title: Complications associated with intra-arterial BCNU administered in combination with vincristine and procarbazine for the treatment of malignant brain tumors.
abstract: We have used intra-arterial (i.a.) 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) either alone or as part of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with malignant brain tumors over a 3 year period (1979-1982). The i.a. BCNU technique was used 111 times to infuse 134 arteries in 37 patients. These patients, 28 cases with glial tumor and 9 cases with brain metastasis, received i.a. BCNU in combination with Vincristine and Procarbazine every 6 weeks. Complications encountered were transient and included: periorbital erythralgia or occipital-nuchal pain in 23 (62%), mild confusion and disorientation in 14 (38%), and ipsilateral conjunctival edema in 10 (27%). Reversible myelosuppression was not found. Our findings suggest that BCNU (100 mg/M2) may be given by i.a. infusion in combination chemotherapy without persistent severe untoward effects with a cumulative dose of 700 mg/M2.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D002330:Carmustine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002339:Carotid Arteries; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005910:Glioma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011344:Procarbazine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014711:Vertebral Artery; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D011344:Procarbazine; D014750:Vincristine; D002330:Carmustine