Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma

Area of Science:

• Hepatobiliary Medicine
• Interventional Oncology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver cancer with significant global health impact.
• Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a common palliative treatment for unresectable HCC.
• Predicting treatment response and survival in HCC patients undergoing TACE is crucial for clinical decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the survival outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE).
• To identify clinical and imaging factors that predict survival in HCC patients receiving TACE.
• To recommend criteria for patient selection to optimize TACE efficacy.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of 129 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE).
• Evaluation of patient survival rates at 1 and 2 years, and median survival time.
• Statistical analysis of survival based on Child's classification, portal vein status, and tumor capsule integrity.

Main Results:

• The overall 1-year and 2-year survival rates were 49% and 22%, with a median survival of 11.9 months.
• Significantly better 1-year survival rates were observed in patients with good clinical performance (Child's A: 56%), patent portal veins (75%), and intact tumor capsules (85%).
• Conversely, patients with portal vein invasion (40%) or broken capsules (65% and 40%) showed poorer survival outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) offers survival benefits for selected hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.
• Good clinical status (Child's A), patent portal veins, and intact tumor capsules are critical positive prognostic factors for TACE.
• TACE is recommended for well-selected HCC patients with favorable clinical and imaging characteristics to improve treatment outcomes.