Midterm follow-up after DC-BEAD™-TACE of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

Abstract Aim To determine local response, its predictors and survival and complication rates after DC-Bead™-TACE in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and methods DC-Beads™ are non-resorbable, polyvinyl-alcoholic hydrophilic microspheres. They release high amounts of chemotherapeutics directly into the tumour. Delivery is sustained over time, tumour feeders are embolised. We used beads from 100–300 to 500–700 μm loaded with Doxorubicin (max. 150 mg/4 ml). Fifty patients (mean age: 68.5 ± 8.8 years) with HCC were analysed. DC-Bead™-TACE was performed once or repeated in two-month intervals. Imaging scans (CT or MRI) were done one-month following each procedure. To evalua…