Complete remission of multiple hepatocellular carcinomas associated with hepatitis C virus-related, decompensated liver cirrhosis by oral administration of enteric-coated tegafur uracil

We report a case of complete remission of multiple hepatocellular carcinoma s after oral administration of enteric-coated tegafur/uracil. A 77-yr-old w oman was diagnosed as having recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma associated with decompensated liver cirrhosis. We administered enteric-coated tegafur/ uracil to this patient. After 1 month of oral administration, there was a d ecrease in tumor markers. An image analysis showed disappearance of hepatoc ellular carcinoma. No recurrence of the hepatocellular carcinoma was recogn ized for 18 months up to the time of the patient's death, which was due to massive bleeding from a hemorragic rectal ulcer. At autopsy, the tumor lesi on had necrotized. Oral administration of enteric-coated granules containin g tegafur/uracil may provide an effective treatment for hepatocellular carc inoma. (Am J Gastroenterol 1999;94: 1682-1685. (C) 1999 by Am. Cell. of Gas troenterology).