Using spectral CT to check tumor response after TACE in hepatocellular carcinoma

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This prospective observational study compares the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced spectral CT versus conventional CT for detecting residual or recurrent tumor after TACE in patients with BCLC stage A or B hepatocellular carcinoma. Eligible adults (18–75) undergo spectral CT 4–8 weeks after TACE and may also have surgical resection, DSA hepatic arteriography, or contrast-enhanced MRI as reference standards; if those are not performed they enter scheduled imaging follow-up every three months for at least one year. The study measures how often spectral CT identifies viable tumor missed or confirmed by the reference standard and compares sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy against conventional CT. The lead site is Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, in Nanjing, China.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. age 18-75 years;
2. diagnosis of HCC based on pathological findings or accepted clinical and imaging criteria;
3. Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage A or B;
4. prior treatment with TACE;
5. undergoing contrast-enhanced spectral CT at 4-8 weeks after TACE;
6. undergoing either liver resection within 1 week after contrast-enhanced spectral CT (surgical cohort) or undergoing hepatic digital subtraction angiography (DSA) or contrast-enhanced MRI within 1 week after contrast-enhanced spectral CT (non-surgical cohort);
7. informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. contraindications to contrast-enhanced CT or MRI;
2. presence of extrahepatic malignancy;
3. poor image quality or incomplete clinical data;
4. lack of regular CT or MRI follow-up in non-surgical cohort;
5. withdrawal from the study.

Where it's running

• Zhongda Hospital Southeast University
  Nanjing, China Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Shuhang Zhang
• Email: shuhangzhang@outlook.com
• Phone: 86 13852914095

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.