[Intra-arterial chemotherapy of the liver]

Hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy was introduced to treat non-resectable liver metastases or tumors. Although growth patterns of hepatic metastases and pharmacokinetics of cytostatics are well known, the response rate to intraarterial chemotherapy amounts to a maximum of 50% only, the mean survival time being 1 year or less. Until now, complete healing was not observed. Future efforts should be directed at increasing the response rate, decreasing regional adverse side effects and avoiding extrahepatic disease.