恶性肿瘤慢性放射性肠炎35例

 【摘要】　目的　探讨恶性肿瘤并发慢性放射性肠炎的治疗方法、临床疗效及预后。方法　对35例盆、腹腔恶性肿瘤并发慢性放射性肠炎的患者进行回顾性分析,其中15例采取营养支持、二甲基亚砜为主的灌肠液保留灌肠、胃肠减压等治疗,20例在营养支持的基础上行手术治疗。结果　34例达治愈,治愈率达97.1 %,1例死于严重腹腔感染、多脏器衰竭。15例非手术治疗后,症状明显缓解。20例行手术治疗病例包括肠瘘11例、肠穿孔2例及不可逆性肠梗阻7例。其中11例行病变肠管切除、肠吻合术;7例行病变肠管切除、近端结肠或回肠造口;2例行病变肠管旷置、近端结肠或回肠造口。出院后随访6～24个月,未见症状反复,其中2例死于恶性肿瘤进展。结论　恶性肿瘤放疗后出现严重慢性放射性肠炎并发症应积极治疗,营养支持、二甲基亚砜为主的灌肠液保留灌肠、手术切除病变肠管是较理想的方法。     

根治性膀胱切除术后早期再次手术原因分析

目的 探讨根治性膀胱切除术后早期再次手术的原因.方法 回顾性分析1996年1月至2007年12月根治性膀胱切除术227例,其中术后早期(30 d内)再次手术患者17例(7.5%),男性14例,女性3例,平均年龄56岁.肠道相关的并发症6例,输尿管代膀胱瘘合并阴道瘘1例,切口感染6例,切口裂开4例.结果 机械性肠梗阻2例,行小肠部分切除端端吻合术;早期粘连性肠梗阻1例,行肠粘连松解术;回肠吻合口瘘合并回肠新膀胱尿瘘1例,行回肠部分切除再吻合和回肠新膀胱修补术;乙状结肠吻合口瘘1例,行结肠造瘘术后出现小肠瘘经6次手术治愈;直肠瘘合并尿瘘1例,行结肠造口和输尿管代膀胱再吻合术;输尿管代膀胱吻合口瘘并阴道尿瘘1例,经充分引流后无效,行输尿管代膀胱再吻合术;伤口感染6例、伤口裂开4例,均经二次清创缝合治愈.失访2例,15例随访1个月～10 a,平均42个月.术后肿瘤转移死亡2例,肾功能恶化需长期血液透析1例,余12例病情稳定,生活质量满意.结论 根治性膀胱切除术后早期(30 d内)易出现并发症需再次手术,围手术期及时再次手术可减轻患者痛苦和改善生活质量.     

结肠、直肠手术在肿瘤细胞减灭术中的作用

目的　探讨结肠、直肠手术在治疗卵巢上皮性癌和原发腹膜癌患者的手术指征和治疗效果。方法　对 1988年 6月～2 0 0 1年 5月在我院妇科接受开腹手术同时行结肠、直肠手术的 18例妇科恶性肿瘤进行回顾性分析 ,其中卵巢上皮性癌 16例和原发腹膜癌 2例。结果　有 8例在初次手术中完成结肠、直肠手术 ,10例在处理复发性癌或者姑息性手术中进行。 18例中接受结肠切除或者部分乙状结肠直肠手术 ,肠吻合术 14例 ,接受结肠造瘘术 4例 ,其中 1例于结肠造瘘术后 14个月行结肠造瘘还纳术。 18例中有 17例切除肠管 ,术后病理显示肿瘤侵犯至肠浆膜层 7例 ,至浆肌层 5例 ,至粘膜下层 3例 ,至粘膜层 2例。有 7例术后残留癌 <2cm ,10例 >2cm ,1例行姑息性手术未切除肠管。术后 1年生存率为 76 % ,2年为 2 9% ,3年为 19%。有 2例术后存活已超过 5年。结论　对卵巢上皮性癌或者原发性腹膜癌患者实施结肠、直肠手术的主要目的是为达到肿瘤细胞减灭或者为缓解肠梗阻症状。选择一组合适的妇科恶性肿瘤病人术前最好肠道准备 ,术中尽量采用肠切除肠吻合术 ,减少结肠造瘘术 ,对提高治疗效果 ,延长病人寿命是有益的。     

