[An attempt to treat esophageal cancer by intraoperative local administration of oil bleomycin].

Intraoperative local chemotherapy was performed on patients with esophageal cancer, using oil bleomycin (oil BLM). Oil BLM was injected into the muscular layer of the thoracic esophagus to be resected, 2 ml (30 mg of BLM base) each near the anal and oral stumps of the esophagus. BLM concentrations in the regional lymph nodes which were determined were elevated, and the tumor tissue of the esophagus also showed high levels. The evidence has been recognized in this study that oil BLM which features lymphogenous transport and tissue accumulation spreads fast in the entire esophageal wall and is transported to and retained in the regional lymph nodes. Side effects from local administration of oil BLM or recurrence of cancer has not so far been observed. Judging from the results of this study, intraoperative local administration of oil BLM seems to be effective for adjuvant chemotherapy.