Predicting survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated by transarterial chemoembolisation

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2011; 34: 196–204

Summary

Background Transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) is first‐line treatment in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and rescue treatment after failure of radical treatments in early stage HCC. Prognostic tools for HCC using time‐fixed Cox models may be unreliable in patients treated with TACE because time‐varying predictors interact. Aim To explore time‐dependent variables as survival predictors in patients with HCC receiving TACE as first‐line or second‐line treatment. Methods Eighty four consecutive patients with HCC (mean age 68; male gender 62%; Child‐Pugh class: A n = 73, B n = 11; Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer class: A n = 44, B n = 24, C n = 16) treated with TACE were enrolled. Clinical, laboratory and radiological follow‐up data were collected from the time of first treatment. Time‐fixed and time‐dependent Cox analyses were done. Results Overall survival rates were 89.6% (95% CI 82.5–97.2) at 12 months, 58.8% (95% CI 46.2–74.9) at 24, 35.4% (95% CI 22.3–56.1) at 36 and 17.2% (95% CI 7.0–41.7) at 48 months. Performance status (P < 0.001), number of nodules (P < 0.016) and prior therapy (P = 0.017) were the only variables strongly linked to survival by time‐fixed Cox model. Performance status (P < 0.001), prior therapy (P = 0.005), number of treatments (P = 0.013), complete response after TACE (P = 0.005) and bilirubin level (P < 0.001) were associated with survival using a time‐dependent Cox model. Conclusions Survival after TACE is influenced most by performance status, complete response and bilirubin. Compared with the time‐fixed models, a time‐dependent Cox model has the potential to estimate a more precise prognosis in HCC patients treated with TACE.     

A retrospective comparative study of epirubicin-lipiodol emulsion and cisplatin-lipiodol suspension for use with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is widely used to treat unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recently, a fine-powder formulation of cisplatin (DDP-H) was developed in Japan. We aimed to compare clinical outcomes after TACE using epirubicin or DDP-H in patients with HCC. We evaluated 202 patients who were treated with TACE alone, using either epirubicin-lipiodol emulsion or DDP-H-lipiodol suspension. Of these, epirubicin and DDP-H treatment groups comprised 106 and 96 patients, respectively. The median follow-up time was 32 months (range: 1-45 months). The progression free survival rate in the DDP-H–lipiodol group was significantly higher than in the epirubicin-lipiodol group (log-rank test, P =0.0164). Moreover, the DDP-H–lipiodol group showed significantly better overall survival than the epirubicin-lipiodol group (log-rank test: P =0.0052). The overall survival rate at 1, 2, and 3 years was 88.5, 71.8 and 62.4%, respectively, for the DDP-H-lipiodol group and 83.0, 57.9 and 36.5%, respectively, in the epirubicin-lipiodol group. In a multivariate analysis, the independent factors affecting overall survival were drug (epirubicin vs. DDP-H; hazard ratio 0.44, P= 0.0001), clinical stage (I/II vs. III/IV; hazard ratio 1.93, P = 0.0026), and Child-Pugh score (A vs. B/C; hazard ratio 3.15, P < 0.0001). TACE using a gelatin sponge and lipiodol with DDP-H showed better progression-free survival and overall survival rates than TACE with the epirubicin-lipiodol emulsion in patients with HCC. The improvement of overall survival in patients with HCC receiving this treatment warrants further investigation as a randomized control trial.     

Risk factors, sequential organ failure assessment and model for end-stage liver disease scores for predicting short term mortality in cirrhotic patients admitted to intensive care unit

BACKGROUND: Prognostic scores in an intensive care unit (ICU) evaluate outcomes, but derive from cohorts containing few cirrhotic patients. AIMS: To evaluate 6-week mortality in cirrhotic patients admitted to an ICU, and to compare general and liver-specific prognostic scores. METHODS: A total of 312 consecutive cirrhotic patients (65% alcoholic; mean age 49.6 years). Multivariable logistic regression to evaluate admission factors associated with survival. Child-Pugh, Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores were compared by receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: Major indication for admission was respiratory failure (35.6%). Median (range) Child-Pugh, APACHE II, MELD and SOFA scores were 11 (5-15), 18 (0-44), 24 (6-40) and 11 (0-21), respectively; 65% (n = 203) died. Survival improved over time (P = 0.005). Multivariate model factors: more organs failing (FOS) (<3 = 49.5%, > or =3 = 90%), higher FiO(2), lactate, urea and bilirubin; resulting in good discrimination [area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) = 0.83], similar to SOFA and MELD (AUC = 0.83 and 0.81, respectively) and superior to APACHE II and Child-Pugh (AUC = 0.78 and 0.72, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Cirrhotics admitted to ICU with > or =3 failing organ systems have 90% mortality. The Royal Free model discriminated well and contained key variables of organ function. SOFA and MELD were better predictors than APACHE II or Child-Pugh scores.     

Clip评分系统在肝癌经肝动脉化疗栓塞术后急性肝损伤的意义

目的探讨Clip评分系统在原发性肝癌(HCC)经肝动脉化疗栓塞术(TACE)后急性肝损伤的意义。方法对151例HCC自诊患者行TACE术后发生急性肝损伤的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果Clip评分系统得分为2分的患者接受TACE术后发生急性肝损伤明显(P<0.05)。结论Clip评分系统由于兼顾了肿瘤及肝功能两方面因素,在预测TACE术后发生急性肝损伤方面显示其独特优势,是评价TACE术后发生急性肝损伤及肝功能衰竭的有效手段。     

Impact of evidence‐based medicine on the treatment of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31 , 493–501

Summary

Background A randomized controlled trial performed by the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) published in 2002 demonstrated that transcatheter arterial chemoembolisation (TACE) is an effective treatment for well‐selected patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Aim To access whether this information has modified the use of TACE in clinical practice. Methods From 2042 HCC patients included in the Italian Liver Cancer database, we selected 336 cases diagnosed over two 4‐year periods (1999–2002, n = 161 and 2003–2006, n = 175), fulfilling the inclusion criteria of the BCLC study. These groups were compared for TACE application rate, patient characteristics and survival. Results Patients undergoing TACE increased in the 2003–2006 period (from 62% to 73%, P = 0.035), with an increase in of Child‐Pugh class A (from 64% to 77%, P = 0.048) and advanced HCC patients (from 54% to 69%, P = 0.041). In the 1999–2002 period, there was no significant difference in survival between TACE‐treated and untreated patients, while in the 2003–2006 period, TACE‐treated patients survived longer (P < 0.0001). Conclusions Following the publication of studies providing evidence of a survival benefit of TACE in selected patients with unresectable HCC, significantly more patients with well‐compensated cirrhosis underwent TACE within this very homogenous population, leading to an increased survival despite a more advanced tumour stage.     

Comparison of transarterial chemoembolization and percutaneous acetic acid injection as the primary loco-regional therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: a prospective survey

BACKGROUND: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and percutaneous acetic acid injection (PAI) are effective loco-regional therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). AIM: To compare the therapeutic efficacy of TACE vs. PAI for unresectable HCC. METHODS: A total of 310 patients with unresectable HCCs (size 相似文献   

Predictors of outcome in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma receiving transcatheter arterial chemoembolization

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been shown to improve survival in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). AIM: To identify pretreatment factors that predicts increased mortality in HCC patients receiving TACE. METHODS: Retrospective review of all patients who underwent TACE for HCC from January 1999 to November 2004. Patient demographics, aetiology of liver disease, laboratory and imaging data regarding tumour characteristics were obtained. RESULTS: Eighty-eight patients (57 +/- 1 years age) received 1-4 sessions of TACE (1.4 +/- 0.1). Tumour size was 3.3 +/- 0.2 cm (range 1-13 cm, median 3 cm) with mean number of lesions 1.9 +/- 0.1 (range 1-7). Mean model for the end stage liver disease score: 11 +/- 0.4; cancer of the liver Italian program score: 1.3 +/- 0.1. Survival post-TACE (excluding those underwent orthotopic liver transplantation) was 12 +/- 0.3 months. By multivariate analysis, tumour size (HR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.11-1.68, P = 0.003), hypovascularity (HR = 12.62, 95% CI: 1.79-88.92, P = 0.01) and elevated international normalized ratio (HR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.10-1.92 P = 0.008) are shown to be significant risk factors for increased mortality. CONCLUSION: TACE therapy leads to a mean survival of 12 months in patients not receiving orthotopic liver transplantation. Tumour size, hypovascularity on imaging, and elevated international normalized ratio are predictors of increased mortality after TACE therapy for HCC.     

