[Transarterial chemoperfusion of inoperable pancreas carcinoma and local recurrence].
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the side effects and tumor response of a locoregional transarterial chemoperfusion with Mitomycin C and Gemcitabine in advanced pancreatic cancer.


METHODS
Between October 2001 and August 2002, 16 patients were treated in 80 transarterial chemoperfusion sessions with a mean of 5 sessions per patient and a pause of 4 weeks between the sessions. The chemotherapy consisted of a combination of Mitomycin C (8.5 mg/m 2) and Gemcitabine (500 mg/m 2), administered within 1 hour. The tumor response was evaluated by MRT and CT and the quality of life by a patient questionnaire.


RESULTS
All patients tolerated the procedure well. The therapeutic outcomes were as follows: in 50 % (n=8) of patients, minor response with a decrease in size of the primary tumor and metastases up to 20 %; in 25 % (n = 4) of patients, stable disease; and in 25 % (n = 4) of patients, progressing metastases with stable primary tumor. Eleven patients (68.75 %) reported a good quality of life without impaired performance of their daily activities. Side effects were moderate and reversible between the treatment cycles. After one year 25 % of the patients were still alive.


CONCLUSIONS
Transarterial chemoperfusion is a minimally invasive treatment for pancreatic carcinomas and local recurrences with little side-effects and can be delivered on an outpatient basis. It might be indicated as potential neoadjuvant treatment before surgery or as palliative treatment to provide clinical benefits and to improve the quality of life.
Vogl
T J
TJ
Institut für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie, J.-W.-Goethe-Universität Frankfurt. T.Vogl@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Heller
M
M
Zangos
S
S
Schwarz
W
W
Eichler
K
K
Mack
M G
MG
Berger
D
D
Balzer
J O
JO
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010166:Palliative Care; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D011788:Quality of Life; D015996:Survival Rate; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D003841:Deoxycytidine; D016685:Mitomycin; D000093542:Gemcitabine