High-intensity focused ultrasound combined with transarterial chemoembolization for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: Long-term follow-up and clinical analysis

Abstract Objective High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) combined with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been used to treat unresectable HCC, but its long-term effects and major prognostic factors remain to be determined. The purpose of this study was to assess its long-term effects and find major prognostic factors to help us select eligible patients in the future. Methods 73 patients with unresectable HCC received follow-up after HIFU + TACE. The variables of sex, age, AFP level, liver function, tumor location, tumor number, tumor size, TNM staging (5th edition), TNM staging (6th edition), portal vein invasion, ultrasonic pathway of HIFU, TACE session and ablation response were evaluated by univariate analysis. Those variables with significant difference were assessed by multivariate analysis. Results The mean follow-up time was 11.7 ± 11.1 months (range, 1–60 months). The median survival time and overall survival rates of 1, 2, 3-year were 12 months, 49.1%, 18.8%, 8.4%, respectively. 45.2% patients achieved complete ablation. At the end of follow-up, 51 patients (69.9%) died from tumor progression (27 patients), liver function failure (18 patients), hemorrhage of upper digestive tract (3 patients) and infection (3 patients). 1 with liver abscess, 2 with serious skin burns and 2 with rib fracture were observed after HIFU. On univariate analysis, age ( P  = 0.017), tumor size ( P  = 0.000), tumor number ( P  = 0.039), the 5th edition of TNM staging ( P  = 0.023), portal vein invasion ( P  = 0.02) and ablation response ( P  = 0.000) had significant difference. On multivariate analysis, ablation response ( P  = 0.001) and tumor size ( P  = 0.013) were major prognostic factors. Conclusion HIFU combined with TACE is a safe method with a low rate of severe complications. As major prognostic factors, ablation response and tumor size may help us predict the survival and select eligible patients clinically.