[Transhepatic arterial chemoembolization by epirubicin mixed with microspheres for hepatocellular carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the safety and efficacy of transhepatic arterial infusion of the mixture of epirubicin and microspheres as the embolization materials for treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).


METHODS
The mixture was made of 10-60 mg epirubicin (Pfizer) mixed with 300-500 microm microspheres in 0.5-2 ml (Contour SE Boston Scientific), which was used for embolizating the artery supplying HCC. Changes of leucocyte counts, liver function, serum AFP level, response of tumor to TACE and complications related to embolization were analyzed before and after TACE.


RESULTS
136 HCC patients (male/female: 91/45, mean age: 54.8 +/- 13.3 years) were studied. After TACE, the liver function was damaged and tumor size shrunken significantly (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Transhepatic arterial chemoembolization using the mixture of epirubicin and microspheres for embolizating is safe and effective for the treatment of HCC, but the amount of embolization material should be chosen carefully in order to avoid liver function failure.
Luo
Jian-jun
JJ
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Yan
Zhi-ping
ZP
Wang
Jian-hua
JH
Liu
Qing-xin
QX
Chen
Yi
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic / Q000009:adverse effects; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008863:Microspheres; D008875:Middle Aged; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism; D015996:Survival Rate; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000378:metabolism
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D012709:Serum Albumin; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D015251:Epirubicin; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase