Brief Article
Copyright ©2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Feb 14, 2009; 15(6): 713-716
Published online Feb 14, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.713
Systemic chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma in non-cirrhotic liver: A retrospective study
Julien Edeline, Jean-Luc Raoul, Elodie Vauleon, Anne Guillygomac’h, Karim Boudjema, Eveline Boucher
Julien Edeline, Jean-Luc Raoul, Elodie Vauleon, Eveline Boucher, Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Eugène Marquis CS 44229, 35042 Rennes cedex, France
Anne Guillygomac’h, Department of Liver Disease, Pontchaillou University Hospital, 35033 Rennes cedex, France
Karim Boudjema, Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Pontchaillou University Hospital, 35033 Rennes cedex, France
Jean-Luc Raoul, Elodie Vauleon, Karim Boudjema, European University in Brittany, 35042 Rennes cedex, France
Author contributions: Edeline J, Raoul JL and Boucher E wrote the paper; Edeline J and Vauleon E analyzed data; Raoul JL, Guillygomac’h A, Boudjema K and Boucher E collected and assembled the data.
Correspondence to: Jean-Luc Raoul, MD, PhD, Department of Medical Oncology, Centre E Marquis, 35042 Rennes Cedex, France. raoul@rennes.fnclcc.fr
Telephone: +33-299253172
Fax: +33-299253108
Received: October 14, 2008
Revised: December 4, 2008
Accepted: December 11, 2008
Published online: February 14, 2009
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the efficacy and toxicity of systemic chemotherapy in a retrospective study of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurring in normal or fibrotic liver without cirrhosis.

METHODS: Twenty-four patients with metastatic or locally advanced HCC in a normal or a fibrotic liver were given systemic chemotherapy (epirubicin, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil or epirubicin, cisplatin and capecitabine regimens). Tumor response, time to progression, survival, and toxicity were evaluated.

RESULTS: There were 7 women and 17 men, mean age 54 ± 10 years; 18 patients had a normal liver and 6 had a fibrotic liver (F1/F2 on biopsy). Mean tumor size was 14 cm, 5 patients had portal vein thrombosis and 7 had metastasis. Patients received a median of 4 chemotherapy sessions. Overall tolerance was good. There were 5 partial responses (objective response rate = 22%), and tumor control rate was 52%. Second line surgical resection was possible in two patients. Median survival was 11 mo, and 1- and 2-year overall survival rates were 50% ± 10% and 32% ± 11%, respectively.

CONCLUSION: In patients with HCC in a non-cirrhotic liver, chemotherapy was well tolerated and associated with an objective response rate of 22%, including two patients who underwent secondary surgical resection.

Keywords: Antineoplastic protocols; Chemotherapy; Hepatocellular carcinoma