Evaluation of CT-guided ~(125)I seed implantation combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in treating portal vein tumor thrombus associated with hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective To discuss the therapeutic effect of CT-guided 125I seed implantation combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE) for the treatment of portal vein tumor thrombus(PVTT) associated with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods A total of 58 patients with confirmed HCC accompanied by PVTT were enrolled in this study.Of the 58 patients,CT-guided 125I seed implantation together with TACE was performed in 26(group A),while only TACE was employed in 32(group B).The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed and the therapeutic results were compared between two groups.Results For group A,the one-year and two-year survival rate was 42.3% and 23.0% respectively,with a mean survival time of 15.5 months.Of the 26 patients in group A,the complete remission(CR) was obtained in 3,partial remission(PR) in 9,with a total effective rate(CR + PR) of 46.2%(12 /26).While in group B,the one-year and two-year survival rate was 21.9% and 6.3% respectively,with a mean survival time of 7.5 months.And CR was obtained in 2 cases,PR in 6 cases,with a total effective rate(CR + PR) of 25%(8/32).Both the survival rate and the total effectiveness of group A were significant higher than that of group B(P 0.05).Conclusion As a minimally-invasive technique with less sufferings and fewer complications,CT guided 125I seed implantation combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization can markedly improve the therapeutic effect for portal vein tumor thrombus associated with hepatocellular carcinoma.