Domestic Researchers Prove Effectiveness of Radiotherapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Vascular Invasion

Professor Lim Chae-hong, Department of Radiation Oncology, Korea University Ansan Hospital

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] Domestic researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness of surgery and radiotherapy in treating hepatocellular carcinoma invading the portal vein.

Professor Lim Chae-hong of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Korea University Ansan Hospital, Professor Lee Han-ah of the Department of Gastroenterology at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, and Professor Lee Hye-yoon of the Department of Surgery at Korea University Ansan Hospital announced these research results on the 4th.

Hepatocellular carcinoma invading the portal vein was considered a contraindication for surgical resection or was performed only in a limited manner, making aggressive treatment difficult. The survival period was also poor, with a prognosis of less than six months. However, recently, with advances in surgical techniques, surgical resection has been attempted in patients with good systemic condition, and radiotherapy has also been actively performed to alleviate symptoms and increase survival rates.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of radiotherapy and surgery in hepatocellular carcinoma through a large-scale meta-analysis including 9,525 patients and 59 studies. In the study, the patient group that underwent surgery showed a one-year survival rate of 63%, and in the patient group without main branch invasion of the portal vein, the one-year survival rate after radiotherapy was found to be 60%.

In particular, in cases where surgery and radiotherapy, which have recently begun to be attempted together, were combined, the one-year and two-year survival rates were 77% and 45%, respectively, indicating that radiotherapy contributes to improved prognosis and symptom relief.

Professor Lim Chae-hong said, "In the past, treatment options for hepatocellular carcinoma invading blood vessels were very limited, but if the main branch is not invaded and the patient's health condition is good, good results can be obtained through surgery or radiotherapy. Even if the main branch is invaded, prognosis can be improved through palliative treatment including radiotherapy, so active treatment is necessary."

The results of this study were recently published in the International Journal of Surgery (Impact factor: 13.4).

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