[Chemoembolization therapy with lipiodol, cisplatin and etoposide for hepatocellular carcinoma]

Chemoembolization using CDDP, VP-16 and lipiodol was carried out for 7 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). CDDP/lipiodol, CDDP/VP-16, CDDP/lipiodol (lipiodol 2-10 ml, CDDP 1-2 mg/kg, VP-16 100 mg/body) and gelatine sponge were administered in that order through the catheter located in the proper, or right or left hepatic artery. Three patients underwent hepatic resection 38-50 days after this treatment. Complete necrosis of the tumor was recognized in the one case, although the portion of necrosis did not exceed 70% in large sized HCC as the diameter of more than 10 cm. In 4 unresectable cases the decreases in tumor size were observed by ultrasonography and computed tomography. The response was: 3 partial responses and 1 no change. One out of 4 cases could undergo hepatic resection 17 months after this treatment. Two patients are alive 20 months after this treatment, although one patient died of HCC after 25 months. Serious side effect was not observed.