Primary Prevention of Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Concomitant Esophageal Varices

Launched by TAIPEI VETERANS GENERAL HOSPITAL, TAIWAN · Oct 22, 2013

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying two different treatments to prevent bleeding from esophageal varices in patients who have liver cancer, specifically hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The trial compares a procedure called endoscopic esophageal variceal ligation (which involves tying off the varices) with a medication called non-selective beta-blocker (specifically propranolol). The goal is to see which method works better at preventing serious bleeding in these patients.

To participate in this trial, individuals need to be between 20 and 80 years old and have both HCC and esophageal varices that are classified as moderate to severe (F2 or F3). Unfortunately, people who have experienced bleeding from varices in the past or those with certain health issues, like heart failure or severe lung problems, cannot join. Participants in this study will be randomly assigned to receive one of the two treatments and will be monitored to see how well the treatment works at preventing bleeding. It's important to note that the trial is currently recruiting participants.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Between 20 and 80 years old
• • Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with esophageal varices
• • F2 or F3 esophageal varices (Beppu et al classification)
• • Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with portal thrombosis
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • History of esophageal variceal bleeding
• • Had received endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) or endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS)
• • Pregnancy, or the patients with other terminal illness (such as other terminal cancers, heart failure, renal failure...)
• • Propranolol contraindications (such as atrioventricular block, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, poorly controlled diabetes, severe peripheral arterial disease...)