BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate the predictive factors for complete response (CR) and recurrence after CR in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). METHODS: Among 691 newly diagnosed HCC patients, 287 were treated with TACE as a first therapy. We analyzed the predictive factors for CR, recurrence after CR, and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Eighty-one patients (28.2%) achieved CR after TACE, and recurrence after CR was detected in 35 patients (43.2%). In multivariate analyses, tumor size (≤5 cm) and single nodularity were predictive factors for CR, with hazard ratios (HRs) of 0.35 (p=0.002) and 0.41 (p<0.001), respectively. Elevated serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) (>20 ng/mL) level and multinodularity exhibited significant relationships with recurrence after CR, with HRs of 2.220 (p=0.026) and 3.887 (p<0.001), respectively. Tumor size (>5 cm), multinodularity, elevated serum AFP (>20 ng/mL) level, Child-Turcotte-Pugh score (B and C), and portal vein thrombosis were significant factors for OS. CONCLUSIONS: In patients treated with TACE as a first therapy, tumor size (≤5 cm) and single nodularity were predictive factors for CR, and multinodularity and elevated serum AFP (>20 ng/mL) levels were predictive factors for recurrence after CR. These factors were also significant for OS.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Recurrence* ; Venous Thrombosis

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; therapy ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; therapy

Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; therapy ; Tetraspanin 24 ; metabolism

Acute obstructive cholangitis due to the migration of necrotized tumor fragment(s) has been rarely reported after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). We report an unusual case of it, which was demonstrated by computed tomography (CT) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. We suggest that in the setting of acute biliary obstruction after TACE with a CT-demonstrated new intraductal soft tissue lesion with or without a radiopaque portion, along with no or less visualization of a previous tumor located inside or near the duct, the possibility of intraductal migration of a necrotic tumor fragment should be considered. Both clinicians and radiologists should become familiar with this condition because it may be ignored or misinterpreted as biliary calculi.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Cholangiography ; Cholangitis ; Cholestasis ; Gallstones

*Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental/*therapy ; Microspheres ; Polyglactin 910/*therapeutic use ; Rats, Inbred ACI

No abstract available.
Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Liver Neoplasms/*radiography/*therapy ; Humans ; *Chemoembolization, Therapeutic/methods ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/radiography/*therapy

Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) is an inflammatory lung disease involving the distal bronchioles, respiratory bronchioles, bronchiolar ducts, and alveolae. The etiology is usually unknown; however, there are several known causes and associated systemic diseases. Corticosteroid therapy is the best treatment option and the prognosis of COP is good, with recovery in up to 80% of patients. We described a patient with in-operable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing chemoembolization with doxorubicin in a drug-eluting bead (DEB). COP developed in the patient after chemoembolization but resolved spontaneously in several months.
Bronchioles ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia* ; Doxorubicin ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; Prognosis

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; therapy ; Catheter Ablation ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; therapy ; Liver Transplantation

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of preoperative transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) on hepatocellular carcinoma located in caudate lobe.

METHODSTotally 29 cases of caudate lobe hepatocellular carcinoma admitted from January 2001 to December 2010 were analyzed retrospectively. Among the 29 patients, 23 were male and the other 6 were female. The median age was 52 years. According to receiving preoperative TACE or not, the 29 cases were divided into two groups: preoperative TACE plus surgery (group A, n = 11) and surgery only (group B, n = 18). The surgical results and long-term survival were compared between two groups.

RESULTSAfter TACE, the diameter of the tumour reduced by over 33.3% in 3 patients, 10.0% to 33.3% in 6 patients, and less than 10.0% in 2 patients. The duration of surgery and intraoperative blood loss in group A were (298 ± 39) minutes and (1031 ± 310) ml, respectively. The duration of surgery and intraoperative blood loss in group B were (281 ± 54) minutes and (868 ± 403) ml, respectively. No significant difference was found in terms of these two groups (t = 1.006, P = 0.324; t = 1.223, P = 0.232). In addition, 6 cases in group A developed complications and 4 cases in group B did so. Only one patient died because of postoperative complication, and this patient belonged to group A. No significant difference was found between two groups (χ(2) = 0.028, P = 0.868; χ(2) = 0.633, P = 0.426). The 5-year survival rate was 56.8% in group A and 34.9% in group B. The difference did not reach significant difference (P = 0.132).

CONCLUSIONSFor hepatocellular carcinoma located in caudate lobe, preoperative TACE does not significantly increase the surgical difficulty and impair the safety. In addition, preoperative TACE has the tendency to provide benefit to long-term survival.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; surgery ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo establish a reasonable protocol for interventional treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSThe data of 1 000 HCC patients treated by different kinds of interventional treatment were reviewed with their results of biochemistry, imaging, pathology and survival rate evaluated. The value as well as the pros and cons of these various kinds of interventional treatment were compared in order to find an optimum protocol.

RESULTSSegmental-transcatheter oil chemoembolization (S-TOCE) was much effective eradicate the tumor yet inflicting less damage on the noncancerous hepatic tissue and giving much higher survival rate than the conventional transcatheter oil chemoembolization (C-TOCE). Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) played an important role in eradicating the residual tumor and improving the survival rate without damaging the noncancerous hepatic tissue. The survival quality or survival rate could be improved by choosing different ways of interventional treatments to cut down the complications.

CONCLUSIONThe selection of different interventional treatments should be done according to the size and type of HCC. Active management is indicated for different complications presenting along with HCC.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; mortality ; therapy ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; mortality ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate