Blood perfusion changes after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with sorafenib for hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

BACKGROUND Transcatheter artery chemoembolization (TACE) combined with molecular targeted drugs (sorafenib) are often used in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with definite efficacy. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has the advantages of convenience and non-invasiveness and can reflect the blood perfusion status of tumors in real time, playing an important role in the evaluation of clinical efficacy. AIM To evaluate the changes of blood perfusion after TACE combined with sorafenib for HCC by CEUS, and to explore its clinical value. METHODS A total of 86 HCC patients who were admitted to our hospital and confirmed by liver puncture pathology were selected as the subjects (86 lesions). According to the treatment method used, they were randomly divided into a TACE alone group (group A, 43 cases) or a TACE + sorafenib group (group B, 43 cases). All patients underwent CEUS examinations one day before and three months after treatment, and blood perfusion parameters before and after treatment were compared. RESULTS The enhancement intensity and the area under the curve in both groups A and B after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment (P < 0.05). The enhancement intensity and the area under the curve in group B after treatment were significantly lower than those in group A after treatment (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION CEUS can quantitatively evaluate the changes of blood perfusion after TACE combined with sorafenib for HCC, and provide valuable hemodynamic information for early clinical evaluation.