SUBSEGMENTAL TRANSCATHETER ARTERIAL EMBOLIZATION FOR HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA IN THE CAUDATE LOBE

PURPOSE: To clarify the effectiveness of transcatheter arterial emboli zation (TAE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the caudate lobe of the liver, MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients with HCC in the c audate lobe underwent TAE, TAE was performed by injection of the mixtu re of anticancer drugs (mitomycin C and doxorubicin or epirubicin) and iodized oil, followed by gelatin sponge particles, Arterial anatomy o f the caudate branch, local recurrence rate, and survival rate were ev aluated. RESULTS: From 31 TAEs for the caudate lobe, 22 subsegmental T AEs were successfully performed (71%), Local recurrence in the caudate lobe was seen in 10 patients (77%). Subsegmental TAE for the caudate lobe was repeated one to five times. Cumulative local recurrence rates were 33% and 75% within 3 and 6 months, respectively, Survival rates after first TAE for HCC in the caudate lobe were 89% and 74% for 1 and 3 years, respectively, CONCLUSION: Local recurrence rate after subseg mental TAE for HCC in the caudate lobe was high, However, repeated sub segmental TAE possibly improves the prognosis of HCC in the caudate lo be.