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Background: Radiotherapy (RT) can be used for tumor downstaging and as a bridge to transplantation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but its effect on surgical complications is unknown. Therefore, we investigated post-transplant mortality and acute readmission rates in HCC with and without preoperative RT using the National Cancer Database (NCDB).Methods: After exclusion, 11,091 transplant patients were analyzed, 165 of whom received RT prior to transplant. Multivariable binomial logistic regression analysis identified characteristics associated with use of RT, and factors associated with increased 30/90-day mortality and 30-day readmission, following propensity matching.Results: Although RT (median 40 Gy in 5 fractions) was more often delivered to larger tumors and advanced stages, it resulted in 59% downstaging rate, 39% pathologic complete response rate, and a median of 4 additional months to transplantation. Crude 30/90-day mortality rates were both 1.2% with preoperative RT, compared to 2.7% and 4.4% without. The 30-day readmission rate was 5.5% with RT and 10.7% without it. Propensity matched analysis demonstrated no statistical differences in 30/90-day mortality and a lower 30-day readmission rate with preoperative RT. Age >58, stage III disease, lack of transarterial chemoembolization, and shorter time to transplant independently predicted higher 90-day mortality. Conclusion:Preoperative RT for HCC did not increase postoperative mortality or length of stay following liver transplant.

460 Background: To evaluate outcomes and dosimetric parameters of ablative stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) with functional treatment planning for localized hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with Child-Pugh B (CP-B) hepatic cirrhosis. Methods: Liver SPECT with 99mTc-sulfur colloid was co-registered to 3D-CT for identification and avoidance of functional hepatic parenchyma during SBRT in patients with advanced cirrhosis. Functional liver volumes (FLV-SPECT) were compared to anatomical liver volumes, as were dosimetric parameters when radiation dose constraints were adapted exclusively to FLV-SPECT. Hepatic function, toxicity, and radiographic response were documented every 4–6 months following SBRT. Results: With a median follow-up of 25 months 37 patients (48 lesions treated) with CP-B cirrhosis received SBRT to a median dose 48 Gy (4–5 fractions). FLV-SPECT volume loss (509 cc or 41.3%, p < 0.001) was observed in all patients, while the functional and anatomical liver volumes matched well in a control group of non-cirrhotic/non-HCC patients. While tumors received ablative irradiation, mean dose to FLV-SPECT was maintained at 1.3 – 16 Gy (median 9.17 Gy), well below the liver threshold tolerance to radiation. Seventeen patients successfully completed liver transplant at a median time to transplant of 6.5 months. The dropout rate from the transplant list was 9 % with intrahepatic progression outside treated tumors. Eight of 10 patients with intrahepatic progression received additional SBRT during follow-up. Overall 2-year survival rate was 65% with no incidence of RILD or CP class migration from B to C was observed at 6+ months post SBRT. Two patients completed liver SBRT on a hybrid linear accelerator combined with MRI scanner (Unity MR-Linac, Elekta) utilizing Super-Paramagnetic Iron Oxide (SPIO) nanoparticle agent as an alternative contrast media for functionally active liver parenchyma. Prolonged SPIO-contrast retention also allowed per fraction treatment plan adaptation and enhanced tumor imaging. Conclusions: SBRT planning with 99mTc sulfur colloid SPECT allows identification and conformal avoidance of residual functionally active hepatic parenchyma in patients with CP-B cirrhosis. We report high local control and low toxicity leading to satisfactory pre- and post-liver transplant outcomes. Prospective clinical trial investigating MRI-SPIO functional treatment planning for liver SBRT is ongoing at our institution.

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