Nursing care for patients with massive hepatocellular carcinoma receiving combination therapy of TACE and radiofrequency ablation

Objective: To summarize the nursing experience in 72 patients with massive hepatocellular carcinoma (MHCC) who received transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Methods: Preoperative psychological intervention were performed through introducing the necessity, safety and superiority of TACE combined with RFA therapy in order to relieve patient's anxiety and fear. Under instruction, the patients received respiratory training in order to cooperate with the operation more properly. After the treatment, the patients were kept under close observation for abdominal pain, hepatic and renal functions, etc., while systemic and effective nursing measures were carried out to prevent complications from happening. Results: After active treatment and nursing, the tumor mass shrank obviously and decreased in size in all patients. Hepatic artery angiography showed that the tumors vessels disappeared in 38 cases (53%), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level returned to normal in 60 cases (84%). No serious complications occurred in all the 72 patients. Conclusion: In treating massive hepatocellular carcinoma with TACE and RFA, active nursing care for patients can achieve excellent clinical effect, thus the patient's quality of life can be improved and the survival time can be prolonged as well. (authors)