[Treatment of inoperable liver metastases: preliminary results with intrahepatic chemotherapy via a new type of indwelling catheter (author's transl)].

Intra-arterial liver perfusion of cytostatic drugs via an indwelling double-lumen polyurethane catheter was undertaken in 17 patients with diffuse metastases involving 50-70% of the liver and previously treated by radical local resections. Treatment continued over 3-20 months (mean 8.4 months). In ten patients with colorectal carcinoma treatment lasted for 7 months, follow-up for a mean of 14 months (range 5-24 months), and the one-year survival time (using the actuarial method) was 79 +/- 26%. The toxicity was well controllable. It is concluded that this form of treatment improves quality of life in such patients.