Objective:   To explore the clinical value of selective artery embolism (SAE) and arterial chemoembolization for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN).

  Methods:   Twenty-seven cases diagnosed with GTN who underwent SAE at Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Capital Medical University between July 2010 and January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into the arterial chemoembolization group (n=14) and simple arterial embolization group (n=13). All patients had intravenous chemotherapy following SAE until their serum β human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) levels returned to normal for 2-3 months. Changes in the size of the uterine tumor were measured under ultrasonography. The decline of the serum β-HCG levels and the hysterectomy rate were compared between the groups.

  Results:   The mean age of patients was 35.37 (19-51) years. Patients were cured after a median of 4 intravenous chemotherapy sessions. Six patients underwent a hysterectomy. All 17 cases of active bleeding were controlled by SAE. Following SAE combined with one intravenous chemotherapy session, the ultraphonic response rate was 51.8% (14/27). Intra-arterial chemotherapy did not significantly increase the radiological response rate (P=0.785). The serum β-HCG levels declined to a mean of 2.07±0.91 logarithms after SAE combined with intravenous chemotherapy. The serum β-HCG levels did not show a significant decline after chemoembolization compared with the contrast group (P=0.987).

  Conclusions:   SAE can efficaciously control and prevent hemorrhage in GTN. Intra-arterial chemotherapy did not significantly enhance the therapeutic function of SAE.