Feasibility Study of Transarterial Chemotherapy Followed by Chemoembolization for Recurrent Breast Cancer.

PURPOSE: To assess the treatment response to transarterial chemotherapy followed by chemoembolization for locally recurrent breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine women with locally recurrent breast cancer after standard therapy underwent selective intra-arterial chemotherapy followed by embolization using drug-eluting microspheres for locally recurrent tumors and axillary lymph node metastases. Tumor response and toxicity were assessed by the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) and Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), and survival was evaluated by the Kaplan‒Meier method. RESULTS: The local responses of breast tumors at 3 and 6 months were as follows: complete response, 5.1% and 7.2%; partial response, 35.9% and 67.8%; stable disease, 59.0% and 21.4%; and progressive disease, 0.0% and 3.6%, respectively. All adverse events were mild and did not require treatment. The median overall survival (OS) was 46.5 months, and the OS rates for 1 and 2 years were 81.4% and 69.2%, respectively. The size of recurrent tumors and axillary lymph node metastases did not impact prognosis, but both liver and bone metastases adversely affected survival. CONCLUSION: Transarterial chemotherapy followed by chemoembolization may provide a favorable tumor response in patients with locally recurrent breast cancer in whom conventional therapy has failed.

Successful control of a large intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma treated by transarterial chemo-embolization; a single case report.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is hardly diagnosed in early stages as the symptoms are non-specific. Due to an advanced stages at the time of first diagnosis, the therapeutic options for patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma are mostly limited to systemic chemotherapy or radiotherapy, but good local control or preferable prognostic effects are hardly obtained. The transarterial chemoembolization had not been a standard of care because of hepatic functional damages caused by lipiodol and gelatin sponge. A newly developed spherical embolic material causes limited hepatic damages might be an option for these patients. It makes it possible to repeat the procedure in a short period. Eventually, better prognosis can be expected using a spherical embolic material. We report a case of a 15 cm locally advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma treated by chemoembolization using a drug-eluting spherical embolic material and achieved good local tumor control without liver damage. The patient survived longer than 4 years without additional or concomitant treatments.

Retrospective Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Chemoembolization with Drug-Eluting Microspheres Combined with Intra-Arterial Infusion of Bevacizumab for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of chemoembolization with drug-eluting microspheres (DEM-TACE) combined with intra-arterial infusion of bevacizumab in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) and to identify possible prognostic factors. Patients and Methods: Between November 2014 and December 2020, 34 patients underwent DEM-TACE combined with intra-arterial infusion of bevacizumab for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage B hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) beyond the Up-to-seven criteria or BCLC stage C HCC. Patients with extrahepatic metastasis or inferior vena cava invasion were excluded. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). The secondary endpoints were safety (assessed using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v5.0), the response rate at 1 month, and the identification of prognostic factors. The median OS was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The response rate was evaluated according to the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. Prognostic factors were investigated by univariate and multivariable analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: The median OS was 13 months. BCLC stage and presence of portal vein invasion were not significantly associated with OS. There were no grade ≥3 adverse events. The Child-Pugh class did not decline after treatment in 31 of 34 patients. The overall response rate was 14.2% and the disease control rate was 100%. Significant prognostic factors were alcoholic liver disease, Child-Pugh score of ≥8, and microsphere size of 50-100 µm. Conclusion: DEM-TACE combined with intra-arterial infusion of bevacizumab is safe and effective, and it could be a treatment option for unresectable HCCs.

Transarterial Treatment of Lung Cancer.

