Sakurai M, Okamura J, Kuroda C
Cancer. 1984 Aug 1;54(3):387-92. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19840801)54:3<387::aid-cncr2820540303>3.0.co;2-w.
A histopathologic study was done on livers from 14 patients who underwent surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma and who had been pretreated by a combination of intra-arterial embolization of Gelfoam (Upjohn) plus intra-arterial chemotherapy. This technique was effective as the excess vascularity of the tumor and the tumor bulk were reduced and resection was readily facilitated. For solitary tumors of less than 4 cm in diameter, this approach was particularly effective. As this combined treatment almost invariably leads to liquefaction and necrosis of the tumor, the likelihood of metastases is diminished.
