CHEMOEMBOLIZATION OF PRIMARY HEPATOCELLUL AR-CARCINOMA - RESULTS OF APROSPECTIVE-STUDY

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.