Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma: a Japanese experience.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common causes of cancer death in Japan and in 80% of cases is associated with chronic liver disease caused by hepatitis C virus. Poor hepatic function reserve due to underlying cirrhosis is the primary factor which limits extended surgical resection in many cases. Furthermore, in patients treated by curative resection, high incidence of recurrent tumors or/and newly developed tumor in the residual liver was reported. Therefore, the aim of various therapeutic options such as operation, percutaneous ethanol injection, radiofrequency coagulation therapy and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization should be the local control of hepatocellular carcinoma. Transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization has a main role for the multidisciplinary treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma with this biological behavior.