Successful treatment for advanced cholangiocellular carcinoma with intrahepatic metastasis and/or portal vein tumor thrombi by intraarterial chemotherapy combined with 5-fluorouracil, adriamycin and cisplatin (FAP)--two cases report

The patients of unresectable cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCC) have extremely poor prognosis. Case 1 was a 72-year-old male who had CCC in the left lobe of liver with intrahepatic metastasis. From June 2003, he received hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (FAP: 5-fluorouracil 250 mg/day continuous infusion, day 1-5, adriamycin 10 mg/day, day 1, and CDDP 10 mg/day, day 1). After 5 courses, abdominal CT revealed that the main tumor had regressed. Case 2 was a 66-year-old male who had CCC with portal vein tumor thrombus of anterior branch (Vp2). He received FAP arterial infusion chemotherapy that was a same regimen as with the case 1 patient. After 5 courses were administered, Abdominal CT revealed that the size of the main tumor at S8 had not changed, and that portal vein tumor thrombus had disappeared. In both cases, there was no complication related to the chemotherapy. They are alive for more than 1 year after chemotherapy had started. FAP hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy might be promising as an effective therapy for non-resectable CCC without extra hepatic metastasis.     

Postoperative adjuvant intraarterial chemotherapy of combined cisplatin and 5-FU for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Postoperative adjuvant intraarterial infusion chemotherapy was performed for 22 hepatectomized patients with Stage III and Stage IV-A hepatocellular carcinoma from July, 1997, to December, 1999. One course of this chemotherapy consisted of cisplatin (10 mg/body/day on days 1-5) followed by 5-FU (250 mg/body/day on days 1-5). One hundred forty-eight patients of Stage III and Stage IV-A underwent hepatectomy from 1992 to 2001 and were enrolled as historical control. There were 9 Stage III cases treated with this adjuvant chemotherapy, and there were 7 or 6 Stage IV-A cases with and without main portal thrombosis, respectively. Survival and disease-free survival curves were not improved compared to historical control by this adjuvant chemotherapy. The number of recurrences in the remnant liver of 2 Stage IV-A cases with main portal thrombosis was limited to 3. Those cases treated with rehepatectomy and transarterial chemoembolization survived about 1,200 days without tumor recurrence.     

A case of successful treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombi in the major portal branches and inferior vena cava with combined intraarterial 5-fluorouracil, adriamycin and cisplatin therapy

The patient is a 75-year-old male. Abdominal ultrasound tomography in June 2002 revealed hepatocellular carcinoma with intrahepatic metastasis (IM3) and tumor thrombi (Vp4, Vv3) at S4 in the major portal and hepatic vein. From July 2002, he received hepatic arterial infusion therapy (FAP: 5-fluorouracil, CDDP and adriamycin) for these lesions. In December 2002, these lesions had disappeared completely after 6 sessions of arterial infusion therapy. The patient is still alive with no recurrence after 2 years since the beginning of this treatment. Recently, we treated 9 patients with combined arterial infusion chemotherapy (FAP), and the response rate (CR and PR) was 44% and no major side effect was observed. In conclusion, some patients may obtain longer survival through this treatment, even in cases of advanced HCC with tumor thrombus in the major trunks of portal vein and/or hepatic vein.     

Successful treatment of multiple hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombi in the major portal branches by intraarterial 5-fluorouracil perfusion chemotherapy combined with subcutaneous interferon-alpha and hepatectomy

