body radiotherapy for patients with unresectable primary hepatocellular carcinoma: dose-volumetric parameters predicting the hepatic complication.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the parameters that predict hepatic toxicity and deterioration of hepatic function.


METHODS
A total of 47 patients with small unresectable primary hepatocellular carcinoma received hypofractionated stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) using the CyberKnife. Of those, 36 patients received no other local treatments that could influence hepatic toxicity at least for 3 months after the completion of SBRT. The gross tumor volume (GTV) was 18.3 ± 15.9 cm(3) (range, 3.0-81.3 cm(3)), and the total dose administered was 30-39 Gy (median, 36 Gy). To assess the deterioration of hepatic function, we evaluated the presence or absence of the progression of Child-Pugh class (CP class). To identify the parameters of predicting the radiation-induced hepatic toxicity and deterioration of the hepatic function, several clinical and dose-volumetric parameters were evaluated.


RESULTS
Of 36 patients, 12 (33%) developed Grade 2 or higher hepatic toxicity and 4 (11%) developed progression of CP class. The multivariate analysis showed that the only significant parameter associated with the progression of CP class was the total liver volume receiving a dose less than 18 Gy (<18 Gy).


CONCLUSIONS
The progression of CP class after SBRT limits other additional local treatments and also reflects the deterioration of hepatic function. Therefore, it would be important to note that the presence or absence of the progression of CP class is a dose-limiting factor. The total liver volume receiving <18 Gy should be greater than 800 cm(3) to reduce the risk of the deterioration of hepatic function.
Son
Seok Hyun
SH
Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Choi
Byung Ock
BO
Ryu
Mi Ryeong
MR
Kang
Young Nam
YN
Jang
Ji Sun
JS
Bae
Si Hyun
SH
Yoon
Seung Kew
SK
Choi
Ihl Bohng
IB
Kang
Ki Mun
KM
Jang
Hong Seok
HS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016634:Radiosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D047368:Tumor Burden