[Transarterial embolization in the treatment of hepatoma complicated with cirrhosis, esophageal varices and hypersplenism].

A case of hepatoma with cirrhosis for whom hepatectomy was impossible because of a severe complication is reported. The case has been treated with various treatments, so long survival has been obtained. The patient is a 56-year-old female with hepatoma with cirrhosis. The initial symptom was bleeding from esophageal varices. Her condition was not suitable for hepatectomy because of hypersplenism and remarkable hepatic disorder. Consequently, she was given endoscopic sclerotherapy for esophageal varices, partial splenic embolization for hypersplenism, and transarterial embolization with ADM, Lipiodol and Spongel powder for hepatoma. Although abdominal pain, pleural effusion and bleeding from gastric ulcer appeared after embolization, esophageal varices and hypersplenism were significantly improved; reduction of 75% of hepatoma was observed and AFP decreased from 18.7 ng to 3 ng. At 12 months after the embolization, there is no sign of hepatoma growth, rupture of esophageal varices or hypersplenism.