We experienced a patient who received successful treatment for multiple hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) nodules, with tumor thrombi in the major portal branches, with intraarterial 5-fluorouracil perfusion chemotherapy combined with subcutaneous interferon-alpha administration. The patient was a 50-year-old man with hepatitis C virus and HCC. The tumors consisted of a 5-cm main nodule in the right lobe (segment 8) and multiple intrahepatic metastases. The tumor also involved portal vein thrombosis throughout the right portal branch. After two cycles of interferon-alpha/5-fluorouracil combination chemotherapy, tumor markers demonstrated a decreasing tendency. Nine months after the initiation of this therapy, the tumors were limited to the right lobe and were surgically removed by S8 subsegmentectomy, S5 partial hepatectomy, and portal thrombectomy. The serum levels of both alpha-fetoprotein and protein induced by vitamin K absence II fell to normal levels after hepatic resection. Fifty-eight months after the first treatment, he is alive with several recurrent nodules in the liver. In conclusion, the interferon-alpha/5-fluorouracil combination therapy is a useful treatment for HCC in patients who have multiple intrahepatic metastases and portal vein thrombosis. In addition to this therapy, combined modality therapy including, for example, surgical resection, can sometimes have a dramatic therapeutic effect, shown by tumor markers reverting to normal levels.     

A case of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with portal invasion resected after treatment by continuous intra-arterial chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil

A 67-year-old male diagnosed as having inoperable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with portal invasion was able to undergo resection after continuous intra-arterial chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin (CDDP). These were continuously administered for 24 hours at doses of 5-FU of 250 mg and CDDP of 5 mg/day, from day 1 to day 5 in a week, repeated 6 times. In additions to the reductions of the levels of AFP and PIVKA-II from 212.6 ng/ml and 16,100 mAU/ml to 11.8 ng/ml and 12 mAU/ml, respectively, the volume of the tumor and the portal invasion were diminished remarkably. As a result, a left extended hepatectomy could be performed. No sign of recurrence was seen during 16 months of follow-up after the operation. Given the above results, continuous intra-arterial chemotherapy with 5-FU and CDDP therapy may be effective for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.     

Hepatic arterial infusion of 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin for unresectable or recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus of the portal vein

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of hepatic arterial infusion of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin (CDDP) for unresectable or recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with tumor thrombus of the trunk or first branches of the portal vein (PVTT). METHODS: Seven unresectable or recurrent HCC patients with PVTT were enrolled in this study. A one-week course of chemotherapy consisted of intraarterial administration of CDDP (10 mg on days 1-5) for 1 h and 5-FU (250 mg on days 1-5) for 24 h, followed by cessation of administration for the subsequent 2 days (days 6 and 7). Three or more sequential courses of chemotherapy were given through an implanted reservoir. RESULTS: Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels before the chemotherapy were >20 ng/ml in six of the seven patients. Serum AFP levels were decreased in four of the six patients after chemotherapy, including two patients (cases 1 and 7) whose AFP levels later returned to normal. Six of the seven patients had measurable lesions in the liver, with a response rate of 33%. In three of the seven patients (43%), PVTTs decreased in size or disappeared after chemotherapy. The mean and median survival periods of all patients were 8.0 and. 7.5 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The chemotherapy described in this report is beneficial in terms of survival for HCC patients with PVTT for whom transcatheter arterial embolization or surgical treatment is contraindicated.     

A case of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal tumor thrombus effectively treated by arterial infusion chemotherapy with low-dose cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil

A 69-year-old female with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma was treated with continuous arterial infusion of low-dose cisplatin (10 mg/body/day) and 5-fluorouracil (250 mg/body/day). The regimen was continued for 5 days then discontinued for 2 days, and repeated for 4 weeks. The portal tumor thrombus almost disappeared and HCC was smaller than before chemotherapy. Tumor marker (AFP and PIVKA-II) decreased remarkably. As tumor markers increased again 2 months later, the same regimen chemotherapy was performed once more. The patient was treated with arterial chemotherapy as an outpatient. The present case of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal tumor thrombus was effectively treated by arterial infusion chemotherapy with low dose cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil.     

Debulking surgery followed by intraarterial 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy plus subcutaneous interferon alfa for massive hepatocellular carcinoma with multiple intrahepatic metastases: A pilot study

Background

The prognosis in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with multiple intrahepatic metastases is extremely poor. Combination therapy with subcutaneous interferon (IFN) alfa and intraarterial 5-fluorouracil was reported to be effective against such advanced HCC. We describe results of debulking surgery followed by combination therapy with IFN alfa and 5-FU for massive HCC with multiple intrahepatic metastases.

