Clinical application of TACE combined with CT guided microwave ablation in treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Objective: To explore the clinical efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, (TACE) combined with CT guided microwave ablation in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: The patients (45 cases) with hepatocellular carcinoma confirmed by clinical treatment were treated with local microwave ablation with CT guidance after TACE treatment. The changes of alpha fetoprotein (AFP) , local control of tumor and survival rate of the patients were analyzed at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after treatment. Results: The decrease rates of AFP in 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after operation were 100% (45/45) , 100% (45/45) , 93.3% (42/45) and 91.1% (41/45) , the rates of local control were 100% (45/45) , 100% (45/45) , 97.8% (44/45) and 88.8% (40/45) , and the survival rates were 100% (45/45) , 100% (45/45) , 93.3% (42/45) and 91.1% (41/45) , respectively. TACE treatment showed side effects such as fever, pain, loss of appetite, vomiting and abnormal liver function, and the patients recovered after symptomatic treatment. After microwave ablation, 2 patients had pleural effusion after operation, and the effusion disappeared after symptomatic treatment. No treatment-related death occurred in 45 patients. Conclusions: TACE combined with CT guided microwave ablation could be used in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, the location of CT is accurate, the imaging is obvious, the therapeutic effect is better, and the local control rate of tumor and the effective method of prolonging the life period of the patients are improved. Key words: Liver cancer; Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE); Microwave ablation; CT guidance