RADIOTHERAPY FOR HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA - CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL STUDYOF 7 AUTOPSY CASES

The clinical value of radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (total tumor dose: 50-70 Gy) was evaluated in seven autopsied patients with nine tumors. A partial response as defined by the WHO criteria for che motherapy was observed in three tumors (33%). Progressive and marked s hrinkage of the noncancerous liver tissue within the irradiated field was also observed in all cases. Histological examination revealed viab le cancer cells in all cases. These results indicate that local radiot herapy applying 50-70 Gy achieved some clinical benefit, but was not c apable of curing hepatocellular carcinoma.