[Tissue UFT distribution and histological changes following UFT administration in metastatic liver cancer cases]

For the purpose of assessing the anti-tumor effect of UFT in metastatic liver cancer, blood futraful (FT), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and uracil levels and their distribution in tissue (cancer lesion, etc.) following oral UFT administration were examined in 10 surgically treated cases of metastatic liver cancer secondary to cancer of the large intestine and 4 cases of metastatic liver cancer secondary to stomach cancer. Liver tissue 5-FU distribution following UFT treatment was excellent. 5-FU concentration in liver cancer lesion was 0.164 +/- 0.128 micrograms/g, which was markedly higher than the minimal effective tissue concentration for 5-FU (0.050 micrograms/g). 5-FU level in normal tissue of the organ with primary cancer was significantly lower than that in the tumor-affected tissue of the same organ, while no difference in 5-FU level was noted between cancer-affected and normal tissues of the liver. Tissue 5-FU level in both primary and metastatic cancer lesions was significantly higher than the simultaneously determined blood 5-FU level. Histological findings of cancer-affected liver did not differ between different UFT dose levels, but degeneration of cancer cells was severe in some cases given high doses of UFT.