Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic: Volume-perfusion CT for monitoring therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma

摘要

At present, the multikinase inhibitor, sorafenib, is the only systemic drug of proven efficacy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although the drug has several modes of action, one impacts on tumor angiogenesis with effects on microvascularity. Normally, HCC is a highly vascularized tumor where helpful effects on tumor blood vessels may not be reflected by a reduction in tumor size. Because of this, alternative computed tomography (CT) criteria that involve the degree of arterial tumor enhancement have been recommended. However, even these criteria have limitations because of variation in factors that influence enhancement. An alternative technology is volume-perfusion CT. This technique measures temporal changes in tissue density after intravenous contrast using repeated CT scans of the neoplasm during therapy.