Purpose: To clarify the effectiveness of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the caudate lobe of the liver.
Materials and methods: Thirteen patients with HCC in the caudate lobe underwent TAE. TAE was performed by injection of the mixture of anticancer drugs (mitomycin C and doxorubicin or epirubicin) and iodized oil, followed by gelatin sponge particles. Arterial anatomy of the caudate branch, local recurrence rate, and survival rate were evaluated.
Results: From 31 TAEs for the caudate lobe, 22 subsegmental TAEs were successfully performed (71%). Local recurrence in the caudate lobe was seen in 10 patients (77%). Subsegmental TAE for the caudate lobe was repeated one to five times. Cumulative local recurrence rates were 33% and 75% within 3 and 6 months, respectively. Survival rates after first TAE for HCC in the caudate lobe were 89% and 74% for 1 and 3 years, respectively.
Conclusion: Local recurrence rate after subsegmental TAE for HCC in the caudate lobe was high. However, repeated subsegmental TAE possibly improves the prognosis of HCC in the caudate lobe.