[Hepatocellular carcinoma treated by continuous hepatic arterial infusion of etoposide, CDDP and 5-FU].

Fifteen patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma were treated by hepatic arterial infusion (HAI). Treatment consisted of a 24-hour continuous HAI of etoposide (60 mg/day, day 1-5), CDDP (30 mg/day, day 1-5) and 5-fluorouracil (250 mg/day, day 1-26). Three patients had two series of infusions. Five patients were treated by transcatheter arterial embolization following HAI. Among 13 evaluable patients, one showed a complete remission and five patients had a partial response. We obtained a response rate of 46.2%. Toxicity included hematologic toxicity, alopecia, nausea and vomiting. The major toxicity was myelosuppression, but it was well tolerated. These results indicate that continuous HAI of etoposide, CDDP and 5-FU is effective for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.