Objective: To study the effect of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with beta-ultrasound guided portal vein embolization (PVE) through fine-needle liver puncture for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Methods: 209 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma were divided into TACE group (104 patients) and TACE + PVE group (105 patients).
Results: The response rates (CR + PR) were 37.5% in TACE group and 57.2% in TACE + PVE group (P < 0.01). Tumor thrombi became lessened or resolved in the portal vein with incidences of 22.2% in TACE group and 68.8% in TACE + PVE group (P < 0.01). The 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates were 65.1%, 36.3% and 20.5% in TACE group and 95.6%, 59.6% and 39.1% in TACE + PVE group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The effect of TACE combined with PVE is much more effective than TACE alone for hepatocellular carcinoma. Beta-ultrasound guided portal vein embolization through fine-needle liver puncture is effective, easy, safe and should be widely practiced.