[Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and selective hepatic arterial infusion using totally implantable...

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TAE) and hepatic arterial infusion using totally implantable reservoir were performed for the treatment of liver metastasis of colo-rectal cancers, and their therapeutic effects, side effects and complications were evaluated. Eleven cases of H1 (metastasis in one lobe only), 7 cases of H2 (a few scattered metastases in both lobes), 12 cases of H3 (numerous metastases in both lobes) were entered into the study and underwent TAE 45 times. Gel foam, Ivaron and Lipiodol were used as embolic materials in combination with chemotherapeutic agents such as mitomycin C and adriamycin. Serum CEA level was decreased less than 50% of pre-TAE level 20 out of 32 (61%). The tumor size was regressed in 25% of TAE cases which were evaluated on the basis of CT scan. Abdominal symptoms including abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting and fever, leukocytosis, elevated GOT, LDH and bilirubin level were seen after TAE therapy. Median survival of H1, H2 and H3 cases were 21 months, 8 months and 4.5 months, respectively. Another 21 cases (H1, 5 cases: H2, 3 cases: H3, 13 cases) of liver metastasis of colo-rectal cancers were treated with selective hepatic arterial infusion therapy using totally implantable reservoir. Reservoir catheters were implanted into hepatic artery via gastroduodenal artery under direct vision at laparotomy. Mitomycin C, adriamycin and fluorouracil (5-FU) were used as chemotherapeutic agents. No particular side effect such as leukopenia or liver dysfunction was noted. Median survival of H1, H2 and H3 cases treated with arterial infusion were 4 months, 9 months and 9 months, respectively. Median survival of TAE cases and arterial infusion cases was 10 and 6 months, respectively. Thus, the survival rate of cases treated with TAE was better than that of cases treated with arterial infusion.