Abstract:

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the six most common malignant tumours globally. Early diagnosis and timely surgical resection can maximise the benefits for patients. However, based on the unique pathophysiological characteristics of the liver, most patients have been in the advanced stage of the tumour at the initial diagnosis and lost the opportunity of surgical resection; transcatheter arterial chemoembolisation (TACE) is its definitive treatment, but HCC patients with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) are relatively contraindicated to TACE treatment. Hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) using the characteristics of liver first-pass effect, continuous high-concentration infusion of chemotherapeutic drugs directly into tumour blood supply arteries has made remarkable achievements in middle and advanced HCC in recent years. However, there is no unified diagnosis and treatment standard and specification for HAIC. This paper reviews the clinical application of HAIC in advanced HCC.

Key words: Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy, Chemoembolization, Descending transformation therapy, Portal vein carcinoma thrombus