title: Arterial chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma with mitomycin C microcapsules.
abstract: Chemoembolization by selective intra-arterial infusion of mitomycin C in microcapsule form exerts potential therapeutic effects through infarction and prolonged activity. Of 20 patients with inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with one or more courses via a hepatic arterial catheter, a change in tumor size could be measured in 16. Measurable tumor regression amounting to greater than 50% was shown in 6 patients (38%), 25-50% in 3 (19%), and less than or equal to 25% in 6 (38%), while tumor increased in 1. Serum alpha-fetoprotein, which was greater than 300 ng/ml before treatment in 13 patients, clearly fell after treatment in 10 (77%). The survival rate at 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment was 75%, 65%, and 24%, respectively, for all patients, and 92%, 85%, and 38% in 11 patients without a tumor cast in the portal vein or its major branches. Systemic toxicity was mild, and all patients tolerated treatment well. These results indicate that chemoembolization with mitomycin C microcapsules is a useful palliative measure for treatment of inoperable HCC.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin; D008937:Mitomycins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010166:Palliative Care; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D008937:Mitomycins; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D016685:Mitomycin