[Lipiodol chemoembolization in the treatment of hepatic carcinoma. Our experience]

Of the alternative methods of treatment to surgery in the treatment of liver cancer, chemoembolization with Lipiodol appears to have obtained encouraging results. After a preoperative study to confirm the diagnosis and staging of the tumour, lipiodolisation is performed: a mix of Adriamycin, Iopamidol and Lipiodol is injected using selective catheterism of the hepatic artery; gelfoam is then added. Lipiodol selectively localises in the hepatocarcinoma and has a distal embolising effect on the vessels of the tumour, thus necrotising it, acting as a carrier for chemotherapy. Since july 1990 a total of 15 hepatocarcinoma have been observed: 6 in healthy livers and 9 in cirrhotic livers; 3 patients recovered after radical surgery, 1 patient underwent associated surgery and chemoembolization, whereas in 11 the only therapy was chemoembolization, at six monthly intervals. Lipiodolisation enabled a better diagnosis to be made and was found to be a valuable therapeutic aid both when used alone in Inoperable patients and in association with non-radical surgery.