Arterial infusion therapy with low-dose cisplatin and continuous 5-fluorouracil for isolated hepatic recurrence of gastric carcinoma

Abstract

Patients with metachronous liver metastasis after curative resection of gastric carcinoma generally have a poor prognosis, even when recurrence is confined to the liver. We report a patient in whom hepatic arterial infusion therapy with bolus low-dose cisplatin (CDDP) and continuous 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was effective against large metastases confined to the liver. An 83-year-old man was admitted with huge liver metastases from gastric carcinoma. Intra-arterial bolus injection of low-dose CDDP (5 mg) and continuous intra-arterial infusion of 5-FU (250 mg/day for 7 days) was started. After four courses of this arterial infusion therapy, computed tomography scans revealed shrinkage of the liver metastases. He was followed-up as an outpatient and continued to receive the arterial infusion therapy once every 4 weeks. Throughout the course of the chemotherapy, a partial response of the liver metastases was maintained. The patient had an improved quality of life after starting the chemotherapy, and he survived for 16 months from the commencement of the therapy. Arterial infusion therapy with bolus low-dose CDDP and continuous 5-FU may be recommended for patients with isolated hepatic recurrence of gastric carcinoma.