A total of 244 cases of hepatoma was subjected to hepatic artery embolization, and the 1-year, 2-year and 3-year cumulative survival rates were 45%, 27% and 12% respectively. The one year survival rate was far higher than the corresponding rate (7%) of intrahepatic arterial chemotherapy. The human livers which were autopsied or resected after the embolization were examined histologically. In 3 cases with main portal vein occlusion due to tumor thrombi, not only tumor tissue but also surrounding liver tissue were affected by extensive necrosis. But in 4 cases with patency of portal vein and severe liver cirrhosis, no necrotic region was detected in the liver parenchyma. Four of the seven patients who had been alive for more than 3 years after the therapy were accompanied with severe liver cirrhosis. It is suggested that liver cirrhosis is not so harmful factor in hepatic artery embolization therapy for advanced hepatoma.