Predictors of outcome in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma receiving transcatheter arterial chemoembolization

Abstract

SUMMARY BackgroundTranscatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been shown to improve survival in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization or chemoinfusion for unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

“…Similar to our findings, in another study, tumor size, tumor vascularity, and international normalized ratio were significant factors associated with survival in patients with HCC. 15 From these and from our data, we believe that the post-TACE survival rate of patients with HCC or cholangiocarcinoma not only relates to tumor burden but also depends upon underlying liver function.…”

“…[14][15][16][17] Compared with systemic chemotherapy, TACE has the advantages of increasing the local concentration of chemotherapeutic agents to kill cancer cells without damaging healthy liver tissue and of reducing systemic side effects. 16 Because cholangiocarcinoma is generally regarded as a hypovascular tumor, the efficacy of TACE for treating cholangiocarcinoma remains questionable.…”

“…14 Hepatic intra-arterial chemotherapy has been proven to increase the survival rates in patients with unresectable HCC and is now considered the mainstay of therapy for unresectable HCC. [15][16][17] TACE has also been successfully performed in patients with hepatic metastasis from neuroendocrine neoplasm, colorectal cancer, ocular melanoma, or soft-tissue sarcoma. [18][19][20][21][22] Given that ICC arises within the intrahepatic biliary tree, hepatic intra-arterial chemotherapy was believed to offer a new effective treatment for patients with unresectable ICC.…”

Comments on “Chemoembolization (TACE) of Unresectable Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma with Slow-Release Doxorubicin-Eluting Beads: Preliminary Results”

“…Generally, tumor size and reserved liver functions are important factors for survival period in patients who undergo palliative therapy for hepatic malignancy [2,3]. Therefore, significant selection bias might not have been eliminated in their study.…”

Ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma following trans catheter arterial chemoembolization

“…This case gives us thefunction. Tumor sizes, hypovascularity on imaging and elevated INR are predictors of increased mortality after TACE therapy for HCC (13). Contraindications for TACE (19) include portal vein thrombosis, significant arteriovenous shunting and poor liver function (Child-Pugh class C).…”