Comparison of the Treatment Response of Drug-Eluting Bead Transarterial Chemoembolization and Conventional Transarterial Chemoembolization in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Introduction Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common primary hepatic cancer. Its early diagnosis can aid in its treatment by curative means such as surgery or ablation. Advanced-stage diagnosis limits these treatment options, and such cases can be treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). Conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) and drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) are usually used, and follow-up response is evaluated using modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) criteria. This study was done to compare the treatment response of cTACE and DEB-TACE in patients with HCC. Materials and methods A retrospective review of electronic medical records of all patients diagnosed with HCC from January 2021 to August 2022 who underwent cTACE or DEB-TACE was undertaken at the Department of Interventional Radiology, Indus Hospital and Health Network. Both male and female patients aged 18 years or above with Child-Pugh class A and B were included. DEB-TACE or cTACE was performed by a fellowship-trained interventional radiologist, and the response was evaluated at six weeks follow-up using mRECIST criteria. Results A total of 129 patients were included in this study, with a mean age of 54.1 +/- 10.8 years. The mean size of HCC was 3.1 +/- 1.7 cm. Seventy-eight (60.5%) patients underwent cTACE, and 51 (39.5%) underwent DEB-TACE. Out of the 78 patients who underwent cTACE, complete response (CR) was found in 28 (35.9%), partial response (PR) was found in 33 (42.3%), stable disease (SD) was found in 12 (15.4%), and progressive disease (PD) was found in five (6.4%) patients. Of the 51 patients who underwent DEB-TACE, CR was found in 13 (25.5%), PR was found in 20 (39.2%), SD was found in 11 (21.6%), and PD was found in seven (13.7%) patients. Conclusion The response rate of TACE in the form of complete or partial response was higher with a lower frequency of stable or progressive disease. cTACE has a high response rate as compared to DEB-TACE.