Colorectal metastases to the liver: selective chemoembolization.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of selective chemoembolization in patients with colorectal metastases to the liver.


METHODS
Forty-six patients underwent the regimen, which involved use of doxorubicin and ethiodized oil, with 75% selectively administered to different subsegments and 25% into the respective main hepatic artery.


RESULTS
In eight patients, the lesions disappeared and carcinoembryonic antigen levels returned to normal. Eleven patients showed no disease progression for 12 months; two others, for 24 months. Thirteen patients died; three were lost to follow-up in the 1st year. Six patients were followed up for 5 years, seven for 3 years, 16 for 2 years, and 30 for 1 year. Five of seven patients who survived 3 years or more exhibited homogeneous distribution of the chemoembolic agent throughout the metastatic tumor.


CONCLUSIONS
Selective chemoembolization is recommended for treatment of patients with colorectal metastases to the liver, a resectable primary tumor, and no evidence of other metastatic disease.
Lang
E K
EK
Department of Radiology, Louisiana State University, New Orleans 70112.
Brown
C L
CL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004998:Ethiodized Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006499:Hepatic Artery; D006801:Humans; D007269:Injections, Intra-Arterial; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D017538:Mesenteric Artery, Superior; D008875:Middle Aged; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D012074:Remission Induction; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D015996:Survival Rate; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D004998:Ethiodized Oil; D004317:Doxorubicin