Treatment parameters and outcome in 680 treatments of internal radiation with resin 90Y-microspheres for unresectable hepatic tumors

PURPOSE

Radioembolization (RE) using (90)Y-microspheres is an effective and safe treatment for patients with unresectable liver malignancies. Radiation-induced liver disease (RILD) is rare after RE; however, greater understanding of radiation-related factors leading to serious liver toxicity is needed.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Retrospective review of radiation parameters was performed. All data pertaining to demographics, tumor, radiation, and outcomes were analyzed for significance and dependencies to develop a predictive model for RILD. Toxicity was scored using the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria Adverse Events Version 3.0 scale.

RESULTS

A total of 515 patients (287 men; 228 women) from 14 US and 2 EU centers underwent 680 separate RE treatments with resin (90)Y-microspheres in 2003-2006. Multifactorial analyses identified factors related to toxicity, including activity (GBq) Selective Internal Radiation Therapy delivered (p < 0.0001), prescribed (GBq) activity (p < 0.0001), percentage of empiric activity (GBq) delivered (p < 0.0001), number of prior liver treatments (p < 0.0008), and medical center (p < 0.0001). The RILD was diagnosed in 28 of 680 treatments (4%), with 21 of 28 cases (75%) from one center, which used the empiric method.

CONCLUSIONS

There was an association between the empiric method, percentage of calculated activity delivered to the patient, and the most severe toxicity, RILD. A predictive model for RILD is not yet possible given the large variance in these data.

Computed tomography of benign angiomatous lesions of the extremities

Thirteen patients with benign angiomatous lesions of the extremities were evaluated by CT. The relationship of the lesion to specific muscle groups and fascial planes was defined better by CT than on plain radiography or angiography. Computed tomography without contrast enhancement demonstrated well circumscribed masses of lower attenuation value than the surrounding muscle. Eight of the 11 patients who received intravenous injection of contrast material showed characteristic punctate or curvilinear structures within the mass, which had attenuation values similar to normal blood vessels. The characteristic CT features of benign angiomatous lesions of the extremities are presented.