Meta Analysis Of Transarterial Embolization Versus Transarterial Chemoembolization For Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of transarterial embolization in treating hepatocellular carcinoma against transarterial chemoembolization in a meta analysis.Method: Literatures comparing the therapeutic effect of hepatocellular carcinoma between transarterial embolization and transarterial chemoembolization were collected from the following database: MEDLINE(1966-2011-4), EMBASE(1974-2011-4), Cochrane Cental Register of Controlled Trials ( First Quarter 2011 ) and the Chinese Biomedicine Collaboration(1978-2011-4). The quality evaluation of studies and the data analysis followed the methods of Cochrane Collaboration. Meta analysis was performed by Review5.0 software.Results: Four randomized controlled trials including 496 HCC patients met the inclusion criteria and were subjected to a meta analysis. There is not statistics significance for the difference of 1,2,3 year survival rates and objective response rate between transarterial embolization and transarterial chemoembolization in treating hepatocellular carcinoma that potential cure treatment is impossible at enrollment.Conclusion: Transarterial chemoembolization is not superior to transarterial embolization in treating patients of hepatocellular carcinoma that potential cure treatment is impossible at enrollment. This conclusion might have some clinical implications in chosing treating method for patients of hepatocellular carcinoma.