Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) using degradable starch microspheres (DSM) for metastatic liver tumors in patients with gastric cancer

Abstract

We reviewed the effects and complications of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), using degradable starch microspheres (DSM) in eight patients with hepatic metastases from gastric cancer. The rate of complete remission (CR) +partial remission (PR) was 62.5%, and the actual survival rates at one and two years post-treatment were 87.5%, and 52.5% respectively. The median survival time was 36.1 months. Almost all side effects were acceptable but in one case, we observed liver abscess. From this study, we suggest that DSM-TACE might be a safe and effective multimodal treatment for metastatic liver tumors in patients with gastric cancer.