results of transarterial chemoembolization (tace) in a group of iranian patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

background: hepatocellular carcinoma (hcc) is a primary liver cancer that frequently causes mortalities. transarterial chemoembolization (tace) is a new palliative treatment for advanced stages of hcc. in this study, we have assessed the results of tace on a group of iranian patients with advanced hcc treated at imam khomeini general hospital. materials and methods: this was a case series, cohort study conducted on 36 patients with hcc who met the study criteria. patients underwent two sessions of tace at a 4-6 week interval. all patients underwent triphasic computerized scans (ct scan) before treatment and at six weeks after the second session. results: after at least a one year follow up period, 20 (55.6%) patients died and 16 (41.7%) survived. survival at 6 months was 58% and at 12 months, it was 33.3%. post-tace tumor necrosis (>50%) was significantly associated with 6 ( p = 0.029) and 12 ( p = 0.00) month survival. there was a significant association between 6 and 12 month survival and okuda stage ( p -v= 0.001 and 0.003), ascites ( p -v = 0.058 and 0.012) and branch portalâ vein thrombosis ( p -v= 0. 036 and 0.024). there was no association of who criteria to 6 ( p -v = 0.139) and 12 ( p -v =0.139) month survival. conclusion: tumor necrosis less than 50%, presence of ascites and thrombosis of the portal branches are associated with lower survival. suitable selection and taking into consideration post-tace tumor necrosis is suggested to enhance survival.