Lipiodol chemoembolization in the treatment of hepatic carcinoma. Our experience

• Published in: Minerva chirurgica Vol. 48; no. 17; p. 881
• Main Authors: Padula, G, Derosas, M, Carpanese, L, Pisano, I, Deiana, A, Serra, G, Trignano, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Italian
• Published: Italy 15.09.1993
• Subjects: Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - diagnostic imaging; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - therapy; Combined Modality Therapy; Doxorubicin - administration & dosage; Embolization, Therapeutic - methods; Hepatic Artery - diagnostic imaging; Humans; Iodized Oil - administration & dosage; Iopamidol - administration & dosage; Liver Cirrhosis - diagnostic imaging; Liver Cirrhosis - therapy; Liver Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Liver Neoplasms - therapy; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• ISSN: 0026-4733

Of the alternative methods of treatment to surgery in the treatment of liver cancer, chemoembolization with Lipiodol appears to have obtained encouraging results. After a preoperative study to confirm the diagnosis and staging of the tumour, lipiodolisation is performed: a mix of Adriamycin, Iopamidol and Lipiodol is injected using selective catheterism of the hepatic artery; gelfoam is then added. Lipiodol selectively localises in the hepatocarcinoma and has a distal embolising effect on the vessels of the tumour, thus necrotising it, acting as a carrier for chemotherapy. Since july 1990 a total of 15 hepatocarcinoma have been observed: 6 in healthy livers and 9 in cirrhotic livers; 3 patients recovered after radical surgery, 1 patient underwent associated surgery and chemoembolization, whereas in 11 the only therapy was chemoembolization, at six monthly intervals. Lipiodolisation enabled a better diagnosis to be made and was found to be a valuable therapeutic aid both when used alone in Inoperable patients and in association with non-radical surgery.