A new method for long term intrahepatic chemotherapy
Fortner, J.G.; Pahnke, L.D.
Surgery Gynecology and Obstetrics 143(6): 979-980
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0039-6087 PMID: 996721 Document Number: 102724
This new method was used in 11 patients without complications. It was eminently satisfactory as a method of administering chemotherapeutic agents intrahepatically. The patient must no longer carry a bulky, heavy pump at all times and is inconvenienced in a minimal way. The route of administration of the chemotherapeutic agent was changed from the hepatic artery to the portal vein. This is advantageous because ligation of the hepatic artery with its eventual thrombosis is a deterrent to administering chemotherapy adequately. Administration of chemotherapy by the portal vein is an effective means of treatment. It may be especially attractive if ligation of the hepatic artery induces considerable necrosis of the tumor, leaving a rim of viable tumor which is nourished predominantly by the portal venous system. Chemotherapeutic agents would then be directed toward this residual viable rim of tumor. More recently, the catheter was placed in the hepatic artery as well as in the portal vein. This is a particularly attractive approach when the angiogram of the patient shows the blood supply of the tumor to be arterial. Constant infusion of the chemotherapeutic agent is not possible with this method. Cyclic administration, as by the systemic route, is an effective method of administering the agents and may be preferable. This simple, easy to use, new method appears to be a major advance in the field of infusional intrahepatic chemotherapy in liver cancer.