Effectiveness of hyperthermia in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma was evaluated by the restrospective analysis of 31 patients who received radiofrequency hyperthermia at Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei Univ. College of Medicine between May 1985 and March 1988.
All patients had advanced unresectable tumors, either unsuitable or refractory to conventional treatment modalities. 8 MHz radiofrequency capacitive type of hyperthermia was used either alone (1 case) or combined with other treatment modalities; i.e. 16 cases with external radiation, 7 cases with chemotherapy, 4 cases with Ⅰ-131 Lipoidol and 3 cases with external radiation+chemotherapy. Hyperthermia was given once or twice a week, usually 30 minutes after radiotherapy or chemotherapy. External radiotherapy was given with an average dose of 2500~3000 cGy in 3 weeks.
Response rate (CR+PR+MR) was 32.3% (10/31); CR was achieved in one patient, PRa in 2 cases, PRb in 4 cases, and MR in 3 cases. All responders except for one received external radiotherapy with hyperthermia. Response rate of the patients who received combined radiotherapy and hyperthermia was 47.4% (9/19). On the other hand, only one of tweleve patients who received combination of hyperthermia and chemotherapy or I-131-Lipiodol showed partial response. As a result, hyperthermia was more effective when combined with external radiation than when combining with chemotherapy or other modality. In conclusion, hyperthermia, combined with external radiotherapy, is promising treatment method in the management of unresectable hepatocelluar carcinomas.
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