title: Influence of preoperative transarterial chemoembolization on the prognosis for patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis of randomized trials.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The efficacy of preoperative transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains controversial. This study aims to systematically identify and summarize the effect of preoperative TACE for patients with resectable HCC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Databases, reference lists and conference proceedings were searched extensively to identify relevant randomized controlled trials. Data were synthesized using the random effects model. Results were expressed as hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 3 randomized controlled trials involving 257 participants were included. Meta-analysis showed that 5-year overall survival (hazard ratio 0.73, 95% CI 0.23-2.34; p=0.60) and disease-free survival (hazard ratio 1.08, 95% CI 0.66-1.77; p=0.77) had no significant differences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present data suggests that there are no significant benefits for 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival of patients with resectable HCC using preoperative TACE treatment. Further well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm or adjust current conclusions.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China.
authors.forename: Xiaofei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jingdong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D015996:Survival Rate