Radiotherapy efficacy and prognostic factors in hepatocellular carcinoma patients with cardiophrenic angle or superior diaphragmatic lymph nodes metastasis

Abstract

Aim: To investigate radiotherapy efficacy and prognostic factors in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with cardiophrenic angle or superior diaphragmatic lymph node metastasis (LNM).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 72 patients with HCC presenting with cardiophrenic angle or superior diaphragmatic LNM at Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University from 2010 to 2023. Response rates, survival rates, local control rates, prognostic risk factors, and side effects of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) were compared between patients with EBRT (EBRT group) and those without EBRT (non-EBRT group).

Results: The overall response rates in the EBRT group and the non-EBRT group were 68.8% (22/32) and 7.5% (3/40), while median survival was 16.1 (95%CI: 8.09-24.12) and 5.9 months (95%CI: 3.05-7.76) respectively (HR = 2.87, P < 0.001). The survival was significantly prolonged with a daily dose > 4 Gy (P = 0.014). EBRT (P < 0.001) was identified as a factor correlated with the local control rate. Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor thrombosis, multiple intrahepatic tumors, a maximal intrahepatic tumor diameter ≥ 5 cm, abdominal LNM, and lack of EBRT were poor prognostic factors. Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in patients with bioequivalent dose 10 (BED10) ≤ 70 and > 70 were 0% (0/22) and 30.0% (3/10), respectively (P = 0.024).

Conclusion: EBRT was a safe and effective treatment for HCC patients with cardiophrenic angle or superior diaphragmatic LNM and might prolong overall survival. Dose > 4 Gy per day and BED10 ≤ 70 would be recommended for LNM. Patients with tumor thrombosis, multiple intrahepatic tumors, a maximal intrahepatic tumor diameter ≥ 5 cm, abdominal LNM, and lack of EBRT had a poor prognosis.

Keywords

Cardiophrenic angle / superior diaphragmatic / lymph node / hepatocellular carcinoma / radiation therapy

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