Chemoembolization Versus Radioembolization in Treating Patients With Liver Cancer That Cannot Be Treated With Radiofrequency Ablation Or Surgery

OBJECTIVES: Primary * Compare and contrast TACE and Y90 in order to determine either equivalence or superiority as measured by time-to-progression. Secondary * Characterize the safety and toxicity profile of these regimens. * Determine the need for subsequent treatment in these patients. * Determine tumor response in these patients * Characterize change in quality of life and functional status in these patients. * Determine time to progression in these patients. OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to receive either TACE or Y90 * Arm I (radioembolization): Patients undergo radioembolization with yttrium Y 90 glass microspheres by hepatic artery infusion for approximately 1-3 courses. * Arm II (transarterial chemoembolization \[TACE\]): Patients undergo TACE with mitomycin C, doxorubicin hydrochloride, and cisplatin by hepatic artery infusion for approximately 1-3 courses. * In both arms, treatment modifications may apply according to response. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed every 3 months.