[Intrabiliary tract administration of adriamycin in bile duct cancer]

Bile duct cancer is inoperable in many cases, and coupled with advanced obstructive jaundice. Its prognosis is poor. On the systemic administration of an anti-cancer drug, the amount of the drug penetrated into tumor tissue is small and side effects of the drug appear markedly in cases complicated with jaundice. We have done experimental and clinical studies aiming at an increase of the anti-tumor effects and a decrease of side effects of the anticancer drug by administering it into the bile duct for a direct contact with tumor. In 4 cases of advanced bile duct cancer in which PTCD-procedures had been carried out, we injected Adriamycin (ADM) 20 mg via the PTCD-tube; the tube was clamped for three hours and then released. This procedure was carried out twice a week. The bile duct stenosis was reopened in all cases, and in one of them pancreaticoduodenectomy became possible. With the intrabiliary tract administration of ADM, there was little damage to the liver and bile duct system and the amounts of the drug penetrated into tumor tissue and lymph nodes were large; while blood concentration was low and side effects were decreased. This administration method was easy and gave no pain to the patients. Thus this method is considered clinically effective.