Selective chemoembolization of liver arteries as a stage of complex treatment of patients with unresectable cancer metastases (Own Experience)

Abstract

Purpose: Chemoembolization is one of the methods of local treatment. Due to hydrophilicity and biocompatibility with the tissues of microspheres filled with cytostatics, one can achieve a long-term effect by controlling tumor growth. The differentiation of the sizes of the microcatheter and the microspheres allows them to be injected into the vessels associated with neoangiogenesis and tumor progression. Methods: Between January 2015 and December 2017, 17 patients underwent arterial chemoembolization with drug-saturated microspheres as a part of the treatment of metastatic cancer of various primary localizations. There were 8 men (age from 52 to 75 years, mean 63.6), and 9 women (age from 43 to 68 years, mean 55.3). In 9 cases, femoral artery access was used, and in 8 cases, radial artery access was used. In 15 patients, one vial of HepaSphere (in 6 cases saturated with 50 mg, and in 9 cases of 75 mg of Doxorubicin) was co-administered in the hepatic arteries. Two patients required the introduction of two vials of microspheres. Results: Partial reduction of tumor size was achieved in all patients, that allowed to continue specialized treatment. In 1 case, there was complete regression of the tumor node. In 3 cases, arterial chemoembolization was performed twice at an interval of 197, 329 and 371 days. Conclusion: The method of arterial chemoembolization of the liver with drug-saturated microspheres allows a deep cytotoxic effect on the metastasis of cancer in the liver, improving the immediate results of treatment, manifested in regression and stabilization of the tumor process.