肝脏储备功能相关系统对肝硬化失代偿期预后的评估与分析

目的运用终末期肝病模型（MELD）评分与CTP分级等对失代偿期肝硬化患者短期生存状况进行相关性回顾性分析，预测失代偿期肝硬化患者3个月、1年的病死率。方法应用MELD、MELD—Na计算公式及CTP分级分别对119例肝硬化失代偿期患者进行评分及分级，比较不同MELD评分（≤9、10～19、20～29、≥30分）组及CTP不同分级患者（A、B、C级）3月和1年的病死率，并分析肝硬化失代偿期患者随访3月、1年预后的临床特征。结果MELD评分≤9、10～19、20．29、≥30分者，3个月内死亡率分别为：2．17％，10．71％、64．29％和100％；1年病死率分别为：26．09％、32．14％、57．14％和100％，各组间差异有显著性（3月组P〈0．05，1年组P〈0．01）。表明肝硬化失代偿期患者短期（3月与1年）病死率与MELD分值有关。以R〉18分为界分组比较3月、1年的病死率，结果显示〉18分的3月、1年病死率明显高于≤18分组，差异有极显著性（两组P〈0．01）。CTP分级显示：A、B、C级3个月内各组死亡率分别为6．78％、15．38％、42．86％，各组差异有极显著性（P〈0．01）。1年病死率分别     

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization vs. chemoinfusion for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with major portal vein thrombosis

Background  Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been limited in palliative treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with major portal vein (PV) invasion due to the possibility of liver failure following embolization. Transcatheter arterial chemoinfusion (TACI) has been an option in such cases.
Aim  To compare clinical outcomes after TACE vs. TACI in HCC patients with major PV occlusion.
Methods  We compared clinical outcomes after TACE vs. TACI in HCC patients with major PV occlusion. From 2005 to 2007, 110 HCC patients with major PV thrombosis were treated with TACE ( n  = 49) or TACI ( n  = 61).
Results  The morbidity rate was similar for both TACE (6.1%) and TACI (6.5%) patients, and complications were adequately managed using medical treatment. The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that the survival period was significantly longer for the TACE group (median: 14.9 months) than for the TACI (median: 4.4 months) group ( P  < 0.001). There was a higher probability of death in the TACI group than in the TACE group in both our multivariate Cox-proportional hazards (OR 3.09, P  < 0.001) and the propensity score-matched (27 pairs) cohort analyses (OR 2.27, P  = 0.024).
Conclusions  Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization can be safely performed in HCC patients with main PV occlusion. Compared with TACI, TACE may result in longer survival of HCC patients with major PV occlusion.     

终末期肝病模型评分差值对食管静脉曲张破裂大出血硬化治疗预后的判断价值

目的评估终末期肝病模型及差值对肝硬化食管静脉曲张破裂大出血硬化治疗短期(1个月、3个月、6个月)预后分析的价值。方法对具有完整病例资料和随访结果的76食管静脉曲张破裂大出血行硬化治疗的肝硬化患者进行回顾性分析,计算每例患者入院时的MELD、CTP评分以及随访期间的MELD,两次MELD之差为△MELD,以受试者工作曲线(ROC)下面积衡量CTP、MELD、△MELD对患者预后的预测能力,所有患者随访6个月以上。结果硬化治疗0~1个月、1~3个月、3~6个月内再出血或死亡病例分别为14、26、19人,未出血组和再出血或死亡组的CTP、MELD、△MELD值比较有统计学意义(P<0.01);CTP、MELD、△MELD对3个月预后评估的ROC线下面积分别为(0.73±0.06)、(0.85±0.05)、(0.88±0.42);对6个月预后评估的ROC线下面积分别为(0.61±0.10)、(0.85±0.07)、(0.96±0.03),三者间曲线下面积比较具有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论△MELD可准确地预测食管静脉曲张破裂大出血行硬化治疗的肝硬化患者的短期预后,其准确性优于初期MELD及CTP评分,值得临床推广应用。     

