| [ Summary ] |
The author interpreted the principal factors, including, method of treatment, side effects, indications, effectiveness and survival rate for non-surgical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Treatments considered were transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE), percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA). The former two treatments were developed mainly in Japan. PEIT appeared to be an effective treatment, in contrast, there are several reports from Western countries that TAE does not prolong the survival of HCC patients. It would seem that further assessment with larger, randomized trials for the efficacy of TAE are necessary. The newest treatment, RFA, is expected to be a curative and most effective treatment for HCC. |