Radiation therapy of the primary tumour and/or metastases of digestive metastatic cancers

Metastatic gastrointestinal cancer is not an uncommon situation, especially for pancreatic, gastric, and colorectal cancers. In this setting, few data are available on the impact of the treatment of the primary tumour. Oligometastatic disease is associated with longer survival in comparison with more advanced disease. Metastasis-directed therapy, such as stereotactic body radiotherapy, seems related to better outcomes, but the level of evidence is low. In most tumour locations, prospective data are very scarce and inclusion in ongoing trials is strongly recommended.

[Portal vein embolization: Present and future]

Portal vein embolization consists of occluding a part of the portal venous system in order to achieve the hypertrophy of the non-embolized liver segments. This technique is used during the preoperative period of major liver resection when the future remnant liver (FRL) volume is insufficient, exposing to postoperative liver failure, main cause of death after major hepatectomy. Portal vein embolization indication depends on the FRL, commonly assessed by its volume. Nowadays, FRL function evaluation seems more relevant and can be measured by 99mTc labelled mebrofenin scintigraphy. Portal vein embolization procedure is mostly performed with percutaneous trans-hepatic access by using ultrasonography guidance and consists of embolic agent injection, such as cyanoacrylate, in the targeted portal vein branches with fluoroscopic guidance. It is a safe and well-tolerated technique, with extremely low morbi-mortality. Portal vein embolization leads to sufficient FRL hypertrophy in about 80% of patients, allowing them to undergo surgery from which they were initially rejected. The two main reasons of non-resection are tumor progression (≈15% of cases) and FRL insufficient hypertrophy (≈5% of cases). When portal vein embolization is not enough to obtain adequate FRL regeneration, hepatic vein embolization may potentiate its effect (liver venous deprivation technique).

Robotic stereotactic body radiation therapy for tumors of the liver: radiation-induced liver disease, incidence and predictive factors. Cancer Radiother. 2014;18:191-197. [PMID: 24837351 DOI: 10.1016/j.canrad]

PURPOSE

Robotic stereotactic body radiation therapy is a new option to treated unresecable liver tumours. The objectives were to assess the tolerance of this technique, to identify predictive factors for toxicity and evaluate the efficiency of this treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From June 2010 to November 2012, robotic stereotactic body radiation therapy was proposed for 56 patients with unresecable hepatocellular carcinomas (23 patients) or hepatic metastases (41 patients). Two or less hepatic lesions, lesion size under 75 mm and WHO score under 3 were selection criteria. The prescribed dose was 45 Gy/3 fractions or 60 Gy/3 fractions. The primary end-point was toxicity, using the radiation-induced liver disease definition and to identify predictive factors. Secondary end-points were in-field local control and overall survival.

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 12.5 months. The one-year local control rate and the one-year overall survival rate were 64% [CI95%: 48.2 to 76.5%] and 89% [CI95%: 76 to 95%], respectively. For patient treated with a total dose of 60 Gy, no one experienced recurrence. According to the definition we took, radiation-induced liver disease rate was 0 or 9%. A lesion size at least 35 mm was a predictive factor to liver toxicity (P=0.01).

CONCLUSION

Using robotic stereotactic body radiation therapy, the incidence of radiation-induced liver disease is weak and spontaneously reversible. Prospective studies are required to put in evidence other predictive factors of radiation-induced liver disease and confirm the optimal dose treatment.

Robotic stereotactic body radiation therapy for tumors of the liver: radiation-induced liver disease, incidence and predictive factors

PURPOSE

Robotic stereotactic body radiation therapy is a new option to treated unresecable liver tumours. The objectives were to assess the tolerance of this technique, to identify predictive factors for toxicity and evaluate the efficiency of this treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From June 2010 to November 2012, robotic stereotactic body radiation therapy was proposed for 56 patients with unresecable hepatocellular carcinomas (23 patients) or hepatic metastases (41 patients). Two or less hepatic lesions, lesion size under 75 mm and WHO score under 3 were selection criteria. The prescribed dose was 45 Gy/3 fractions or 60 Gy/3 fractions. The primary end-point was toxicity, using the radiation-induced liver disease definition and to identify predictive factors. Secondary end-points were in-field local control and overall survival.

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 12.5 months. The one-year local control rate and the one-year overall survival rate were 64% [CI95%: 48.2 to 76.5%] and 89% [CI95%: 76 to 95%], respectively. For patient treated with a total dose of 60 Gy, no one experienced recurrence. According to the definition we took, radiation-induced liver disease rate was 0 or 9%. A lesion size at least 35 mm was a predictive factor to liver toxicity (P=0.01).

CONCLUSION

Using robotic stereotactic body radiation therapy, the incidence of radiation-induced liver disease is weak and spontaneously reversible. Prospective studies are required to put in evidence other predictive factors of radiation-induced liver disease and confirm the optimal dose treatment.