ABSTRACT
Objective To discuss the nursing care for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who are receiving transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with sorafenib. Methods A total of 23 consecutive patients with advanced HCC who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in this study. TACE was carried out in all patients. Three-five days after TACE the patients started to orally take sorafenib. During the treatment course, the patients were kept under close observation for adverse reactions and complications. After leaving the hospital the patients were followed up by the extended care team members, and health education as well as appropriate nursing intervention was carried out. Results All patients with advanced HCC took sorafenib orally after TACE. The major adverse events and complications were gastrointestinal adverse reactions (n = 22) and transient liver dysfunction (n = 23). After leaving the hospital all the patients received regular follow- up examination and extended nursing care. Conclusion Usually, the incidence of adverse reactions is higher in patients with advanced HCC after TACE combined with sorafenib treatment. Careful in-hospital observation and extended out-hospital nursing can reduce the incidence of adverse reactions and thus improve the patient’s quality of life.