Changes in mode of response to chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma induced by transarterial embolization. A case report.

A 61-year-old man received systemic mitoxantrone chemotherapy following transarterial embolization of a large hepatocellular carcinoma with extensive intrahepatic, lung and bone metastases. His serum alpha-fetroprotein levels were 199,000 ng/ml prior to chemotherapy. He was given 10 mg mitoxantrone/m2 (14 mg/dose) intravenously every three weeks, and showed a rapid decrease in his serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein. There was almost complete resolution of the multiple bilateral metastatic lung nodules at five weeks and a marked decrease in the size of the intrahepatic metastatic nodules by seven weeks. The primary tumor, however, which had been previously treated by transarterial embolization, only underwent a 33% reduction in size according to WHO criteria. This occurred despite the disappearance, demonstrated by contrast enhanced computed tomography, of all viable tumor tissue. Ultrasonography also revealed only a minor regression, and could demonstrate no changes in the tumor echo pattern. The response pattern observed in this patient indicates the response to chemotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma to be modified by prior transarterial embolization.