The application of portal vein tumor thrombus classification in selecting therapeutic method for HCC patients and in estimating the prognosis / 介入放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) is a common finding in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC),and the presence of PVTT usually indicates a poor prognosis.At present,two PVTT classifications are adopted in clinical practice;they are VP classification of Japan and eastern hepatobiliary classification (Cheng's classification).There are some differences in PVTT classification between the above two typing criterion.Certain correlation exists between patient's prognosis and PVTT typing;for example,PVTT of type Ⅰ0 carries the best prognosis,while PVTT of type Ⅳ indicates the worst prognosis.The choice of treatment plan is limited by the type of PVTT for a given patient.Therefore,the optimal therapeutic regimen should be formulated based on the type of PVTT in order to control HCC and to benefit the patient.