[Antitumor effect and indication of chemoembolization using degradable starch microspheres and regional hyperthermia...

Antitumor effects and indications of chemoembolization using degradable starch microspheres (DSM) and regional hyperthermia were investigated in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Chemoembolization using DSM was performed in 40 cases and fourteen cases were treated with the combination of hyperthermia. Tumor regression rate over 50% was 48% (chemoembolization alone: 42%, combined hyperthermia: 57%). Though one and two year survival rates were 62% and 54% respectively in the treatment with chemoembolization alone, one year survival rate was 91% in the treatment with combined hyperthermia. From the viewpoint of antitumor effect, it was thought that effectual indications of chemoembolization using DSM alone were the cases whose tumor size were below 7 cm and portal invasion were negative. These indications however were spread by the combination of hyperthermia. The DSM, temporary embolus, is suitable for combination of hyperthermia because chemoembolization using DSM can be performed many times. The cases with clinical stage III and obstruction of the first branch of portal veins did not become severe hepatic failure because DSM was temporary embolus. Therefore, from the viewpoint of safety, chemoembolization using DSM has almost the same indications as intra-arterial infusion therapy. These results suggested that chemoembolization using DSM will be a beneficial methods as combination therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.