Outcomes of Transarterial Hepatic Embolization versus Yttrium-90 Radioembolization for Treatment of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma >7 cm.
Objective: To assess and compare the safety, effectiveness, and outcomes of transarterial hepatic embolization (TAE) and transarterial radioembolization (TARE) for the treatment of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) >7 cm.
Methods: Treatment-naive patients with HCC >7 cm who were treated with TAE or TARE between January 2013 and December 2023 were reviewed in this retrospective study. Nearest neighbor 2:1 propensity score matching was utilized for direct comparison. Radiological treatment response was assessed using the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (mRECIST). Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to estimate progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Log-rank tests were performed to compare survival curves.
Results: A total of 125 patients with HCC >7 cm were treated with TAE (n = 103) or TARE (n = 22). After propensity score matching, 44 patients who underwent TAE and 22 patients who were treated with TARE were compared. The mean tumor sizes were 10.4 cm (SD ± 2.6) in the TAE group and 10.7 cm (SD ± 2.7) in the TARE group (P > .695). TAE and TARE exhibited comparable adverse event (AE) rates (Grade 1 AE in 22 [50%] of 44 in TAE and 6 [27%] of 22 in TARE, P = .999; 1 Grade 2 AE [4.5%] in TAE). Median OS durations were 15.2 and 23.6 months in the TAE and TARE groups, respectively (P = .252). Median local PFS (4.7 vs 21.6 months, P < .001) and PFS (3.6 vs 10.0 months, P = .002) were significantly longer after TARE. TAE and TARE had similar objective response rates (TAE, 88.6% vs TARE, 77.3%; P = .364). Systemic therapy after TAE or TARE was a significant positive prognostic factor associated with disease progression and survival (PFS hazard ratio [HR], 0.58 [P = .047]; OS HR, 0.33 [P < .001]).
Conclusions: TAE and TARE are both safe transarterial therapies for patients with HCC >7 cm. TARE is associated with a longer time to progression and longer OS.