title: Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in cytoreduction of inoperable hepatocarcinomas.
abstract: Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TAE) is often considered a mean of palliation for inoperable liver carcinomas. A few centers use a sequential treatment (TAE followed by surgery). However the role of TAE in bringing to surgery patients with hepatocarcinomas (HCC) considered inoperable at first diagnosis is debated. We report on the case of a 57 y.o. male diagnosed as having HCC, inoperable because of bilateral location and size. The patient was treated with repeated TAEs and the results were monitored with CT scans. After three TAEs, the main tumor mass volume was reduced 2.2 fold and the patient could undergo surgery; the postoperative period was uneventful, with no clinical signs of liver failure. Our experience leads us to suggest that TAE, further to being an option for palliation, can be a valuable tool to lead to surgery otherwise inoperable HCC patients.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Scienze Biomediche Ospedale Luigi Sacco. markelli@imiucca.csi.unimi.it
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cristaldi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mezzabotta
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Montecamozzo
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Porretta
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Cornalba
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vago
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Taschieri
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006499:Hepatic Artery; D006801:Humans; D007459:Iodized Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007459:Iodized Oil