TRANSCATHETER ARTERIAL CHEMOEMBOLIZATION IN CYTOREDUCTION OF INOPERABLE HEPATOCARCINOMAS

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TAE) is often considered a m ean of palliation for inoperable Liver carcinomas. A few centers use a sequential treatment (TAE followed by surgery). However the role of T AE in bringing to surgery patients with hepatocarcinomas (HCC) conside red inoperable at first diagnosis is debated. We report on the case of a 57 y.o. male diagnosed as having HCC, inoperable because of bilater al Location and size. The patient was treated with repeated TAEs and t he results were monitored with CT scans. After three TAEs, the main tu mor mass volume was reduced 2.2 fold and the patient could undergo sur gery; the postoperative period was uneventful, with no clinical signs of liver failure. Our experience leads us to suggest that TAE, further to being an option for palliation, can be a valuable tool to lead to surgery otherwise inoperable HCC patients.