Transarterial chemoembolization of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: CT parameters for evaluating the response to therapy

Purpose: An evaluation of clinical and computed tomography parameters for t he transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) . Material and Methods: Retro- and prospective analysis of 123 TACE procedu res in 37 patients (mean age: 63.3 years). Results: Overall mean survival r ate for all treated patients was 785 days with a mean value of 387 days. Th e 1 year survival rate was 62%. Quantitative tumor volumetry revealed a sig nificant difference in survival rate with a mean value of 678 days for pati ents with a reduction of tumor volume between 0 and 50%, 976 days for a vol ume reduction of 51-100% and 277 days for an increase in tumor volume durin g therapy. Patients with a high lipiodol retention presented improved survi val data (902 days) Versus patients with a low lipiodol retention (513 days ). Homogeneous retention of lipiodol was a positive factor on survival as c ompared to an inhomogenous form of retention. Conclusion: In patients with a positive therapy response after TACE the prognosis can be improved by rep eated embolization.