Objective To assess the therapeutic value of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined 125iodine seed implantation for primary hepatic carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus.Methods The data of 23 patients ranging from 34 to 70 years old [ average age ( 56 ± 8) years ] with primary hepatic carcinoma with portal vein tumor thromhosis of type Ⅱ and type Ⅲ were retrospectively collected.The tumor number of liver parenchyma ranged from 1to 15 ( median number 4).The average diameter of tumor thrombus was (20.5 ± 1.5 ) mm and average length was ( 37.4 ± 2.6 ) mm.All of the tumors of liver parenchyma in 23 patients were treated by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and tumor thrombus were treated with 125iodine seed implantation.Before the 125iodine seed implantation,the formula dosage,the number,the spatial distribution,the intensity of radioactivity and the matched peripheral dosage of seed were calculated by treatment planning system (TPS).Then the 125iodine seeds were implanted in different levels and locations of port vein thrombosis under CT guided.Results The follow-up period ranged from 1to 26 months.The times of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization were 1to six times (median time 3.1±0.4) and the 125iodine seed implantation in the port vein thrombosis were 1to 2 times ( median time 1.4 ± 0.5 ).The numbers of implanted 125iodine seeds were 4 to 17 ( median number 7.0 ± 1.0).The median survival time was 18.0 months (3-24 months).The 3,6 and 12 months survival rates were 91.3％ ( 21/23 ),69.6％ ( 16/23 ),and 60.9％ ( 14/23 ).There was no severe side-effect related to therapy.Conclusions Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined 125iodine seed implantation for portal vein tumor thrombosis could significantly prolong the median survival time of patient with primary hepatic carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis.