CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL STUDY OF IRRADIATION THERAPY IN 24 PATIENTS WITH HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA

RAdiation therapy was given not to the whole liver but mainly to the tumor in 24 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, 20 of whom had a tumor smaller than 10cm in size. The results were as follows; one year survival rate after treatment was 58% in the whole series, and 68% in those who had no tumor thrombus in the main trunk or the first order branch of the portal vein. Tumor regressed in 90% of all the patients, remarkably in those with tumors smaller than 10cm. Serum AFP levels decreased in 90% and tumor stain by angiography or dynamic CT decreased in 75%. Tumor thrombus in the portal veiv trunk or its first order branch regressed or stopped growing in 3 among 5 patients (60%). Pathological examination in 6 patients showed necrosis and fibrosis in the tumor tissue. Atrophy of the irradiated area of the liver and decrease in both albumin and cholinesterase levels occurred after the radiation therapy. It was concluded that the patients with inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma smaller than 10cm in size without severe liver cirrhosis are good indication of radiation therapy.