A remarkable progress was made in the palliative treatment of unresect
able hepatocellular carcinoma using transcatheter arterial chemoemboli
zation (TAG). The combination of doxorubicin as cytotoxic drug and of
Lipiodol(R) as carrier, which is selectively accumulated within the tu
mors is an effective treatment. Prolonged survival has been demonstrat
ed in several clinical studies. In a prospective trial the effect of r
egional TAC with temporary ischemia of the liver was evaluated concern
ing liver function, systemic reactions and tumor response. Temporary i
schemia of the Liver was well tolerated even in patients with liver ci
rrhosis. Revascularization of the liver after TAC was observed in all
cases. Systemic side effects of the cytotoxic drug were mild. In patie
nts with Child C cirrhosis or tumor volume of more than 60 % of the li
ver no impact of the treatment on the survival time was observed. In t
he entire patient group a survival rate of 70 % after 15 months was ac
hieved.