[Pathohistological evaluation of hepatic artery ligation (HAL) or transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) on primary carcinoma of the liver].

Ischemic effect of interruption of hepatic artery upon the expansively growing primary carcinoma of the liver was studied on six resected specimens obtained by hepatectomy having been carried out 10 to 35 days after HAL or TAE. Both HAL and TAE were found to bring about an extensive coagulative necrosis in the main tumor. No substantial difference was observed between the two in the degree or the mode of necrosis produced. Complete necrosis of the tumor was observed in a case of a nodular type hepatoma in the visceral aspect of the right posterior segment. An incomplete necrosis was obtained in the main tumor of remaining 5 cases. The necrotized region was clearly demarcated from the viable portion in the tumor by the septal formation which was probably used to be the part of the capsule around the tumor. This suggested that the compartment in the tumor separated by these septa is supplied by the different artery independently. Therefore, if the interruption therapy is chosen as the sole procedure, it is stressed that complete hepatic dearterialization is mandatory for the treatment of liver cancer.