Methods

In 27 HCC patients with massive tumors and multiple intrahepatic metastases, we performed combination therapy with IFN alfa and 5-FU after maximal liver tumor resection.

Results

Mean patient age was 63.3 years. Including intrahepatic metastases, tumors numbered 5 or more in 17 patients (63%). Portal or hepatic vein branches were invaded in 22 (81%). The mean maximum tumor diameter was 102 mm. Among 24 patients whose results were analyzed, an objective response by residual intrahepatic metastases was observed in 13 (54%; complete response in 12, and partial response in 1). Overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival was 73.2%, 38.7%, and 38.7%, respectively; 1-, 3-, and 5-year progression-free rates were 38.2%, 22.3%, and 22.3%.

Conclusions

Debulking surgery followed by IFN alfa and 5-FU combination chemotherapy offers possibility of long-term survival despite massive HCC with multiple intrahepatic metastases.     

Repetitive short-course hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with high-dose 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) has often been selected as a therapeutic option for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The objective of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of repetitive HAIC with high-dose 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin given for 3 days in patients with advanced HCC. METHODS: Between January 2001 and December 2004, a total of 41 patients with unresectable advanced HCC were enrolled. The patients underwent HAIC via the implantable port system with 5-FU (at a dose of 500 mg/m(2) on Days 1-3) and cisplatin (at a dose of 60 mg/m(2) on Day 2) every 4 weeks. Tumor response was assessed at the end of every 3 cycles. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 53 years and 34 patients (82.9%) had evidence of portal vein thrombosis. In total, 230 cycles of HAIC were administered to the 41 patients, with a median of 6 cycles given (range, 1-14 cycles). Nine patients (22.0%) achieved a partial response and 14 patients (34.1%) had stable disease. The median time to disease progression and overall survival were 7.0 months and 12.0 months, respectively. The overall survival was found to be significantly longer in the successful disease control group (patients with a complete response, partial response, and stable disease) than in the disease progression group (median of 14.0 months vs 6.0 months; P < .001). Adverse reactions were tolerable and successfully managed with conservative treatment. CONCLUSIONS: HAIC with high-dose 5-FU and cisplatin given for 3 days achieved effective and safe results in patients with advanced HCC. Therefore, repetitive short-course HAIC with high-dose 5-FU and cisplatin may be useful as an alternative therapeutic option for patients with advanced HCC.     

A case of Vp4 hepatocellular carcinoma treated with surgical resection and continuous intrahepatic artery infusion chemotherapy of low-dose cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil

A 49-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). She had no hepatitis virus. Serum AFP and PIVKA-II levels were as high as AFP 329.4 ng/ml (AFP-L3% 73.1%) and 281 AU, respectively. Portal venous thrombus was observed from the right portal branch to left portal branch and superior mesenteric vein. An extended right hemihepatectomy with extraction of portal venous thrombus was performed. On postoperative day 8, low-dose cisplatin (10 mg/day for 5 days/week) and 5-fluorouracil (250 mg/day for 5 days/week) were administered through the hepatic artery for 4 weeks. After chemotherapy, one intrahepatic metastasis appeared and RFA was performed for this tumor. At 16 months after surgery, she had multiple lymph node metastases and died at 20 months after the surgery without intrahepatic metastasis. Low-dose CDDP/5-FU intra-hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy was effective for prevention of intrahepatic recurrence after resection of HCC with portal venous thrombus.     

