Therapeutic Effect of Combined Radiotherapy and Hyperthermia in Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma

원발성 간암의 방사선치료및 온열요법의 병용치료 효과

Purpose : This study was undertaken to show the clinical results of combined radiotherapy and hyperthermia in primary hepatoma Materials and Methods : Between December 1989 and March 1993, 50 patients with hepatomas were treated by combined radiotherapy and hyperthermia. Among them, we analyzed retrospectively 33 patients who received the complete course of treatment. The ages of the patients ranged from 36 to 75(mean age: 55.5 years). Twenty-six patients ($78.8\%$) were men, and 7 ($21.2\%$ were women. According to Child's classification, nine patients ($27.3{\%}$) were A group, 9 ($27.3\%$) were B group, 15 ($45.4\%$) were C group. Radiation therapy was done by a 6 MV and 15 MV linear accelerator. Patients were treated with daily fractions of 150-180 cCy to doses of 2550 cGy -4950 cGy (median : 3000 cGy). Local hyperthermia was done by 8 MHZ RF capacitive heating device (Cancermia. Green Cross Co., Korea), 50-60 min/session, 1-2 sessions/wk, and 8.5 sessions (median number)/patient. We analyzed the prognostic factors including age, sex, tumor type, Child's classification, $\alpha$-fetoprotein, liver cirrhosis, ascites, portal vein invasion, esophageal varix, number of hyperthermia, chemotherapy, total bilirubin level, Karnofsky perfomance status. Results : The overall 1-year survival was $24.2\%$, with a mean survival of 10months. Of 33 patients, tumor regression (PR+MR) was seen in $30.4\%$, no response was seen in $52.2\%,\;17.4\%$ patient was progressed. In patients who had tumor regression, the overall 1-year survival was $42.1\%$ with a mean survival of 14 months. Factors influencing the survival were sex (p=0.05), tumor type (p=0.0248), Child's classification (p=0.0001), liver cirrhosis (p=0.0108), ascites (p=0.0009), and Karnofsky perfomance status (p=0.0028). Complications developed in 28 patients, including 18 hot pain,5 fat necrosis, 3 transient fever, 2 nausea and vomiting. Conclusion : In this study, the results suggests that combined radiotherauy and hyperthermia may improve the survival rate of hepatoma.