Quality of life in patients diagnosed with primary hepatocellular carcinoma:: Hepatic arterial infusion of Cisplatin versus 90-Yttrium microspheres (Therasphere®)

Background. The aims of the study were to test the difference in health-related quality (HRQL) of life and survival in patients diagnosed with primary hepatocellular carcionma (HCC) and treated with either hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of Cisplatin or 90-Yttrium microspheres (Therasphere(R)). Method. The design of the study was a non-randomized parallel cohort study. Twenty-eight patients participated in the present study. HRQL was assessed by administration of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Hepatobiliary. Survival was measured using Kaplan Meier methods. Results. The results of present study suggest treatment with Therasphere(R) had an advantage in regard to HRQL and survival when compared to Cisplatin. At 3-month follow-up, patients who were treated with Therasphere(R) had a higher level of functional well-being as well as overall quality of life when compared to patients treated with Cisplatin. At 6-month follow-up patients (treated with Therasphere(R)) continued to have better functional well-being when compared to patients being treated with HAI of Cisplatin. At 6-month follow-up, survival was found to be similar for patients treated with Therasphere(R) when compared to patients being treated with Cisplatin. Conclusions. Preliminary data suggest that treatment with Therasphere(R) has a modest advantage in regard to HRQL when compared patients treated with HAI of Cisplatin. Future research with Therasphere(R), that includes a larger sample size and longer follow-up, is necessary to make definitive conclusions regarding the efficacy and effect on HRQL. Copyright (C) 2003 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.