[Intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy with epirubicin for advanced breast cancer]

Thirty-two patients with locally advanced or disseminated breast cancer were treated with preoperative intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy with epirubicin (30 mg/m2, day 1, 4, 7). The results were as follows: 1) the response rate (CR + PR) was as high as 71.9% (23/32) in the primary lesions. Marked degenerative changes were, also, histologically observed in 22 cases (68.8%). 2) As for side effects, mild grade of leukopenia and hair loss were frequently encountered in 75.0% and 62.5%, respectively. Gastrointestinal disorders, however, was extremely rare (6.3%). 3) Follow-up time was not long enough, but considerable survival advantages were suggested. The author confirmed that intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy with epirubicin was an efficacious modality for the treatment of advanced breast cancer.