Development of a safety index of transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma to prevent acute liver damage.

BACKGROUND Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the most effective palliative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but may cause acute liver damage. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred and ninteen patients with unresectable HCCs, undergoing TACE, were studied prospectively. A safety index to prevent acute liver damage was developed by using logistic regression. RESULTS Acute liver damage by TACE was not related to the gender or age, but was mostly correlated to Child's classification (beta = 1.89, OR = 6.6, CI: 2.07, 21.01) and the amount of Lipiodol (beta = 0.09, OR = 1.09, CI: 1.02, 1.16) used for the TACE. CONCLUSION In treatment of a Child's B/C patient by TACE, no more than 20 ml Lipiodol should be used.