The impacts of physical factors on huge hepatocellular carcinoma treated by transarterial chemoembolization combined with radiotherapy

Abstract

Aims: To assess the influence of various physical factors on the outcome of transarterial chemoembolization combined with γ-ray hypofractionated radiation therapy (TACE-γHRT) for unresectable huge (≥10 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma (UH-HCC) patients.Materials & methods: A total of 162 UH-HCC patients with different tumor locations treated with TACE-γHRT and a retrospective analysis was conducted to evaluate the impacts of selected physical parameters on clinical outcomes.Results: The selected physical factors influenced the clinical outcomes significantly. No adverse events exceeding grade 3 were observed in the enrolled patients.Conclusion: Higher P₇₀ and marginal dose, smaller tumor size and tumor location of neither skin nor gastrointestinal tracts involved were independent predictors for better overall survival and progression free survival.

Keywords: clinical outcome; hepatocellular carcinoma; hypofraction radiation therapy; transarterial chemoembolization; γ-ray.