[Chemoembolization and ethanol ablation of primary hepatic carcinoma and metastatic tumors]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and metastases from colorectal carcinoma are two most common malignant tumors affecting liver. Of all patients presenting with a malignant hepatic tumor, few are surgical candidates. Contraindications to hepatic resection include too many tumors, tumors in unresectable locations, insufficient hepatic reserve to tolerate resection, and other medical conditions that make the patient a poor surgical risk. A number of alternative therapies have been used for the treatment of malignant hepatic tumors. These include chemoembolization, ethanol injection therapy, and thermal ablation techniques. In this article are described chemoembolization and ethanol injection therapy.