Prior ablation and progression of disease correlate with higher tumor-to-normal liver ^99mTc-MAA uptake ratio in hepatocellular carcinoma

Purpose: Factors affecting tumor-to-normal tissue ratio (T:N) have implications for patient selection, dosimetry, and outcomes when considering radioembolization for HCC. This study sought to evaluate patient, disease specific, and technical parameters that predict T:N as measured on planning pre-⁹⁰Y radioembolization ^99mTc-MAA scintigraphy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: ^99mTc-MAA hepatic angiography procedures with SPECT/CT over a 4-year period were reviewed. Data recorded included patient demographics, details of underlying liver disease, tumor size, history of prior treatments for HCC and technical parameters from angiography. Anatomic-based segmentation was performed in 93 cases for measurement of tumor and perfused liver volumes and SPECT counts. T:N were calculated and correlated with collected variables.

Results: Mean calculated T:N was 2.52. History of prior ablation was significantly correlated with higher T:N (mean 3.39 vs 2.24, p = 0.003). Cases in which mapping was being performed for treatment of disease progression was significantly correlated with higher T:N (mean 3.35 vs 2.14, p = 0.001). Larger tumor size trended toward lower T:N (p = 0.052).

Conclusion: Patients with history of ablation and those undergoing treatment for disease progression have higher T:N and, therefore, could be considered for radioembolization preferentially over alternative treatments.