[Percutaneous transcatheter thermotherapy (PTCT): use of hotwire for local tumor control]

We developed a Hotwire for use in percutaneous transcatheter thermotherapy (PTCT) for local tumor control. The Hotwire has a temperature sensor and a heater, and is inserted into the hepatic artery through a Y-connector and an angiocatheter. It can then warm fluid from the Y-connector to 45 degrees C under electorical control PTCT was performed on liver tumors using 4 mg of MMC and 10 mg Epirubicin. The antitumor effects and indications for PTCT were investigated in patients with unresectable liver tumors, including 3 patients who had hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with intraportal invasion and collateral vessels, one patient with liver metastasis of rectal cancer, and two gastric cancer patients. In all patients, tumor marker levels decreased (PIVKA-II; 8.5-->0.9, 2.9-->0.9, AFP; 1154-->753, CEA; 300-->226, TPA; 6319-->4227, 3312-->943), and CRP levels were markedly elevated with tumor fever. The only adverse reaction to PTCT was nausea and vomiting in one female patient. We repeated PTCT 6 times for giant HCC, and performance status was improved (2-->0). In conclusion, PTCT using the Hotwire is useful for treating hypervascular tumors limited to the liver, especially HCC with intraportal invasion and collateral vessels.