[Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with external radiation for primary liver cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with external radiotherapy (RT) for primary liver cancer.


METHODS
The effectiveness of combined therapy with TACE and RT (76 cases) and TACE therapy alone (68 cases) was prospectively nonrandomly studied.


RESULTS
In TACE + RT group, the response rate (CR + PR) was 53.9%, and the 1-, 2-, 3-year survival rate was 71.6%, 49.0%, and 44.5%, respectively. In contrast, the response rate of TACE alone was 33.8%, and the 1-, 2-, 3-year survival rate was 51.8%, 17.3%, and 17.3%, respectively. The difference between these two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Factors of prognostic significance in the TACE + RT group were tumor type, tumor cell thrombi in the portal system, number of TACE treatment and the use of gelform in embolization.


CONCLUSIONS
TACE + RT is more effective than TACE therapy alone. Understanding of the prognostic factors is useful for selection and management of patients.
Guo
W
W
Cancer Hospital, Shanghai Medical University, Shanghai 200032.
Song
M
M
Yu
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015996:Survival Rate; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis
D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins