TACE combined with microwave ablation versus pure TACE for hepatocellular carcinomas larger than five cm in diameter: a propensity matching analysis / 介入放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To compare the curative effect of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE)plus microwave ablation (MWA) with that of pure TACE in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) larger than 5 cm in diameter.Methods The clinical data of 208 patients with HCC,who were admitted to authors' hospital to receive treatment during the period from June 2014 to December 2015,were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into combination group (n=40,treated with TACE+MWA) and TACE group (n=168,treated with TACE only).By using 1 ∶ 1 pairing,the curative results of the two groups were analyzed.The survival of patient was taken as the primary observation index,and both the one-month solidtumor response value determined with modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST)and the reduction in AFP level were the secondary observation indexes.Results A total of 31 pairings were accomplished.The baseline data of the paired groups were comparable.The results indicated that half-,one-,1.5-,2-and 2.5-year survival rates in the combination group were 96.8％,90.3％,86.8％,82.5％ and 70.7％ respectively,which were significantly better than those of 77.4％,61.3％,53.6％,48.2％ and 24.1％ respectively in the TACE group (P=0.011).The one-month tumor-control rate and the reduction degree in AFP level of the combination group were better than those of the TACE group.No severe complications occurred in both groups.Conclusion For the treatment of HCC that is larger than 5 cm in diameter,TACE combined with MWA is superior to pure TACE in increasing survival rate as well as in improving tumor-control rate.