Transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is common cancer in the world. Hepatitis B/C or alcoholic cirrhosis is usuallyunderlying condition. Surgical resection is curative treatment for small HCC, however most patients usually present whenadvanced or inoperable disease. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is most common alternative treatment for early andadvanced HCC. Curative treatment is possible in some selected cases. Multiple techniques of treatment are now developedwith improving result. Different chemotherapeutic drugs or embolic agents are now available without complication or lesstoxicity. Some limitation such as portal vein thrombosis or hepatoportal/hepatovenous shunt can be treated with TACE inselected cases. Multimodality or combined therapy improves survival for complicated cases. Complication rate is low whencarefully perform with good knowledge. We found that TACE is feasible and effective treatment for inoperable HCC.

Key words: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), Hepatitis B/C, Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE)