Therapeutic effect of TAE can be predicted by abdominal-enhanced CT findings in HCC
Shinjiro Kobayahsi1, Satoshi Katagiri, Shyunichi Ariizumi
1Department of Surgery, Institute of Gastroenterology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, 8-1, Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan. gxptd195@ybb.ne.jp
Insights
Pre-treatment CT findings significantly impact transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) success in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Smooth, corona-positive, smaller, and peripheral tumors show better complete necrosis rates after TAE.
Area of Science:
- Hepatobiliary imaging
- Interventional radiology
- Oncology
Background:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a significant global health challenge.
- Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is a common treatment for HCC.
- Improving TAE therapeutic efficacy is crucial for patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between pre-treatment computed tomography (CT) findings and the antitumor efficacy of TAE in HCC.
- To identify specific CT imaging features predictive of successful TAE outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study of 100 HCC nodules treated with TAE.
- Classification of pre-treatment abdominal CT findings including tumor shape, corona nodules, size, and location.
- Evaluation of therapeutic effect, defined as complete necrosis, on CT one year post-TAE.
Main Results:
- Overall complete necrosis rate was 58%.
- Complete necrosis was significantly associated with smooth tumor shape (73.4%), presence of corona nodules (67.7%), tumor size < 3.0cm (68.3%), and peripheral location (64.6%).
- Invasive tumor shape and central location showed significantly lower complete necrosis rates.
Conclusions:
- Pre-treatment CT-based tumor characterization is essential for predicting TAE efficacy in HCC.
- Tailoring TAE treatment strategies based on identified CT features can potentially improve therapeutic outcomes.
Background/Aims:
In order to improve the therapeutic efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the relationship between CT findings and antitumor efficacy was studied.
Methodology:
The therapeutic effect on CT 1 year after TAE was respectively studied for 100 nodules of HCC where TAE was performed. The pre-treatment abdominal CT findings were classified, and the therapeutic effect was compared with regard to these attributes.
Results:
Tumors determined to have no recurrence at the treated site (defined as "complete necrosis") accounted for 58% overall. The percentage of "complete necrosis" in pre-TAE CT findings by type showed that 1) in terms of tumor shape, 73.4% were smooth type, 34.5% irregular type, and 0% invasive type (p = 0.0003), 2) in terms of the presence of corona nodules, nodules where "complete necrosis" was achieved were corona-positive in 67.7% and coronanegative in 37.1% (p = 0.003), 3) in terms of tumor size, 68.3% of tumors were smaller than 3.0cm and 28.6% were larger than 3.1cm, 4) in terms of location, 64.6% of tumors were in a peripheral location and 28.6% in a central location (p = 0.006).
Conclusions:
The therapeutic effect of TAE is improved by adequate diagnosis of the tumor characteristics found on pre-treatment CT.
