Blood supply of metastatic liver tumors: an experimental study

Based on experiments with 18 female mice with induced secondary liver tumors, the entire liver metastasis blood circulation including characterization of efferent drainage system is described. The center of liver metastases is supplied from capillaries originated from branches of the hepatic artery. From the capillaries, blood is led to the superficial venous network of the metastases and further to intrahepatic veins. The portal vein system is essential for small metastases nutrition. The surface of large metastases is also nourished by the portal vein. Based on these findings, it is suggested that, in human surgery, the catheter for locoregional chemotherapy for liver tumors should be optimally implanted into both the hepatic artery and the portal vein at the same time. Thus, anticancer treatment can reach the whole tumor mass including its periphery, ie, its growth zone.