[High intensity focused ultrasound therapy combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To study high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in the treatment of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).


METHODS
Fifty patients with unresectable HCC (TNM stage IV) were randomized into a TACE (T) group and a TACE plus HIFU (T + H) group. Twenty-six patients underwent TACE alone, and 24 HIFU ablation 2 - 3 weeks after TACE. The mean follow-up time for all patients was 8.16 +/- 2.79 months (range 3 to 24 months). The median survival, 6-month-, 1-year survival rates and average survival of patients who died were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method and Fisher exact test.


RESULTS
The median survival time, 6-month and 1-year survival rates were 11.3 months, 80.4 - 85.4% and 42.9% in T + H group, in contrast to 4 months, 13.2% and 0% in T group with significant differences (P < 0.01). The average survival time of patients who died was 10.21 +/- 4.12 months in T + H group, as compared with 4.35 +/- 2.39 months in T group also with significant differences (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
High intensity focused ultrasound therapy (HIFU) combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), being better than TACE alone, may become one of the most effective treatments for patients with unresectable HCC.
Jin
Cheng-bing
CB
Clinical Center for Tumor Therapy, Second Hospital, Institute of Ultrasonic Engineering in Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China.
Wu
Feng
F
Wang
Zhi-biao
ZB
Chen
Wen-zhi
WZ
Zhu
Hui
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007459:Iodized Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D015996:Survival Rate; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy
D007459:Iodized Oil; D004317:Doxorubicin; D002945:Cisplatin