Background/aims: To compare intra-arterial (regional) hepatic chemotherapy with doxorubicin, to the systemic (intravenous) one in patients with non-resectable (Stage IVA) hepatocellular carcinoma.
Methodology: Seventy-two patients with inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma were randomized to receive doxorubicin 50 mg/m2 as a bolus infusion either via an implantable intra-arterial catheter (Group A) or as systemic chemotherapy (Group B) every 21-28 days.
Results: Patients of Group A had a higher rate of objective and subjective remissions and Karnofsky performance status improvement in comparison to Group B. The mean survival was 7 months (range: 2-16) for Group A and 6.5 months (range: 1-13) for Group B, but this difference was not statistically significant. The quality of life remained at an acceptable level until death in both groups.
Conclusions: A slight but not statistically significant superiority of intra-arterial chemotherapy against the systemic one is concluded.