Combined versus single interventional therapies in treatment of hepatic malignant tumors

Aim of work

To evaluate the effectiveness of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treatment of malignant hepatic focal lesions versus use of either TACE or RFA alone.

Material and methods

The study included 57 patients; 53 with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 3 with hepatic metastases, and one case with cholangiocarcinoma.They were divided into three groups according to the technique of treatment: the first group (25 patients) was treated by RF alone, the second group (17 patients) was treated by TACE alone and the third group (15 patients) was treated by combined RFA and TACE.

Results

In cases treated with RF only there was good response in 20% of hypervascular tumors and 28% of hypovascular tumors. In cases treated with TACE there was 47.06% good response in hypervascular tumors and 11.76% in hypovascular tumors. While in combined use of TACE and RF there was 60% good response in hypervascular tumors, and 26.66% in hypovascular tumors.

Conclusion

Combined interventional therapies are superior to any single therapy in treatment of either hypervascular or hypovascular hepatic malignant tumors.