The purpose of the study was to evaluate the results of combined (hepatic artery and portal vein) oily chemoembolization (OCE) in patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases. Courses of combined OCE were given to 45 patients (1990-2000). For arterial OCE (n = 150), 40-100 mg doxorubicin mixed with 10-15 ml iodized oil and gelatin sponge was used. OCE of the portal vein (n = 118) included injection of doxorubicin-in-oil without sponge. Response to treatment (partial tumor decrease or stabilization) was reported in 80%. Serious complications occurred in 3 patients (7%) but there was no mortality. The mean and median survival rates for those patients who died were 20.2 and 17 months, respectively. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates were 83, 40 and 14%, respectively. These results were significantly better than those for arterial OCE alone or hepatic arterial infusion. Combined (arterial and portal vein) OCE with doxorubicin appears the most effective locoregional treatment for unresectable colorectal liver metastases.