Risk factors for local tumor recurrence after segmental transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: the importance of tumor located in the segmental border zone.
OBJECTIVE
We wanted to evaluate whether tumors located in a segmental border zone are predisposed to local recurrence after performing segmental transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma.


METHODS
Seventy-three hepatocellular carcinoma nodules were retrospectively analyzed for local tumor recurrence after performing segmental transarterial chemoembolization by using follow-up CT studies (median follow-up period: 20 months, range: 4-77 months). The tumors were divided into two groups according to whether the lesions were located at the segmental border zone (Group I) or not (Group II). Comparison of the tumor characteristics and chemoembolization methods between the two groups was performed using the chi-square test. The local recurrence rates were compared by Kaplan-Meyer method and analyzed with the log rank test.


RESULTS
Local tumor recurrence occurred for 25 hepatocellular carcinoma nodules (42.9%). The follow-up periods, tumor characteristics and chemoembolization methods between Groups l and ll were comparable. The local recurrence rate was 64.0% (16/25) in Group I and 18.8% (9/48) in Group II. The difference was statistically significant on the univariate and multivariate analyses (p = 0.000 for both).


CONCLUSIONS
Tumor location in a segmental border zone was a significant risk factor for local tumor recurrence after performing segmental transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Cho
Yun Ku
YK
Department of Radiology, Seoul Veterans Hospital, Gangdong-Gu, Seoul, Korea. yunkucho2004@yahoo.co.kr
Chung
Jin Wook
JW
Ahn
Yong-Sik
YS
Park
Yoon-Ok
YO
Kim
Jae Kyun
JK
Byun
Jong-Hoon
JH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007459:Iodized Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D007459:Iodized Oil; D004317:Doxorubicin