Repeated proton beam therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiation Oncology
• Hepatology

Background:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver cancer with significant global impact.
• Effective treatment options for recurrent or newly developed HCC are crucial.
• Proton beam therapy (PBT) offers targeted radiation with potential for reduced toxicity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the safety and efficacy of repeated proton beam therapy (PBT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
• To evaluate outcomes in patients receiving multiple courses of PBT for liver cancer.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 27 patients with HCC who received two or more courses of PBT.
• Analysis of treatment data from June 1989 to July 2000 at the University of Tsukuba.
• Dose and fractionation details for initial and subsequent PBT courses were recorded.

Main Results:

• The 5-year survival rate was 55.6% and median survival was 62.2 months for the studied cohort.
• A 5-year local control rate of 87.8% was achieved for 68 treated lesions.
• Two patients with compromised liver function (Child-Pugh B and C) experienced acute hepatic failure.

Conclusions:

• Repeated PBT is a safe and effective treatment modality for hepatocellular carcinoma.
• Patient selection is key: PBT is particularly safe for tumors in the liver periphery.
• Maintaining good liver function (Child-Pugh class A) is critical for patient safety during repeated PBT.