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Comparison of two techniques of transarterial chemoembolization before liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: A case‐control study
Author(s) -
Dharancy Sébastien,
Boitard Jeanne,
Decaens Thomas,
Sergent Géraldine,
Boleslawski Emmanuel,
Duvoux Christophe,
Vanlemmens Claire,
Meyer Carole,
Gugenheim Jean,
Durand François,
Boillot Olivier,
Declerck Nicole,
Louvet Alexandre,
Canva Valérie,
Romano Olivier,
Ernst Olivier,
Mathurin Philippe,
Pruvot François René
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
liver transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.814
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1527-6473
pISSN - 1527-6465
DOI - 10.1002/lt.21109
Subject(s) - medicine , hepatocellular carcinoma , liver transplantation , transplantation , liver disease , gastroenterology , population , chemotherapy , surgery , environmental health
Supraselective transarterial chemoembolization (STACE) more efficiently targets chemotherapy delivered via the feeding arterial branches of the tumor than does conventional transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). However, the hypothesis of its greater efficacy compared with the latter is subject to controversy. The aim of the present study was to compare STACE to conventional TACE in a controlled study of candidates for liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients were matched for factors associated with HCC recurrence and survival. Sixty patients were included: 30 who were treated with STACE and 30 treated with conventional TACE. The 2 groups were similar in terms of matched criteria. In the overall population (uni‐ and multinodular HCC), there was no marked difference between the 2 groups in 5‐year disease‐free survival: 76.8% vs. 74.8%. In sensitivity analysis of patients considered to be the best candidates for TACE (uninodular HCC ≤5 cm), there was a trend toward significance between STACE and TACE in 5‐year disease‐free survival: 87% vs. 64% ( P = 0.09). The only factor associated with complete tumor necrosis was STACE in the overall population (30.8% vs. 6.9%, P = 0.02), with a similar trend in the subgroup of patients with a single nodule (33.3% vs. 6.7%, P = 0.06), whereas the mean number of procedures was similar in the 2 groups (mean, 1.3 procedures; range 1‐5 procedures; P = NS). STACE is more efficient at inducing complete tumor necrosis in the liver. This study observed trends toward improvement in the disease‐free survival of patients with uninodular HCC ≤5 cm. Future studies focusing on such patients are warranted. Liver Transpl, 2007. © 2007 AASLD.