Intra-arterial versus systemic chemotherapy for non-operable hepatocellular carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To compare intra-arterial (regional) hepatic chemotherapy with doxorubicin, to the systemic (intravenous) one in patients with non-resectable (Stage IVA) hepatocellular carcinoma.


METHODS
Seventy-two patients with inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma were randomized to receive doxorubicin 50 mg/m2 as a bolus infusion either via an implantable intra-arterial catheter (Group A) or as systemic chemotherapy (Group B) every 21-28 days.


RESULTS
Patients of Group A had a higher rate of objective and subjective remissions and Karnofsky performance status improvement in comparison to Group B. The mean survival was 7 months (range: 2-16) for Group A and 6.5 months (range: 1-13) for Group B, but this difference was not statistically significant. The quality of life remained at an acceptable level until death in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
A slight but not statistically significant superiority of intra-arterial chemotherapy against the systemic one is concluded.
Tzoracoleftherakis
E E
EE
Department of Surgery, University of Patras Medical School, Greece.
Spiliotis
J D
JD
Kyriakopoulou
T
T
Kakkos
S K
SK
D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001706:Biopsy; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010166:Palliative Care
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004317:Doxorubicin