Evaluation of Hepatic Chemoembolization and Percutaneous Ethanol Injection in the Treatment of HCC

Objective To compare the therapeutic effectiveness of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus percutaneous ethanol injectin (PEI) with simple TACE in the treatment of solitary, huge and encapsulated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Materials and Methods Forty five patients with solitary, huge, encapsulated HCC were randomly divided into two groups. Group A included 23 patients, who were treated with TACE+PEI, while group B included 22 patients, who were treated with TACE alone. Results In group B, the partial remission rate was only 9%, the survival rate at 1, 2 and 3 years was 59%, 32% and 0%, respectively. The complete necrosis of the tumor was 0% (0/5). In group A, the partial remission rate was up to 40% (P0.05), and the survival rate at 1, 2 and 3 years was 88%, 56% and 21% (P0.05), respectively. The complete necrosis of the tumor was 67% (4/6).Conclusion The combined therapy of TACE with PEI is an effective and safe method for the treatment of solitary, huge and encapsulated HCC. It is also of value to the patients to receive secondary operation.