Radioembolization of hepatic metastases in patients with breast cancer: Overall survival and safety in a bicentric restrospective analysis

Ziel/Aim:

Cancer of the breast is one of the most common tumors in women that may lead to metastatic spread. In the case of unresectable liver metastases a possible palliative treatment option is the radioembolization (SIRT) using ⁹⁰Y-yttrium microspheres. We aim to analyse the overall survival and safety of this treatment.

Methodik/Methods:

We retrospectively analysed the data of 67 female patients (mean 55.9 years, IQR 17.5 y) who received 112 SIRT-interventions with ⁹⁰Yttrium at the University Hospitals of Aachen and Bonn (August 2007 till March 2018). Primary endpoint of this study was overall survival, for which survey univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed. Multiple imputation was used to replace missing data in the survival analysis.

Ergebnisse/Results:

The median OS amounts to 7.1 months (IQR 12.5 mo). After multivariate regression analysis of the pooled imputed datasets ECOG status, presence of ascites at baseline, unilobar vs. bilobar treatment, and baseline ALT level were identified as predictors of overall survival. Within 6 months post first Radioembolization, 43 (64.2%) of all 67 patients showed laboratory toxicity values (Bilirubin, ALT, AST, GGT, Albumin).

Schlussfolgerungen/Conclusions:

Radioembolization of liver metastases in patients with breast cancer is associated with good treatment response and acceptable safety profile. For optimised patient selection the identified prognostic factors should be taken into account.