Korean J Radiol.  2007 Apr;8(2):111-119. 10.3348/kjr.2007.8.2.111.

Local Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Segmental Transarterial Chemoembolization: Risk Estimates Based on Multiple Prognostic Factors

• Park SH
• Cho YK
• Ahn YS
• Park YO
• Kim JK
• Chung JW

• KMID: 1126834
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/kjr.2007.8.2.111

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To determine the prognostic factors for local recurrence of nodular hepatocellular carcinoma after segmental transarterial chemoembolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-four nodular hepatocellular carcinoma tumors < or = 5 cm were retrospectively analyzed for local recurrence after segmental transarterial chemoembolization using follow-up CT images (median follow-up of 17 months, 4-77 months in range). The tumors were divided into four groups (IA, IB, IIA, and IIB) according to whether the one-month follow-up CT imaging, after segmental transarterial chemoembolization, showed homogeneous (Group I) or inhomogeneous (Group II) iodized oil accumulation, or whether the tumors were located within the liver segment (Group A) or in a segmental border zone (Group B). Comparison of tumor characteristics between Group IA and the other three groups was performed using the chi-square test. Local recurrence rates were compared among the groups using the Kaplan-Meier estimation and log rank test. RESULTS: Local tumor recurrence occurred in 19 hepatocellular carcinoma tumors (25.7%). There were: 28, 18, 17, and 11 tumors in Group IA, IB, IIA, and IIB, respectively. One of 28 (3.6%) tumors in Group IA, and 18 of 46 (39.1%) tumors in the other three groups showed local recurrence. Comparisons between Group IA and the other three groups showed that the tumor characteristics were similar. One-, two-, and three-year estimated local recurrence rates in Group IA were 0%, 11.1%, and 11.1%, respectively. The difference between Group IA and the other three groups was statistically significant (p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: An acceptably low rate of local recurrence was observed for small or intermediate nodular tumors located within the liver segment with homogeneous iodized oil accumulation.

Keyword

Liver neoplasms, therapy; Chemoembolization

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/*pathology/radiography/*therapy
Chemoembolization, Therapeutic/*methods
Chi-Square Distribution
Female
Humans
Iodized Oil/administration & dosage
Liver Neoplasms/*pathology/radiography/*therapy
Male
Middle Aged
Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/radiography
Prognosis
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Tomography, X-Ray Computed