结直肠癌伴肠梗阻的诊断和手术治疗

目的探讨结直肠癌伴肠梗阻的诊断和手术治疗。方法回顾性分析开封市中心医院2008年12月至2013年12月收治的76例结直肠癌伴肠梗阻的临床资料,分析诊断方法、手术方式及预后。结果腹部CT检查对结直肠癌伴肠梗阻的诊断率高于X线。右半结肠切除一期吻合23例;左半结肠切除一期吻合18例,其中6例行预防性回肠末端造瘘;35例直肠癌中,一期切除吻合23例,一期切除吻合加预防性横结肠造瘘9例,3例无法切除行永久性乙状结肠造瘘。术后发生吻合口瘘6例,死亡2例。结论腹部CT检查对于确定肠梗阻的部位、性质有较高的临床应用价值;右半结肠切除一期吻合是安全可行的;在一定条件下,左半结肠切除及直肠癌切除后一期吻合也是安全的;预防性造瘘可减少吻合口瘘的发生。     

预防性结肠造瘘在梗阻性左半结肠癌患者一期手术的临床意义

目的 本研究旨在探究急性完全性左半结肠癌并梗阻一期手术的安全性及预防性结肠造瘘的临床意义.方法 回顾性分析2000年1月至2009年12月我科收治的112例急性完全性左半结直肠癌并梗阻急诊一期手术切除吻合患者的临床资料,比较一期切除吻合施行或不行预防性结肠造瘘两组患者的临床病理特点及围手术期结果.结果 所有病例均接受肿瘤切除联合术中肠道灌洗并一期吻合,其中61例行桥式预防性造瘘,51例未行预防性造瘘.两组患者的临床病理学特点、手术出血量及根治切除率无显著差异,预防性造瘘组手术时间显著长于非造瘘组(P＜0.05),住院时间两组无显著性差异.两组患者均无围手术期死亡病例.造瘘组的术后并发症发生率为13.1%,非造瘘组为13.7%,两组无统计学差异(P＞0.05).其中吻合口瘘在非造瘘组发生2例(3.9%),造瘘组无1例发生.结论 左半结肠癌并梗阻联合术中肠道灌洗的一期切除吻合是安全可靠的,预防性造瘘并非必要.     

左侧结肠癌致急性肠梗阻38例手术治疗

目的：研究左侧结肠癌致急性肠梗阻的外科治疗的相关问题。方法：对38例左侧结肠癌合并急性肠梗阻的患者采用不同的手术治疗方法。结果：行肿瘤切除一期结肠吻合22例,无吻合口瘘等严重的手术并发症;肿瘤切除近端结肠腹壁造口12例,其中4例3个月后行造口还纳闭瘘;4例单纯剖腹探查的患者,2例因多脏器功能衰竭死于围手术期。结论：积极做好术前准备,早期手术治疗是提高左侧结肠癌致急性肠梗阻治愈率的关键。     

腹膜外法结肠造瘘还纳术

<正>近端结肠造瘘或损伤肠管外置是结直肠疾病手术治疗的常用术式或辅助术式之一。患者常需在术后3~6个月行肠造瘘还纳术。由于大肠的高污染性,使造瘘还纳后有少部分患者出现吻合口瘘、局部感染等并发症。2009年1月至2010年5月我院对10例患者采用腹膜外造瘘还纳术,临床效果良好,报道如下。     

左侧结肠癌引起急性梗阻的治疗

本文报道60例左侧结肠癌引起急性梗阻的外科治疗。14例行Ⅰ期病变肠段切除吻合术,6例并发吻合口瘘,其中5例死亡;25例按传统方法先行近侧结肠造瘘减压,仅20例Ⅱ期根治性切除,5例再次手术无法切除,其中2例死亡;15例先切除癌瘤,缝合远段结肠,近段结肠造瘘,再行Ⅱ期肠吻合术,效果良好。作者倡导后一种治疗方法,认为该术式适应症广、并发症少、能同时切除病变肠段和解决梗阻肠段减压,有利于病人全身营养和体质状况的改善。     

结直肠癌并发急性穿孔的处理

[目的]探讨结直肠癌并发急性穿孔处理方式。[方法]1994年至2002年11例结直肠癌伴发急性穿孔者均急诊手术，4例行I期肿瘤切除肠吻合术，6例I期肿瘤切除、远端关闭，近端造瘘术(Hartmann手术)，l例行穿孔修补术。[结果]全部病例无手术死亡。随访6—85个月，4例健在，中位生存期27．7个月。[结论]结直肠癌伴急性穿孔应以挽救生命为关键及时手术，尽量争取行I期肿瘤切除以提高生存率。     

