Abstract:Objective To investigate the efficacy and prognostic factors of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT). Methods Sixtythree cases of HCC with PVTT were retrospectively analyzed. All of them received 13 time(s) of TACE therapy followed by RFA. IMRT was finally performed to PVTT. Both the therapeutic effects of HCC and PVTT were observed in 6 to 8 weeks after IMRT therapy. The longrun efficacy was observed by analyzing the 13 year(s) survival rate, and the hazards to prognosis were analyzed. Results The CR, PR, SD, PD numbers and rates in PVTT were 9 cases (15.0%), 36 cases (60.0%), 10 cases (16.6%), and 5 cases (8.3%). The effective rate in PVTT was 75.0%. Meanwhile the CR, PR, SD, PD numbers and rates in HCC were 19 cases (31.6%), 30 cases (50.0%), 6 cases (10.0%), and 5 cases (8.3%). The effective rate in HCC was 81.6%. The 1, 2 and 3 year survival rates were 73.3%, 45.0% and 27.0%, respectively. ECOG score (χ2=53.046， P=0.000), history of hepatitis (χ2=6.472， P=0.030), tumor size (χ2=7.293， P=0.026), the number of tumor（χ2=24.382， P=0.000）, the types of tumor thrombus (χ2=28.085， P=0.000) and ChildPugh class（χ2=6.184， P=0.040）were independent hazardous factors for survivals. Conclusion TACE combined with RFA is effective treatment for HCC with PVTT patients with low frequency of severe complications and high rate of tumor response. ECOG score, history of hepatitis, the size and number of tumor, the types of tumor thrombus, ChildPugh class are the factors that influence the long curative effect.

Key words:Liver neoplasms,Catheter ablation,Radiotherapy