[Hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombi in the portal vein. A comparison of therapeutic effects by different treatments].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of different treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with tumor thrombus in the portal vein (PVTT).


METHODS
From Jan. 2000 to Jan. 2003, a total of 84 HCC patients with PVTT were divided into five groups based on methed of treatment: Group A (n = 9), HCC resection + PVTT removal + postoperative TACE + thymosin alpha(1); Group B (n = 20), HCC resection + PVTT removal + postoperative TACE; Group C (n = 7), HCC resection + PVTT removal; Group D (n = 38), TACE only; Group E (n = 10), conservative treatment only.


RESULTS
The rate of PVTT shrinkage or disappearance of groups A, B, C, D and E was 66.7%, 70.0%, 57.1%, 7.9% and 0, respectively with respective median survival time of 10.0, 7.0, 8.0, 5.0 and 2.0 months. The one year survival rate was 44.4%, 15.0%, 14.3%, 10.5% and 0.


CONCLUSIONS
Resection of HCC and removal of tumor thrombus in the portal vein may have the tumor thrombus cleared in most of the patients and postoperative TACE and thymisin alpha(1) treatment may improve their survival.
Cheng
Shu-qun
SQ
Third Department of Combined Treatment, East Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, China. chengshuqun@yahoo.com.cn
Wu
Meng-chao
MC
Chen
Han
H
Shen
Feng
F
Yang
Jia-he
JH
Cong
Wen-ming
WM
Zhao
Yu-xiang
YX
Wang
Pei-jun
PJ
Ding
Guang-hui
GH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000379:methods; D006499:Hepatic Artery; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009360:Neoplastic Cells, Circulating / Q000473:pathology*; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000473:pathology*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D000077596:Thymalfasin; D013947:Thymosin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use
D013947:Thymosin; D000077596:Thymalfasin