Premium
Survival analysis of high‐intensity focused ultrasound therapy vs. transarterial chemoembolization for unresectable hepatocellular carcinomas
Author(s) -
Cheung Tan To,
Poon Ronnie T. P.,
Jenkins Caroline R.,
Chu Ferdinand S. K.,
Chok Kenneth S. H.,
Chan Albert C. Y.,
Tsang Simon H. Y.,
Dai Wing Chiu,
Yau Thomas C. C.,
Chan See Ching,
Fan Sheung Tat,
Lo Chung Mau
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
liver international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.873
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1478-3231
pISSN - 1478-3223
DOI - 10.1111/liv.12474
Subject(s) - medicine , hepatocellular carcinoma , ablation , progressive disease , stage (stratigraphy) , high intensity focused ultrasound , response evaluation criteria in solid tumors , overall survival , gastroenterology , radiology , ultrasound , chemotherapy , paleontology , biology
Background & Aims High‐intensity focused ultrasound ( HIFU ) ablation is a non‐invasive treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinomas ( HCC s), but long‐term survival analysis is lacking. This study was to analyse its outcome compared to that of transarterial chemoembolization ( TACE ). Methods From October 2003 to September 2010, 113 patients received HIFU ablation as a treatment of HCC s at our hospital. Twenty‐six patients had HCC s sized 3–8 cm. Fifty‐two patients with matched tumour characteristics having TACE as primary treatment were selected for comparison. Short‐term outcome and long‐term survival were analysed. Results In the HIFU group ( n = 26), 46 tumours were ablated. The median age of the patients was 69 (49–84) years. The median tumour size was 4.2 (3–8) cm. In the TACE group ( n = 52), the median age of the patients was 67 (44–84) years. The median tumour size was 4.8 (3–8) cm. There was no hospital mortality in any of the groups. In the HIFU group, the rates of complete tumour response, partial tumour response, stable disease and progressive disease were 50%, 7.7%, 25.6% and 7.7% respectively, according to the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours. The TACE group had the corresponding rates at 0%, 21.2%, 63.5% and 15.4% respectively ( P < 0.0001). The 1‐year, 3‐year and 5‐year survival rates were 84.6%, 49.2% and 32.3% respectively, in the HIFU group and 69.2%, 29.8% and 2.3% respectively, in the TACE group ( P = 0.001). Conclusion HIFU ablation is a safe and effective method for unresectable HCC s. A survival benefit is observed over sole TACE .