Effect of yttrium‐90 radioembolization on outcomes in Asian patients with early to advanced stage hepatocellular carcinoma

Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of yttrium‐90 radioembolization on the outcome of Asian patients with early to advanced stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Sixty‐two patients were screened and 50 patients (80.6%) were eligible. Response was evaluated using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), and overall survival was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Results The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage was A in 40% of patients, B in 24%, and C in 36%; 66% of patients had hepatitis B virus infections. According to RECIST criteria, partial responses occurred in 40% of patients, and stable disease was achieved in 46%. Tumor response was significantly associated with BCLC stage ( P = 0.003). The median overall time to progression was 5.8 months (range, 0.9–46.1 months). Follow‐up treatments after radioembolization were carried out in 31 patients due to remnant HCC ( n = 18) or HCC progression ( n = 13). The median overall survival was 40.9 months (95% confidence interval, 10.2–71.6 months). Treatment was tolerable except for one lung toxicity and two hepatic toxicities. Conclusion Yttrium‐90 radioembolization appears to be well tolerated and effective in Asian patients with BCLC stage A–C HCC. Follow‐up treatments after radioembolization can be safely provided.