Hepatic Resection Versus Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Complicated by Portal Vein Tumor Thrombosis

The treatment for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) with Portal Vein Tumor Thrombosis (PVTT) is still controversial, and there is no universally agreed protocol for its treatment. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has become the most popular palliative treatment for patients with unresectable HCC, and it is no longer considered as a contraindication to HCC with PVTT. Unfortunately, the long term outcomes are generally poor for HCC treated with TACE, especially for HCC with PVTT. HR remains the only therapeutic option that may still offer a chance of cure. With advances in surgical techniques, it has become feasible to remove all gross tumors, including PVTT which has extended to the main portal vein, safely by surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of HR as compared with TACE to treat patients with HCC with PVTT. The investigators also aimed to identify patient groups that might benefit more from either treatment with HR or TACE.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer and the third most frequent cause of cancer death worldwide. Hepatic resection (HR) is the conventional "curative" treatment for HCC. In both the European and the Unit States Proposed Guidelines for HCC, HR is recommended only for patients with preserved liver function and with a single HCC lesion. Unfortunately, because of tumor multifocality, portal vein invasion, and underlying advanced cirrhosis, only 10%-30% of HCCs are amenable to such a "curative" treatment at the time of diagnosis. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has become the most popular palliative treatment for patients with unresectable HCC, and it is no longer considered as a contraindication to HCC with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT). Unfortunately, the long term outcomes are generally poor for HCC treated with TACE, especially for HCC with PVTT.

To improve on the results of treatment of HCC with PVTT, attempts have been made to perform HR for these patients . HCC with PVTT remains a contraindication to liver transplantation because of the high rate of tumor recurrence, and because of the severe shortage of donor organs. HR remains the only therapeutic option that may still offer a chance of cure. With advances in surgical techniques, it has become feasible to remove all gross tumors, including PVTT which has extended to the main portal vein, safely by surgery. More HCC with PVTT, which previously were considered as unresectable, have become resectable. Recent studies have even shown favorable long-term survival outcomes of HR in well-selected cases of HCC with PVTT. However, the survival outcomes of patients with HCC with PVTT treated with HR or with TACE have not been properly compared.

This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of HR as compared with TACE to treat patients with HCC with PVTT. The investigators also aimed to identify patient groups that might benefit more from either treatment with HR or TACE.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. age between 18 and 75 years,
2. HCC with no previous treatment,
3. the presence of PVTT on imaging,
4. Eastern Co-operative Group performance status 0 ,
5. resectable disease, which is defined as the possibility of completely removing all gross tumors and retaining a sufficient liver remnant to sustain life, as assessed by our surgery team.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. the presence of extrahepatic spread on imaging,
2. a Child-Pugh class C liver cirrhosis, or ICG-R15 \>30%, or evidence of hepatic decompensation including ascites, esophageal or gastric variceal bleeding or hepatic encephalopathy,
3. an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score ≥ 3