Transcatheter arterial infusion therapy in the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer: a feasibility study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of transcatheter arterial infusion (TAI) therapy in 18 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.


METHODS
The drugs infused were epirubicin 60 mg, mitomycin C 20 mg, and 5-fluorouracil 500 mg. The efficacy of TAI was evaluated by a tumor marker (CA19-9), computed tomography (CT) findings, and postoperative histopathological specimens.


RESULTS
In 10 of 15 cases, the tumor marker level was decreased after TAI therapy. In 6 of 14 cases, CT showed a decrease in the tumor size, and in 1 case, the tumor disappeared completely. In 6 cases the tumor could be resected. Necrosis, fibrosis, and degeneration of cancer cells were seen in 3 of 4 cases for whom a histopathological evaluation was done. The median survival was 11 months. In 17 patients back pain was the chief complaint, and was reduced to a self-controlled level in 10 patients following TAI therapy. No major complications were encountered.


CONCLUSIONS
TAI appears to be an effective palliative treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer.
Shibuya
K
K
Department of Radiology, Kyoto University Hospital, Japan.
Nagata
Y
Y
Itoh
T
T
Okajima
K
K
Murata
R
R
Takagi
T
T
Hiraoka
M
M
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen / Q000097:blood; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen; D015251:Epirubicin; D016685:Mitomycin; D005472:Fluorouracil