Hepatic arterial infusion of low-dose cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil for hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombi in the portal vein

Hepatic arterial infusion of low-dose CDDP (10 mg/day), 5-FU (250 mg/day) was performed in 5 unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with tumor thrombi in the trunk and/or the first branch of the portal vein. Infusion chemotherapy was continued for five days, then discontinued for the subsequent two days. This procedure was performed repeatedly for at least three weeks. Decrease in the serum levels of the alpha-fetoprotein after the treatment was found in 3 of 4 patients. In one patient, the size of the primary tumor decreased 92%. In two of five patients, the tumor thrombi in the portal vein disappeared, or decreased in size. Side effects of the chemotherapy included liver functional disorder (Grade 3; 1 case), thrombocytopenia (Grade 3; 1 case, Grade 2; 1 case), and leukopenia (Grade 2; 1 case). The present protocol proved to be effective and applicable for patients with advanced HCC associated with severe cirrhosis.     

A case of hepatocellular carcinoma responding to hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with low-dose cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil]

A 74-year-old man had multiple liver recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after extended left hepatectomy. He was treated by continuous hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) chemotherapy with low-dose cisplatin (CDDP) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) via an implanted reservoir. A catheter was inserted percutaneously into the hepatic artery using the Seldinger technique. The patient was administered 10 mg of CDDP on day 1 and 500 mg/day of 5-FU for 4 days as one course. Four courses were administered and the PIVKA-II level decreased from 427 to 216 mAU/ml. However, infusion port problems led to interruption of chemotherapy and PIVKA-II increased to 798 mAU/ml. His chemotherapy was changed to 10 mg of CDDP on day 1 and 750 mg/day of 5-FU for 2 days. After five courses were administered, PIVKA-II decreased to 540 mAU/ml. This patient is still alive 15 months after the start of therapy. This case suggests that HAI with low-dose CDDP and 5-FU might be useful for prolonging the survival of HCC patients with a good quality of life.     

Combined therapy consisting of intraarterial cisplatin infusion and systemic interferon-alpha for hepatocellular carcinoma patients with major portal vein thrombosis or distant metastasis

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with major vascular involvement or extrahepatic metastasis are not good candidates for surgery or transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). In this study, the authors evaluated the efficacy of combined therapy with intraarterial cisplatin infusion and systemic administration of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) as a palliative treatment for these patients. METHODS: Sixty-eight HCC patients with major portal vein thrombosis (n = 47) or distant metastasis (n = 27) were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 groups. Group I (n = 19) received combined therapy consisting of intraarterial cisplatin infusion and systemic IFN-alpha, Group II (n = 23) received intraarterial cisplatin infusion, and Group III (n = 26) was managed with only supportive care. Cisplatin 2 mg/kg was infused through the proper hepatic artery every 8 weeks, and IFN-alpha 3 million IU/m2 was administered subcutaneously 3 times a week. RESULTS: The partial response (defined as a 50% or greater reduction in the product of the 2 longest perpendicular tumor measurements) rate of Group I was significantly higher than that of Group II (33% vs. 14%; P < 0.05). Also, the 1-year survival rate of Group I (27%) was higher than that of Group II (9%) or Group III (0%) (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). The median survival period of Group I was 19 weeks, which was significantly longer than that of Group II (11 weeks) or Group III (5 weeks) (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that combined therapy consisting of intraarterial cisplatin infusion and systemic IFN-alpha may be useful as a palliative treatment for HCC patients with major vascular involvement or extrahepatic metastasis.     

Combination therapy of intraarterial 5-fluorouracil and systemic interferon-alpha for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with portal venous invasion

