Combination trans arterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus sorafenib for the management of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review of the literature.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver neoplasm and the fifth most common cancer worldwide. Intermediate stage HCC [traditionally defined as Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) B disease and traditionally treated with trans arterial chemoembolization (TACE)] and advanced stage HCC (traditionally defined as BCLC C disease and traditionally treated with sorafenib) are two distinct disease entities with rapidly evolving multimodality treatment approaches. In this systematic review we explore the evidence surrounding the value of using a TACE/sorafenib combination in these two subsets of HCC.