The clinical course of nodular type hepatocellular carcinomas after transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) therapy

: TAEs were performed for 14 cases of nodular type hepatocellular carcinomas. The tumor size in 10 of the 14 cases was less than 5.0 cm in diameter. After 2 to 3 TAEs for each of the cases, tumor regression was noted in 11 cases and a decrease in the serum AFP in every case. The 1-year survival rate (1 YSR) was 79%, the 2YSR was 42%, and 3YSR was 10%, Re-growth of the tumors was observed in 45% of the cases 1-year after, and in all cases 2-year after. In cases which had multiple nodules or an incomplete capsule or a poor accumulation of Lipiodol, re-growth occurred even earlier.