Use of arterial infusion of 5-fluorouracil either alone or in combination with supervoltage radiation as a treatment for carcinoma of the prostate and bladder

Abstract

Arterial infusion of 5-fluorouracil either alone or in combination with supervoltage radiation achieves a definite objective improvement in patients with estrogen-resistant adenocarcinoma of the prostate. This improvement has been documented by a decrease in tumor size, improvement in intravenous pyelograms, and a change in cancer grade from undifferentiated to well differentiated. The quality of life in each case has been good, with 45 per cent of the patients treated in this category currently alive and well. The use of protracted arterial infusion of 5-fluorouracil in patients with stage C and D adenocarcinoma and transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder has had an even more satisfying outcome. Of those patients treated, 90 per cent are still alive and free of disease from six to sixty-six months. Eight of the patients have survived over two years with an excellent quality of life. A long-term outpatient infusion program is necessary to achieve these good results. It is also difficult and time-consuming. In addition to having well trained paramedical personnel constantly available, the patients must live within a reasonable radius of the treatment center so they can be treated almost immediately if problems develop. A fairly large number of patients must be treated in order to develop familiarity with the technics and to maintain a level of proficiency.