Liver Cancer
Copyright ©2008 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jan 28, 2008; 14(4): 518-523
Published online Jan 28, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.518
Preventive effect of regional radiotherapy with phosphorus-32 glass microspheres in hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after hepatectomy
Xiao-Ming Wang, Zhen-Yu Yin, Ren-Xiang Yu, You-Yuan Peng, Ping-Guo Liu, Guo-Yang Wu
Xiao-Ming Wang, Zhen-Yu Yin, Ren-Xiang Yu, You-Yuan Peng, Ping-Guo Liu, Guo-Yang Wu, Department of Hepatobillary Surgery of Zhongshan Hospital, Digestive Disease Institute of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, Fujian Province, China
Correspondence to: Xiao-Ming Wang, Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University, South Hubin Road #209, Xiamen 361004, Fujian Province, China. wxm@xmzsh.com
Telephone: +86-592-2292203
Fax: + 86-592-2292188
Received: August 20, 2007
Revised: October 7, 2007
Published online: January 28, 2008
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the preventive effects of phosphorus-32 glass microspheres (P32-GMS) in the recurrence of massive hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) after tumor resection.

METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with massive HCCs received local P32-GMS implantation after liver tumors were removed, while the other 38 patients with massive HCCs were not treated with P32-GMS after hepatectomies. The radioactivity of the blood, urine and liver were examined. The complications, HCC recurrence and overall survival rates in the patients were analyzed.

RESULTS: P32-GMS implanted in the liver did not cause systemic absorption of P32. There were no significant differences of postoperative complications between the patients with and without P32-GMS treatment. The short-term (six months and 1 year) and long-term (2, 3 and over 3 years) recurrence rates in patients who received P32-GMS radiotherapy were significantly decreased, and the overall survival rates in this group were significantly improved.

CONCLUSION: P32-GMS implantation in the liver can significantly decrease the postoperative recurrence and improve the overall survival in HCCs patients after hepatectomy. This therapy may provide an innovative method in prevention of HCC recurrence after operation.

Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma; Recurrence; Phosphorus-32 glass microspheres; Hepatectomy