A technique for isolated hyperthermic liver perfusion

Hyperthermia, either alone or combined with chemotherapy, has been shown to be effective in treating cancer. Because some investigators believe that regional hyperthermia may be more effective than whole body hyperthermia, we developed a technique to heat only the liver to 42-43 degrees for 4 hr. The procedure was adapted from a previously described animal model and was performed in four humans. Vascular isolation of the liver was accomplished by cannulating the hepatic artery, the portal vein, and the inferior vena cava followed by occluding the suprahepatic vena cava and the liver was then perfused with blood and nutrients from an oxygenated reservoir. Preliminary results show radiologic and histologic evidence of tumor necrosis or cessation of tumor growth in three of the patients. We believe this technique is safe enough for clinical experimental use and deserves further investigation.