title: An increase in lesion density can predict lower local recurrence after transarterial chemoembolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with lower, local recurrence rates after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). METHEDOLOGY: From 2005 to 2012, 93 consecutive patients with 125 nodules were included in this study. Patients were included if they had fewer than 3 hypervascular tumors, smaller than 4cm in diameter. Patients were excluded if they had a lack of iodized oil accumulation in target nodules on non-enhanced computed tomography (CT) immediately after TACE treatment. Mean lesion density in Hounsfield units (HU) was measured on non-enhanced CT imaging immediately after and 1 week after TACE.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median lesion density on CT was 625HU (range 138-1911) immediately after and 431HU (range 89-2145) 1 week after TACE. Multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazard model revealed that an increase in lesion density (hazard ratio (HR), 0.18; p=0.002), des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin concentration (HR, 2.21; p=0.01), and lesion density on CT 1 week after TACE (HR, 0.46; p=0.02) were significant independent predictors associated with the lower, local recurrence rate after TACE treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In HCC without increased lesion density 1 week after TACE, it is possible to consider alternative or adjuvant treatments.
authors: Norihiro
authors: N
authors: Imai
authors: Yoshiaki
authors: Y
authors: Katano
authors: Teiji
authors: T
authors: Kuzuya
authors: Takashi
authors: T
authors: Honda
authors: Kazuhiko
authors: K
authors: Hayashi
authors: Masatoshi
authors: M
authors: Ishigami
authors: Akihiro
authors: A
authors: Itoh
authors: Yoshiki
authors: Y
authors: Hirooka
authors: Hidemi
authors: H
authors: Goto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000097:blood; D011516:Prothrombin; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D011498:Protein Precursors; C008208:acarboxyprothrombin; D011516:Prothrombin