Xeloda combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for primary hepatic carcinoma

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of Xeloda combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) on primary hepatic carcinoma in the middle and later period.Methods Ninety-six patients with primary hepatic carcinoma were randomly divided into two groups:there were 50 cases in experiment group,who were treated with Xeloda plus TACE,patients in experiment group would take Xeloda two weeks after TACE,1500 mg,bid,and two weeks as one period,there must be an intermission between two periods,every cases in experiment group received therapy for 2-4 periods.There were 46 cases in contrast group,who were treated with TACE only.The plan of TACE:first,60-100 mg cisplatin,1000-1500 mg 5-Fluorouracil or 12-20 mg mitomycin C were perfused into the hepatic arteries,then the emulsion mixed adequately using 50-70 mg adriamycin (or epirubicin) and iodized oil 10-20 ml were injected into the hepatic arteries slowly,and followed by embolism of the arteries for carcinoma using 1-2 mm gelfoam particles.TACE of 2-3 times were given to both groups.Results There was significant,difference in short term effective rate between experiment group(90.0％)and contrast group(60.9％) (x2 =11.79,P ＜ 0.01).The 1-,2-,3-,5-year survival rates were 88.9％,55.6％,33.3％,20％ in experiment group and were 51.1％,37.8％,20％,0 in contrast group,there was significant difference (x2 =6.65,P ＜ 0.01).The medium survival was 27.3 months in the experiment group and 16.7 months in the contrast group (x2 =4.75,P ＜ 0.05).The patients with Child-Pugh A had 48.3％,31％ of 3-years and 5-years survival rates(x2 =8.195,P ＜ 0.01),if with Child-Pugh B they would only have 6.25％,0 chance to suevive for 3 and 5 years(x2 =4.42,P ＜0.05).Conclusions Xeloda combined with TACE is better than TACE only in short term effective and long term survival for the patients with primary hepatic carcinoma. Key words: Xeloda; Drug therapy; Hepatocarcinoma; Combined therapy