Development of a safety index of transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma to prevent acute liver damage.

Background: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the most effective palliative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but may cause acute liver damage.

Materials And Methods: One hundred and ninteen patients with unresectable HCCs, undergoing TACE, were studied prospectively. A safety index to prevent acute liver damage was developed by using logistic regression.

Results: Acute liver damage by TACE was not related to the gender or age, but was mostly correlated to Child's classification (beta = 1.89, OR = 6.6, CI: 2.07, 21.01) and the amount of Lipiodol (beta = 0.09, OR = 1.09, CI: 1.02, 1.16) used for the TACE.

Conclusion: In treatment of a Child's B/C patient by TACE, no more than 20 ml Lipiodol should be used.