Transarterial Radioembolization of Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Liver-Dominant Hepatic Colorectal Cancer Metastases, and Cholangiocarcinoma Using Yttrium90 Microspheres: Eight-Year Single-Center Real-Life Experience

Abstract

Liver tumors are common and may be unamenable to surgery or ablative treatments. Consequently, other treatments have been devised. To assess the safety and efficacy of transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with Yttrium-90 for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver-dominant hepatic colorectal cancer metastases (mCRC), and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), performed according to current recommendations, we conducted a single-center retrospective study in 70 patients treated with TARE (HCC, n = 44; mCRC, n = 20; CCA, n = 6). Safety and toxicity were assessed using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria. Treatment response was evaluated every 3 months on imaging studies using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) or mRECIST criteria. Overall survival and progression-free survival were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The median delivered dose was 1.6 GBq, with SIR-Spheres® or TheraSphere® microspheres. TARE-related grade 3 adverse events affected 17.1% of patients. Median follow-up was 32.1 months. Median progression-free survival was 5.6 months and median overall time from TARE to death was 16.1 months and was significantly shorter in men. Progression-free survival was significantly longer in women (HR, 0.49; 95%CI, 0.26–0.90; p = 0.031). Risk of death or progression increased with the number of systemic chemotherapy lines. TARE can be safe and effective in patients with intermediate- or advanced-stage HCC, CCA, or mCRC refractory or intolerant to appropriate treatments.

Keywords

• hepatocellular carcinoma
• colorectal cancer
• liver metastases
• cholangiocarcinoma
• radioembolization
• yttrium-90