Comparative Study Between Conventional Trans-Arterial Chemoembolization (TACE) And Drug Eluting Bead TACE Regarding Tumour Response and Liver Function Tests

Objectives: To compare tumour response and liver function tests changes after conventional TACE with lipidol versus DEB-TACE in the treatment of non-resectable HCC. Patients and methods: Prospective non randomized comparative clinical trial was performed for patients receiving TACE at interventional radiology unit in Radiodiagnosis department in Zagazig university hospitals. Forty patients were included in this study, 16 patients were treated with drug eluting beads TACE and 24 patients were treated with conventional TACE. Results: Follow up triphasic CT was performed 1 month after the procedure, we found that complete response was 6 cases (25 %) in c TACE group, and 4 cases (25%) in drug eluting bead TACE group, Partial response was achieved in 11 cases (45.8%) in c TACE group, and in 8 cases (50 %) in DEBs-TACE group, Cases with stable disease were 5 cases (20.8%) in c TACE group, and it was 3 cases (18.7%) in DEBs-TACE group, progressive disease was noted in two cases (8.3 %) in c TACE group, and one case (6.2 %) in drug eluting TACE group. Mean albumin value in c TACE and DEBs TACE patients was averaged 3.5 and 3.6 gm/dl before treatment and   3.4  and 3.39 gm/dl after treatments, respectively. Mean value of total bilirubin in cTACE was averaged 1.6 mg/dl after treatment vs. 1.3mg/dl before treatment, whereas, in DEB TACE group reached 1.7 mg/dl after treatment  vs.1.36mg/dl before treatment. Mean value of ALT was 31 and 32 u/L in c TACE and DEB TACE groups respectively before treatment, it was 32 and 36 u/L in c TACE and DEB TACE groups respectively after treatment. Mean value of AST was 40 and 38 u/L in c TACE and DEB TACE groups respectively before treatment, it was 43 and 45 u/L in c TACE and DEB TACE groups respectively after treatment.  Conclusion: There were no significant differences between two groups regarding tumour response after 1 month. There was slight reduction in albumin level in post treatment groups, and there was elevation in total bilirubin, ALT and AST, however no significant difference was seen between two groups.

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