Osseous metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma: embolization for pain control

Transcatheter arterial embolization for osseous metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was performed in 7 patients. The embolization therapy was used in patients in whom the feeding artery could be catheterized. All tumors were accompanied by abundant neovascularity and tumor stain. Embolization was successfully performed in 5 patients, all of whom became symptom free within a week. The only complication was local pain which was controlled by nonnarcotic pain medication. Embolization may be a useful treatment method for osseous metastasis of HCC.