Treatment for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Transarterial Chemotherapy Using Reservoirs or One-Shot Arterial Chemotherapy

Abstract

A prospective trial was performed in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma to assess the therapeutic efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemotherapy using implanted reservoirs (12 patients) or conventional transcatheter arterial chemotherapy (8 patients). Epirubicin at a dose of 40 mg/m² was given every month in the former, while epirubicin at a dose of 60 mg/m² was administered every 3 months in the latter. During the 6 months from the introduction of these therapies, hospitalized periods were shorter and total hospital costs were less in the reservoir group than in the conventional chemotherapy group (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). Transcatheter arterial chemotherapy using implanted reservoirs can be carried out on a day-care basis and may be beneficial for the treatment of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.