[Role of post-operative transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma with different pathological characteristics].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) on postoperative recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma.


METHODS
A total of consecutive 823 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma from October 1996 to September 2001 were included in this study. All patients underwent curative liver resection and 126 patients (15.3%) received TACE post operation. The effects of postoperative TACE on the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma with different pathological characteristics such as tumor size, tumor capsule, number of nodules, vascular invasion and surgical margin was analyzed.


RESULTS
Postoperative TACE had not decreased the recurrence rate in patients with a tumor diameter less than 3 cm. Postoperative TACE increased the disease-free survival for patients with tumor diameter of 3 - 10 cm, positive in alpha fetoprotein (AFP), presented vascular invasion or patients with tumor diameter larger than 10 cm, positive in AFP, multi-nodular, presented vascular invasion, resection margin less than 1 cm.


CONCLUSIONS
Postoperative TACE can decrease recurrence rate and prolong the survival of hepatocellular carcinoma patients with high risk factors for recurrence.
Xi
Tao
T
Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, China.
Yan
Zhen-lin
ZL
Wang
Kui
K
Li
Jun
J
Xia
Yong
Y
Shen
Feng
F
Wu
Meng-chao
MC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006499:Hepatic Artery; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011379:Prognosis