Most of hepatocellular carcinomas, especially in Korea, are considered as inoperable due to extreme tumor extension at the time of diagnosis and underlying advanced liver cirrhosis. The normal liver receives a dual blood supply from the hepatic
artery
and the portal vein whereas hepatoma is fed preferentially by the hepatic artery. With the background above mentioned, hepatic arterial chemotherapy or chemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma has been regarded as an important treatment
modality
for unresectable hepatoceluar carcinoma. It has been found that the lipid lymphographic agent such as Lipiodol(ethiodized oil), which can be mixed with chemotherapeutic agents, is selectively retained within hepatocelluar carcinoma when it is
injected
into the hepatic artery. Based on recent promising therapeutic results an hepatocelluar carcinoma treated with hepatic arterial C-DDP infusion combined with Lipiodol, we studied to elucidate the therapeutic efficacy of the hepatic arterial
chemotherapy
with C-DOP combined with Lipiodol and to compare the differences in therapeutic efficacy-between C-DDP monotherapy group (Group 1) and C-CDP/doxorubicin combination therapy group(Group 2). In all 42 cases there were 1 complete response(2%), 4
partial
responses(10%), 7 minimal responses(17%), 15 stable disease(36%) and 15 progressive diseases (36%). There were no differences of response rate and survival duration between Group 1 and Group 2, and there was a significant difference of survival
duration
between responder group (CR+PR+MR) and nonresponder group(SD+PD) (P<0.01). In conclusion hepatic arterial chemotherapy with C-DDP and/or doxorubicin and Lipiodol appears to have relatively weak activity in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
(Korean
J Gastroenterol 1994 ; 26 A: 298-304)
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