Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Randomized Controlled Study With Long-Acting Somatostatin Plus Percutaneous Ethanol Instillation (PEI) Versus Long-Acting Somatostatin Alone

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a consequence of liver cirrhosis. In early tumour stages, tumour resection or liver transplantation are therapeutic options; later tumour stages may be treated with locally ablative treatments such as percutaneous ethanol instillation (PEI), transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) or radio-frequency thermoablation. This randomized study investigates the effect of PEI on survival of patients with HCC. All patients will receive hormonal treatment (long-acting somatostatin intramuscularly [i.m.]) and will be randomized for treatment with PEI or no additional treatment.