skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Hepatic Arterial Embolization and Chemoembolization in the Management of Patients with Large-Volume Liver Metastases

Journal Article · · Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology
;  [1];  [2]; ; ; ; ;  [1]
  1. University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Diagnostic Radiology (United States)
  2. University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Division of Quantitative Sciences (United States)

The purpose of this study was to assess the role of hepatic arterial embolization (HAE) and chemoembolization (HACE) in patients with large-volume liver metastases. Patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors, melanomas, or gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) with >75% liver involvement who underwent HAE or HACE were included in the study. Radiologic response, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and postprocedure complications were assessed. Sixty patients underwent 123 treatment sessions. Of the 48 patients for whom follow-up imaging was available, partial response was seen in 12 (25%) patients, minimal response in 6 (12%), stable disease in 22 (46%), and progressive disease in 8 (17%). Median OS and PFS were 9.3 and 4.9 months, respectively. Treatment resulted in radiologic response or disease stabilization in 82% and symptomatic response in 65% of patients with neuroendocrine tumors. Patients with neuroendocrine tumors had higher response rates (44% vs. 27% and 0%; p = 0.31) and longer PFS (9.2 vs. 2.0 and 2.3 months; p < 0.0001) and OS (17.9 vs. 2.4 and 2.3 months; p < 0.0001) compared to patients with melanomas and GISTs. Major complications occurred in 21 patients after 23 (19%) of the 123 sessions. Nine of the 12 patients who developed major complications resulting in death had additional risk factors-carcinoid heart disease, sepsis, rapidly worsening performance status, or anasarca. In conclusion, in patients with neuroendocrine tumors with >75% liver involvement, HAE/HACE resulted in symptom palliation and radiologic response or disease stabilization in the majority of patients. Patients with hepatic metastases from melanomas and GISTs, however, did not show any appreciable benefit from this procedure. Patients with massive liver tumor burden, who have additional risk factors, should not be subjected to HAE/HACE because of the high risk of procedure-related mortality.

OSTI ID:
21090640
Journal Information:
Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology, Vol. 31, Issue 2; Other Information: DOI: 10.1007/s00270-007-9186-3; Copyright (c) 2008 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0174-1551
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Similar Records

Phase II Study of Chemoembolization With Drug-Eluting Beads in Patients With Hepatic Neuroendocrine Metastases: High Incidence of Biliary Injury
Journal Article · Mon Apr 15 00:00:00 EDT 2013 · Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology · OSTI ID:21090640

Radioembolization for Neuroendocrine Liver Metastases: Safety, Imaging, and Long-Term Outcomes
Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 2012 · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics · OSTI ID:21090640

A Role for Adjuvant RFA in Managing Hepatic Metastases from Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST) After Treatment with Targeted Systemic Therapy Using Kinase Inhibitors
Journal Article · Sat Feb 15 00:00:00 EST 2014 · Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology · OSTI ID:21090640