The Effect of Combination Therapy Using Regional Hyperthermia and Transarterial Chemoembolization for the Treatment of Large Hepatocellular Carcinomas

Abstract

We already have reported the therapeutic effects of combination therapy using regional hyperthermia and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with degradable starch microspheres (DSM). Based on the clinical data, TACE was not effective against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) when the size exceeded 7 cm in diameter. In the present study, rats with transplanted AH109A carcinoma were treated either by TACE using adriamycin and DSM, by hyperthermia, or by the combination of hyperthermia and TACE. When the transplanted tumors were not well developed and the mean volume of the tumor was 86.6mm³, they could be easily treated by TACE alone. However, when the tumor developed and the mean volume was 333.1mm³, TACE could not control the further growth of the tumor. The combination of TACE and hyperthermia was effective against this extra tumor growth. This animal experiment strongly suggests that the clinical evidence that combination therapy had greater effect against HCC larger than 7cm in diameter.
In summary, the present study suggests that the combination of hyperthermia with TACE may be recommended in cases of HCC greater than 7cm.