Abstract: Objective : To evaluate the therapeutic effects of three dimensional conformal radiation(3DCRT)and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with 3DCRT for the unresectable primary hepatacelluar carcinoma (HCC). Methods From January 1999 to October 2001, a total of 98 patients with HCC were treated. Sixty-seven of the 98 patients were treated with 3DCRT alone and 31 were treated with TACE plus 3DCRT. In the 3DCRT group, the total radiation dose 54～60Gy was given by 6MV X-ray, 6Gy each time and once every other day. In the 3DCRT+TACE group, TACE was given 1～2 times before 3DCRT.TACE was performed using lipiodol, cisplatin,perarubicin, mitomycin,followed by gelatin sponge cubes. Results : The efficacy rate for the 3DCRT group and the 3DCRT plus TACE group was 83.6% and 87.1%, respectively. The 1-, 2-, 3-year survival rate was 89.6%, 53.7% and 22.4%, and 90.3%, 51.6% and 25.8%, respectively. No significant difference for the efficacy rate or survival rate was found in the two groups (P0.05). Conclusion : The 3DCRT is effective and feasible and can be chosen as one of the first-line means in treating unresectable HCC.