MELD、MELD-Na、SOFA评分系统对肝衰竭短期预后的价值

目的:比较终末期肝病模型(MELD)、MELD-Na模型、序贯器官衰竭估计(SOFA)评分系统对预测肝功能衰竭患者短期预后的价值。方法:选取290例肝衰竭患者,分为存活组(143例)和死亡组(147例),测量并比较2组的总胆红素(TBIL)、血清肌酐(Cr)、凝血酶原时间(PT)、PT的国际标准化比率(INR)、血小板计数(PLT)、MELD、MELD-Na和SOFA分值。应用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线下面积评价MELD、MELD-Na及SOFA评分对肝衰竭短期预后的预测价值。结果:死亡组的年龄、TBIL、Cr、INR、MELD、MELD-Na及SOFA评分高于存活组,血清Na+水平低于存活组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。MELD、MELD-Na和SOFA评分越高,病死率越高。MELD、MELD-Na及SOFA评分所得最佳临界值分别为25.01、28.14和7.50。SOFA评分的曲线下面积(AUC)优于MELD-Na评分(Z=11.128,P<0.01)和MELD评分(Z=11.004,P<0.01),MELD-Na评分的AUC优于MELD评分(Z=2.865,P<0.01)。结论:MELD、MELD-Na和SOFA评分均能较好地预测肝衰竭患者短期临床预后,SOFA评分系统对肝衰竭预后判断的价值更高。     

Sorafenib extends the survival time of patients with multiple recurrences of hepatocellular carcinoma after liver transplantation

Aim:

To determine the efficacy and toxicities of sorafenib in the treatment of patients with multiple recurrences of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after liver transplantation in a Chinese population.

Methods:

Twenty patients with multiple recurrences of HCC after liver transplantation were retrospectively studied. They received either transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) or TACE combined with sorafenib.

Results:

The median survival times (MST) after multiple recurrences was 14 months (TACE+sorafenib group) and 6 months (TACE only group). The difference was significant in MST between the two groups (P=0.005). The TACE + sorafenib group had more stable disease (SD) patients than the TACE group. The most frequent adverse events of sorafenib were hand–foot skin reaction and diarrhea. In the univariate analysis, preoperative bilirubin and CHILD grade are found to be significantly associated with tumor-free survival time, the survival time after multiple recurrences and overall survival time. TACE+sorafenib group showed a better outcome than single TACE treatment group. In the multivariate COX regression modeling, the preoperative high CHILD grade was found to be a risk factor of tumor-free survival time. In addition, the preoperative high bilirubin grade was also found to be a risk factor of survival time after recurrence and overall survival time. Furthermore, survival time after recurrence and overall survival time were also associated with therapeutic schedule, which was indicated by the GROUP.

Conclusion:

Treatment with TACE and sorafenib is worthy of further study and may have more extensive application prospects.     

TACE联合复方苦参注射液治疗中晚期原发性肝癌的疗效观察

目的:观察经皮选择性肝动脉化疗栓塞术(TACE)联合复方苦参注射液治疗中、晚期原发性肝癌的临床疗效。方法:将64例原发性肝癌患者随机分为单纯TACE组(32例)和TACE联合复方苦参注射液组(32例),分析比较2组患者治疗前、后甲胎蛋白含量、肿瘤大小、Child-pugh分级、MELD评分及生活质量KPS评分的变化,跟踪随访患者生存期,比较2组的治疗效果。结果:TACE联合复方苦参注射液组临床疗效各方面均优于单纯TACE组(P<0.05),TACE联合复方苦参注射液组患者生存期高于单纯TACE组(P<0.05);TACE联合复方苦参组治疗后KPS评分升高幅度高于单纯TACE组(P<0.05);TACE联合复方苦参注射液组治疗后MELD评分、Child-pugh评分降低幅度均大于单纯TACE组(P<0.05);TACE联合复方苦参注射液组术后甲胎蛋白降低及肿瘤体积的减小比单纯TACE组明显(P<0.05)。TACE联合复方苦参注射液组治疗过程中未见严重不良反应。结论:TACE联合复方苦参注射液治疗原发性肝癌的临床疗效显著,可以减少TACE术后不良反应的发生。     

How have the recent advances in antiviral therapy impacted the management of virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma?

Introduction: Whether the recent advances in antiviral therapy including nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) or interferon (IFN) impacts the management of patients with virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear.

