title: DC Bead Transarterial Chemoembolization Is Effective in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Refractory to Conventional Transarteral Chemoembolization: A Pilot Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if hepatocellular carcinoma refractory to conventional transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) responds to TACE with DC beads.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between July 2008 to June 2010, 435 patients underwent TACE. Of these, 10 patients who had tumors refractory to conventional TACE and who thus were treated with TACE with DC beads were enrolled in this study. The treatment response after TACE with DC beads was evaluated according to the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) and the Response Evaluation Criteria in Cancer of the Liver (RECICL).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten tumors were treated in 10 patients. Using the mRECIST and the RECICL, a complete response was observed in four (40%) of the tumors, and six tumors (60%) showed a partial response. Eight (80%) out of 10 HCCs showed delayed enhancement patterns upon angiography, and better responses were observed in these cases following DC bead treatment. The adverse effects of treatment with DC beads became tolerable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TACE with DC beads was effective for HCCs refractory to conventional TACE, and this treatment elicited a better response, especially when the tumors were small and showed a delayed enhancement pattern upon angiography.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Do Seon
authors: DS
authors: Song
authors: Jong Young
authors: JY
authors: Choi
authors: Sun Hong
authors: SH
authors: Yoo
authors: Hee Yeon
authors: HY
authors: Kim
authors: Myeong Jun
authors: MJ
authors: Song
authors: Si Hyun
authors: SH
authors: Bae
authors: Seung Kew
authors: SK
authors: Yoon
authors: Ho Jong
authors: HJ
authors: Chun
authors: Byung Gil
authors: BG
authors: Choi
authors: Hae Giu
authors: HG
authors: Lee
keywords: Bead; Chemoembolization; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Refractory