Transarterial chemoembolization for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: A comparison of the efficacy and safety of 2 embolic agents.

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of 2 different embolic agents, namely gelatin sponge particle (GSP) and Lipiodol, for transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).We retrospectively reviewed 87 consecutive patients with unresectable HCC who underwent Lipiodol TACE with lobaplatin and 87 consecutive patients with unresectable HCC who underwent GSP TACE with lobaplatin between January 2013 and June 2017 in our institution as the initial treatment. Both groups were compared considering the clinical and laboratory outcomes and imaging findings before and after TACE. Tumor response and adverse events were also evaluated.There was significant difference in the rate of complete and overall response between the groups (P = .029 and .001, respectively), specifically when the tumor size was >5 cm (P = .001). The disease control rate was significantly better in the GSP group than in the Lipiodol group (94.3% vs. 86.4%, P = .011). The response differences in higher stages were significant between the 2 groups (P = .035 and .007, respectively). The grades of adverse events were also significantly different between the groups (P = .000).GSP-as an embolic agent in TACE for HCC-could significantly increase the rate of tumor response 1 month after treatment, especially in large tumors, without any significant increase in severe adverse events, when compared to Lipiodol.

Superselective Conventional Transarterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Rationale, Technique, and Outcome.

Conventional transarterial chemoembolization with ethiodized oil and gelatin sponge (GS) particles is a standard technique for hepatocellular carcinoma. Ethiodized oil can temporarily block tumor sinusoids, portal venules, hepatic sinusoids, and arterial microcommunications. By adding GS embolization, strong ischemic effects not only on the tumor but also on the surrounding liver parenchyma can be achieved. Superselective conventional transarterial chemoembolization is mainly indicated for patients with Child-Pugh scores of 5-8, tumors ≤ 7 cm, and ≤ 5 lesions. According to a Japanese nationwide survey, the 5-year survival rate of patients with Child-Pugh class A and a single tumor was 52%.

Prospective study of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: an Asian cooperative study between Japan and Korea.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization used for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with an Asian cooperative prospective study between Japan and Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with unresectable HCC unsuitable for curative treatment or with no prior therapy for HCC were enrolled. The patients underwent transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with emulsion of Lipiodol and anthracycline agent, followed by embolization with gelatin sponge particles, which was repeated on an as-needed basis. The primary endpoint was 2-year survival rate, and the secondary endpoints were adverse events and response rate. RESULTS: The 2-year survival rate of 99 patients was 75.0% (95% confidence interval, 65.2%-82.8%). The median time-to-progression was 7.8 months, and the median overall survival period was 3.1 years. Of 99 patients, 42 (42%) achieved a complete response, and 31 (31%) had a partial response. The response rate was 73% using modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. The grade 3-4 toxicities included increased alanine aminotransferase level in 36%, increased aspartate aminotransferase level in 35%, thrombocytopenia in 12%, and abdominal pain in 4% of patients. All other toxicities were generally transient. CONCLUSIONS: Asian transcatheter arterial chemoembolization demonstrated sufficient safety and reasonable efficacy as a standard treatment for unresectable HCC. These results could be useful as reference data for future trials of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization.

Partial splenic embolization using Bletilla striata particles for hypersplenism in cirrhosis: a prospective study.

The article evaluates the long-term follow-up results of PSE using Bletilla striata (BS) particles for hypersplenism in cirrhosis, as compared to PSE using gelfoam particles. Fifty-nine patients with cirrhosis-induced hypersplenism were treated with PSE. The patients were randomly assigned into two groups: gelfoam group, which includes 32 patients using gelfoam particles as the embolic material, and BS group, which includes 27 patients using BS particles. The peripheral blood cell counts and parameters for complications associated with PSE were measured during the follow-up. The mean values of leukocyte and thrombocyte, but not hemoglobin, were significantly increased after PSE (p < 0.01) in both groups. The values of leukocyte and thrombocyte during the long-term follow-up were significantly improved in BS group than that in gelfoam group (both p < 0.01). The frequency of bleeding episodes from esophageal varices in both groups was significantly reduced after PSE (both p < 0.01), but the post-PSE bleeding episodes showed no remarkable differences between the two groups (p = 0.084). Post-embolization syndrome consisted mainly of fever, nausea and vomiting, and abdominal pain in the two groups. The incidence of grade II to III abdominal pain in BS group (82.8%, 27/33) was significantly higher than in gelfoam group (57.9%, 33/57) (p = 0.020). The mean survival time was 61.5 ± 9.1 (median 60, 1-157) months in gelfoam group and 63.4 ± 9.9 (median 52, 0-161) months in BS group, which showed no significant difference (p = 0.930). In conclusion, BS particles could be used as the embolic material in PSE. Compared to gelfoam used in PSE, BS can achieve even better efficacy in alleviating hypersplenism. It provides a long-term effect on the hematological parameters, bleeding from esophageal varices and good palliation, and improved clinical status contributing to symptomatic control.

Hepatic and biliary damage after transarterial chemoembolization for malignant hepatic tumors: incidence, diagnosis, treatment, outcome and mechanism.

OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview of recent studies on transarterial chemoembolization-related hepatic and biliary damage (TRHBD) in patients with malignant hepatic tumors (MHT) and to explore the reasons for TRHBD. METHODS: Literature on the treatments for MHT by TACE was sought in PubMed and the related information was summarized. RESULTS: TRHBD is found to occur in the hepatic parenchymal cells, biliary tree and blood-vascular system. The damage is mainly due to ischemia resulting from embolic materials such as gelatin sponge and lipiodol. In addition, clinicians' skill levels in non-superselective catheterization, the health condition of the patients, and the chemical agents used may also be related to the damage. Most of the deterioration can be reversed if the patients are diagnosed and treated properly and promptly. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the mechanisms of TRHBD more comprehensively is helpful in developing effective methods for prevention and treatment.

Complications associated with transcatheter arterial embolization for hepatic tumors.

Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is widely used in the treatment of hepatic tumors. A total of 2,300 TAE procedures were performed with a 2-15-mL injection of a mixture or suspension of anticancer drugs and iodized oil, followed by administration of gelatin sponge particles. One or two chemotherapeutic drugs, including doxorubicin hydrochloride (10-30 mg), epirubicin hydrochloride (10-30 mg), mitomycin C (10-20 mg), and cisplatin (25-100 mg), were used for each procedure. Complications were encountered in 4.4% of cases (n = 102) and were related to the use of chemoembolic agents or the manipulation of a catheter or guide wire. These complications included acute hepatic failure (n = 6), liver infarction (n = 4) or abscess (n = 5), intrahepatic biloma (n = 20), multiple intrahepatic aneurysms (n = 6), cholecystitis (n = 7), splenic infarction (n = 2), gastrointestinal mucosal lesions (n = 5), pulmonary embolism or infarction (n = 4), tumor rupture (n = 1), variceal bleeding (n = 3), and iatrogenic dissection (n = 35) or perforation (n = 4) of the celiac artery and its branches. Knowledge of these complications is important for correct diagnosis and appropriate management.

Multiple intrahepatic aneurysms following transcatheter arterial embolization. Work in progress.

PURPOSE: To discuss the mechanism of multiple intrahepatic aneurysm formation after transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) performed in five patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TAE was performed with gelatin sponge particles and iodized oil as embolic materials. Mitomycin C was also used in four cases. RESULTS: Three to 14 aneurysms 1-6 mm in diameter were found in third-to sixth-order branches of the hepatic arteries at repeat angiography performed 25-45 days after TAE. Follow-up angiograms in three cases revealed that most aneurysms were no longer apparent except in one patient in whom two aneurysms remained and were larger than before. In none of the five cases were any signs of aneurysm rupture noted. CONCLUSION: Radiologists should be aware of this complication of TAE. It is speculated that the main cause of aneurysm formation in these patients was the embolic agents used.

Treatment of inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization using an emulsion of cisplatin in iodized oil and gelfoam.

Eighty patients with inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were treated by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization using an emulsion of Lipiodol and Cisplatin. In 59 patients, gelfoam embolization was also given. The tumour size ranged from 0.5 cm to 33 cm in maximum diameter with the median diameter being 8 cm. The chemoembolization sessions were repeated every 1 1/2 to 3 months. The number of sessions the patients underwent varied from 1 to 11, with the mean number of sessions being 3.7. The HCC either disappeared completely or decreased in size in 44 patients (55%). In patients having an HCC of 12 cm or less in size, 31 out of 41 (75.6%) who had the addition of gelfoam demonstrated decrease in tumour size, while seven out of 11 (63.6%) without the addition of gelfoam demonstrated decrease in tumour size. In patients having an HCC of more than 12 cm in size, only six out of 18 (33.3%) who had the addition of gelfoam demonstrated reduction in tumour size and none of the 10 patients without the addition of gelfoam responded. Thus, HCCs of 12 cm or less in size responded better than larger ones to chemoembolization (P < 0.0001) while the addition of gelfoam enhanced the response (P = 0.039). The 1 year survival rate for the 80 patients was 53% and the 2 years survival rate was 38%. The median survival was 13 months. For patients having an HCC of 12 cm or less in size, the 1 year and 2 year survival rates were 69% and 47% respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Biloma following transcatheter oily chemoembolization.

Hepatic biloma (bile cyst) developed in a patient after transcatheter oily chemoembolization (TOCE) with Lipiodol for hepatocellular carcinoma. The patient was treated conservatively and underwent the next TOCE uneventfully. An inappropriately large dose of Lipiodol, anticancer agent, and Gelfoam can induce biloma; however, it is not reasonable to abstain from TOCE for hepatocellular carcinoma in fear of biloma.

Clinical evaluation of hepatic artery embolization: comparison between Gelfoam and Lipiodol with anticancer agent.

Transcatheter embolization of the hepatic artery for hepatomas was performed with the use of Gelfoam and Lipiodol-ADM in 98 patients (Gelfoam 63 patients; Lipiodol-ADM 35 patients). The cumulative one-year survival rate was 52.9% for the Gelfoam group and 28% for the Lipiodol-ADM group. Response to hepatic embolization was most remarkable in the nodular type; CR was obtained in five patients and PR in 31 patients (response rate: CR + PR = 57.1%) in the Gelfoam group, with no CR and six PRs (response rate, 17.6%) in the Lipiodol-ADM group. Alfa-feto protein (AFP) decrease of more than 50% was observed in 78.1% of the Gelfoam group and 40% of the Lipiodol-ADM group. The side effects were transient and controlled with conservative treatment. Gelfoam seemed to be more effective in the treatment of hepatoma, but the damage to normal tissue was more severe with this embolic material.