[Large-dose intra-arterial injection of lipiodol in liver cancer]

Effects of lipiodol (LPD) on liver functions were examined in 130 patients with primary and metastatic liver cancer who underwent TAE or intraarterial chemotherapy between May 1984 and March 1988 at our department and were available for follow-up studies. Effects of anticancer agents, particularly Adriamycin (ADM), were also evaluated. Large-dose intraarterial infusion of LPD had little effect on the liver functions of patients without liver cirrhosis but often caused a deterioration in liver functions of those with cirrhosis. A combination of this therapy with TAE using Gelfoam sponge caused only a temporary elevation in the transaminase level. The dose of ADM showed little association with the degree of liver disorders, unlike the case of cardiotoxicity or bone marrow suppression. Although the therapeutic effects of intraarterial infusion of ADM-LPD emulsion for advanced cancer (e.g., H4 and Vp3) such as improvements in the Vp factor are remarkable, the dose must be carefully determined, especially when liver cancer is complicated by liver cirrhosis.