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.