Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with local ablation in treatment of large hepatocellular carcinoma: a review of current status and perspectives

Abstract

Large hepatocellular carcinoma, of which diameter is considered to be ≥ 5 cm, has mostly invaded vascular system or been liver function reserve loss when found, resulting in opportunities to surgical therapy are lost. Combined interventional therapy based on transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) has become one of the main treatments for the surgically unresectable large hepatocellular carcinoma. In particular, TACE combined local ablation has gradually replaced the interventional therapy model of TACE alone. The current combination therapy is mainly sequential combination. With the development of imaging equipment, real-time synchronization is becoming increasingly important and has become one of the current research hotspots. This article focuses on the research status and perspectives of image guidance, local ablation methods, the order of the joint, the number of times and the timing of the joint situation of TACE combined local ablation in treatment of large hepatocellular carcinoma. Key words: Large hepatocellular carcinoma; Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE); Local ablation; Combined therapy