Transcatheter oily chemoembolization with high doses of adriamycin in the treatment of large hepatocellular carcinoma (10 cm or more in diameter).

Five patients with large hepatoma (10 cm or more in diameter) underwent transcatheter oily chemoembolization with an emulsion of 100 mg of adriamycin with Lipiodol plus Gelfoam. Myelosuppression related to adriamycin was milder than that associated with bolus injection of the drug, because the drug was released from the emulsion slowly. Partial response was found in one patient, with no change in the others. The duration of survival ranged from four to 16 months (mean, 11.2 months). Response was satisfactory for large hepatoma.