title: Randomized controlled trial to compare the dose of adjuvant chemotherapy after curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Adjuvant locoregional chemotherapy has been shown to be useful to prevent recurrence after curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in some retrospective studies. Our aim was to compare the dose effect in the prevention of tumor recurrence.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted in patients with curative resection of HCC; they were given either one intra-arterial dose of cisplatin/lipiodol, or received four doses, once every 3 months. The rates of recurrence, disease-free and overall survival were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During a median follow up of 818 days, 21 patients received one dose and 19 received four doses, with 10 (47.6%) and eight (42.1%) recurrences, respectively. The 1-year, 2-year and 3-year disease-free survival rates were 71%, 54% and 44% for the one-dose group and 74%, 60% and 40% for the four-dose group (P = 0.78). The respective overall survival rates were 85%, 74%, 55% and 84%, 71%, 40% (P = 0.64). The only prognostic factor was presence of vascular permeation. The side-effects were mild and tolerable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is no significant difference in the survival rates between the two groups. Adjuvant chemotherapy may not be useful.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Radiology and Imaging, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong. pchkwok@ha.org.hk
authors.forename: Philip Chong-Hei
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Kwok
authors.forename: Ting Wa
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Polly Woon-Yee
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Kwok Wai
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Susan Chi-Hum
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: James Shu-Tak
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Moon Tong
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: Donald Lap-Chiu
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Thomas Kam-Man
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Nam Hung
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Chia
authors.forename: Wong Kan
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Man Kwong
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Hong Yuen
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: Wai Ming
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Lam
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D007459:Iodized Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003287:Contrast Media; D007459:Iodized Oil; D002945:Cisplatin