MULTIDISCIPLINARY MANAGEMENT OF HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA

Background/Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a disease with a poor prognosis. Several different therapies have been recommended f or use as adjuvant treatment for this disease. One of the most promisi ng therapies is targeted locoregional immno-chemotherapy. Materials an d Methods: From 1990 to 1996, 91 patients who were eligible for liver resection. were treated in a prospective randomized study. Forty-true patients received resection alone (Group A) and 49 received resection plus chemoembolization. and targeted locoregional immuno-chemotherapy (Group B). Results: The mortality rate for these two groups was signif icantly different (13% vs 4%) favoring Group B. Overall survival was a lso significantly different (18 months vs 36.3 months) again favoring Group B. Conclusions: Although prognosis is still miserable for HCC, t he approach of targeted locoregional immuno-chemotherapy can. offer ne w hope of improved resectability and survival.