Stockholders Equity (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stock Issuances [Abstract]
Reverse stock split ratio	one-for- sixteen (1:16)	one-for- sixteen (1:16)	one-for- sixteen (1:16)
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	170,000,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized	170,000,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Stock Incentive Plans [Abstract]
Recognized compensation expense	$ 391,000us-gaap_StockOptionPlanExpense	$ 174,000us-gaap_StockOptionPlanExpense	$ 2,807,000us-gaap_StockOptionPlanExpense
Restricted stock compensation expense	100,000us-gaap_RestrictedStockExpense	117,000us-gaap_RestrictedStockExpense	1,018,000us-gaap_RestrictedStockExpense
Additional compensation expense relating to stock options	200,000
Additional compensation expense relating to restricted stock	40,000
2004 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]
Stock Incentive Plans [Abstract]
Shares reserved for the issuance (in shares)	187,500
2009 Stock Incentive Plan [Member]
Stock Incentive Plans [Abstract]
Shares reserved for the issuance (in shares)	406,250
Stock Options [Member]
Stock Incentive Plans [Abstract]
Maximum term of options	10 years
Recognized compensation expense	400,000	200,000	2,800,000
Remaining average recognition period for unrecognized compensation expense	0 years 10 months 20 days
Aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable	0
Closing stock price (in dollars per share)	$ 1.21
Restricted Stock [Member]
Stock Incentive Plans [Abstract]
Restricted stock compensation expense	10,000	10,000	1,000,000
Remaining average recognition period for unrecognized compensation expense	0 years 6 months
Sales Agreement March 2013 [Member] \| Cowen and Company, LLC [Member]
Stock Issuances [Abstract]
Common stock, par value under sales agreement (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	4,800,000	5,000,000
Proceeds of common stock issued, net of related expenses	4,700,000	4,800,000
Common stock sold through the program (in shares)	1,000,000	1,000,000
Aggregate proceeds from sale of common stock under equity offering program, maximum	50,000,000
Aggregate proceeds from sale of common stock under equity offering program, remaining	39,900,000
CEFF [Member] \| Terrapin Opportunity, L.P. [Member]
Stock Issuances [Abstract]
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	11,100,000
Proceeds of common stock issued, net of related expenses	10,800,000
Common stock sold through the program (in shares)	500,000
Amount to be purchased by party under agreement	35,000,000
Term of purchase agreement	24 months
Sales Agreement December 2011 [Member] \| Cowen and Company, LLC [Member]
Stock Issuances [Abstract]
Common stock, par value under sales agreement (in dollars per share)		$ 0.01
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	20,900,000
Proceeds of common stock issued, net of related expenses	20,800,000
Common stock sold through the program (in shares)		900,000
Aggregate proceeds from sale of common stock under equity offering program, maximum		$ 39,800,000

Amount refers to purchased by party under purchase agreement.

No definition available.

Name:	dcth_AmountToBePurchasedByPartyUnderPurchaseAgreement
Namespace Prefix:	dcth_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount refers to common stock par value under sales agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dcth_CommonStockParValueUnderSalesAgreement
Namespace Prefix:	dcth_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the maximum proceeds from sale of common stock under equity offering program.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dcth_MaximumProceedsFromSaleOfCommonStockUnderEquityOfferingProgram
Namespace Prefix:	dcth_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash inflow from the additional capital contribution to the entity, net of related expenses.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dcth_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStockNetOfRelatedExpenses
Namespace Prefix:	dcth_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the remaining proceeds from sale of common stock under equity offering program.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dcth_RemainingProceedsFromSaleOfCommonStockUnderEquityOfferingProgram
Namespace Prefix:	dcth_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Term of equity-based payment award.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dcth_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTerm
Namespace Prefix:	dcth_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	dcth_StockIncentivePlansAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	dcth_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	dcth_StockIssuancesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	dcth_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period covered by the purchase agreement, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	dcth_TermOfPurchaseAgreement
Namespace Prefix:	dcth_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face amount or stated value per share of common stock.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 30

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The maximum number of common shares permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Unrecognized cost of unvested share-based awards, other than options, awarded to employees as compensation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedShareBasedAwardsOtherThanOptions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Unrecognized cost of unvested options awarded to employees as compensation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedStockOptions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash inflow from the additional capital contribution to the entity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Financing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 14

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3255-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The noncash expense that represents the cost of restricted stock or unit distributed to employees as compensation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestrictedStockExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) originally approved (usually by shareholders and board of directors), net of any subsequent amendments and adjustments, for awards under the equity-based compensation plan. As stock or unit options and equity instruments other than options are awarded to participants, the shares or units remain authorized and become reserved for issuance under outstanding awards (not necessarily vested).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of difference between fair value of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise price of vested portions of options outstanding and currently exercisable.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Price of a single share of a number of saleable stocks of a company.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SharePrice
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Description of the reverse stock split arrangement. Also provide the retroactive effect given by the reverse split that occurs after the balance sheet date but before the release of financial statements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 4.C)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187143-122770

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 4

-Section C

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockholdersEquityReverseStockSplit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of new stock issued during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 29, 30

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The noncash expense that accounts for the value of stock or unit options distributed to employees as compensation.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockOptionPlanExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis=dcth_CommittedEquityFinancingFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis=dcth_SalesAgreementDecember2011Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis=dcth_SalesAgreementMarch2013Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=dcth_StockIncentivePlan2004Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=dcth_StockIncentivePlan2009Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: