Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for unresectable primary hepatic carcinoma

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy(3DCRT )for unresectable primary hepatic carcinoma (PHC). MethodsNinety-four patients with unresectable PHC were initially treated with TACE and then sequentially with 3DCRT. The therapeutic effect and survival rate of the patients were assessed as endpoints with Cox proportional hazard model used to define prognostic factors. Of these 94 patients,82 presented with a solitary lesion and 12 with multiple ones. Fifty-nine patients received only one course of TACE while 35 several courses. The total radiation dose of 42-52 Gy was delivered to 42 patients, and 53-60 Gy to 52. ResultsThe local response rates were 90.4% (85/94) in 3 months and 83.0% (78/94) in 1 year after treatment with 12 CR,73 PR,6 NR and 3 PD. The 1-,2-,and 3-year survival rates were 93.6%,53.8% and 26.0% respectively,with a median survival duration of 25.0 months. In the multivariate analysis,the number of tumor lesion,Child's classification and clinical stage presented prognostic significance for overall survival (P0.05).ConclusionTranscatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with 3DCRT is an effective,favored and feasible approach with minimal trauma in the treatment of unresectable liver cancer.