PURPOSE: The treatment efficacy of the transarterial approach to lung cancer is evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 98 patients with advanced lung cancer or recurrent lung cancer after the standard therapies were enrolled retrospectively. The bronchial arteries and mediastinal branches from the subclavian artery were selected by a microcatheter. Immediately after the selective arterial infusion of anti-neoplastic agents, embolization with a spherical embolic material was carried out. Local tumor effects and overall survival were evaluated. RESULT: The mean reduction rate was 17.9%, with 24.2% for partial remission and with 2.1% for progression disease. The rate of stable disease was 72.6%. The response rate was 25.3%, and the disease control rate was 97.9%. The median survival time (MST) was 11.4 months, the 1-year survival rate was 45.2%, and the 2-year survival rate was 35.6%. Although it is insignificant, the MST for 51 adenocarcinomas was higher than that of 29 squamous cell carcinomas (18.6 months and 9.4 months, respectively). The local extension of tumors related to a better prognosis, though it was not significant. Lymph node metastases and distant metastases were poor prognostic factors. No major complications nor treatment-related mortalities were found in this study. CONCLUSION: The transarterial treatment for lung cancer should be considered as a treatment option when the other treatments were not indicated both in initial cases and in recurrent cases.

[Transarterial Chemoembolization for Unresectable Gastric Cancer in the Esophago-Gastric Junction-A Case Report].

A case of extensive esophageal stenosis and bleeding caused by advanced gastric cancer in esophago-gastric junction treated by the transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)was reported. After standard systemic chemotherapy and radiotherapy, TACE was introduced to control these symptoms. A microcatheter was successfully advanced to the left gastric artery and esophageal artery arising from the thoracic aorta. The blood supply to the lesion was confirmed by CT scan during contrast injection through the microcatheter. The drugs were 5-FU 250 mg/body, cisplatin 20 mg/body, docetaxel 20 mg/body and bevacizumab 100 mg/body. Embolic material was HepaSphereTM(50-100µm). The patient survived one and half years without dysphagia and bleeding. TACE for extensive esophageal stenosis caused by advanced gastric cancer can be a treatment option to control tumor growth and bleeding.

[Microsphere TACE with Arterial Infusion of Bevacizumab for Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus by Hepatocellular Carcinoma].

The successful treatment of 2 cases of portal vein tumor thrombus caused by hepatocellular carcinoma was reported. It is difficult to manage portal vein tumor thrombi by conventional transarterial chemoembolization(c-TACE)using lipiodol and a gelatin sponge. On the other hand, drug-eluting-microsphere TACE(DEM-TACE)can preserve hepatic function by maintaining the capillary circulation of sinusoids and the peribiliary arterial plexus. Even in cases of portal vein tumor thrombus, DEM-TACE could be safely performed without hepatic infarction. Bevacizumab, anti-VGEF monoclonal antibody, was injected into hepatic arteries with anti-neoplastic agents, followed by the epirubicin-loaded superabsorbent polymer microsphere( HepaSphere). The tumor thrombi in 2 cases were successfully eliminated after treatment for more than 2 years without deterioration of the hepatic function.

Transarterial management of advance lung cancer.

Previous reports on transarterial treatment for lung cancer were reviewed. The bronchial arterial infusion therapy has a long history since 1964. Better local control with less doses of anti-neoplastic agents was warranted by trying transarterial administration to lung and mediastinal tumors. It is reported that both primary and metastatic tumors are fed by bronchial or other systemic arteries. The bronchial arterial embolization for hemoptysis has been introduced for clinical practice since 1973. Hemoptysis by not only benign but also malignant diseases has been well controlled by embolization. In recent decades, the technical elements for transarterial treatments have markedly improved. They make it possible to carry out precise procedures of selective catheter insertion to the tumor relating arteries. Current concepts of transarterial treatment, technical aspects and treatment outcomes are summarized. Tentative result from chemo-embolization for advanced lung cancer using recent catheter techniques was also described. It provides favorable local control and survival merits. It is considered that a population of lung cancer patients can benefit from transarterial management using small doses of anti-neoplastic agents, with less complications and less medical costs.

[Optimal Clinical Strategy for Photodynamic Therapy Using Liposomal Indocyanine Green-A Case Series Study].

BACKGROUND: The biodistribution of liposomal ICG and the optimal clinical strategy for PDT using liposomal ICG is unclear because of the lack of clinical evidences. PURPOSE: This case-series study aimed to evaluate the biodistribution of liposomal ICG in patients with breast cancer undergoing PDT. METHOD AND RESULT: Four patients with breast cancer underwent PDT with liposomal ICG in addition to a transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)from August 2020 to October 2020. Patients were administered 300 mg liposomal ICG(180 mg intravenously and 120 mg intratumorally via the feeding artery) 24 hours before PDT during a TACE procedure. We used near-infrared fluorescence(NIR)imaging system(LIGHTVISION®; Shimadzu Corporation)to detect the biodistribution of liposomal ICG. The peak intratumoral liposomal ICG uptake was shown 24 hours after liposomal ICG administration in 3 patients. Only 1 patient had peak uptake at 6 hours, with no uptake at 24 hours. CONCLUSION: NIR-imaging system may be and adjuvant in evaluation of liposomal ICG biodistribution in patients with breast cancer and assisting in the decision-making for the use of PDT with liposomal ICG.

[Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization with HepaSphereTM for Gastric Cancer with Mediastinal Lymph Node Metastases Causing Esophageal Compression and Dysphagia-A Case Report].

A 50s man was diagnosed with esophagogastric junction cancer. Simultaneously, PET-CT demonstrated mediastinal lymph node metastases. Two months later, 4 courses of systemic chemotherapy(SOX)were provided as preoperative therapy. However, the outcome was PD; therefore, radical gastrectomy could not be performed. Two more months later, esophageal dysphagia developed. Mediastinal lymph nodes that compressed the esophagus and the primary lesion of the cardia were considered to be the causes of dysphagia, and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization targeting those 2 lesions was performed. Cisplatin 20 mg, docetaxel 20 mg, and 5-FU 250mg were the drugs administered. These drugs were injected from the right bronchial artery, left gastric artery, and left phrenic artery, followed by mild embolization with HepaSphereTM. The mediastinal lymph nodes shrunk significantly, and dysphagia improved with 2 sessions. The primary lesion was found to have reduced in size with 6 sessions. Currently, no regrowth of the mediastinal lymph nodes has been observed 16 months(9 sessions) after the first session, and control of the primary lesion has been obtained.

[Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization with HepaSphereTM for Diffuse Liver Metastases from Prostatic Cancer without Elevation of the Serum Prostate-Specific Antigen Level-A Case Report].

Although postoperative recurrence or prostate cancer metastasis is usually accompanied by high prostate-specific antigen (PSA)levels, it may occur even if PSA level is within the normal range. Neuroendocrine differentiation(NED), which is one of such cases, causes rapid disease progression. A man in his 70s underwent total prostatectomy for prostate cancer with high PSA levels. Twenty-two months later, liver, lung, and bone metastases appeared even though the PSA levels were normal. The levels of both neuron-specific enolase and pro-gastrin-releasing peptide were elevated and the patient was clinically diagnosed with NED. Although systemic chemotherapy was administered, the outcome was progressive disease. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)was opted because liver metastases were one of the prognostic factors. Four types of chemotherapy drugs(cisplatin 20 mg, docetaxel 20 mg, 5-FU 250 mg, and bevacizumab 100 mg)were infused through the right and left hepatic arteries, followed by embolization with HepaSphereTM. The liver tumors were remarkably reduced in size and the levels of tumor markers were reduced in 5 sessions. This treatment would avoid the lethal liver trouble; however, the patient died 7 months after the first session of TACE.

Transarterial chemoembolization for pulmonary or mediastinal metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility, efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with HepaSphere for patients with pulmonary or mediastinal metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Between June 2009 and January 2018, 14 patients with pulmonary or mediastinal metastases from HCC were treated with TACE with a combination of 1-3 chemotherapeutic drugs followed by HepaSphere embolization. As first end point, local tumor response and adverse events were evaluated after the first session of TACE, with Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors v. 1.1 and Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v. 4 criteria, respectively. Overall survival was evaluated as secondary end point. TACE was repeated on-demand. RESULTS: TACE with HepaSphere was well tolerated with acceptable safety profile and no 30 day mortality. 1 month objective response and disease control rate were calculated to be 7.1 and 100%, respectively. Mean tumor size reduction rate was 15.6±9.5% at the first month. Two Grade 3 cytopenia events were seen (14.3 %), however none of the Grade 2 or more post-embolization syndrome was observed. The median overall survival time was 15.0 months and the 1 year, 3 year and 5 year survival rate were, 57.1%, 28.6%, 19.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Early experience showed that the transarterial treatment with HepaSphere is safe and effective treatment for patients with pulmonary or mediastinal metastases from HCC. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Currently, the effects of molecular targeted drugs on HCC metastases are limited and side-effects are relatively frequent. In the present study, transarterial treatment might be a promising treatment for HCC metastasis.

