Role of assessment for retreatment with Transarterial chemoembolization score in decision of Retreatment with trans-arterial chemo-embolization Sessions in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND

The objective behind this study was to determine that Assessment for Retreatment with Transarterial chemoembolization (ART) score is really applicable in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODS

A cross sectional observational study was conducted on all patients with hepatocellular carcinoma of intermediate stage and undergone ≥2 Transarterial chemoembolization. ART score was assessed before and after each session of Transarterial chemoembolization. Multi-logistic regression analysis was performed to compare the final outcome of patients with ART score of ≥2.5 into groups with two and more than two Trans-arterial chemo-embolization sessions.

RESULTS

A total of 100 HCC patients were recruited for final analysis. Our study participants consisted of total 100 HCC patients. Mean Child Pugh score was 6.1±0.95. In our study, most of the study participants (n=63) had ART score of less than 1.5 as compared to ART score >2.5 (n=37). A significant proportion of patients with ART score of <1.5 prior to second Trans-arterial chemo-embolization had better median survival as compared to patients with ART score of >2.5, p-value<0.001. Patients with ART score of more than 2.5 did not show any survival benefit after having 3rd or 4th Trans-arterial chemo-embolization session, p=0.47.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study findings suggest that those HCC patients who receive multiple sessions of TACE with a low ART score have more favourable outcomes with increased survival rate.