Combined Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization And Portal Vein Chemotherapy In The Treatment Of Primary Liver Cancer With Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus

Objective To explore the therapeutic effect and safety of combined transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and portal vein chemotherapy (PVC) for primary liver cancer (PLC) with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT). Methods From January 2000 to December 2001, 46patients with unresectable PLC and PVTT were hospitalized. 16 cases (group A) of them were treated with TACE+PVC and the other 30 cases (group B) were treated with TACE only as control. Results The 1-, 2-year survival rates were 75.0%, 36.7% in group A, 43.8%, 10.0% in group B, respectively. There was a significant difference between the two groups (PO.05 and P<0.01). But there was not remarkable difference between the two groups in the 0.5-year survival rate and the morbidity of liver failure and upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Conclusion The therapeutic effect of TACE+PVC on PLC with PVTT is better than that of TACE alone and the method of TACE+PVC is safe and feasible.