Preponderance of endometrial carcinoma in elderly patients.

Elderly patients with endometrial carcinoma (EMC) are considered to have a poor clinical outcome. The present study included 79 patients aged ≥70 years with EMC stage I or II according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics classification, and it was conducted to analyse the clinicopathological significance of histological type (I or II), depth of myometrial invasion (<1/2 or ≥1/2), lymphovascular invasion (+ or -) and immunohistochemical profile. The aim of these analyses was to determine whether these factors may adversely affect the patient outcome and the underlying mechanisms. The immunohistochemical markers used were estrogen receptor (ER), Ki-67 and p53. The expression of these markers was evaluated as high (+) or low (-). Accordingly, the patients were divided into groups as follows: 54 cases type I vs. 25 cases type II; 48 cases with myometrial invasion <1/2 vs. 31 cases without myometrial invasion ≥1/2; 63 cases with lymphovascular invasion vs. 16 cases without lymphovascular invasion; 57 cases with ER (+) vs. 22 cases with ER (-); 24 cases with Ki-67 (+) vs. 55 cases with Ki-67 (-); and 29 cases with p53 (+) vs. 50 cases with p53 (-). In conclusion, close attention must be paid to elderly patients with EMC due to the tumor's intrinsic aggressiveness, which may include the ER (-) and p53 (+) pattern as an independent poor prognostic factor.

Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization with Spherical Embolic Agent in Patients with Pulmonary or Mediastinal Metastases from Breast Cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate safety and feasibility of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with superabsorbent polymer microspheres (SAP-MS) for patients with pulmonary or mediastinal metastasis from breast cancer. METHODS: Between November 2002 and January 2015, 14 patients with 29 unresectable pulmonary or mediastinal breast cancer metastases underwent transcatheter arterial chemoembolization using SAP-MS (50-100 µm) after injection of a combination of 2-4 types of anticancer drugs (eg, cisplatin [30 mg] + fluorouracil [500 mg], or epirubicin [40 mg] + mitomycin C [4 mg] + fluorouracil [500 mg]). As a primary endpoint, local tumor response and adverse events were evaluated 1 month after the first transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, according to Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors Version 1.1 and Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Version 4 criteria. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization was repeated as needed. Overall survival was analyzed as a secondary endpoint. RESULTS: Response rate was 28.6% (partial response, 4 patients; stable disease, 10 patients). Median progression rate was -12.7%. No cases of hematologic toxicity of grade 3 or higher were observed. A grade 3 maculopapular rash was observed in 1 patient. After the first transcatheter arterial chemoembolization sessions, 63 additional transcatheter arterial chemoembolization sessions were performed (average, 5.5 sessions per patient; range, 2-10 sessions). The median overall survival time after the first session was 29 months, and the 5-year survival rate was 49.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with SAP-MS is a well-tolerated and feasible palliative treatment option for patients with pulmonary or mediastinal metastasis from breast cancer.

[A Case of Successful Drug-Eluting Microsphere Transcatheter Arterial Embolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Associated Tumor Thrombus in the Inferior Vena Cava and Right Atrium].

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)with severe vascular invasion has a dismal prognosis, and there is no well-established effective therapy. We report an 84-year-old man who benefited from multiple transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE)treatments for advanced HCC with severe vascular invasion. Initial CT revealed a recurrent, poorly differentiated HCC with tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava(IVC)and right atrium(Vv3). Two cycles of TACE with 5-FU, DOC, MMC, and superabsorbent polymer microspheres(SAP-MS)with BV resulted in considerable reduction of the tumor thrombus. Tumor markers(PIVKA- / / II)showed remarkable improvement(from 3,803 mAU/mL to 673 mAU/mL). The patient has been alive for 25 months following the appearance of tumor thrombus in the IVC. This case suggests that, in patients with tumor thrombi due to hepatocellular carcinoma, thrombus control and long-term survival are achievable with TACE.

[Trans-Arterial Chemoembolization Therapy for Giant Cholangiocellular Carcinoma - A Single Case Report].

Here, we report a case of cholangiocellular carcinoma that was successfully treated with chemotherapy using a selective intra-arterial infusion technique. A 65-year-old man presented to our hospital to obtain a second opinion regarding his disease. The patient was diagnosed with cholangiocellular carcinoma. The giant tumor was located in the porta hepatis. Some small nodules that were considered to be metastatic lesions were also observed in the surroundingarea. The tumor was judged by the primary physician to be too large for surgical treatment. Consequently, it was decided to treat the patient with trans-arterial chemoembolization(TACE)by selectingintra -arterial infusion of 5-FU, epirubicin(EPI), and mitomycin C prior to EPI-loaded HepaSphere(super-absorbent polymer microsphere)embolization, combined with concurrent systemic gemcitabine chemotherapy. After 5 sessions of the above treatment, the primary lesion reduced dramatically in size. In addition, the levels of CEA and CA19-9 decreased from 34.2 to 2.6 ng/mL and 1,540 to 149 U/mL, respectively. Although the patient's initial life expectancy was only 3 to 6 months, his life expectancy was extended to as longas 26 months followingthe initiation of TACE. This case suggests that treatment with TACE together with systemic chemotherapy can be a powerful therapeutic option for patients with inoperable cholangiocellular carcinoma.

Transarterial embolization of hypervascular tumors using trisacryl gelatin microspheres (Embosphere): a prospective multicenter clinical trial in Japan.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of transarterial embolization (TAE) using trisacryl gelatin microspheres (TGMs) for hypervascular tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective multicenter clinical trial involving five institutions. TAE using TGMs was performed for hypervascular tumors in various locations. The primary endpoint was the technical success. The secondary endpoints included catheter accessibility, preservation of the feeding arteries, local tumor response based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Cancer of the Liver (RECICL) and adverse events related to TAE based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.0. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients with liver tumors (n = 9), uterine fibroids (n = 3) and other tumors (n = 11) were enrolled. The technical success rate was 95.7 % (22 of 23 patients). Catheter accessibility and preservation of the feeding arteries were obtained in all 55 target vessels (100 %). Local tumor response rates were 46.7 and 55.8 % at 4 and 12 weeks, respectively. Eighteen (78.3 %) patients developed 53 symptomatic events including grade ≧3 events: hypertension 21.7 %, pain 8.7 %, vomiting 4.3 % and anorexia 4.3 %, all related to postembolization syndromes. CONCLUSION: TAE using TGMs was technically feasible and safe for devascularization of hypervascular tumors.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with spherical embolic material for locally advanced breast cancer: first report of HepaSphere™ treatment for primary breast cancer.

A 57-year-old female was diagnosed as having primary breast cancer (invasive carcinoma of no special type), which was immunohistochemically negative for oestrogen receptor, androgen receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor Type 2. The main tumour was 54 × 35 mm in size and was located in the internal upper area of the left breast. The tumour had markedly invaded the skin and a daughter nodule was observed in the external upper area of the ipsilateral breast. An enlarged lymph node measuring 12mm in diameter was present in the axilla and an affected parasternal lymph node was also observed. A blood test showed no abnormalities and the patient was negative for tumour markers. We performed three sessions of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with docetaxel-loaded HepaSphere™. The treatment procedure was successfully performed in all the three sessions. No adverse events higher than Grade 3 were observed. The sizes of the primary lesion and axillary lymph node decreased to 26 × 14 mm (37% reduction) and 10mm, respectively. The parasternal lymph node completely resolved. 2 months later, left total mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection were performed. The histopathological post-therapy effect was considered to be a mild response (Grade 1a) in the breast lesion and a complete response (Grade 3) in the axillary lymph node. The mean±standard deviation of the minor axis of the vessels embolized with spherical particles was 183.0±96.5 µm. Our results indicate that transcatheter arterial chemoembolization used together with HepaSphere can be an alternative and effective therapy for locally advanced breast cancer.

[Introduction of Hyperthermia Therapy with Low Dose Systemic Chemotherapy and Hepatic Transarterial Chemo-Embolization for a Case of Advanced Prostatic Cancer].

The case of a 78-year-old man with hormone-independent locally advanced prostatic cancer with liver metastases is reported. Standard systemic chemotherapy was not administered due to his poor general condition. At the initial consultation, rapidly growing liver metastases, multiple lymph node metastases, and extensive locally advanced prostatic lesions were found. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, low dose systemic chemotherapy, and thermotherapy were administered. After introduction of this combination therapy, marked regression of all of the lesions, including the liver metastases, lymph node metastases, and pelvic extension was observed. The patient's condition and prognosis were markedly improved without serious complications.

[Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization with Super absorbent Polymer Microspheres for a Large Lung Cystic Adenocarcinoma in the Left Pulmonary Cavity].

A 57-year-old woman presented with lung adenocarcinoma and carcinomatous pleurisy in January 2013. The primary lesion had been treated with 60-Gy radiation therapy. She, however, showed a recurrence of the tumor in her pulmonary cavity. She received systemic chemotherapy for 1 year but did not show any improvement. She visited our clinic in March 2014. Her performance level was 3. Her hemoglobin level was 8.5 g/dL. The CT scan showed that the size of the cystic tumor was 200 × 144 × 143 mm. The tumor severely compressed her heart. We performed TACE using a spherical embolic agent. The microcatheter was guided through the left bronchial artery; left intercostal artery 9, 10, and 11; and the left inferior phrenic artery. The anticancer drugs selected were CDDP and 5-FU. The embolic material used was SAP-MS. After 3 therapy sessions, the CT scan showed shrinkage of the target lesion to 100 × 93 × 54 mm. Her hemoglobin level increased to 13.8 g/dL; furthermore, the severity of dyspnea decreased, and she showed a performance status of 0. TACE with SAP-MS was successfully performed for the large cystic tumor in the pulmonary cavity that metastasized from the lung cancer and was refractory to standard treatments. After the treatment, the tumor size decreased and the patient's symptoms alleviated.

Management of vascular lake phenomenon on angiography during chemoembolization with superabsorbent polymer microspheres.

PURPOSE: Contrast material pooling on angiography within a tumor bed during embolization for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents as the vascular lake (VL) phenomenon. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the frequency and management of VLs during chemoembolization with drug-eluting beads (DEBs) and the relationship between the VL and local response. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 123 HCC patients without vascular invasion or intrahepatic metastases who underwent chemoembolization with DEBs (50-100 µm superabsorbent polymer microspheres loaded with epirubicin) were enrolled. Gelatin sponge particles (GS) were injected for additional embolization in limited patients with steadily increasing size of VLs during DEB injection. Overall, 338 nodules were divided into three groups: lesions without a VL (non-VL; n = 250); lesions with a VL but without additional GS embolization [VL-GS (-), n = 58]; and lesions with both VL and additional GS embolization [VL-GS (+); n = 30]. The local responses were statistically compared by Fisher's exact test with the Bonferroni correction. RESULTS: The frequency of VLs was 26.0% (88/338). The response rate in the non-VL group (54.0%) was significantly lower than those in the VL-GS (-) (91.4%; P < 0.0001) and VL-GS (+) (96.7%; P < 0.0001) groups. CONCLUSIONS: VL is a common angiographic finding and might be associated with the local response.