ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and percutaneous cryosurgery sequential therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods Four hundred and twenty patients with unresectable HCC were divided into sequential TACE-cryosurgery sequential (sequential) group (n=290) and cryosurgery alone (cryoalone) group (n = 130). TACE was performed with the routine operation; the percutaneous cryosurgery was conducted 2 to 4 weeks after TACE. The patients were followed up at the first month and once every 2 to 3 month later. Liver ultrasound or both computer tomography and alpha fetal protein were examined during follow-up. Results During a mean follow-up of (42±17) months (range from 24 to 70 months), the local recurrence rate of ablated lesion was 17% for all the patients, 11% and 24% for patients in sequential group and cryoalone groups respectively (P=0. 001). The overall 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-and 5-year survival rate was 72%, 57%, 47%, 39% and 31%, respectively. The 1- and 2-year survival rates (71% and 61 % ) in sequential group were similar to those (73 % and 54 % ) in cryo-alone group (P=0.69 and 0. 147), while the 4- and 5-year survival rates were higher in sequential group (49 % and 39 % ) than those (29 % and 23 % ) in cryo-alone group (P= 0.001). Eighteen patients with large HCC (＞5 cm in diameter) in sequential group survived for more than 5 years while no one in cryo-alone group. Complication rate was 24% in all patients, 21% and 26% for the sequential and cryo-alone groups respectively (P=0. 06). The incidence of hepatic bleeding was higher in cryo-alone group than in sequential group (P=0. 02). Liver crack occurred in two patients of the cryoalone group. Conclusions Pre-cryosurgical TACE increased the cryoablation efficacy and decrease its complications, especially hepatic bleeding. TACE and cryosurgery sequential therapy may be a better treatment for unresectable HCC, especially for large HCC.