Extensive liver metastasis of gastric cancer effectively treated by hepatic arterial infusion of 5-fluorouracil/cisplatin

Most gastric cancer patients with jaundice caused by extensive liver metastasis show no tumor shrinkage response to systemic chemotherapy, while often showing severe adverse reactions. Their prognosis is very poor. We experienced two patients for whom hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin through an implantable port was effective for treating extensive liver metastasis. One patient had jaundice (serum bilirubin level before HAI therapy, 12.4 mg/dl) caused by metachronous liver metastasis, and prior systemic chemotherapy with 5-FU and irinotecan had not been effective. The other patient had gastric cancer with synchronous liver metastasis and also exhibited jaundice (serum bilirubin level before HAI therapy, 11.8 mg/dl). Both patients were treated with HAI of cisplatin, 20 mg/m ² for 30 min on day 1, and continuous intraarterial infusion of 5-FU, 300 mg/m ² , from day 1 to day 4 every week. Their metastatic liver tumors were significantly reduced in volume and the jaundice disappeared. They survived for 30 and 27 weeks, respectively. A pharmacokinetic study conducted during the period of partial remission revealed that the extraction ratios of 5-FU and cisplatin in the liver were 0.89 and 0.024, respectively, suggesting a favorable first-pass effect of 5-FU. Although our findings here suggest that the successful local control of liver metastasis could improve the deteriorated condition and prolong the survival in some patients with far advanced cancer, it is essential to pay much attention to possible adverse effects during the treatment. Received: April 17, 2000 / Accepted: July 12, 2000