Transcatheter chemo-embolization effective for treating hepatocellular carcinoma. A histopathologic study.

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.