Precision TACE in therapy of primary malignant tumors of liver/hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

AIM: Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most frequent malignant tumors in general and most common liver malignancy. Aim of this study was to determine the therapeutic effect of chemoembolization with microspheres charged with doxorubicin in HHC patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During for period of four-year (November 2005- November 2009) at Institute of radiology CC Ni transarterial chemoembolization procedures (precision TACE) was performed on 27 patients. There were 17 male and 10 female patients with average age of 62 years. Total number of 64 TACE interventions were done in total, minimally one, maximally 6 per patient. HCC was patohystologically verified in all patients included in this study. After selective catheterization of tumor feeding artery, followed by application of microspheres a follow-up study with evaluation of therapeutic effects was conducted. RESULTS: Patients were enrolled in the study and followed four years in total. The therapy effects were estimated according to RECIST criteria. CONCLUSION: Precision TACE represents effective and controlled method for application of chemotherapeutic agencies with reduced systemic toxicity. Our preliminary results show increased therapeutic efficacy, diminished mortality and subsequently prolonged survival rate and improved quality of life in patients with HCC.