[A case of unresectable gallbladder cancer responding to combination therapy with hyperthermia and local...

A 78-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for the control of gallbladder cancer. A peritoneal metastasis, diagnosed as unresectable cancer, was detected during surgery in a previous hospital, and a biliary stent was introduced and gastrojejunostomy was performed. In our hospital she was treated weekly with local chemotherapy (PFL; cisplatin 2.5-5 mg/body ia, fluorouracil 300 mg/body ia, and calcium folinate 30 mg/body ia, via the common hepatic arterial port) at the time of hyperthermia. Hyperthermia was performed with a Thermox 500 (HEH-500 C) at the power of 500 watts for 45-60 minutes. To enhance the hyperthermia effect, mitomycin C 2-4 mg/body ia via the common hepatic arterial port and 500 ml of 7.5% glucose infusion were given. As a result of the combination therapy, the volume of the whole tumor was reduced to 60.9% on computed tomography, and diagnosed as PR. The serum level of CA19-9 decreased from 3,000 U/ml to 300 U/ml. The patient continued to receive the therapy for 1 year, and is now well. Therefore, we conclude that combination therapy with hyperthermia and local chemotherapy seems beneficial in managing unresectable advanced gallbladder cancer, especially for the elderly.