[Isolated liver perfusion in advanced metastases of colorectal cancers]

A special cannulation system was developed in order to completely isolate the liver in an extracorporeal circuit. Isolated hyperthermic liver perfusion at 40 degrees C with an average dosage of 1000 mg 5-FU was performed in 32 patients with liver metastases (29 colorectal carcinomas, 2 carcinoids, 1 primary hepatoma). 12 patients who had an overall 45% tumor invasion of the entire liver-volume as measured in CT-scan were treated exclusively by isolated liver perfusion. In that group median survival was 8 months and death occurred in the presence of extrahepatic metastases. Better results are achieved with isolated liver perfusion followed by intraarterial short-time infusions (Mitomycin C/5-FU) via an Implantofix catheter. Median actual survival in this group is 12 months, the longest follow-up period is 23 months.