Abstract: Objective To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization （TACE） in patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma and underlying liver cirrhosis of Child-Pugh class C. Methods Retrospective analysis of 53 patients with cirrhosis of Child-Pugh class C complicated by small hepatocellular carcinoma who had underwent TACE in our Department from December 2002 to December 2012 was conducted. Each patient received TACE for at least two times with an interval of 30 to 40 days,and was followed after the second TACE for 2 years. Liver function,serum AFP,coagulation function and abdominal CT scan or MRI scan were monitored at 1,3,6,12 and 24 months after the treatment. Results Effective rates of TACE in this series at 1,3,6,12 and 24 months after TACE were 100.0%,100.0%,83.0%,54.7%,41.5%, respectively;There was no significant differences in liver function and coagulation function between baseline and those at 1 month after TACE; However, serum ALT levels significantly declined at 24 months after the treatment [（67.9±20.4） U/L vs.（89.4±21.2） U/L,P<0.05];And the major cause of death was fundamental liver disease. Conclusion The clinical efficacy TACE in patients with liver cirrhosis of Child-Pugh class C complicated by small hepatocellular carcinoma is reliable,and TACE markedly reduces death due to exacerbation of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Key words: Small hepatocellular carcinoma, Cirrhosis, Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, Child-Pugh classification