Published online Apr 15, 2019. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v11.i4.310
Peer-review started: January 14, 2019
First decision: January 26, 2019
Revised: February 11, 2019
Accepted: March 12, 2019
Article in press: March 12, 2019
Published online: April 15, 2019
Processing time: 93 Days and 2.9 Hours
Main portal vein tumor thrombus (MPVTT), which has a high incidence, is the major complication of terminal liver cancer. The occurrence of MPVTT is always a negative prognostic factor for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, attention should be paid to the treatment of MPVTT and its complications.
To evaluate the efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization/transarterial embolization (TACE/TAE)+125I seeds implantation with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in treating MPVTT and its complications.
From January 2007 to March 2015, 85 consecutive patients with MPVTT were nonrandomly assigned to undergo treatment with TACE/TAE + TIPS and 125I implantation (TIPS-125I group) or TACE/TAE + TIPS only (TIPS only group) in Beijing Shijitan Hospital, and all clinical data were collected. During 24 mo follow-up, the incidence of overall survival, stent stenosis and symptom recurrence was analyzed to evaluate the efficacy of TIPS-125I.
During 24 mo follow-up of all patients, we collected data at 6, 12 and 24 mo. The rates of survival were 80%, 45%, and 20%, respectively, in the TIPS-125I group, whereas those in the TIPS only group were 64.4%, 24.4%, and 4.4%, respectively (P < 0.05). The rates of symptom recurrence were 7.5%, 22.5%, and 35%, respectively, in the TIPS-125I group, whereas those in the TIPS only group were 31.1%, 62.2%, and 82.2% (P < 0.05). The rates of stent restenosis were 12.5%, 27.5%, and 42.5%, respectively, in the TIPS-125I group, and 42.2%, 68.9%, and 84.4%, respectively, in the TIPS only group (P < 0.05). TIPS-125I was found to be significantly favorable in treating MPVTT and its complications in patients with HCC.
TACE/TAE+125I combined with TIPS is effective in treating MPVTT and its complications, improving quality of life of patients and reducing mortality.
Core tip: 125I implantation combined with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) was used to treat patients with liver cancer and main portal vein tumor thrombus. This was a controlled study to assess the efficacy of 125I implantation combined with TIPS. Transarterial chemoembolization/transarterial embolization plus 125I combined with TIPS was effective in treating portal vein trunk tumor thrombus and its complications, improving quality of life of patients, and reducing mortality.