Efficacy of nonsurgical treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma in the caudate lobe.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of nonsurgical treatments for caudate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: Between January 1994 and February 2001, 25 patients were treated for HCCs with percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI), and/or transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). PEI was performed for 19 caudate HCCs, combined treatment with PEI and TAE for 4 nodules, and TAE for 2 nodules.

Results: During follow-up periods ranging from 3 to 60 months (mean 21.3 months), 18 patients had no local recurrence. Local recurrence was seen in 7 patients, and recurrence in the other segments of the liver in 15 patients. Thirteen patients were alive, ranging from 6 to 60 months, and 12 patients died of multiple HCCs, hepatic failure, or rupture of esophageal varix. The 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of the 25 patients were 70.6%, 60.2%, 48.1%, and 16.0%, respectively.

Conclusions: PEI, PEI and TAE, or TAE would be an effective alternative treatment for HCC in the caudate lobe.