Balloon-occluded chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: a prospective study of safety, feasibility and outcomes

AIM: Evaluation of safety and efficacy of selective balloon-occluded transarterial chemoembolization using polyethylene glycol embolizing microspheres in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. MATERIALS & METHODS: Twenty-four consecutive patients were included in this monocentric prospective trial. Adverse events were evaluated at 24 h and 1 month. Imaging response according to modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors was assessed at 1, 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: The median time of follow-up was of 22.8 months (interquartile range (IQR) 17.38–26.22). Clinical grade 1/2 toxicities (0% >grade 2) were reported in 25.7% of patients, with abdominal pain being the most frequent complication (17.1%). No 30-days mortalities or liver decompensation were observed. The 1-month follow-up MRI showed an overall response rate of 74.3%. CONCLUSION: Balloon-occluded transarterial chemoembolization was shown to be safe and effective.