Clinical research of intra-arterial radioembolization with ~(32)P-glass microspheres combined with chemoembolization for treatment of liver cancer

Objective To study the therapy method, effect and radiation doses estimation in clinical research of intra-arterial radioembolization with 32 P-glass microspheres combined with chemoembolization for treatment of liver cancer. Methods Thirty patients with liver cancer were treated by infusion of suspension of 32 P-glass microspheres mixed with lipiodol-ultrafluid(5-20 ml) and THP(10 mg) via hepatic-artery with method of segmental and half-hepatic embolization. β bremsstrahung imaging was performed after treatment, combined with partition modal, radiation doses in tumor, normal liver tissue and lung tissue were estimated respectively. Twenty-six patients with liver cancer were treated by chemoembolization with lipiodol-ultrafluid in control group. Results The response rate of treatment group is 70.0%, higher than 42.3%of control group(P0.05). The survival rate of 6,12,18 months was 100.00%, 76.67%, 43.33% in treatment group, and 92.31%,61.54%,19.23%in control group respectively. The mean estimated radiation doses in tumors were (130.34±54.53)Gy, (34.73±13.41)Gy in normal liver tissue, and ranged from 2.1 to 16.3 Gy in lung tissue. The rate of response was 100% in 13 patients who received radiation doses of ≥120 Gy to tumor, and 47.1% in 17 patients who received radiation doses of 120 Gy to tumor (P0.01). Conclusions Super selective intra-arterial radioembolization with 32 P-glass microspheres combined with chemoembolization is a effective and safe treatment of liver cancer. Estimation of radiation doses in tumor, normal liver tissue and lung tissue respectively with β bremsstrahung imaging and partition modal is a practical method for radiation dose research.