[The role of the regional (intra-arterial) chemotherapy in the treatment of hepatic metastases of colorectal cancer]

Abstract

This focuses on review one of the methods of locoregional treatment - intraarterial hepatic infusion. Metastatic hepatic malignancies are the leading cause of cancer death. Surgical resection of metastatic hepatic malignancies has been the only established treatment modality offering potential for cure. Although surgical resection has significantly improved survival, only 5-20 percent of patients with colorectal carcinoma metastatic to the liver are surgical candidates. Conventional systemic (intravenous) chemotherapy with fluoropirimidines is effective only for 10-21 percent of patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma. The limitations of surgical resection and the limited efficacy and generalized toxicity of systemic chemotherapy have sparked considerable interest in intraarterial hepatic infusion and especially in combination of systemic and intraarterial chemotherapy.