Longterm follow-up after transarterial chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma in a Scandinavian centre.
BACKGROUND
Transarterial chemotherapy infusion (TAI) with lipiodol is a palliative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim of this study was to describe the outcomes of TAI from a single scandinavian centre between 1995 to 2008.


METHODS
The study is a retrospective analyse of prospectively collected data. TAI (doxorubicin, 50 mg with lipiodol) was administrated every 6 weeks. After 5 treatments, a CT scan was performed, and if the disease was stable, (RECIST score) treatment was continued.


RESULTS
57 patients with HCC were treated with TAI. Median age; 72 years (52-84), 41 (71%) men. 52 (91%) had Child-Pugh score A, and 5 (9%) had Child-Pugh B. Nine (16%) patients had a BCLC score A, 19 (33%) B, 29 (51%) C, while none was classified as BCLC D. Twenty nine (51%) patients had a tumour size ≥ 10 cm. In total 254 treatments were performed, a median of 4 (1-20) per patient. Treatment mortality was 0%. In 30 (53%) patients the treatment strategy was not completed due to deteriorating clinical conditions. Median survival was 17 months (2-108), 2, 3, and 5-years survival was 34%, 22%, and 13%, respectively. Patients that responded to treatment (n = 23) had a median survival of 26 (13-108) months compared to 8 (2-48) months for those not fulfilling the treatment plan, p < 0.05. Tumour size ≥ 10 cm, AFP ≥ 400 µg/l, and Child-Pugh class B or C were negative prognostic factors for survival, p < 0.05.


CONCLUSIONS
The 5 year survival was 13%, and median survival 17 months. Treatment mortality was 0%. Patients that responded to treatment (40%) had a median survival of 26 months. TAI provides good palliation but selection of patients is crucial.
Norén
Agneta
A
Department of Surgery Department of Radiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. agneta.noren@akademiska.se
Urdzik
Jozef
J
Duraj
Frans
F
Barbier
Charlotte Ebeling
CE
Karlson
Britt-Mari
BM
Haglund
Ulf
U
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic / Q000009:adverse effects; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004998:Ethiodized Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D018579:Patient Selection; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D013548:Sweden; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D004998:Ethiodized Oil; D004317:Doxorubicin