Common interventional techniques (single versus combined) in management of hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

To evaluate the role of transarterial chemoembolization “TACE”, radiofrequency ablation “RFA” and combination of both techniques in management of hepatocellular carcinoma “HCC”. Patients and methods: This study was carried out at Al-Azhar University Hospital (New Damietta) during the period from May 2013 to June 2015. It included forty patients were included in this study (27 males and 13 females), with age ranged from 43 to 68year (mean age 51year). They were divided into three groups after laboratory and radiological assessment: group 1 treated with TACE, group 2 treated with RFA and group 3 treated with combined therapy. The response was evaluated by triphasic MDCT, alpha-fetoprotein as well as clinical follow-up and classified as complete and partial response, and the overall survival was recorded. Results: There were no major complications detected. At 3month follow-up, there was complete response “CR” in 32 patients (80%), and partial response “PR” in 8 patients (20%). At 6months, there was complete response in 34 patients (85%), and partial response in 3 patients (7.5%). At 12months, there was complete response in 33 patients (82.5%), and partial response in one patient (2.5%). It is proved that complete response with high percentage achieved by combined therapy than either by TACE or by RFA (100%, 88.46% and 75% respectively), with the overall survival was 85%. Conclusion: The study showed that combined therapy achieved better results regarding complete response and overall survival rate than RF or TACE alone.

Keywords

• TACE
• transarterial chemoembolization
• RFA
• radiofrequency ablation
• HCC
• hepatocellular carcinoma