Lipiodol drug targeting in the treatment of primary hepatocellular carcinoma.

When Lipiodol Ultra-Fluid (lipiodol) is administered through arteries feeding the tumor, lipiodol remains selectively in the neoplastic tissue for an extended period of time. This characteristic of the oily contrast medium has been utilized for regional targeting of chemotherapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, which has been termed "lipiodolization". The current status of lipiodolization is reviewed herein.