Complications of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy

Chemotherapy by direct hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) results in reduction in tumor mass in a large percentage of patients. The authors reviewed records for 45 patients with metastatic cancer of the gastrointestinal tract who underwent HAI chemotherapy with floxuridine, administrated via an implanted pump. Twenty-seven of the 45 patients suffered complications, including gastrointestinal ulceration (18%), hepatitis (24%), sclerosing cholangitis (7%), and abscess (2%). The complication rates in this series were similar to those previously reported. The toxicity of HAI chemotherapy continues to limit its efficacy.