The Evaluation of Tolvaptan Therapy and Long-Term Prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Refractory Ascites

摘要

We investigated Tolvaptan efficacy and long-term prognosis with focus on nutrition in 20 patients with refractory hepatic ascites in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Bloating improved in 55% of patients, as determined using a Japanese version of the Support Team Assessment Schedule. Nutritional status improved with Tolvaptan treatment, based on the Controlling Nutritional Status score and Onodera’s prognostic nutritional index. Long-term prognosis was better in responders than in non-responders (mean survival time: 308 days vs. 97 days, p = 0.031). Tolvaptan was even effective in many patients with HCC, with additional improvement in long-term prognosis expected with improvement in the nutritional status.