Transarterial Yttrium-90 Radioembolization Treatment of Patients with Liver-Dominant Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

Purpose

To evaluate safety and efficacy of transarterial hepatic radioembolization treatment of patients with liver-dominant metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Materials and Methods

From July 2010 to December 2014, 18 patients with liver-dominant metastatic RCC were treated with yttrium-90 glass microsphere radioembolization. Retrospective review of medical records and imaging studies was performed to evaluate toxicities, treatment response, and overall survival. The median follow-up period from radioembolization treatment was 17.8 months (range, 3–54.4 months).

Results

Median overall survival from RCC diagnosis was 64 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 0–144.1 months), from diagnosis of liver metastasis was 29 months (95% CI, 7.2–50.8 months), and from radioembolization treatment was 22.8 months (95% CI, 13.2–32.3 months). After treatment, 10 patients reported grade 1 clinical toxicities, and 8 patients had grade 1 or 2 biochemical toxicities. The best radiographic responses of 17 patients who underwent contrast-enhanced cross-sectional imaging showed complete response in 16 patients and partial response in 1 patient evaluated by modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) criteria. The last available imaging of these 17 patients demonstrated complete response in 14 patients, partial response in 1 patient, and progression of disease in 2 patients. Images of a patient who underwent noncontrast CT showed stable disease as best response and stable disease on the last available imaging evaluated by RECIST.

Conclusions

Radioembolization is safe and effective and led to improved hepatic disease control and overall survival in patients with liver-dominant metastatic RCC.