Subsegmental transcatheter arterial embolization for small hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background/aims: The evaluation of long-term outcome of subsegmental transcatheter arterial embolization, which was designed to bring about sufficient anti-tumor effect, in the primary cases of small hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methodology: We analyzed and compared the anti-tumor effect and the survival rate in the primary cases of solitary small hepatocellular carcinoma (< or = 3 cm) with cirrhosis treated by subsegmental transcatheter arterial embolization, chemolipiodolization or percutaneous ethanol injection therapy during the last eight years, retrospectively.

Results: The complete tumor necrosis by one session of subsegmental transcatheter arterial embolization, which means that treated tumor showed complete response and did not show local recurrence thereafter, was seen in approximately 50% of the cases.