Survival Benefit of Transarterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

Objective: Transarterial chemo-embolization (TACE) is a palliative treatment option for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with improved patient survival. The aim of the study was to see the outcome of our patients at our institution 2 years post TACE.
Patients and Methods: Electronic records were retrospectively reviewed for patients who had TACE from 1st November 2009 – 31st October 2012. Baseline imaging, multidisciplinary team (MDT) and clinical notes, pathology labs, TACE angiograms and follow up imaging were reviewed for 2 years after first TACE. Procedure complications, clinical status and findings at follow up CT were reviewed and analyzed in SPSS version 19. Survival was assessed using Kaplan Meier curves.
Results: A total of 104 patients had TACE for HCC. Amongst these 21 patients were lost to follow up and could not be contacted to reconfirm the outcome and had to be excluded to minimize bias. Amongst the included 83 patients, 57 (68.7%) were male and 65 (78.4%) were 51-70 years of age at time of first TACE. The commonest cause for HCC was HCV in 74 (89.2%) patients. Target lesion size at baseline CT was < 5 cm in 38 (45.8%) patients, 5-10 cm in 37 (44.6%) patients and >10 cm in 8 (9.6%) patients. A total of 25 (30%) patients needed more than 1 session of TACE. On post TACE CT, 46 (55.4%) patients had good packing of lipoidol in the lesion. A total of 18 (21.7%) patients progressed in TACED lesions while another 21 (25%) progressed with new lesions. One patient had metastasis to adrenal gland. Only 8 (9.6%) patients had liver failure after TACE and 1 patient had hepatorenal syndrome. Only 1 patient died within 30 days after TACE. Two years post TACE, 47 (56.6%) patients were alive indicating good outcome.
Conclusion: TACE improves survival in HCC; 1 year survival was 80% and 2 year survival was 56.6%.