[Hepatocellular carcinoma with cirrhosis: treatment with doxorubicin. Phase II evaluation]

Twelve patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma associated with cirrhosis were treated with Doxorubicin which was given intravenously (30 to 50 mg/m2) every three weeks. Six patients were given only one dose of Doxorubicin. No clinical response was observed. Five patients has serum alphafoetoprotein (AFP) determination during the treatment. AFP concentration rose in 4 patients and fell in 1 patient. Survival rate after 3 and 8 months of treatment was 58 and 33 per cent. These results suggest that Doxorubicin is not an effective treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma.