DC Bead Transarterial Chemoembolization Is Effective in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Refractory to Conventional Transarteral Chemoembolization: A Pilot Study

• Published in: Gut and liver Vol. 7; no. 1; pp. 89 - 95
• Main Authors: Song, Do Seon, Choi, Jong Young, Yoo, Sun Hong, Kim, Hee Yeon, Song, Myeong Jun, Bae, Si Hyun, Yoon, Seung Kew, Chun, Ho Jong, Choi, Byung Gil, Lee, Hae Giu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) The Korean Society of Gastroenterology; the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy; the Korean Association for the Study of the Liver; the Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility; Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases; Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research; Korean Pancreatobiliary Association; Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Cancer 01.01.2013; Gastroenterology Council for Gut and Liver; 거트앤리버 소화기연관학회협의회
• Subjects: bead; chemoembolization; hepatocellular carcinoma; Original; refractory; 내과학; Refractory; Bead; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Chemoembolization
• ISSN: 1976-2283; 2005-1212
• DOI: 10.5009/gnl.2013.7.1.89

To determine if hepatocellular carcinoma refractory to conventional transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) responds to TACE with DC beads. 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). 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. 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.