Outcome of transcatheter arterial embolization for hepatocellular carcinoma

Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) has been playing an important part in the treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In most of our cases, it has been performed as lipiodol chemoembolization; the mixture of lipiodol and an antitumor agent (chiefly, epidoxorubicin) and small particles of gelatin sponge. The 1- and 3-year cumulative survival rates of the patients with solitary tumor < 5.0 cm in diameter treated between 1991 and 1996 were 93.1 and 73.3%, respectively. The 5-year survival rate may be estimated at approximately 50%. Segmental or subsegmental TAE brought the broad application to the patients with various backgrounds. It was effectively applicable to small-sized HCC less than 2.0 cm in diameter when tumor showed hypervascularity. The 5-year cumulative survival rate was 50.9%. Also, it was effectively and safely applicable to the patients with tumor thrombosis in the main track of the portal vein when efficient intrahepatic portal blood flow was anticipated. Recently, a lipophilic antitumor agent has been available for arterial infusion of HCC in order to retain with lipiodol in the tumor for a long time. As a result of our preliminary study, further clinical study will be needed to elucidate the significance of this agent.