外科治疗食管呼吸道瘘--附7例报道

背景与目的：食管呼吸道瘘常存在危及生命的肺部感染,临床上处理较棘手,虽经内科保守治疗或支架介入治疗可短期控制肺部感染,但患者的生活质量低,总生存期短。该研究旨在探讨食管呼吸道瘘外科治疗的手术效果及安全性。方法：回顾性分析河南省胸科医院2009年6月—2013年10月外科治疗7例食管呼吸道瘘患者的临床资料。致瘘原因为食管癌4例,先天性1例,食管憩室1例,外伤性1例。7例患者均行开胸手术治疗,其中食管部分切除(胃代食管)+肺叶切除2例;食管部分切除(胃代食管)+气管瘘口修补1例,残胃瘘口修补+肺叶切除1例,食管瘘口修补+肺叶切除2例,食管气管瘘与瘘管双重结扎1例。结果：围手术期无死亡情况发生。术后并发症发生率为57%(4/7),2例术后并发严重肺部感染;1例术后出现食管胃吻合口气管瘘,择期行空肠造瘘;1例术后并发胸腔感染。6例患者恢复后均经口正常进食。术后随访：3例良性病变患者1年无复发;4例恶性病变患者平均生存时间为18.8个月(11～28个月)。结论：良性食管呼吸道瘘一旦确诊,应积极行手术治疗;恶性食管呼吸道瘘依据患者病情和体质选择手术治疗,改善生活质量,延长生存时间。     

Surgical Treatment of Single Brain Metastases from Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

We analyzed the results of surgical treatment of 50 patients with brain metastases from non-small-cell lung cancer who underwent craniotomy between the years 1978 through 1983. The onset of brain metastases was synchronous in 14 patients, occurred within 1 year of treatment of the primary tumor in 21 patients, and after 1 year in 15 patients. A total of 28 patients had undergone curative resection of the lung tumor; 15 patients had undergone palliative resection with or without radioactive implants, and 7 patients did not undergo surgical treatment of their primary tumor. At time of craniotomy, 31 patients were considered to have disease limited to the central nervous system. Following surgery, 34 patients received radiation therapy (30 whole brain radiation, 4 focal radiation); 15 patients had previously undergone whole brain radiation (“radiation failures”), and there was 1 postoperative death. The overall median survival in this series was 18 months. Favorable prognostic variables included (a) curative resection of the primary tumor (median 28 months), (b) disease limited to the central nervous system (median 24 months), and (c) negative mediastinal nodes at time of thoracotomy (median 28 months). The incidence of local recurrence of intracranial tumor at the original site was higher in those patients who had failed previous radiation (53%) compared to those who received postoperative radiation (12%). Although the overall degree of neurological palliation was 75%, patients who had failed radiation were less successfully palliated, and the majority continued to require steroid therapy following tumor resection. These results suggest that patients with single brain metastases from non-small-cell lung cancer who have undergone curative resection of their primary tumor have considerable potential for long-term survival, and surgical resection prior to radiation should be considered. Even in symptomatic patients with controlled or limited extracranial disease, such treatment provides rapid effective neurological palliation and can be accomplished currently with minimal mortality and morbidity.     

单纯髂骨切除术治疗髂骨原发恶性骨肿瘤

目的：探讨单纯髂骨切除术治疗髂骨原发恶性肿瘤的手术方法,分析其肿瘤学结果及骶髂关节连续性对患者肢体功能的意义。方法回顾分析1983年6月至2011年6月,诊断为髂骨原发恶性肿瘤并于我院骨肿瘤科行单纯髂骨切除术且资料完整的患者25例。分析该术式对髂骨恶性肿瘤的治疗效果及手术后骶髂关节连续性对患者肢体功能的影响。结果25例均于我院进行手术治疗,男19例,女6例。病例分布为软骨肉瘤13例,骨肉瘤6例,尤文肉瘤2例,梭形细胞肉瘤2例,未分化多形性肉瘤2例。随访14.2～127.9个月,平均41个月。截止随访期末,18例未发现肿瘤复发或转移。1例骨肉瘤患者于术后9个月出现肺转移,行胸腔镜肺部病灶切除,1例尤文肉瘤患者术后58个月出现肺部转移,行化疗,1例软骨肉瘤患者术后23个月出现局部复发,再次手术切除,此3例目前均存活。4例死亡,1例骨肉瘤患者术后10个月出现肺部转移,术后18个月死亡;1例软骨肉瘤患者术后12个月出现肺部转移,术后15个月死亡;1例术后29个月发现局部复发及肺部转移,术后39个月死亡;1例骨肉瘤患者术后26个月因肝功能衰竭死亡。15例可行MSTS评分系统进行评分,平均为27.5（24～30）分。其中10例骶髂关节连续性存在,MSTS评分平均为28.8分,5例骶髂关节连续性破坏,MSTS评分为25.0分。结论单纯髂骨切除术是治疗髂骨原发恶性肿瘤的有效术式,骶髂关节失去连续性对行走功能有一定影响。其功能可满足日常生活需要。     

Chronic Radiation Enteritis

Chronic radiation enteritis is an increasing problem, as more patients receive radiotherapy as part of their cancer therapy and as the long-term survival of these patients improves. This review addresses the causes, investigation, treatment and prevention of this disease. A review of published studies was carried out using a variety of search terms, including radiation enteritis, investigation, treatment and prevention. Chronic radiation enteritis has been reported in up to 20% of patients receiving pelvic radiotherapy, although this may underestimate its true prevalence, as not all patients with gastrointestinal symptoms after radiotherapy will seek medical attention. Predisposing factors to chronic radiation enteritis include a low body mass index, previous abdominal surgery and the presence of co-morbid conditions; the radiation dose, fractionation and technique, as well as the concomitant use of chemotherapy, may also play a role. Clinical features of chronic radiation enteritis are multiple as the disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, symptom aetiology within any one patient may be multifactorial and therefore it is important to adopt a structured approach when planning investigations. The evidence base for current therapies is limited, but nutrition, anti-diarrhoeals, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, probiotics, pentoxifylline, tocopherol, cholestyramine, hyperbaric oxygen, endoscopic and surgical therapies have all received attention. Given the significant morbidity and mortality associated with chronic radiation enteritis, current available preventative strategies are reviewed, including tissue-sparing radiotherapy techniques. In conclusion, the evidence base for therapeutic and preventative strategies in treating chronic radiation enteritis is limited, but adopting a structured approach to investigating gastrointestinal symptoms after radiotherapy should allow better targeting of current therapies. Closer collaboration between oncologists and gastroenterologists will facilitate a more structured approach, not only in managing individual patients, but also in establishing clinical and research networks for this expanding disease, in order to improve the evidence base for its management.     

Preoperative induction chemotherapy with cisplatin and irinotecan for pathological N(2) non-small cell lung cancer

We conducted a phase I/II study to investigate whether the surgical resection after induction chemotherapy with cisplatin and irinotecan was feasible and could improve the treatment outcome for patients with pathological N(2) non-small cell lung cancer. Fifteen patients with stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer having mediastinal lymph node metastases proved by mediastinoscopy were eligible. Both cisplatin (60 mg m(-2)) and irinotecan (50 mg m(-2)) were given on days 1 and 8. Patients received two cycles of chemotherapy after 3-4 weeks interval. Induction was followed by surgical resection in 4-6 weeks. Patients who had documented tumour regression after preoperative chemotherapy received two additional cycles of chemotherapy and other patients received radiotherapy postoperatively. After the induction chemotherapy, the objective response rate was 73%. All the 15 patients received surgical resection and complete resection was achieved in 11 (73%) patients. There was no operation-related death and one death due to radiation pneumonitis during postoperative radiotherapy. The median time from entry to final analysis was 46.5 months, ranging from 22 to 68 months. The 5-year survival rate was 40% for all the 15 patients and it was 55% for the 11 patients who underwent complete resection. We conclude that the surgical resection after induction chemotherapy with cisplatin and irinotecan is feasible, and associated with low morbidity and high respectability.     

