Faculty Collaboration Database

Chemoembolization in patients at high risk: results and complications. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2006 Jan;17(1):47-53

Date

01/18/2006

Pubmed ID

16415132

DOI

10.1097/01.RVI.0000195074.43474.2F

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-33745301777 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   50 Citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has become a standard treatment option for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is often used to palliate hepatic metastases. Many patients who are candidates for TACE present with poor hepatic reserve, advanced tumor stage with major portal vein (PV) invasion or thrombosis, and/or biliary dilation. These factors have been associated with a poor prognosis and increased complications after chemoembolization. Accordingly, these patients are classified as being at high risk and may not be considered for therapy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of TACE in these patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over a period of 5 years, 141 patients underwent 355 TACE procedures. Thirty-six patients (26%) were in the high-risk group as a result of major PV thrombosis, increased serum bilirubin level (>2 mg/dL), and/or intrahepatic biliary dilation. HCC was the underlying tumor in 60% of patients. Thirty-seven percent of patients had Child-Pugh class B/C disease. Patients in the high-risk group received more selective embolization with fewer particles and fewer procedures (2.0 vs 2.7; P < .04).

RESULTS: Patients in the high-risk group were more likely to have HCC (83% vs 51%; P < .01) and were also more likely to have advanced disease according to Child-Pugh classification versus patients in the low-risk group (49% vs 20%; P < .01). The overall complication rate was 4.3%, with no significant difference in complication rate between groups (3.2% vs 8.2%; P = .12). The overall 30-day mortality rate was 2.3%, and no significant difference in 30-day mortality rate was observed between the high- and low-risk groups (5.5% vs 1.4%; P = .11). A trend toward increased survival in the low-risk group did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that patients with advanced disease and decreased hepatic reserve who are treated with TACE exhibit no significant increase in morbidity or mortality and no significant decrease in survival. With variations in technique, TACE can be performed safely in patients with the relative risk factors that may classify them in high-risk groups.

Author List

Kiely JM, Rilling WS, Touzios JG, Hieb RA, Franco J, Saeian K, Quebbeman EJ, Pitt HA

Authors

Robert A. Hieb MD, RVT, FSIR Professor in the Radiology department at Medical College of Wisconsin
William S. Rilling MD, FSIR Vice Chair, Professor in the Radiology department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Kia Saeian MD Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Aged
Antineoplastic Agents
Budd-Chiari Syndrome
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular
Chemoembolization, Therapeutic
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Infusions, Intra-Arterial
Liver Neoplasms
Male
Middle Aged
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Severity of Illness Index
Survival Analysis
Treatment Outcome