Treatment of inoperable cancer of the liver by intra-arterial radioactive isotopes and chemotherapy

One hundred eighteen patients were treated. Of 22 patients given cancer chemotherapeutic drugs alone (methotrexate and 5-FU), 27% showed objective responses and 59% subjective responses; the average duration of life was 3.9 months. Of 37 patients treated with radioactive isotopes alone (90Y radiating microspheres), objective responses were observed in 32% and subjective responses in 54%; the average duration of life was 4.6 months, 4 patients still are alive at 4 to 18 months. Of 59 patients treated by a combination of cancer chemotherapy and 90Y microspheres, 47% showed objective responses and 61% subjective responses; the average duration of life was 5.6 months and 4 patients still are alive at 5 to 36 months. In the selection of suitable patients for treatment, hepatic gammascanning has been useful, particularly the combined scans utilizing 131iodine rose bengal and 198gold, for determining the gross anatomic extent of cancerous hepatic involvement and the status of the noninvolved hepatic parenchyma.