Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation After Radioembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Portal Vein Tumoral Thrombosis: A Pilot Study

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumoral thrombosis (PVTT) represents a major concern especially in the field of deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT). However, when receiving transarterial radioembolization (TARE), a considerable percentage of such patients are able to achieve a radiologic complete response with adequate survival rates. In this pilot prospective study, we evaluated the effect of TARE in downstaging HCC patients with PVTT to meet criteria for DDLT. Between May 2013 and November 2016, patients were evaluated to be enrolled into our “Superdownstaging” protocol. Patients received yttrium-90 TARE and were enlisted for DDLT in case of complete and sustained (6 months) radiological response. Patients with tumor thrombus in the main trunk and/or in the contralateral portal vein branch were excluded. TARE was effective in downstaging and receiving DDLT in 5/17 patients (29.4%). The 5-year overall survival was significantly higher in patients who underwent DDLT compared with those who were not transplanted (60.0% versus 0.0%, P = 0.03). Three out of 5 patients developed recurrence within 1 year after LT. The current series showed a clear survival gain in those patients who were able to receive DDLT after TARE but careful selection for DDLT is however advised.