Aim: To report a preliminary experience of conformal radiotherapy (CRT) as bridge to orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Methods: Data of 12 patients undergoing CRT for HCC followed by OLT between 2012 and 2014 were reviewed.
Results: CRT was used in a neoadjuvant or downstaging setting in nine and three patients, respectively. No radiation-related systemic toxicity was observed. Median blood loss and operating time were 1450 ml (600-4000) and 420 min (240-510), respectively. Four patients had diaphragmatic injury. Complete histological response was observed in six patients, and partial response in five. Seven patients developed severe postoperative morbidity including five anastomosis-related complications and one death.
Conclusion: CRT for HCC provides satisfactory histological response but may compromise OLT safety.
Keywords: bridging therapy; conformal radiotherapy; hepatocellular carcinoma; morbidity; orthotopic liver transplantation.