Area covered: The beneficial effects of antiviral therapy on HCC patients receiving curative treatment, transhepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE), or radiotherapy are reviewed and discussed.

Expert opinion: For patients with HCV-related HCC after curative treatment, interferon (IFN)-based therapy has been shown to improve the survival and reduces the risk of HCC recurrence. However, it carries the risk of adverse effects, especially in cirrhotic patients. Therefore, the benefit of IFN should be weighted against its risk in each individual. For patients with HBV-related HCC after curative treatments, antiviral treatment with NA has been found to improve liver function, overall survival, and possibly reduce the risk of HCC recurrence. In contrast, these benefits were not consistently observed in those receiving IFN treatment. In HCC patients receiving palliative TACE or radiotherapy, HBV reactivation occurs in a small proportion of them, and preemptive NA treatment can reduce the risk of hepatitis flare due to viral reactivation. Therefore, NA treatment after curative treatments or TACE is strongly recommended for HCC patients with high viral load (HBV DNA> 2000 IU/mL).     

不能切除的肝细胞癌综合介入治疗初探

目的：评价综合介入（肝动脉化疗栓塞联合超声引导下介入）治疗不能手术切除的原发肝癌的疗效。方法：６２例不能手术切除的原发肝癌患者分为两组,Ａ组３１例行单纯ＴＡＣＥ,Ｂ组３１例行综合介入治疗,于ＴＡＣＥ治疗两周后再行超声引导下介入治疗。结果：本组病例全部随访１个月～２年。Ｂ组１年、２年的生存率分别为５８．０６％和３８．７１％,高于Ａ组的２２．５８％和９．６８％（均Ｐ〈０．０１）。结论：对于不能手术切除     

Prognostic value of hepatic venous pressure gradient for in-hospital mortality of patients with severe acute alcoholic hepatitis

BACKGROUND: Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) has prognostic value in complications and survival of patients with liver cirrhosis. However, the relationship between HVPG and the outcome of acute alcoholic hepatitis (AAH), as well as the specific features of portal hypertension syndrome in this setting, have not been defined. AIMS: To evaluate the prognostic value of HVPG and to analyse the degree of portal hypertension and hyperdynamic circulation in patients with severe AAH. METHODS: Early measurements of HVPG were performed in 60 patients with severe AAH, and compared with the haemodynamic findings of 37 and 29 liver transplantation candidates with alcoholic or viral end-stage cirrhosis respectively. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients (38%) died during hospitalization. Portal hypertension and hyperdynamic circulation were more severe in AAH patients. HVPG was greater in non-survivors [26.9 (7.4) vs. 19.4 (5.2) mmHg, P < 0.001]. Only 4/31 (13%) patients with HVPG 22 (P < 0.001). Encephalopathy (OR 9.4; CI 1.4-64.8), Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score > 25 (OR 7.4; CI 1.4-39.9) and HVPG > 22 mmHg (OR 6.7; CI 1.1-39.9) were independently associated to in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Early measurement of HVPG provides important prognostic information on the short-term outcome of patients with severe AAH. In addition, MELD score also seems to be a strong prognostic factor in these patients.     

The combination of sorafenib with transarterial chemoembolisation for hepatocellular carcinoma

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2011; 34: 205–213

Summary

Background Standard of practice involves using transarterial therapy for multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) alone and sorafenib only for more advanced HCC, but the sorafenib and transarterial therapy combination may provide greater efficacy. Aim To evaluate the safety and efficacy of concurrent sorafenib and transarterial therapy in HCC. Methods Consecutive cases of HCC were treated with sorafenib and transarterial therapy, receiving sorafenib 2 to 4 weeks before transarterial therapy. Baseline clinical parameters, adverse events (AEs) and survival were collected. Results A total of 47 patients received sorafenib and transarterial therapy. The majority of the patients were male (70%) with HCV (60%), median age of 60 years, good performance status (0–1), stable cirrhosis (Child: A 72%; B 28%), unresectable tumour (stage: B 81%; C 19%) and median AFP of 24 ng/mL. Median follow‐up was 12 months and median time on sorafenib was 6 months. LC Bead TACE was used with a median frequency of 3. The majority of the patients (89%) experienced AEs. The most common AEs were fatigue (51%), hand‐foot skin reaction (51%) and diarrhoea (43%). Grade 3 and 4 AEs included fatigue (13%) and hand‐foot skin reaction (26%). Most patients required a dose reduction (66%). The main AE related to transarterial therapy was post‐TACE syndrome (23%). The disease control rate was 68% at 6 months. Overall median survival rate was 18.5 months (95% CI 16.1–20.9 months). Conclusion Concurrent sorafenib and transarterial therapy is overall safe with no unexpected side effects and encouraging efficacy that warrants further study.     

