Radiotherapy compared with palliative care for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus: using a new classification

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the efficiency of radiotherapy (RT) for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) and the significance of Cheng's classification for the prognosis. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 105 patients with HCC with PVTT in the Third Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from January 2010 to October 2016, among whom 67 underwent RT and 38 received palliative care. Survival analysis of the two treatment groups was performed with Kaplan-Meier and then stratified by Cheng’s classification of PVTT. And the prognostic factors were analyzed. Results: The median survival,1-year, 2-year and 5-year survival rate of RT group and palliative group was 9 vs. 3 months, 41.8% vs. 2.6%, 20.1% vs. 0, 4.5% vs. 0. On subgroup analysis of PVTT, the median survival in the RT group for type Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ PVTT was 13, 8, and 5 months, respectively. In RT group, the survival of type III was better than type IV (P = 0.044), but inferior to type II (P = 0.011). PVTT type, tumor number and RT dose were independent prognostic factors for survival (P = 0.041, P = 0.028, P = 0.015). Conclusions: Radiotherapy is an effective treatment compared with palliative care for HCC and PVTT, and Cheng's classification can initially provide a better prognosis evaluation for HCC with PVTT who underwent radiotherapy.

Key words: Radiotherapy, Hepatocellular carcinoma, Portal vein tumor thrombosis, Classification

Yang Liu, Zhu Xiling, Jin Shuai, Chang Na, Zhao Yufei, Li Gong. Radiotherapy compared with palliative care for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus: using a new classification[J]. Electronic Journal of Liver Tumor, 2020, 7(3): 7-11.

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