title: Percutaneous ethanol injection of hepatocellular carcinoma: survival after 3 years in 70 patients.
abstract: Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) under ultrasound control is a new therapeutic procedure for cirrhotic patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our experience included 70 patients with 110 lesions (range 0.8-5 cm). Follow-up ranged from 5 to 70 months (mean: 25 months). No serious complications occurred after 930 treatments. The 1, 2, 3-year survival rates (Kaplan-Meier method) were: 96, 84, 72% for single lesions less than 5 cm and 94, 84, 25% for multiple lesions. In our opinion and in consideration of the results of other authors obtained with PEI and with surgery, single lesions less than 5 cm found in Child's A and B patients with high surgical risk or with some adverse prognostic factors for surgery, could be an indication for PEI.
authors.affiliation: Ospedale Civile, Vimercate, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Livraghi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D015612:Phonophoresis / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol