https://aasldpubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1053/jhep.2003.50047

Systematic review of randomized trials for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: Chemoembolization improves survival

A new prognostic system for hepatocellular carcinoma: A retrospective study of 435 patients

PURPOSE: To review the available evidence of chemoembolization for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Computerized bibliographic searches with MEDLINE and CANCERLIT databases from 1980 through 2000 were supplemented with manual searches, with the keywords “hepatocellular carcinoma,” “liver cell carcinoma,” “randomized controlled trial [RCT],” and “chemoembolization.” Studies were included if patients with unresectable HCC were enrolled and if they were RCTs in which chemoembolization was compared with nonactive treatment (five RCTs) or if different transarterial modalities of therapy (13 RCTs) were compared. Data were extracted from each RCT according to the intention-to-treat method. Five of the RCTs with a nonactive treatment arm were combined by using the random-effects model, whereas all 18 RCTs were pooled from meta–regression analysis. RESULTS: Chemoembolization significantly reduced the overall 2-year mortality rate (odds ratio, 0.54; 95% CI: 0.33, 0.89; P = .015) c...

Transarterial chemoembolization for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Prospective Cohort Study of Transarterial Chemoembolization for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma in 8510 Patients

Chemoembolization (TACE) improves survival in cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The optimal schedule, or whether embolization (TAE) alone gives the same survival advantage, is not known. To evaluate whether specific patient characteristics and/or radiological transarterial techniques result in better outcomes. A PubMed search was carried out for cohort and randomized trials (n = 175) testing transarterial therapies; meta-analysis was performed where appropriate. Anticancer drugs were used as sole agent in 75% of cases (double 15% and triple 6%): doxorubicin (36%), cisplatin (31%), epirubicin (12%), mitoxantrone (8%), mitomycin (8%), and SMANCS (5%). Embolizing agents used were: gelatin sponge particles (71%), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles (8%), degradable starch microspheres (DSM) (4%), and embospheres (4%). Sessions per patient were 2.5 ± 1.5 (interval: 2 months). Objective response was 40 ± 20%; survival rates at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years were: 62 ± 20%, 42 ± 17%, 30 ± 15%, and 19 ± 16%, respectively, and survival time was 18 ± 9.5 months. The post-TACE complications were: acute liver failure, 7.5% (range 0–49%); acute renal failure, 1.8% (0–13%); encephalopathy, 1.8% (0–16%); ascites, 8.3% (0–52%); upper gastrointestinal bleeding; 3% (0–22%); and hepatic or splenic abscess, 1.3% (0–2.5%). Treatment-related mortality was 2.4% (0–9.5%), mainly due to acute liver failure. Our meta-analysis of nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) confirmed that TACE improves survival; but a meta-analysis of TACE versus TAE alone (3 RCTs, 412 patients) demonstrated no survival difference. No chemotherapeutic agent appears better than any other. There is no evidence for benefit with lipiodol. Gelatin sponge is the most used embolic agent, but PVA particles may be better. TAE appears as effective as TACE. New strategies to reduce the risk of post-TACE complications are required.

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Transarterial Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Which Technique Is More Effective? A Systematic Review of Cohort and Randomized Studies

From January 1986 to December 1988, a prospective trial of transcatheter arterial treatment was carried out for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Two hundred seventy-five patients were included. Okuda's staging system was employed. Patients with Stage I and II HCC were treated by transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) with a gelatin sponge containing an anti-cancer agent (protocol 1a); a gelatin sponge and iodized oil mixed with an anti-cancer agent (protocol 1b); or iodized oil mixed with an anti-cancer agent (protocol 2). Patients with Stage III HCC were treated with iodized oil with anti-cancer agent (protocol 2). As an exception, patients with an unsuccessful superselective catheterization into the proper hepatic artery by Seldinger technique or obstruction of the main trunk of the portal vein were treated with percutaneous transcatheter arterial infusion into the common hepatic artery regardless of stage (protocol 3). Tumor type and extension, area of tumor involvement, portal vein involvement, method of treatment, and presence of ascites and icterus were found to be the significant factors for an initial response to therapy. Treatment method was the most important factor. Respective survival rates at 1 and 2 years were 70.9% and 55.3% for protocol 1a; 62.3% and 43.8% for protocol 1b; 37.8% and 18.3% for protocol 2; and 16.5% and 0% for protocol 3. Many factors proved to significantly influenced prognosis; however, tumor type had the most important prognostic significance followed by AFP value, ascites, treatment protocol, and area of tumor involvement.

Prognostic factors in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with transcatheter arterial embolization and arterial infusion.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of transcatheter management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective trial of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) was performed in patients with unresectable HCC. Three hundred twenty-two patients (265 men, 57 women; age range, 30-83 years) underwent TAE alone: 60 patients underwent TAE with gelatin sponge (GS) that contained anticancer agents (protocol 1); 78, TAE with GS and iodized oil mixed with anticancer agents (protocol 2); and 159, TAE with iodized oil with anticancer agents (protocol 3). A Cox proportional hazard model was used to analyze prognostic factors. RESULTS: In the randomized group (n = 272), survival rates for protocols 1, 2, and 3 were 80.4%, 86.3%, and 65.9%, respectively, at 1 year. Findings of analysis of prognostic factors showed that extrahepatic metastases, ascites, tumor extension, and icterus were the important factors. CONCLUSION: TAE with GS was superior to TAE without GS. Patient characteristics...

Unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: analysis of prognostic factors in transcatheter management.

From January 1986 to December 1988, 85 patients (55 men and 30 women, mean age 59 years) with metastatic liver tumors were treated with hepatic artery embolization (TAE) or infusion (HAI). Sixty-eight patients with successful catheterization were treated with TAE using iodized oil (Lipiodol) mixed with anticancer agent (ACA). in 12 of 68 patients with hypervascular tumors gelatin sponge was added. Patients with unsuccessful catheterization were treated with hepatic artery infusion of ACA. Forty-three patients received oral chemotherapy following TAE or HAI. Overall, the 6-month, and 1- and 2-year survival rates were 69.5, 31.8 and 4.1 per cent, respectively (mean 233 days). A univariate analysis of prognostic factors showed that number of metastases, stage, treatment times and oral chemotherapy were all significant factors (p<0.05). Ascites, jaundice, percentage of hepatic replacement and treatment protocol also had some influence (p<0.1). Sex, age, primary site, elevation of tumor markers, other metastat...

Prognostic factors in liver metastases after transcatheter arterial embolization or arterial infusion

Radiological findings of retroperitoneal leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma: report of two cases.

The endoscopic and radiographic findings of 45 gastric adenomas in 39 patients were followed for 6 months to 13 years and compared with type Ha early gastric cancer observed in 9 patients. Difficulties in the differential diagnosis of these disorders were evaluated. the following features were suggestive of gastric adenomas: clustered lesions; protuberance with gentle slope; smooth surface; and relatively young patients. Discrimination of adenoma from type Ha early gastric cancer is often difficult by visual observation alone; biopsy was essential in most patients. a group III adenoma verified on biopsy should be followed closely because the lesion may harbor a cancer (so-called carcinoma-in-adenoma) or a cancer may later develop.

Koki Nakashima

Papers

Prognostic factors in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with transcatheter arterial embolization and arterial infusion.

Unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: analysis of prognostic factors in transcatheter management.

Prognostic factors in liver metastases after transcatheter arterial embolization or arterial infusion

Radiological findings of retroperitoneal leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma: report of two cases.

Differential Diagnosis of Gastric Adenoma and Type IIA Early Gastric Cancer