title: Palliative treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma with obstructive jaundice using biliary drainage with subsequent transarterial chemoembolization.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nonsurgical biliary drainage is considered as a priority for obstructive jaundice associated with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Successful drainage allows the patient to receive antitumor therapy, such as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). However, only limited data are available on clinical outcomes in patients who treated biliary drainage with subsequent TACE.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the clinical outcome of biliary drainage with subsequent TACE in unresectable HCC patients with obstructive jaundice.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 60 patients received endoscopic biliary drainage (ERBD) or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) in two tertiary care referral centers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Successful drainage and survival were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Successful drainage was achieved in 39 (65%) patients. The median survival of 39 patients in whom successful drainage was achieved, regardless of which procedure was performed, was much longer than that of 21 patients without successful drainage (147 days versus 38 days, respectively, P<.001). In particular, the median survival was longer in 17 patients who underwent TACE after achieving successful drainage than in 22 patients who were treated conservatively after achieving successful drainage (410 days versus 77 days, respectively, P<.001). Multivariable analysis in 39 patients in the successful drainage group showed that TACE (hazard ratio 0.15; 95% confidence interval 0.05-0.45, P=.001) was an independent predictive factor of a favorable outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Effective palliation by successful biliary drainage with subsequent TACE might prolong the survival in patients with obstructive jaundice caused by unresectable HCC.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital , Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jongkyoung
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Ji Kon
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.forename: Sang Hyub
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jin-Hyeok
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Dong-Won
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Yong-Tae
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Yong Bum
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Chang Jin
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Sung-Gwon
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Jin Wook
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004322:Drainage; D004998:Ethiodized Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005781:Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D041781:Jaundice, Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D015996:Survival Rate; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D004998:Ethiodized Oil