TACE Plus Systemic Therapy Improves HCC Survival with Thrombus

Combining transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with systemic therapy significantly enhances outcomes for hepatocellular carcinoma patients with hepatic vein or inferior vena cava tumor thrombus.

• Median overall survival was 20.9 months with TACE vs. 14.3 months without (HR=0.65).
• Progression-free survival also favored TACE, at 10.7 months compared to 7.3 months (HR=0.67).

Adding TACE improves the objective response rate significantly, suggesting it should be considered in first-line treatment.

• 45.3% response rate with TACE vs. 28.8% without (p<0.001).