5-YEAR SURVIVAL AFTER TRANSCATHETER CHEMOEMBOLIZATION FOR HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA

The 5-year cumulative survival rate of 443 patients who underwent tran scatheter chemoembolization (TCE) for non-resectable hepatocellular ca rcinoma (HCC) before December 1986 was 8.0%, and 29 patients survived for 5 years or more. Of these 29 patients, 25 were men and 4 were wome n; their mean age was 63.9 years. Macroscopic classification showed le sions of the single nodular type in 16 cases, the multiple nodular typ e in 10 cases, and the massive type in 3 cases; 12 of the single nodul ar lesions measured 5 cm or less in size. The TNM classification showe d lesions of stage I in 3 cases, stage II in 14 cases, stage III in 6 cases, and stage IV in 6 cases. Lesions classified as Child A were fou nd in 23 patients, and they were thus much more common than Child B le sions (2 patients) and Child C lesions (1 patient). The response was a nalyzed in relation to the use of iodized oil (Lipiodol). It was used in 215 of the patients, and the 5-year cumulative survival rate of tho se patients was 12.9% (23 of them survived for 5 years or more). Lipio dol was not used in 228 patients, and they showed a 5-year cumulative survival rate of 3.4%, with 6 patients surviving for 5 years or more. The 6 patients with stage III disease and the 6 with stage IV disease received Lipiodol. TCE with Lipiodol thus contributed greatly in prolo nging the survival of patients with HCC complicated by intrahepatic me tastases or intraportal tumor thrombi.