A comparison between three‐dimensional conformal radiotherapy combined with interventional treatment and interventional treatment alone for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumour thrombosis

Abstract Introduction We investigated the therapeutic effects of three‐dimensional conformal radiotherapy combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolisation ( TACE ) for hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC ) with portal vein tumour thrombosis ( PVTT ). Methods Sixty‐three HCC patients with PVTT were divided into two groups. Group A (30 patients) was treated with three‐dimensional conformal radiotherapy followed by 2–3 series of TACE , while group B (33 patients) was only treated with TACE . Results The 1‐ and 2‐year survival rates of group A were 62.40% and 20.81%, respectively, with a mean survival time of 13.0 months. The 1‐ and 2‐year survival rates of group B were 56.49% and 18.83%, respectively, with a mean survival time of 9.0 months. There were significant differences between the two groups (log‐rank chi‐square value = 3.950, P = 0.047). Conclusion Three‐dimensional conformal radiotherapy combined with TACE can significantly improve clinical outcomes in patients with HCC and PVTT compared with TACE alone.