Multidisciplinary management of hepatocellular carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
The continuing poor prognosis for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma drives a search for new adjuvant therapies. Targeted locoregional immuno-chemotherapy is one of the most promising.


METHODS
From 1990 to 1996, 193 patients who were not eligible for liver resection were treated in a prospective randomized study. Ninety-one patients received locoregional targeted chemotherapy only via an arterial catheter (Group A), and 102 received combined locoregional immuno-chemotherapy via two arterial catheters (Group B).


RESULTS
Overall survival was significantly different (10.2 months vs 22.3 months), favoring Group B. Complications and side effects of treatment were minimal in Group B and easily handled. Even in Group A, side effects were less severe than effects normally associated with systemic chemotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Even though the current prognosis for patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma remains poor, targeted locoregional immuno-chemotherapy has proven to be of benefit in terms of quality of life and survival.
Lygidakis
N J
NJ
Athens Medical Center, Greece.
Tsiliakos
S
S
Talaat
A
A
Matsakis
G
G
Tepetes
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed