Continuous hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy using implantable reservoir in liver metastases from colorectal cancer

: Continuous hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy using implantable reservoir was performed for liver metastases from colorectal cancer, and the therapeutic effects, side effects, and complications were evaluated. 9 patients with unresectable liver metastases were as follows, 1. Group A; 3 patients, MMC 2 mg.one shot + 5-FU 250 mg/day.continuous infusion x 14 days, and then 5-FU tablets 150 mg/day.p.o. x 14 days, 2. Group B; 4 patients, MMC 2 mg.one shot + 5-FU 500 mg/day.continuous infusion x 7 days, and then 5-FU tablets 150 mg/day.p.o. x 14 days, 3. Group C; 2 patients, 5-FU 500 mg/day.continuous infusion x 14 days, and then free from agents for 14 days. In 2 of 3 group A patients, the catheters became dislocated and one died of perforation of duodenum. In group A and group B, no severe side effects were noted. But both of group C patients showed nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. In 8 of 9 patients (89%), serum CEA level fell below the preoperative level. In 4 of 7 patients who underwent CT scan, the size of the tumor regressed. Total infused dose of 5-FU was 8.17 +/- 7.56 g in group A, 16.9 +/- 2.88 g in group B, and 21.0 +/- 9.90 g in group C on average. In 2 patients of group B, therapy was repeated seven times.