Transarterial Radioembolization Versus Chemoembolization for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients with measurable, locally advanced HCC those are not suitable to have or have failed potentially curable intervention (Radio frequency ablation for small tumor, resection or transplantation).
* The diagnosis of HCC should be established either by cyto/histology; or, by characteristic imaging studies in patients with cirrhosis of the liver and/or chronic viral hepatitis B or C infection.
* Patients must not be less than 18 and not more than 80 and can be either gender.
* Patients must have a performance status of ECOG score equal to or less than 2.
* Child-Pugh's A or Early B, score 8 and above (see table)
* Patients must have adequate organ function as evidenced by:

Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥1.5 x 109/L Platelet count ≥50 x 109/L Hg \>9 g/d. AST or ALT ≤5 x ULN Serum creatinine ≤2 x ULN OR creatinine clearance ≥50 mL/min (estimated by Cockcroft Gault or measured) Normal mg and K Bleeding diathesis or on Vit. K therapy.

* Patients must fulfill Child-Pugh's Score
* Life expectancy equal to or more than 12 weeks.
* Signed informed consent.
* Sexually active patients, in conjunction with their partner, must practice birth control during, and for 2 months after therapy.
* Female patients at child-bearing age must have negative pregnancy test.
* No known HIV infection.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with metastases outside the liver.
* Patients with co-morbid condition that will be aggravated by the investigational drug or by the intervention.
* Patients with severe cardiopulmonary diseases (including history of stable, effort-induced or unstable angina pectoris or myocardiac infarction) and other systemic diseases under poor control.
* Patients with active infection.
* Patients with history of psychiatric disorder.
* Patients with concomitant active secondary malignancies, except for surgically cured carcinoma in situ of the cervix and basal or adequately treated squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. Disease-free of malignancies \< 2 years before the study, are not eligible.
* Clinically significant third space fluid accumulation (i.e., ascites requiring paracentesis despite use of diuretics) or pleural effusion that either requires thoracocentesis or is associated with shortness of breath
* Impairment of gastrointestinal function or gastrointestinal disease that may significantly alter the absorption of the drug (e.g., ulcerative disease, uncontrolled nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, malabsorption syndrome, or small bowel resection.
* Concurrent usage of hormonal or chemotherapeutic agents.
* Patients who received surgery, radiotherapy except to bone, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or other investigational drug within 4 weeks before initiating study are not eligible.
* Patients who are pregnant, breast-feeding or not using appropriate birth control during the course of the study.
* Patients with partner of child bearing age who are not willing to use appropriate contraceptives during and 8 week after therapy.
* Non compliance.
* Unwilling to disclose medical information.