Primary hepatic carcinoma with tumor thrombus in inferior vena cava: treated by transcatheter chemoembolization

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and the safety of the interventional radiology treatment for primary hepatic carcinoma (PHC) combined with tumor thrombus in inferior vena cava (IVC). Methods Transcatheter chemoembolization were performed on 9 cases of PHC with tumor thrombus in IVC. The diagnosis was established by puncture biopsy, including single lesion in 3 cases, 2-3 lesions in 4 cases, more than 3 lesions in 2 cases. The tumors ranged in maximum diameter from 3.5-8. 6 cm with a mean of (5.6 ± 1.7) cm. All the patients were treated with the chemotherapeutics-lipiodol mixture and the treated arterials included the hepatic arterial, the right inferior phrenic arterial and the left gastric arterial. Follow-up was performed by upper abdomen CT, lung CT and laboratory examination, and follow-up time ranged from 7 to 38 months with a mean of (14. 9 ± 9. 9) months. Results Seventeen interventional procedures were performed on 9 patients and all operations were successful without significant complications. The average survival time of 9 cases was(14.9 ± 9. 9)months (ranged from 7 months to 38 months), and the longest survival time was 38 months. Conclusions Transcatheter chemoembolization can be safely performed on the cases of PHC combined with tumor thrombus in IVC. Interventional treatment can prolong the survival time and promote the quality of life. Key words: Liver neoplasms; Vena cava; inferior; Heart atria; Neoplasm metastasis; Chemoembolization; therapeutic