Benefits of Percutaneous Ethanol Injection in the Palliative Treatment of Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a devastating disease in which survival is measured in months rather than years from the time of diagnosis. The aggressive nature of the tumour and the usual background chronic liver disease make the management difficult warranting multidisciplinary cooperation. Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) was introduced ten years ago as palliative therapy for patients with inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma. Objective: This study was aimed at evaluating the benefits of percutaneous ethanol injection in the management of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Patients and methods: Consecutive patients who had percutaneous ethanol injection for hepatocellular carcinoma at Adoose specialist hospital from August 2008 to July 2012 were prospectively analysed and formed the basis of this study. Results :A total of 32 patients had (PEI) during the study period out of an initial 82 that presented with HCC. The mean age of the study population was 40.4+/- 14.2yrs with age range of 18 to 60yrs. There were 28(87.5%) males and 4(12.5%) females giving a male: female ratio of 7:1. Right hypochondrial pain and mass were the main symptoms seen in 28(87.5%). Pre intervention pain score ranges from 6-8 while post intervention pain score a week after treatment dropped to 1 or 2. The longest survivor at follow up with this treatment is 14months with mean survival duration of 8months.Conclusion: Percutaneous ethanol injection significantly reduces the pain of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and prolongs survival.