Sequential Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Transarterial Chemoembolization and Local Ablation or External Radiation

Sequential Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Transarterial Chemoembolization and Local Ablation or External Radiation

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can present itself in many forms (size, number of lesions) for the treatment of which a therapeutic panel can be elaborated and layered. If a curative treatment cannot be considered in case of an HCC classified in an intermediate stage, a Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization (TACE) can be proposed. In case of a partial response or the treatment of some lesions of a multifocal HCC, a combined treatment by stereotaxic radiotherapy (CK), radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or microwave ablation (MWA) may be initiated in accordance with a decision of the multidisciplinary consultation meeting.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of HCC receiving MWA, RFA or CK after downstaging with TACE.

Inclusion Criteria:

• a HCC treated by TACE followed by RFA, MWA and/or CK
• from 01/2010 to 12/2020
• treated by Nancy Regional University Hospital (TACE, RFA, MWA) and Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine (CK)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Combined treatment over one year following the last TACE
• No baseline, in between or after combined treatment imaging
• Lesion appeared after TACE treatment