[Clinical evaluation of implantable drug delivery system (Port-A-Cath) in cancer chemotherapy].

Intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy has become widely accepted in the multimodal treatment of many malignant tumors. We have used Port-A-Cath, which is an implantable drug delivery system, for regional infusion therapy in cancer chemotherapy since April 1984 and made a study protocol for evaluation of safety, usefulness and reliability. Twenty-two patients with pancreatic and intra-pelvic tumors have been treated with this method. Drugs of this series were adriamycin and mitomycin-C, using intermittently and 5-Fluorouracil continuously with or without radiotherapy. In localized unresectable adenocarcinoma of pancreas, the median implanted days of Port-A-Cath was 139 days and the median survival from implantation was 212 days. On the other hand, in advanced or recurrent intra-pelvic tumors, the median implanted day was 274 days and median survival time from implantation was 583 days. One case developed skin necrosis at the implanted area, and three had infections which were able to be managed. The findings suggest that Port-A-Cath assures safety and good quality of life in cancer patients because of the freedom of movement, normal physical appearance and barriers to infection due to subcutaneous placement.