[Techniques, results and risks of chemoembolization of malignant liver tumors]

Abstract

This is a report on 55 chemoembolizations (ChE) in 31 patients with primary (n = 10) and secondary (n = 21) liver malignomas. Probing of the segmental arteries was always possible by means of a coaxially placed 3F catheter system. Chemoembolization was effected with a mixture of ivalon particles, 20 mg mitomycin or 40-60 mg epirubicin and an ethibloc solution. More than 75% of the patients showed a decrease in tumour size and/or tumour density. The proportion of surviving patients was 80.6% after 6 months. Within this period, extrahepatic metastases were seen for the first time in 19.4% of the patients. References in literature on techniques and results of chemoembolization are discussed.