[Results of intermittent intra-arterial chemotherapy with 5-FU in liver metastases and inoperable tumors of the gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts].

The present study includes 181 patients suffering from metastases of the liver or inoperable gastrointestinal tumors, who received local chemotherapy with 5-FU in the form of loading doses of 6 g over a period of 3-6 days interrupted by intervals of 6-8 weeks. For this purpose the catheter was introducted into the main supply artery of the tumor, it was left in place for 6 days and the cytostatic agent was infused by help of an electric syringe. Remission rates amounted to 58% for liver metastases and 43% for inoperable advanced gastrointestinal tumors, which is quite remarkable. Remission periods up to 50 months were recorded for this type of intermittent treatment. Since the procedure is simple, well tolerated and bears little risk, and the therapeutical result is reasonably good for advanced cases, we feel justified in recommending this treatment in the form of a prospective study at least for cases in which direct surgical establishment of a catheter for implantation of a pump system is not performed. A comparison of treatment results with locoregional chemotherapy is limited to liver metastases, application in inoperable gastrointestinal or even urogenital tumors is still speculative, and this indication wants further observation.