Tamoxifen in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: 5-year results of the CLIP-1 multicentre randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND: In 1998, when data of a meta-analysis on tamoxifen in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) had suggested a little advantage for this treatment, we published the results of a multicenter randomised controlled trial, that showed no survival benefit for tamoxifen vs. control. Here we report an updated analysis of the study results 4.5 years after the closure of enrollment. METHODS: The study had a planned sample size of 480 patients. Patients with any stage HCC were eligible, irrespective of locoregional treatment. Tamoxifen was given orally, 40 mg/die, from randomisation until death. RESULTS: 496 patients were randomised by 30 Institutions from January 1995 to January 1997. Information was available for 477 patients. As of July 2001, 374 deaths (78%) were recorded, and median survival times were 16 and 15 months (p=0.54), in the control and tamoxifen arm. Data were further analysed separately for advanced patients and for those eligible to potentially curative locoregional treatments: relative hazard of death for patients receiving tamoxifen was equal to 0.98 (95% CI 0.76-1.25) for the former group and 1.38 (95% CI 0.95-2.01) for the latter. The prognostic score recently devised by our group (CLIP score) was, as expected, strictly correlated (p<0.0001) to the locoregional treatment received and strongly correlated with prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: the update of the present study confirms that tamoxifen is not effective in prolonging survivals, both in advanced patients and in those potentially curable and that the CLIP score is able to predict prognosis.     

Survival of patients with early hepatocellular carcinoma treated by percutaneous alcohol injection

BACKGROUND: Once small (<10 mm) nodules, suspicious for hepatocellular carcinoma, are detected in cirrhotics, the European Association for the Study of the Liver guidelines recommend to delay histological confirmation and treatment until they increase in size. AIM: To validate this policy by evaluating survival of 450 cirrhotics in Child-Pugh class A or B with unifocal 'early' hepatocellular carcinoma treated by percutaneous alcohol injection. METHODS: Patients were sorted by nodular size into three groups: < or =10 mm (n = 36, group A), >10 to < or = 20 mm (n = 142, group B) and >20 to < or = 30 mm (n = 272, group C). Overall and tumour-free survivals were estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: In groups A, B and C, mean follow-up was 33 +/- 26, 34 +/- 22 and 35 +/- 25 months (P = 0.89), mean survival time was 63 +/- 54, 57 +/- 48 and 62 +/- 66 months (P = 0.69) and mean tumour-free survival was 44 +/- 47, 46 +/- 58 and 41 +/- 68 months (P = 0.51), respectively. When patients were sorted by Child status, mean survival time was 76 +/- 82 and 38 +/- 29 months in Child A and B (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The comparable survival of percutaneous alcohol injection-treated patients with single, early hepatocellular carcinoma sorted by nodular size supports the European Association for the Study of the Liver 'wait-and-see' policy for patients with lesions <10 mm, and suggests that allowing the nodules to grow prior to taking further diagnostic or therapeutic actions would not harm these patients.     

原发性肝癌肝动脉栓塞与三维适形放疗的治疗研究

目的探讨肝动脉化疗栓塞术(TACE)联合三维适形放射(3DCRT)治疗病灶局限的原发性肝癌的临床价值。方法30例患者随机分为两组,实验组行TACE2次后,再予三维适形放疗;对照组仅给予TACE3次。结果实验组、对照组瘤体缩小率[TSR(PR+MR)]为66.67%和40%,两组差异有显著意义(P<0.05);治疗后AFP下降率两组分别是100%和86.67%,两组差异有显著意义(P<0.05);半年、1年、2年累积生存率实验组分别是100.00%(15/15)、60.00%(9/15)、33.33%(5/15),中位生存时间18.5个月;对照组分别是80.00%(12/15)、33.33%(5/15)、20%(3/15),中位生存时间10个月。结论TACE联合3DCRT近期疗效优于单纯TACE。