Glucagon-like peptide-2 improves both acute and late experimental radiation enteritis in the rat

PURPOSE: Acute and/or chronic radiation enteritis can develop after radiotherapy for pelvic cancers. Experimental and clinical observations have provided evidence of a role played by acute mucosal disruption in the appearance of late effects. The therapeutic potential of acute administration of glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) against acute and chronic intestinal injury was investigated in this study. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Intestinal segments were surgically exteriorized and exposed to 16.7 or 19 Gy X-rays. The rats were treated once daily with vehicle or a protease-resistant GLP-2 derivative for 14 days before irradiation, with or without 7 days of GLP-2 after treatment. Macroscopic and microscopic observations were made 2 and 15 weeks after radiation exposure. RESULTS: In the control animals, GLP-2 induced an increase in intestinal mucosal mass, along with an increase in villus height and crypt depth. GLP-2 administration before and after irradiation completely prevented the acute radiation-induced mucosal ulcerations observed after exposure to 16.7 Gy. GLP-2 treatment strikingly reduced the late radiation damage observed after 19 Gy irradiation. Microscopic observations revealed an improved organization of the intestinal wall and an efficient wound healing process, especially in the smooth muscle layers. CONCLUSION: GLP-2 has a clear therapeutic potential against both acute and chronic radiation enteritis. This therapeutic effect is mediated through an increased mucosal mass before tissue injury and the stimulation of still unknown mechanisms of tissue response to radiation damage. Although these preliminary results still need to be confirmed, GLP-2 might be a way to limit patient discomfort during radiotherapy and reduce the risk of consequential late effects.     

Fibromatoses: from postsurgical surveillance to combined surgery and radiation therapy

The results of management of two groups of patients with musculoaponeurotic (desmoid tumors) and plantar fibromatoses seen at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) during the period 1970-1985 are examined: (a) 26 patients who had had surgical resection for their primary fibromatosis but whose surgical margins were positive and who received no further treatment; and (b) 24 patients who were treated for their primary or recurrent fibromatosis by radiation alone or combined with surgery. For the 26 patients who were only observed, despite the positive surgical margins, 9 have recurred; the actuarial continuous local control rate at 5 years was 68% (a median follow-up of 70 months). Five patients had gross disease left after surgery and all of them failed. Seventeen of 21 patients who had grossly complete resection have local control; the four failures have been salvaged. This result supports the rationale for a no treatment but a thorough and close follow-up policy for patients with positive margins after grossly complete resection of a primary desmoid or fascial fibromatosis. There is no risk of metastasis in these patients and hence the effort toward a conservative policy which defers radiation merits interest and further study. Of the second group, 23 patients were treated for gross disease and one patient for microscopic disease after surgical resection. All of the 10 patients who were treated for primary desmoid tumor have local control. Among the 14 recurrent desmoid tumors there have been five local failures, after treatment by radiation alone or radiation + surgery. Three patients treated by radiation alone are currently scored as incompletely regressed tumors. Accordingly 16 of the 24 patients are scored as local controls without evidence of disease and 19 of the 24 are scored as local control (complete response or partial but stable response).     

Prognostic factors for medulloblastoma

PURPOSE: To evaluate prognostic factors for medulloblastoma. METHODS AND MATERIALS: One hundred and seventy-three consecutive patients with medulloblastoma, treated at King Faisal Specialist Hospital (KFSH) from 1988-1997, were reviewed. Eighty-four percent were children less than 15 years old. From 1988-1994, treatment was at the discretion of the investigator. From 1994-1998, patients entered a single-arm best practice protocol in which, in staged patients, the surgical intent was total resection, standard radiation treatment was defined, and adjuvant chemotherapy was given to a "high-risk" subset. RESULTS: For 150 patients who completed surgical and radiation treatment, the 5-year survival rate was 58%, compared with 0% for 16 patients who were unable to start or complete radiation treatment. For staged patients, the 5-year survival was M0 + M1, 78% and M2 + M3, 21% (p < 0.0001). Other favorable significant prognostic factors were age >14 years and gross cystic/necrotic features in the primary tumor. The size of the primary tumor, the degree of hydrocephalus at diagnosis, the presence of residual tumor in the post-operative CT/MRI, and the functional status of the patient prior to radiation treatment were not significant factors. CONCLUSIONS: Stage M0 + M1 was the most powerful favorable prognostic factor. In Saudi Arabia more patients present with advanced disseminated disease, 41% M2 + M3, than in the West, and this impacts adversely on overall survival. Total resection and standard radiation treatment were not sensitive prognostic factors in a treatment environment in which 78% of patients underwent at least 90% tumor resection and 60% received standard radiation treatment. In order to improve the proportion of patients able to complete radiation treatment, consideration should be given to limiting resection when the attainment of total resection is likely to be morbid, and to delaying rather than omitting radiation treatment in the patient severely compromised postoperatively.     

