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Updated: May 16, 2026
Percutaneous Hepatic Perfusion (PHP) with Melphalan as a Treatment for Unresectable Metastases Confined to the Liver
Published on: July 31, 2016
Hepatic intra-arterial chemotherapy in patients with advanced primary liver tumours
Francesca Spada1, Nicola Fazio, Guido Bonomo
1Upper GI and NET Unit, Department of Medicine, European Institute of Oncology (IEO), Via Ripamonti 435, 20141 Milan, Italy.
Background:
Primary liver tumours (PLTs) are currently a major health problem worldwide. The study's aim was to investigate the feasibility, toxicity, and activity of hepatic intra-arterial chemotherapy (HIAC) in patients with advanced PLTs.
Methods:
We retrospectively analysed 43 patients with advanced unresectable PLT, who were consecutively treated. HIAC with 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, and mitomycin-C was administered through a radiologically positioned temporary percutaneous catheter every six weeks until tumour progression or unacceptable toxicity was reached.
Results:
Partial response was observed in 26% and stable disease in 41% of patients. The median overall survival was 12.3 months. Manageable catheter-related complications occurred in 23% of patients. The grade 3-4 toxicities included neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and transaminitis. There were no toxic deaths.
Conclusion:
The results of this retrospective study show that HIAC is feasible, active, and manageable in patients with PLTs. The treatment could be studied in selected patients with advanced progressive HCC/BTC being treated with or ineligible for sorafenib/cisplatin plus gemcitabine.
