Bletilla striata as a vascular embolizing agent in interventional treatment of primary hepatic carcinoma

Objective To evaluate Bletilla striata as a vascular embolizing agent in in terventional treatment of primary hepatic carcinoma. Methods We made a vascular embolizing agent from a Chinese medicinal herb, Bletilla striata (bai ji). From October 1991 to January 1995, 56 patients w ith primary hepatic carcinoma were treated by hepatic arterial chemoemboliz ation with Bletilla striata angioembolus, and 50 patients with primary hepa tic carcinoma who were treated by conventional gelfoam embolization served as controls. All patients were followed up for 10-48 months. Results Embolization with the Bletilla striata powder produced extensive an d permanent vascular obstruction, resulting in marked shrinkage of the tumo r and significant decrease of serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) level. After em bolization, less collateral circulation formed later. The treatment interva l was prolonged to an average of 7 months. The 1-, 2- and 3-year survival r ates were 81.9%, 44. 9%, and 33. 6%, respectively, with a mean survival per iod of 19.8 months. All the clinical parameters were better than those in t he control group treated by conventional gel foam embolization. Conclusion Bletilla striata angioembolus is a good vascular embolizing agen t for treating PHC.