Comparison of stereotactic body radiation therapy versus fractionated radiation therapy for primary liver cancer with portal vein tumor thrombus

BACKGROUND: To compare the clinical outcomes of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and fractionated radiation therapy (FRT) for primary liver cancer with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT). METHODS: This retrospective study included 36 patients who underwent SBRT and 36 patients who underwent FRT from August 2016 to June 2018. Patients were evaluated for short-term efficacy, long-term efficacy, AEs, and quality of life before and after treatment. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 28.8 months (26–36 months), 27 patients survived in the SBRT group while 19 patients survived in the FRT group. The survival rate in the SBRT group was statistically higher than that of the FRT group after 6 months (80.56% vs. 58.33%; P = 0.041), 12 months (77.78% vs. 55.56%; P = 0.046) and 24 months 75.00% vs. 52.78%; P = 0.049). The median whole survival time of the SBRT group was 13.3 months (95% CI 12.83–13.97), which was statistically longer than 9.8 months in the FRT group (95% CI 8.83–10.97, P < 0.05) based on the Kaplan–Meier method. The SBRT group had better survival quality and fewer adverse events than the FRT group. CONCLUSION: SBRT had better clinical outcomes than FRT for primary liver cancer with PVTT.