NEOADJUVANT TRANSCATHETER ARTERIAL CHEMOEMBOLIZATION for BILIARY TUMOR THROMBOSIS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract

Objectives: Curative hepatectomy and tumor thrombectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma with complicating biliary tumor thrombosis (HCC/BTT) is associated with high surgical morbidity and mortality. This retrospective study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of neoadjuvant transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in HCC/BTT patients scheduled for curative resection. Methods: Thirty consecutive patients with diagnosed HCC/BTT were hospitalized for neoadjuvant TACE and elective curative liver resection (group A; n=20) or curative liver resection alone (group B; n=10). The primary outcome measure was median survival. Results: Group A had a significantly shorter overall operative time (160±25 versus 190±35 min; p