Combination chemoembolization therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: mainly, using cisplatin (CDDP)

Chemoembolization therapy, using the arterial injection of mixtures of various anticancer agents and lipiodol along with gelfoam particles, was carried out on 77 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma between January 1985 and March 1987, and an assessment was made on the anticancer effects of this treatment method. For the patients receiving lipiodol, the value of the longitudinal dimension multiplied by the vertical length of the tumor was calculated using a computerized tomograph before and after chemoembolization to determine the rate of tumor regression. (a) Of the 30 patients receiving chemoembolization therapy using a simple mixture of 100 mg cisplatin (CDDP) and lipiodol, the tumor regression rate was 50% or more in 10 cases (31%). (b) Of the 14 patients receiving chemoembolization therapy with a suspension of 100 mg of cisplatin, adriamycin (10-30 mg) and lipiodol, the tumor regression rate was 50% or more in four cases (29%). (c) Of the 31 cases receiving chemoembolization therapy using a suspension of adriamycin (10-40 mg), mitomycin C (10-20 mg) and lipiodol, the tumor regression rate was 50% or more in four cases (13%). (d) From these results, it can be concluded that the antitumor effect of chemoembolization using cisplatin is more significant than with other drugs.