[Continuous arterial infusion chemotherapy in cancer cases followed as outpatients]

Continuous arterial infusion chemotherapy is associated with a significantly greater tumor response rate, though patients must be hospitalized for a long time. This paper describes techniques and our experience with arterial continuous infusion chemotherapy for outpatients using implantable port and ambulatory pump. Eleven patients (liver metastasis of colorectal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma and local recurrence of rectal cancer) were treated with continuous arterial infusion chemotherapy at our outpatient clinic. The chemotherapy infusions were carried out repeatedly for 5.7 months on average (10-2 months) with 5-FU or CDDP. Total periods of infusions were 64.8 days on the average (136-24 days). The infusion dose and frequency of drug refilling were limited by pump quality. A major complication occurred only in one patient who developed arterial thrombosis. Minor complications were mainly gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting) and abdominal pain, which were easily corrected with drugs. The tumor responses were as follows: PR 1 case, MR 1 case, NC 7 cases and PD 2 cases. Home arterial continuous infusion chemotherapy reduced the hospitalized period and helped patients return to work. Therefore it may well contribute to improve the quality of life of cancer patients.