Hepatic arterial infusion of mitomycin C with degradable starch microspheres for unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: With no effective chemotherapy, the prognosis of unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is extremely poor. Hepatic arterial infusion of mitomycin C with degradable starch microspheres has been reported to be an effective treatment for unresectable liver metastasis. We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of this chemotherapy for treating unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy through an implanted port system was carried out in 20 patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Degradable starch microspheres mixed with mitomycin C and contrast media were injected until either embolisation of the hepatic artery or influx to the gastroduodenal system was confirmed. This treatment was repeated weekly. RESULTS: Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy was carried out 204 times. The response rate was 50.0%. Twelve patients experienced transient epigastralgia and four experienced gastroduodenal ulcer. The time to progression was 8.3 months and the median survival time was 14.1 months. CONCLUSIONS: This chemotherapy was effective and feasible for patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Further study with a larger number of patients is warranted.