A novel multiple-catheter implantation method for advanced head and neck cancer.

Abstract

6582 Background: We previously developed a super-selective intra-arterial chemotherapy (iaCT) approach for head and neck cancer (HNC), by which, an intra-arterial catheter is retrogradely inserted via either the superficial temporal artery (STA) or occipital artery (OA) and connected to a subcutaneous reservoir. As a result, since this approach overcomes the need for frequent fluoroscopy sessions, the infusion frequency can be increased and the therapeutic effectiveness improved. However, since the anticancer effect is limited to the region supplied by the selected blood vessel, it is often difficult to control an advanced HNC by single-catheter iaCT. Subsequently, a novel multiple-catheter implantation method (MCIM) for super-selective iaCT has been developed using, both, the STA and OA. Methods: A total of 21 patients with stage III or IV HNC were enrolled in this study and treated via MCIM for iaCT between 2009 and 2017. The catheters were super-selectively placed in the tumor-feeding arteries after having entered the STA or OA. The first catheter was introduced into one of the target branches. Next, a second catheter was introduced into another target branch. If a third catheter was required, the procedure was repeated. The extra-arterial portions of the catheters were subcutaneously connected to an implanted juxta-mastoidal infusion reservoir. Results: The response rate was 100%; particularly, 20 cases of complete response and 1 of partial response were confirmed. Although the partial responder underwent salvage surgery and two complete responders ultimately died (due to either delayed recurrence or brain metastases), the other 18 patients have been living cancer-free for 2-9 years. Conclusions: The MCIM method allows to expand the infusion region while maintaining the main advantages of super-selective iaCT. As a consequence, due to the lack of need for patient confinement in the catheter room and for frequent fluoroscopy sessions, patients’ mental and physical distress, medical expenses, and treatment time are all ultimately reduced.