Clinical conditions and treatment requirements for long‐term survival among hepatitis B‐related hepatocellular carcinoma initially treated with chemoembolization

OBJECTIVE: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is recommended to treat intermediate/advanced stage of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the overall survival among initially TACE‐treated patients varies significantly. The clinical characterization of long‐term survival following TACE remains uncertain. We sought to identify clinical parameters and treatment requirements for long‐term survival among patients with hepatitis B‐related HCC who were initially treated with TACE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The included patients with HCC were admitted to our cancer center between December 2009 and May 2015. Patients who survived for >3 years were compared with those who died within 3 years. The clinical and laboratory findings that were associated with the survival were also analyzed. RESULTS: One in six (17.9%) patients with HCC in this cohort survived for > 3 years after TACE. Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 23kg/m(2), aspartate aminotransferase levels ≤ 40 U/L, an activated partial thromboplastin time ≤ 34 seconds, α‐fetoprotein (AFP) levels ≤ 25 ng/mL, antiviral therapy, tumor size ≤ 8 cm, solitary nodule, and the absence of vascular invasion were independently favorably associated with a 3‐year survival. An absence of vascular invasion was the only independent factor associated with 3‐year survival in patients who received resection and/or ablation after TACE. CONCLUSION: In this cohort, a 3‐year survival was associated with BMI, antivirus treatment, tumor status, hepatic function, and AFP level. Distant metastasis did not negatively impact the long‐term survival among patients with hepatitis B‐related HCC initially treated with TACE. Vascular invasion was the single impediment to long‐term survival in patients who received add‐on resection and/or ablation after TACE.