Radiotherapy combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma — a prospective clinical trial

Objective This study evaluated the therapeutic effect of external beam radiotherapy (RT) combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) on the patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods From June 1994 to April 2002, 114 patients with unresectable HCC were nonrandomized prospectively stepped into our study. All patients received TACE as initial therapy, except 54 also received combination therapy with external beam therapy. Survival failure patterns were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Results Overall survival rates in the patients in the radiotherapy group were 65%, 47%, 38% at 1, 2, 3 years, respectively, improved over the non-radiotherapy group rates of 54%, 36.5%, 18% at 1, 2, 3 years, respectively. There was significant difference between two groups ( P < 0.05). The survival rates correlated with tumor size, number of tumors, and portal vein embolus. Conclusion TACE combined with RT is a more effective treatment than TACE alone in patients with unresectable HCC.