Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for inoperable primary liver cancer

Objective: To study the effect of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE) combined with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy(3DCRT) for inoperable primary liver cancer. Methods: Ninety-six such patients were prospectively randomized to TACE therapy alone group (TACE group-, 47 patients) and TACE+ 3DCRT group(combined group-, 49 patients). Results: The overall 1-, 2-, 3-year survival rate was 82%, 63%, 43% in the combined group. It was 55%, 28%, 15% in the TACE group. The difference between the two groups was significant (P<0.05). However, the difference of treatment-related toxicities between these two groups was not significant(P>0.05). Conclusion: Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with throe-dimensional conformal radiotherapy is more effective than transcatheter arterial chemoembolization therapy alone for inoperable primary liver cancer, without inflicting more treatment-related toxicities. (authors)