Conformal radiation therapy for hepatoma with portal vein thrombosis

A 43-year-old male patient was diagnosed as having hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein thrombosis and arterioportal shunts. Three-dimensional co nformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) with high focal dose was given to the lef t portal venous area. Shrinkage of the tumour and thrombus, disappearance o f the arterioportal shunts and restoration of the hepatopedal now of the po rtal vein was noted 3 months after treatment. The patient received further transarterial embolisation and achieved successful tumour control. No serio us complications were encountered. 3DCRT is technically feasible and effect ive to treat a small volume of liver tissue with a high dose of radiation i n this advanced disease.