Modified Radiation Lobectomy Strategy of Radioembolization for Right-Sided Unresectable Primary Liver Tumors

J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2024 Jul;35(7):989-997.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.jvir.2024.03.005. Epub 2024 Mar 13.

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the safety and effectiveness of using modified radiation lobectomy (mRL) to treat primary hepatic tumors located in the right hepatic lobe (Segments V-VIII) and to determine future liver remnant (FLR) hypertrophy.

Materials and methods: A retrospective review was performed at a single institution to include 19 consecutive patients (7 females, 12 males) who underwent single-session mRL for right-sided primary hepatic tumors: 15 received segmentectomy plus lobectomy (segmental dose of >190 Gy and lobar dose of >80 Gy); 4 were treated with the double-segmental approach (dominant segments of >190 Gy and nondominant segments of >80 Gy). Treated tumors included 13 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 4 cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), and 2 mixed-type HCC-CCA with a median dominant tumor size of 5.3 cm (interquartile range [IQR], 3.7-7.3 cm). FLR of the left hepatic lobe was measured at baseline, T1 (4-8 weeks), T2 (2-4 months), T3 (4-6 months), and T4 (9-12 months).

Results: Objective tumor response and tumor control were achieved in 17 of the 19 (89.5%) and 18 of the 19 (94.7%) patients, respectively. FLR hypertrophy was observed at T1 (median, 47.8%; P = .025), T2 (median, 48.4%; P = .012), T3 (median, 50.4%; P = .015), and T4 (median, 59.1%; P < .001). Patients without cirrhosis demonstrated greater hypertrophy by 6 months (median, 55.8% vs 47.2%; P = .031). One patient developed a Grade 3 adverse event (ascites requiring paracentesis) at 1-month follow-up. Grade ≥2 serum toxicities were associated with worse baseline Child-Pugh Score, serum albumin, and total bilirubin (P < .05). Among 7 patients who underwent neoadjuvant mRL, 2 underwent resection and 1 received liver transplant.

Conclusions: mRL appears safe and effective for treatment of right-sided primary hepatic tumors with the benefit of promoting FLR hypertrophy.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / pathology
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / surgery
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / diagnostic imaging
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / radiotherapy
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / surgery
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / pathology
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / radiotherapy
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / surgery
  • Embolization, Therapeutic* / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Hepatectomy* / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Hypertrophy
  • Liver Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms* / radiotherapy
  • Liver Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Liver Regeneration
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / administration & dosage
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / adverse effects
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tumor Burden
  • Yttrium Radioisotopes / administration & dosage
  • Yttrium Radioisotopes / adverse effects

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Yttrium Radioisotopes