Liver-Specific Particulate Contrast Agents: An Overview

Treatment of hepatic metastases, predominantely from colorectal carcinoma, is a major problem in Europe and the USA. Each year 140 000 new cases present in the USA (Sugarbaker 1990). Approximately 7000 of these patients require hepatic resection, the only treatment currently providing 25%-50% long-term survival (Sugarbaker 1990; Sugarbaker and Kemeny 1989). Surgical removal with similar favorable results of hepatic metastases from endocrine tumors as well as from renal cell carcinomas, adrenal carcinomas, leiomyosarcomas, melanomas, and pancreatic carcinomas in selected patients has also been reported (Sugarbaker and Kemeny 1989). In addition, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common primary liver carcinoma is the leading cause of cancer mortality in Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, with an extensive number of people affected (Schonland et al. 1985). Similar to hepatic resections for metastases, resection of small (< 5 cm) HCC, when feasible with regard to cirrhosis, has also prolonged the survival of these patients (Ohnishi et al. 1987).