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.