Background and aim: Partial splenic embolization (PSE) is often performed to improve thrombocytopenia in liver cirrhotic patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PSE in combination with trans-catheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Patients and methods: From January 2004 to December 2007, 8 HCC patients associated with hypersplenism caused by cirrhosis were synchronously treated with TACE and PSE. Fifteen patients with TACE alone at the same period were enrolled as a control. Follow-up examinations included a calculation of peripheral blood cells (leukocytes and platelets), liver damage, duration until recovery, and treatment-associated complications.
Results: Initially, there were no significant differences in sex, age, Child-Pugh grade and peripheral blood cell counts between two groups. After treatment, leukocyte and platelet counts were significantly higher in PSE combined with TACE group during the follow-up period than TACE group (p<0.01). Severe complications never occurred in both groups.
Conclusion: PSE combined with TACE is more effective than TACE alone for patients with HCC associated with hypersplenism caused by cirrhosis.