[Gianturco expandable metallic stents in the treatment of tumor thrombus in portal vein--preliminary clinical experience].

Two cases of hepatocellular carcinoma with protal vein invasion (Vp3) were successfully treated by Gianturco expandable metallic stents (GEMS). Each case was treated through the different approach, i.e. the percutaneous transhepatic or ileocolic venous route. GEMS was easily expanded within the protal vein and carcinoma thrombi were pushed against the walls, resulting in increase of portal blood flow. The GEMS might improve the impaired portal blood flow with hepatic failure and esophagogastric varices, in spite of the possibilities of dissemination and ingrowth of carcinoma thrombi.