Effectiveness of Initial Transarterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Among Medicare Beneficiaries.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Optimal administration of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), the standard approach for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), requires clinical and technical expertise. We sought to evaluate whether TACE retains its effectiveness when administered across a broad range of health care settings. Furthermore, as the use of yttrium(90) (Y(90)) radioembolization has been increasing, we explored the comparative effectiveness of Y(90) as an alternative to TACE.

Methods

Patients with HCC diagnosed from 2004 through 2009 treated initially with TACE or Y(90) were identified from the SEER-Medicare linkage. Key covariates included prediagnosis α-fetoprotein (AFP) screening, complications of cirrhosis, and tumor extent. Effect of treatment, patient, and health

SUBMITTER: Sanoff HK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4861995 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature