An A to Z of Lipiodol Beyond the Clinical Practice in the Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

ABSTRACT

Lipiodol based conventional transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a standard of care for unresectable, non-invasive, and multinodular Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)s. The procedure relies on the intra-arterial administration of lipiodol/cytotoxic agent emulsion followed by the infusion of embolic material. Lipiodol, with its oily nature and radiopacifying properties, is in the center of the TACE procedure. Unstability and unpredictable therapeutic effect of hydrophilic cytotoxic drugs emulsified in the lipiodol and technical problems lie beyond the control of clinicians. Thus, interest in the properties and respective roles for lipiodol in the management of HCC is essential for the clinicians.