[Intraarterial infusion chemotherapy for recurrent or unresectable gastric cancer]

Sixteen patients with recurrent or unresectable gastric cancer were treated by intraarterial infusion chemotherapy. The tip of the catheter was located at the 9-10th Th level in the aorta of 14 patients and in the common hepatic artery of two. The drug combination was methotrexate + 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), cisplatin, mitomycin C (MMC) + etoposide and MMC + 5-FU. Side effects such as bone marrow suppression, diarrhea and appetite loss were seen in 63% (10/16). The response rate was 36% (4/11) in those who were evaluated, and another three showed relief from symptoms. Median survival time was 11 months, and the one year survival rate was 41%, while two patients showing PR have been alive for more than one year.