Analysis of the efficacy of transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy in the treatment of pancreatic carcinoma

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of infusion of gemcitabine (GEM) and fluorouracil (5-FU)through the celiac artery and superior mesenteric artery in the treatment of pancreatic carcinoma (PC). Methods We analyzed 20 patients diagnosed clinically or pathologically with PC, without metastases, who had an estimated survival duration of >3 months in our department from May 2009 to December 2014. Nine patients were treated directly without surgical resection of the tumor, while the other 11 patients were treated after surgery. In all patients, the femoral artery was punctured using the Seldinger technique, and a catheter was placed in the opening of the celiac artery or the superior mesenteric artery. We administered 500 mg/m2 GEM and 500 mg/m2 5-FU. Observational data included data on clinical efficacy and survival rates during the follow-up period of 3–72 months. Results Twenty patients were treated 85 times with transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy (TAI). The survival rates were 80%, 40%, 35%, 20%, 10%, and 5% at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 72 months, respectively. Conclusion TAI chemotherapy with GEM and 5-FU may be a therapeutic option for the treatment of PC.