Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 11, 2025
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Treatment of Liver Metastases Using an Internal Target Volume Method for Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy
Published on: May 8, 2018
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Effectiveness of Radiotherapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Lymph Node Metastasis: A Meta-Analysis
Sooyoung Hwang1, Seoon Hur1, Won Sup Yoon1,2
1Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Cancer Research and Treatment
|August 14, 2025
Summary
Radiotherapy (RT) shows promise for treating hepatocellular carcinoma with lymph node metastasis (HCC LNM). This palliative option offers a 75.1% response rate and is a feasible treatment for advanced HCC.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiology
Background:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with lymph node metastasis (LNM) has a poor prognosis.
- No standard treatment exists for HCC LNM.
- Radiotherapy (RT) is a potential treatment option due to its effectiveness and ability to overcome anatomical challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of external radiotherapy (RT) for patients with HCC LNM.
- To determine the pooled survival rates, response rates, and complication rates of RT in HCC LNM.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published up to April 2024.
- Inclusion criteria: ≥5 patients with HCC LNM, external RT, and reported survival or response rate (RR).
- Main outcome measures: pooled 1- and 2-year overall survival (OS) rates, RR, and grade ≥3 complications.
Main Results:
- Twelve studies with 825 patients were included.
- Pooled 1-year OS rate was 49.3%, and 2-year OS rate was 24.5%. Median OS was 9.7 months.
- Pooled response rate (RR) was 75.1%, with higher response rates observed with high-dose RT (83.8%) compared to low-dose RT (55.6%).
- The pooled rate of grade ≥3 gastrointestinal toxicity was 3.7%.
Conclusions:
- External RT is an effective and feasible palliative treatment for HCC LNM.
- Further research is needed to explore combined treatment strategies with novel systemic agents for HCC LNM.
