Proton Beam Therapy Provides Longer Survival and Preserves Muscle Mass in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Compared to TACE+RFA.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Proton beam therapy (PBT) provides excellent tumor control with minimal hepatic toxicity in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), by minimizing radiation exposure to non-cancerous liver tissue. Progressive skeletal muscle loss, often seen in cirrhosis and HCC, can negatively impact treatment outcomes and survival. This study compared the efficacy and safety of PBT with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with unresectable HCC.

Methods

A total of 91 patients (PBT/TACE+RFA, n = 41/50) ineligible for surgery or RFA alone were retrospectively analyzed, with propensity score matching applied to adjust for differences in baseline characteristics, resulting in matched groups of 33 pati

SUBMITTER: Nosaka T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12427364 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature