Efficacy analysis of TACE combined with MWA in the treatment of early and middle hepatocellular carcinoma

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical value of the sequential treatment of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE) combined with percutaneous microwave ablation(MWA) in early and middle hepatocellular carcinoma.

MethodsThe clinical data of 108 patients treated with TACE alone or TACE combined with MWA were retrospectively analyzed.The propensity matching was performed at 1:1 in two groups, and 26 patients were included in each group.The short and long-term clinical efficacy in two groups were evaluated, and the subgroup analysis was also conducted based on tumor size and lesions.

ResultsThe median survival time in TACE group and TACE-MWA group were 13 and 28 months, respectively.The survival rates of 1, 2 and 3 years in TACE-MWA group and TACE group were(84.6%, 59.0% and 35.2%, respectively) and(57.7%, 30.3% and 19.5%, respectively), and the survival rate in TACE-MWA group was better than that in TACE group(P < 0.01).The short-term efficacy in TACE-MWA group(61.5%) was higher than that in TACE group(30.8%)(P < 0.05).The disease control rate in TACE-MWA and TACE group was 80.8% and 46.2%, respectively, and the difference of which was statistically significant(P < 0.05).When the tumor size was < 5 cm, and the number of lesions was 2-4, the benefit in TACE+MWA group was greater than that in TACE group(P < 0.05).

ConclusionsThe TACE with MWA sequential treatment can effectively improve the survival rate, and prolong the survival time in early and middle hepatocellular carcinoma patients.