Optimal Strategies for Combining Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization and Radiofrequency Ablation in Rabbit VX2 Hepatic Tumors

Larger treatment volumes were produced when chemoembolization was performed before RF ablation than when RF ablation preceded chemoembolization or when RF ablation or chemoembolization were performed alone. Larger treatment volumes were also produced when chemoembolization rather than bland embolization was performed before RF ablation, indicating the importance and synergy of the chemotherapeutic regimen. These results suggest that the reduction of tumor blood flow combined with the effect of hyperthermia and local chemotherapy creates the largest dimensions of treatment.