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Semin intervent Radiol 2023; 40(06): 505-510
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1777715
Review Article

Chemoembolization Plus Ablation: Current Status

Farnaz Dadrass
1   Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York
,
Pascal Acree
2   Department of Radiology and Imaging, Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Athens, Georgia
,
Edward Kim
1   Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York
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Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The treatment landscape for HCC has evolved significantly over the past decade, with several modalities available to treat various stages of disease. The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) system provides a foundation for treatment guidance. However, given the complex nature of HCC, a more nuanced approach is often required, especially for lesions sized between 3 and 5 cm. This review aims to analyze the available treatments for early-stage HCC lesions between 3 and 5 cm, with a focus on the therapeutic potential and efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE)–ablation. Additional therapies including TACE, ablation, transarterial radioembolization, and surgical resection are also reviewed and compared with TACE–ablation. TACE–ablation is a viable therapeutic option for early-stage HCC lesions between 3 and 5 cm. Surgical resection remains the gold standard. Although recent studies suggest radiation segmentectomy may be a curative approach for this patient population, further studies are needed to compare the relative efficacies between TACE–ablation and radiation segmentectomy.

Keywords

hepatocellular carcinoma - TACE–ablation - interventional oncology - interventional radiology - chemoembolization - ablation


Publication History

Article published online:
24 January 2024

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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