Radiofrequency ablation plus drug-eluting beads transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for the treatment of single large hepatocellular carcinoma. Issue 3 (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Iezzi, Roberto; Pompili, Maurizio; La Torre, Michele Fabio; Campanale, Maria Chiara; Montagna, Martina; Saviano, Antonio; Cesario, Valentina; Siciliano, Massimo; Annicchiarico, Eleonora; Agnes, Salvatore; Giuliante, Felice; Grieco, Antonio; Rapaccini, Gian Lodovico; De Gaetano, Anna Maria; Gasbarrini, Antonio; Bonomo, Lorenzo
• Is Part Of: Digestive and liver disease. Volume 47:Issue 3(2015)
• Page Start: 242
• Page End: 248
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Ablation -- Chemoembolization -- Combined therapy -- HCC -- RFA; Digestive organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Liver -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.33005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2014.12.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1590-8658

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of the single-step combined therapy with radiofrequency ablation and drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization in single hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) larger than 3 cm. Secondary aim was to compare the results with those obtained in a matched population treated with drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization alone. Methods: 40 consecutive cirrhotic patients with single HCC were prospectively enrolled and treated. Twenty-three patients had tumours between 3 and 5 cm (Group A), and 17 larger than 5 cm (Group B). Twenty cirrhotic patients with single HCC treated only with chemoembolization formed the control group. Results: Complete response at 1 month was achieved in 32/40 tumours (80%). During follow-up, complete response was maintained in 25 patients (25/40, 62.5%), and this rate was higher in Group A (69.6% vs 53%, p = 0.008). The group treated with combined therapy showed a significantly lower 2-year recurrence (48.1% vs 78.2%, p < 0.001) and significantly higher survival (91.1% vs 60.6%, p = 0.004) than the group treated with chemoembolization alone. Conclusions: Balloon-occluded-radiofrequency ablation plus drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization is an effective treatment of HCC larger than 3 cm not amenable to surgical resection, providing better results than transarterial chemoembolization alone. The best results are achieved in tumours up to 5 cm.