Effective segmental chemoembolization of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus in the portal vein.

Purpose: Evaluate therapeutic results of transcatheter segmental hepatic artery chemo-oily-embolization (segmental TAE) against advanced hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) accompanied by portal tumor thrombus (PTT).
Methods: Segmental TAE was performed in nine patients with hepatic cirrhosis and advanced HCCs accompanied by PTT. Four subsegmental portal branches were obstructed by PTT in three patients, and two were obstructed in the remaining six patients. TAE was performed into the targeted segmental hepatic artery followed by embolization with gelatin sponge particles.
Results: In one patient undergoing subsequent resection, a marked anticancer effect on the PTT was demonstrated histologically. In the eight other patients who did not undergo subsequent resection, the cumulative survival rates were 67% at 6 months, 44% at 1 year, and 22% at 2 years. No serious complications were noted.
Conclusions: This therapeutic approach is thought to be a useful treatment for HCC with PTT, because it reinforces anticancer effects and can be performed more safely than conventional transcatheter arterial embolization.