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal venous invasion (PVI) has a very poor prognosis, with a median survival of 3 months and virtually no survival at 1 year. The combination of intraarterial 5-fluorouracil (FU) and systemic interferon-alpha (IFNalpha) was recently reported to be effective against HCC with PVI, but these were small pilot studies. METHODS: One hundred and sixteen patients with HCC with PVI received IFNalpha (5,000,000 U intramuscularly on Days 1, 3, and 5 of each week of treatment) and 5-FU (500 mg into hepatic artery on Days 1-5 of the first and second week of each 4-week cycle). The therapy was either terminated at the end of the first cycle in cases with progressive disease, or continued for at least 3 cycles, when responses to treatment were evaluated by Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group criteria. The survival rate was compared with that of historical controls (n = 40). RESULTS: Nineteen (16%) patients showed complete response and another 42 (36%) showed partial response. Adverse events were limited to nausea and appetite loss. The survival rates at 12 and 24 months among overall patients were 34% and 18%, respectively, in contrast to 15% and 5% among the historical controls. Survival rates at 12 and 24 months were 81% and 59% among complete responders, respectively, and 43% and 18% among partial responders. CONCLUSION: The combination therapy with 5-FU and IFN was safe, and substantially improved the survival rate among the complete responders. These results provide a rationale for future randomized controlled trials.     

大剂量醛氢叶酸加5-FU持续48小时滴注联合顺铂方案治疗晚期鼻咽癌的临床观察

目的评价大剂量醛氢叶酸加5氟尿嘧啶(5-FU)持续48h滴注联合顺铂(DDP)方案治疗晚期鼻咽癌的客观疗效及毒副反应,探索晚期鼻咽癌较合理治疗方案.方法对入选的30例晚期鼻咽癌病人采用大剂量醛氢叶酸+5FU持续48h滴注联合顺铂方案进行治疗,平均2.7个疗程.结果完全缓解(CR)4例,部分缓解(PR)18例,稳定(NC)7例,进展(PD)1例,有效率为73.33%.主要毒副反应为恶心呕吐、口腔粘膜炎、骨髓抑制及脱发.上述毒副作用除恶心呕吐较明显外,其余绝大多数均为工～Ⅱ度反应,且发生率不高,经常规对症治疗后见好转.结论大剂量醛氢叶酸+5FU持续48h滴注联合顺铂方案治疗晚期鼻咽癌疗效好,毒副反应轻,患者普遍可以耐受.     

Multidisciplinary treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis and adrenal/lung metastases

The patient was a 73-year-old male who was identified with an increase of serum PIVKA-II during a treatment for chronic hepatitis B. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) of 60 mm in diameter with satellite nodules was diagnosed in segment 8 of the liver. In addition, portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) of the right branch (Vp3) and metastases to bilateral lung and right adrenal gland were recognized. He received serial treatments with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), radiation therapy and hepatic arterial chemotherapy with reservoir for primary liver tumor and PVTT. Soon after the treatments, PVTT was reduced in size and the serum level of PIVKA-II was decreased to 57 mAU/ml. After three months, the level of PIVKA-II had increased again and the size of the right adrenal metastasis grew to 50 mm in diameter. He received TACE to the right adrenal metastasis and percutaneous transhepatic portal chemoembolization to prevent further growth of PVTT. In spite of several treatments, the therapeutic effect was insufficient. Therefore, we performed right adrenalectomy and radio-frequency ablation of HCC in the liver S8. After the surgery, he received two times of TACE and the viable tumor had disappeared on CT and MRI. Prognosis of HCC with PVTT and distant metastasis is very poor. The two-year survival rate is less than 10%. However, it is possible to improve the prognosis of advanced HCC by multidisciplinary treatment with surgical intervention, local chemotherapy and radiation therapy.     

Clinical study of low-dose cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy via implanted fusion port in 20 patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis

We experienced 20 cases of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis treated with low-dose cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy via implanted fusion port between August 1999 and September 2003. A fusion port was implanted by inserting an intraarterial catheter into the hepatic artery. Cisplatin (10 mg/day, 5 times/week, 4 weeks) and 5-FU (250 mg/day, 5 times/week, 4 weeks) were administered for one cycle. The treatment was performed repeatedly until the patient showed progressive disease (PD) with an off period of 4 to 12 weeks. The average number of cycles was 1.7+/-0.73. Responses were complete response (CR) 0/20, partial response (PR) 6/20, no change (NC) 8/20, and PD 6/20, and the overall response rate was 30%. The 1-year survival rate was 48.5%, and the average observation period was 357 days. The toxicities of grade 3 and above were leukocytopenia (2 cases; 10%), thrombocytopenia (2 cases; 10%), nausea (1 case; 5%), and epigastralgia (1 case; 5%). Complications with reservoir implantation included 2 cases of catheter dislocation, 1 case of wound separation,1 case of bleeding from the port implantation site, 1 case of development of collateral circulation,and 1 case of catheter occlusion. The outcomes were survival in 5 cases (25%) and death in 15 cases (75%). The causes of death included cancer (12 cases; 60%), varices rupture (2 cases; 10%),and hemoptysis (1 case; 5%). The group with a CLIP score of 3 or less showed a significantly higher survival rate than the group with a CLIP score of 4 or more (survival rates were 80% and 12.5%, respectively; p=0.0032, logrank test). Among CLIP score factors, tumor morphology (TM) was particularly related to life convalescence,and TM 1 group with the tumor occupying less than half of the liver showed a significantly higher survival rate than the TM 2 group with the tumor occupying more than half of the liver (p=0.0003, logrank test) with one-year survival rates of 88.9% and 10.9%, respectively. CLIP score and TM were also significantly reflected in life convalescence on multivariate analysis. While low-dose cisplatin and 5-FU chemotherapy via an implanted fusion port were regarded as a useful therapeutic regimen to improve life convalescence for cases of progressive hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis (Vp 3/4), life convalescence in those with a CLIP score of 3 and above,particularly in the TM 2 group, was poor. We consider that treatment in such cases should be decided carefully, taking into consideration their quality of life.     

A case of advanced rectal carcinoma with multiple lung metastases responding to irinotecan combined with 5-fluorouracil and l-leucovorin (IFL) as neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC)

A 53-year-old man, admitted for inguinal hernia, complained of body weight loss in a preoperative condition check. We examined the digestive tract and diagnosed stage IV advanced rectal carcinoma with multiple lung metastases. It caused ileus, so emergency colostomy was performed. After that his general condition recovered, and two cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) by irinotecan combined with 5-fluorouracil and l-leucovorin (IFL) therapy were performed on an outpatient basis. Lung metastatic nodules disappeared. We established a diagnosis of down staging for stage IIIa, and performed a lower anterior resection with D 2 lymph node dissection to allow a curability-A resection. The pathological effect of NAC was Grade 2. Post-operatively, two cycles of IFL therapy were then performed. There has been no sign of recurrence, and no adverse effects by chemotherapy have been seen during this treatment. Thus, NAC by IFL therapy can be one of the useful treatment approaches for patients with advanced rectal cancer.     

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with continuous low dose administration of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil for multiple recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after surgical treatment

To date, conventional treatments for multiple intrahepatic recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after surgery are unsuccessful. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the prognostic effectiveness of a new infusion chemotherapy of cisplatin (CDDP) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) via hepatic artery for HCC with multiple intrahepatic recurrence. Fifty-two patients, who had postoperative multiple recurrence of HCC (more than 3 tumors), were enrolled in this study. Thirty-one patients were treated by hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy via a subcutaneously implanted injection port. A one-week course of this treatment consisted of daily administration of cisplatin (10 mg for 1 h on days 1-5) and subsequent daily administration of 5-fluorouracil (250 mg for 5 h on days 1-5). Three to six sequential one-week courses were performed (the CDDP,5-FU group). Twenty-one patients underwent conventional interventional therapies including transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, lipiodolization (the conventional group). The complete response rate and the effective response rate in the CDDP,5-FU group were 29.0% and 71.0%, respectively. The 5-year survival rate in this group was 45.7%, which was significantly better than that in the conventional group. Based on multivariate analysis, CDDP,5-FU hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy was found to be significant in prolonging survival, and this treatment achieved favorable therapeutic results for multiple recurrence of HCC. As part of a multidisciplinary approach this treatment is expected to improve the prognosis of patients with advanced HCC.