ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the clinical responses and side effects of non sealed colloidal 32 P internal radiation and macroaggregate albumin (MAA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Twenty six patients with HCC underwent ultrasound guided intratumoral injection therapy of 32 P colloid and MAA. The clinical responses and toxic effects were analyzed on basis of clinical manifestions and laboratory data, including the tumor size, histopathological changes, serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) estimation, blood routine, hepatic and renal functions and immunocompetence assays before and after treatment. Results Clinical responses: alleviation of symptoms, decreased AFP levels, fibrosis and complete or partial necrosis within tumor lesions (CR 2, PR 13, MR 2, SD 7 and PD 2). The total response rate was 57.7% and the median survival period was 16 months. Hepatic lesions became resectable in 5 patients for whom successful operation was performed. The 1 ,2 and 3 year survival rates were 88.5%, 76.9% and 38.5%, respectively. No evidence of non sealed radionuclide induced toxic reactions or complications were observed. Conclusions The treatment of internal radiation with 32 P colloid and macroaggregate albumin is effective, simple, safe and applicable with wide indications for primary hepatic carcinoma.