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World J Gastroenterol. Apr 7, 2006; 12(13): 2075-2079
Published online Apr 7, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i13.2075
Prognosis following transcatheter arterial embolization for 121 patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma with or without a history of treatment
Atsushi Hiraoka, Teru Kumagi, Masashi Hirooka, Takahide Uehara, Kiyotaka Kurose, Hidehito Iuchi, Yoichi Hiasa, Bunzo Matsuura, Kojiro Michitaka, Seishi Kumano, Hiroaki Tanaka, Yoshimasa Yamashita, Norio Horiike, Teruhito Mochizuki, Morikazu Onji
Atsushi Hiraoka, Teru Kumagi, Masashi Hirooka, Takahide Uehara, Kiyotaka Kurose, Hidehito Iuchi, Yoichi Hiasa, Bunzo Matsuura, Kojiro Michitaka, Norio Horiike, Morikazu Onji, Third Department of Internal Medicine, Ehime University School of Medicine, Ehime, Japan
Kojiro Michitaka, Endoscopy Center, Ehime University School of Medicine, Ehime, Japan
Seishi Kumano, Hiroaki Tanaka, Teruhito Mochizuki, Department of Radiology, Ehime University School of Medicine, Ehime, Japan
Yoshimasa Yamashita, Department of Internal Medicine, Ehime Prefecture Central Hospital, Ehime, Japan
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Morikazu Onji, MD, Third Department of Internal Medicine, Ehime University School of Medicine, Ehime 791-0295, Japan. onjimori@m.ehime-u.ac.jp
Telephone: +81-89-9605308 Fax: +81-89-9605310
Received: September 11, 2005
Revised: October 12, 2005
Accepted: October 26, 2005
Published online: April 7, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To retrospectively evaluate the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with or without a history of therapy for HCC following transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE).

METHODS: One hundred and twenty-one patients with HCC treated with TAE from 1992 to 2004 in our hospital were enrolled in this study. Eighty-four patients had a history of treatment for HCC, while 37 did not. At the time of entry, patients with extra-hepatic metastasis, portal vein tumor thrombosis, or Child-Pugh class C were excluded. TAE was repeated when recurrence of HCC was diagnosed by elevated tumor markers, or ultrasonography or dynamic computed tomography findings.

RESULTS: Tumor size was larger and the number of tumors was fewer in patients without past treatment (P < 0.01). However, there were no differences in tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage or survival rate between the 2 groups. A bilobular tumor and high level of α-fetoprotein (AFP) (>100 ng/mL) were factors related to a poor prognosis in patients with a history of HCC.

CONCLUSION: The prognosis following TAE is similar between HCC patients with and without past treatment. Early diagnosis of HCC or recurrent HCC and obtaining good local control against HCC before entry to a repeated TAE course can improve prognosis.

Keywords: Unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma; Prognosis; Repeated transcatheter arterial embolization