[On the method of hyperthermic chemotherapy by regional isolated perfusion for tumors of lower extremities]

From August 1990 to June 1993, 30 patients with osteosarcoma of lower extremities were treated with chemotherapy by hyperthermic regional isolated perfusion. There were 19 male and 11 female with a mean age of 21 (15-28) years. All of the tumors were located in the lower limbs: 20 on the femora, 9 on the tibiae and 1 on the fibula. Chemotherapy was going on for 60 minutes during hyperthermic regional isolated perfusion. Temperature was kept at 42 degrees C in deep soft tissue around the tumor during perfusion. The results showed that local edema of the limbs were reduced observably, tumors were shrunken and hardened after perfusion. Perimeter of the limbs were decreased and mobility of the limbs increased. Pathological examination indicated that all of the tumors responded well to the chemotherapy by perfusion and 90%-95% of the osteosarcoma cells were destroyed. Two cases were complicated with compression syndrome, and 1 with renal failure. The authors would suggest that hyperthermic regional isolated perfusion is an effective chemotherapeutic method in management of malignant tumors of limbs.