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Date Published: 09/02/2026
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.55046/vjrnm.61.1487.2025
Issue
No. 61 (2025)
Section
Scientific research
How to Cite
Nguyễn, Đ. K., Le, V. K., Trinh, H. C., Vu , D. L., Pham, M. T., Le, D. T., Do, D. T., Tran, D. H., Dang, N. H., Pham, Q. S., & Le, D. T. (2025). TREATMENT OUTCOMES OF ULTRASELECTIVE TRANSARTERIAL CHEMOEMBOLIZATION FOR HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA AT BACH MAI HOSPITAL. Vietnamese Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, 61, 4-11. https://doi.org/10.55046/vjrnm.61.1487.2025

TREATMENT OUTCOMES OF ULTRASELECTIVE TRANSARTERIAL CHEMOEMBOLIZATION FOR HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA AT BACH MAI HOSPITAL

Đức Khải Nguyễn1, , Le Van Khang2, Trinh2, Vu Dang Luu2, Pham Minh Thong2, Le Duc Tho2, Do Dang Tan2, Tran Duc Huy2, Dang Ngoc Hieu2, Pham Quang Son2, Le Doan Tri2
1 Trung tâm điện quang Bệnh viện Bạch Mai
2 Bach Mai Hospital

Main Article Content

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy, safety, and local recurrence of ultraselective conventional transarterial chemoembolization (ultraselective cTACE) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).


Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on patients with BCLC stage A–B HCC who underwent ultraselective cTACE at the Department of Radiology, Bach Mai Hospital, from January 2022 to December 2023. The cTACE procedure was performed at an ultraselective level, with slow injection of lipiodol–chemotherapy emulsion until portal vein visualization around the tumor was achieved. Portal vein visualization grade, post-embolization syndrome, and major complications were recorded. Treatment response was assessed at 1 month. Local recurrence rates were evaluated at 6 and 12 months.


Results: Thirty-five tumors in 30 patients were included (mean age, 58 ± 9.3 years; mean tumor diameter, 26.5 ± 8.4 mm). During embolization, 6 tumors showed portal vein visualization grade 0, 11 tumors grade 1, and 18 tumors grade 2. No major complications occurred; only mild-to-moderate post-embolization syndrome was observed. The complete response rate according to mRECIST was 97.1% (34/35). Local recurrence rates were 11.8% (4/34) at 6 months and 23.5% (8/34) at 12 months. Tumors with grade 2 portal vein visualization had the lowest recurrence rate (0% at 6 months; 5.6% at 12 months), which was significantly lower compared with grade 0 (60% at 6 months; 80% at 12 months, p < 0.01), but not significantly different compared with grade 1 (9.1% at 6 months; 27.3% at 12 months).


Conclusion: Ultraselective cTACE for early- and intermediate-stage HCC achieved high local tumor control and excellent safety. This technique is nearly equivalent to a curative treatment option for small HCC in patients who are not candidates for surgery or radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

Keywords

hepatocellular carcinoma, cTACE, ultraselective, portal vein visualization grade.

Article Details

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