Outcome of transarterial chemoembolization in patients with inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma eligible for radiofrequency ablation.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the outcome of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) <5 cm in diameter eligible for radiofrequency ablation (RFA).


METHODS
The treatment-related mortality, morbidity, long-term survival, and prognostic factors of HCC patients who had TACE and fulfilled the present inclusion criteria for RFA were evaluated.


RESULTS
Of the 748 patients treated with TACE between January 1990 and December 2002, 114 patients were also eligible for RFA. The treatment-related mortality and morbidity were 1% and 19%, respectively. Survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 80%, 43%, and 23%, respectively. Older age and a high albumin level were associated with a better survival, whereas a high alpha-fetoprotein level (AFP) and the size of the largest tumor >3 cm in diameter were adverse prognostic factors in multivariate analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
The morbidity, mortality, and survival data after TACE for small HCCs eligible for RFA are comparable to those reported after RFA in the literature. Our data suggest the need for a randomized comparison of the two treatment modalities for small HCCs.
Liem
Mike-S-L
MS
Dutch Cancer Society, Queen Wilhelmina Fund, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Poon
Ronnie-T-P
RT
Lo
Chung-Mau
CM
Tso
Wai-Kuen
WK
Fan
Sheung-Tat
ST
D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome