Clinical value of portal vein chemotherapy in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombosis of main trunk of portal vein

Objective To investigate the value of portal vein chemotherapy (PVC) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombi (PVTT). Methods Forty five HCC patients with tumor thrombi in the main portal vein or its first branch received surgical resection. All the 45 patients were divided into the treated group (n=21) and the control group (n=24). The patients in the treated group received infusion through the liver artery and portal vein while those in the control group received it through the liver artery alone. Results The 6 , 12 and 18 month survival rates were 85.1%, 76.5% and 47.2% in the treated group and 73.3%, 59.2% and 33.4% in the control, respectively. There was significant difference between the two groups. Conclusions Hepatectomy for HCC with removal of tumor thrombi and transcatheter hepatic arterial and portal vein infusion is an effective treatment for HCC with PVTT.