[Efficacy of repeated hepatic dearterialization combined with intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy for unresectable tumors of the liver].

In the present study, repeated hepatic dearterialization combined with intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy was performed in patients with unresectable tumors of the liver. Of 36 patients, 16 had primary liver tumors (13 hepatocellular carcinomas and 3 cholangiocellular carcinomas), while 20 had metastatic tumors (7 gastric carcinomas, 10 colon carcinomas, 2 pancreatic carcinomas, and 1 gastric carcinoid). A significantly better survival outcome was found in those with intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy and those without cirrhosis. In the HCC cases, those with the therapy tended to show a better survival as compared with the natural history. Remarkable tumor regression was found in four (67%) of six patients with metastases of gastric cancer.