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Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization plus radiofrequency ablation therapy for early stage hepatocellular carcinoma
Author(s) -
Kagawa Tatehiro,
Koizumi Jun,
Kojima Seiichiro,
Nagata Naruhiko,
Numata Makoto,
Watanabe Norihito,
Watanabe Tetsu,
Mine Tetsuya
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.25142
Subject(s) - medicine , radiofrequency ablation , transcatheter arterial chemoembolization , hepatocellular carcinoma , cirrhosis , surgery , stage (stratigraphy) , survival rate , radiology , gastroenterology , ablation , paleontology , biology
BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is becoming a well‐known local therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is expected to enhance the effects of subsequent RFA by reducing arterial blood flow. However, the long‐term efficacy of this combined therapy has not been elucidated. In this study, the survival rates of patients who received TACE combined with RFA (TACE + RFA) were compared with those of patients treated surgically. METHODS: The study included consecutive patients who received TACE + RFA or surgical resection as the initial curative treatment for HCC between 2000 and 2005 at Tokai University Hospital. Inclusion criteria were a single HCC ≤50 mm or up to 3 HCCs ≤30 mm, presence of cirrhosis classified as Child‐Pugh class A, no vascular invasion, and no extrahepatic metastasis. RESULTS: Sixty‐two patients (23 women, 39 men; aged 67.5 ± 8.4 years [mean ± standard deviation]) received TACE + RFA, and 55 patients (15 women, 40 men; aged 66.1 ± 8.4 years) underwent surgical resection. Median follow‐up periods were similar (50 months in the TACE + RFA group vs 49 months in the resection group). The probabilities of overall survival at 1, 3, and 5 years in the TACE + RFA group (100%, 94.8%, and 64.6%, respectively) were similar ( P = .788) to those in the resection group (92.5%, 82.7%, and 76.9%, respectively). Two major RFA‐related complications were observed (1.5%). CONCLUSIONS: RFA combined with TACE is an efficient and safe treatment that provides overall survival rates similar to those achieved with surgical resection. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.