Efficacy of chemoembolization for recurrent HCC after curative ablation therapy

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a widely applied standard treatment option for treatment-naïve patients with multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the treatment strategy in patients with multi-nodular recurrences has not been well addressed. This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of TACE for recurrent HCC.

Two hundred seventeen consecutive patients who received curative ablation therapy for HCC were followed up. Forty-three of the 217 underwent TACE for recurrent HCC, and the treatment efficacy after TACE was compared with that in 99 treatment-naïve patients who underwent TACE for multifocal HCC during the same period.

The overall survival rates of the patients after TACE for recurrent HCC were not different (P=0.136) from those of the treatment-naïve patients after TACE. No serious adverse events related to TACE were observed in either group. Serum albumin levels (>3.5g/dL, p=0.001), alpha-fetoprotein levels (<300ng/mL, p=0.021), protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist II levels (<300ng/mL, p=0.045), and the number of recurrent tumors (<=3 nodules, p=0.047) were prognostic factors after TACE in patients with recurrent HCC.

TACE for multifocal recurrent HCC is safe and effective, with good survival results, similar to those of initial TACE for treatment-naïve patients with multifocal HCC.