[Intra-arterial chemotherapy with 5-FU (weekly high dose 5-FU HAI) for the prevention of tumor recurrence in residual liver after hepatic resection of metastasis from colorectal cancer].

Intra-arterial cancer chemotherapy using an implantable reservoir was performed for the prevention of tumor recurrence in residual liver after resection of a metastatic tumor from colorectal cancer. Four cases of synchronous hepatic metastases and one case of metachronous hepatic metastasis, which were in H1 (2 cases) and H2 (3 cases), were treated. 5-FU was administered in a dose of 1,000 mg/m2 5 hours weekly (weekly high dose 5-FU HAI). The longest survival obtained is 1Y 11M. Other cases have survived for 1Y 7M, 1Y 12M, 9M, and 3M. Tumor recurrence was not observed in all cases except one. This case had a residual tumor because the complete resection was impossible. The tumor recurrence rate in patients treated with surgery alone at Nikko Memorial Hospital (n = 11) was 63.6%. The 1- and 2-year survival rate in these patients was 60.6% and 26.9%, respectively. As compared to these rates, the results of this study were very favorable. Although mild nausea and abdominal discomfort were observed in 1 patient, this adverse effect was reduced by administration of an anti-ulcer agent. Only a slight decrease of WBC and PLT counts was observed. Consequently, for residual liver after resection of hepatic metastasis from colorectal cancer, this intraarterial chemotherapy with 5-FU is considered to be effective to prevent tumor recurrence and thus to prolong survival.