Collagen chemoembolization of liver cancer

Seventeen patients with liver cancer were treated by chemoembolization with a mixture of collagen fibers, iopamidol, and either cisplatinum and mitomycin. Catheterization of segmental hepatic arteries was achieved using a new infusion system. Immediate CT liver scans showed deposition of the chemotherapeutic mixture as striking contrast enhancement of tumor tissue. At 3-6 days, gas formation in tumor tissue was noted in five patients (noninfectious in four and due to clostridial tumor necrosis in one). In 11 patients a persistent decrease in the CT density of tumor tissue occurred. Seven patients had a significantly early reduction in tumor antigen levels or tumor volume