Efficacy and safety of selective internal radiation therapy with yttrium-90 for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND: This retrospective analysis was undertaken to evaluate the efficiency of SIRT with Y-90 microspheres and determined prognostic factors affecting patients with unresectable HCC. METHODS: A total of 97 patients diagnosed with unresectable HCC who underwent SIRT with Y-90 microspheres. Patient survival was assessed using the Kaplan–Meier method, and prognostic factors affecting survival were assessed using log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: Among the 97 patients (90 males, mean age 60.4 ± 12.3 years) who underwent SIRT, the median clinical follow-up was 16.4 (1.8–62) months. The median overall survival (OS) was 23.9 ± 2.4 months. Tumor response according to the Modified RECIST in patients followed up beyond 6 months included a complete response (CR) to treatment in 12 patients (18.8%), partial response (PR) in 23 (35.8%), stable disease (SD) in 8 (12.5%), and progressive disease (PD) in 21 (32.8%). Factors associated with longer OS included age > 65 years, BCLC stage B, tumor size < 5 cm, tumor burden < 25%, and tumor response (CR/PR). In multivariate analysis, unilobar disease and objective tumor response (CR/PR) were predictors of longer OS. CONCLUSION: SIRT was an effective treatment for unresectable HCC. Unilobar disease before SIRT and tumor response (CR/PR) were positive prognostic factors.