The outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization.

Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) has now been widely accepted in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Forty-five patients with tissue proven HCC received TAE and were followed up for more than 6 months; 28 of them were followed for more than one year and 13 for 2 years. The embolic materials used were Lipiodol 0.1-0.2 ml/cm2 (tumor area of its maximal diameter), which was prepared by pumping with contrast agent at a ratio of 1:2 and mixed with anticancer drugs (Mitomycin C: 8-10 mg or Adriamycin 40-50 mg), gelform particles 1-2 mm in size were subsequently embolized. The postembolization syndrome: abdominal pain, fever, nausea and vomiting usually subsided within 1-3 weeks. The overall cumulative half-year, 1-year and 2-year survival rates were 77.8%, 57.1% and 46.2%, respectively. Cases with regular follow-up and those with massive type without satellites, esp. when tumor size less than 5 cm, had better survival rates. In contrast, portal vein thrombosis and big tumors (especially with satellites) indicated poor prognosis. In addition, actively treated coexisting peptic ulcer and/or esophageal varices in HCC patients also improved TAE results.