Lipiodol accumulation and transarterial chemoembolization efficacy for HCC patients
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Updated: May 25, 2026
Y-90 Radioembolization and PD-1 Inhibitor as Neoadjuvant Treatment in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Published on: May 24, 2024
Tsukasa Kawaguchi1, Kazuyoshi Ohkawa, Kazuho Imanaka
1Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, Osaka Medical Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases, Osaka, Japan.
Background/Aims:
To elucidate the prognostic factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).
Methodology:
We studied 85 TACE-treated HCC patients, including 117 lesions, who fulfilled the Milan criteria. The area of iodized poppy-seed oil (lipiodol) accumulation on CT immediately after TACE was classified into three groups, by comparing with the area of HCC detected by CT during hepatic arteriography; accumulation surrounding the HCC lesion (group I), accumulation involving the entire area of the HCC lesion (group II), and accumulation that covered a portion of the HCC lesion (group III).
Results:
Among 85 patients, the 1- and 2-year disease free survival (DFS) rates were 67% and 50% in group I, 49% and 29% in group II and 29% and 15% in group III. DFS rate was higher in group I than in groups II and III (p=0.016 and p<0.001). Difference in DFS by lipiodol accumulation pattern was evident in patients aged 75 or younger.
Conclusions:
Lipiodol accumulation pattern as evaluated by CT immediately after TACE may be a powerful indicator of the therapeutic efficacy of TACE in HCC patients.
