In 8 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatectomy was performed after hepatic artery embolization with Gelfoam. Complete necrosis of the tumor was found in 4 of these cases. Compared with the tumors that showed incomplete necrosis, the tumor in the complete necrosis group were small, thickly encapsulated, and located at sites remote from collateral circulation. Angiography and computed tomography after embolization accurately demonstrated tumor necrosis or continued viability, as confirmed by examination of resected specimens.