ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy and mechansim of massive hepatocarcinoma with different imaging appearance after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE). MethodsThe image data of 38 patients with massive hepatocarcinoma were collected and analized retrospectively. According to the tumor edge situation on CT images before TACE treatment, the patients were divided into two groups:the sharp-edged tumor group and indistinct-edged tumor group. The efficacy were evaluated according to the imaging appearance after treatment. ResultsThe differences of the positive cases of HbsAg and AFP, Child-Pugh class, maximum tumor diameter, and dosage of lipiodol between the two groups before procedure were not statistic significance(P > 0.05). Six months after TACE, the maximum tumor diameter of the sharp-edged tumor group and indistinct-edged tumor group was(8.2±1.48) cm and(12.2±1.67) cm, respectively, the difference between the two groups was statistic significance(P < 0.05). In accordance with lipiodol deposition, ⅠandⅡtype were found in the sharp-edged tumor group withoutⅢandⅣtype. Most wereⅡandⅢtype with lessⅠtype and severalⅣtype in the indistinct-edged tumor group. According to the size of tumor six months after TACE, the total effective rate(CR+PR) was 92.9% and 62.5%, respectively in the sharp-edged tumor group and indistinct-edged tumor group. There were significantly difference between the two groups in iodized oil distribution and tumor size after procedure(P < 0.05). No statistical difference was found between the incidence rate of complications in two groups(P > 0.05). ConclusionThe efficacy of massive hepatocarcinoma in patients with sharp-edged tumor on CT images is better than those with indistinct-edged tumor.