Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) in treatment for hepatoma--analysis of three-year survivors.

Among 224 hepatomas treated with transcatheter arterial embolization, ten patients who survived for three years are presented. All cases had nodular lesions and the volume ratio of tumor to liver was less than 10% in nine cases. Eight cases had no large venous extension, however, one had 90% occlusion of the portal trunk and the other had tumor thrombus within the inferior vena cava. Laboratory data showed liver function was largely spared in eight cases, whereas the other two had severe liver cirrhosis. CT and/or angiography showed an increase in tumor volume in eight cases after three years of survival. Beneficial factors for long-term survival and the limitations of embolization are also discussed.