| [ Summary ] |
Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) was applied to 283 lesions in 228 patients with hepatocellular carcinomas 3 cm or less in diameter (small HCC) between Aug. 1983 and May 1997. Complications caused by PEI were relatively mild and did not necessitate intensive care. In 198 (97.5%) HCCs in 203 post-PEI patients, enhanced CT showed avascularing in both the early and late phases indicating complete necrosis, to date. The 3-, 5-, 8-, and 10-year survival rates after PEI were 70.3%, 51.6%, 24.9%, and 14.1% respectively. The survival rate of post-PEI patients with Child's A or Child's B grade was better than that of those with Child's C. Recurrences in hepatic areas differed from the original lesion in 23.6% at one year, 63.5% at three years and 86.1% at five years after PEI. Because of the anti-tumor therapeutic effect and minimal damage to the liver, PEI might be considered a viable alternative to surgery for most patients with small HCC. |