Transcatheter arterial embolization for bone metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma

The objective of this study was to determine which of the following three m ethods is the most effective for the treatment of bone metastases from hepa tocellular carcinoma (HCC) transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE); combi nation of TAE and external radiotherapy; or external radiotherapy alone. Th irty-nine metastatic bone lesions from HCC in 33 patients were retrospectiv ely reviewed. Each lesion underwent either TAE alone (group A, n = 11), TAE followed by radiotherapy (group B, n = 17), or radiotherapy alone (group C , n = 11). They were evaluated on the following subjects: pain relief; impr ovement of daily activities; and complications. Each treatment was effectiv e for pain relief (89-94%) and improvement of daily activities (73-82%). Th e mean time interval from the beginning of each treatment to the onset of i nitial pain relief was 4.7 days in group A, 4.8 days in group B, and 15 day s in group C. Recurrence of the pain after the initial pain relief was note d in 75% in group A, 20% in group B, and 88% in group C. Pyrexia and local pain commonly occurred after TAE. In conclusion, TAE is effective in reliev ing pain immediately and in improving the patients' daily activities. The c ombination of TAE and radiotherapy is recommended for permanent pain relief .