Phase I trial of preoperative concurrent doxorubicin and radiation therapy, surgical resection, and intraoperative electron-beam radiation therapy for patients with localized retroperitoneal sarcoma.

PURPOSE: The primary objective of this phase I trial was to define the maximum-tolerated dose of external-beam radiation with concurrent fixed-dose continuous-infusion doxorubicin followed by surgical resection and electron-beam intraoperative radiation therapy (EB-IORT) for patients with localized, potentially resectable retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients with radiographically resectable primary or recurrent intermediate- or high-grade RPS were treated. Doxorubicin was administered each week for 4 or 5 weeks as an initial bolus (4 mg/m2) followed by a 4-day continuous infusion (4 mg/m2/d). Concurrent radiation therapy was administered in escalating doses of 18.0, 30.6, 36.0, 41.4, 46.8, or 50.4 Gy in 1.8-Gy fractions. Radiographic restaging was performed 4 to 8 weeks after chemoradiation, and patients with localized disease underwent surgical resection with EB-IORT (15 Gy). RESULTS: Chemoradiation was completed as outpatient therapy in 31 patients (89%); four patients required hospital admission during chemoradiation or in the postchemoradiation preoperative period. At the highest radiation dose of 50.4 Gy, two (18%) of 11 patients had grade 3 or 4 nausea. Twenty-nine patients (83%) underwent laparotomy; six patients had interval disease progression and did not undergo surgery. Grossly complete resection (R0 or R1) was performed in 26 (90%) of 29 patients who had surgery. EB-IORT was feasible and successfully administered to 22 patients who had R0 or R1 resections. CONCLUSION: Preoperative chemoradiation, surgical resection, and EB-IORT are feasible for patients with RPS. Preoperative external-beam radiation can be administered to a total dose of 50.4 Gy with continuous-infusion doxorubicin.     

The Role of Radiation Therapy in the Management of Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans

Purpose: To evaluate the outcome for dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans treated with conservation surgery and radiation therapy.Methods and Materials: A retrospective review was performed of 19 consecutive patients with pathologically confirmed dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans who received radiation as an adjuvant to surgical resection.Results: The patients ages ranged from 19–76 years (median, 40 years); 12 were men. Lesions were located on the trunk in 8, in the head and neck area in 7, and in an extremity in 4. Tumor size ranged from 1.2 to 15 cm (median, 4 cm). Ten patients had at least 1 prior recurrence following earlier resection. Two patients received preoperative radiation to 50 Gy in 5 weeks. Sixteen patients underwent resection followed by radiation (6 of these had positive resection margins). In another patient, the tumor regrew rapidly after resection and definitive radiation was delivered for gross disease. The 6 patients with positive microscopic margins received a median dose of 60 Gy, as did the 10 with negative margins. The 1 patient with gross disease received 65 Gy. At a median follow-up of 6 years, the only patient to develop local recurrence was treated with definitive radiotherapy for gross disease. Actuarial local control was 95% at 10 years.Conclusion: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a radioresponsive tumor and radiation to doses of 50–60 Gy should be considered as an adjuvant to resection if margins are positive. Combined conservation resection and postoperative radiation should also be considered for situations where adequate wide excision alone would result in major cosmetic or functional deficits.     

Radiation therapy for adrenal gland metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND: The adrenal gland is a common site of extrahepatic metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma. However, it has been the subject of few studies, and the optimal treatment remains unclear. Methods previously tried for the management of adrenal gland metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma included surgical resection, transarterial chemoembolization or percutaneous ethanol injection, on the basis of case reports. External beam radiation therapy has seldom been applied for patients with adrenal gland metastases. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 22 patients with adrenal metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma who were treated with limited-field external beam radiation therapy. The radiation dose to the adrenal lesion ranged from 36 to 54 (median 50) Gy, while the intrahepatic lesions were treated with either surgical resection or transarterial chemoembolization. RESULTS: Among the 14 patients who had pain related to adrenal metastases, 11 (78.6%) had complete pain relief without medication that lasted until death. Two (14.3%) patients had marked pain relief, but still required analgesics. Partial responses were observed in 73% of the patients. The median survival period for all patients was 10 months. No patient died from complications related to adrenal metastasis. Adverse effects were mild. CONCLUSION: Adrenal metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma are sensitive to radiation treatment. Radiation therapy with 50 Gy for adrenal gland metastases is a good palliative therapy with reasonable safety.