Transarterial chemoembolization with DC Bead LUMI™ radiopaque beads for primary liver cancer treatment: preliminary experience

Aim: Primary objectives of the study were to assess the safety of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) using DC Bead LUMI (TM) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and beads distribution after TACE. Patients/methods: This was a prospective observational cohort study. The study included 44 hepatocellular carcinoma patients who were treated with TACE using DC Bead LUMI. Beads distribution was monitored 1 h after TACE by CT scan. Results: TACE had no intraprocedural complications. Observed side effects were of mild intensity and included pain in 5 (11%), fever in 4 (9%) and vomiting in 2 (5%) patients. Most patients (89%) reported no adverse event. Non-target distribution was observed in only two cases (5%). Conclusion: DC Bead LUMI allowed assessing in real time their distribution. This could prevent non-target infusion and reduce toxicity.