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

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.