Cytotoxic perfusion of the liver via the umbilical vein for liver metastases in carcinoma of the colon

Abstract

Abstract Four patients with carcinoma of the large bowel and liver metastases have been treated by primary resection and perfusion of the liver with 5-fluorouracil via an umbilical vein cannula. Two patients survived for 14 and 17 months respectively, 1 is still alive after 17 months, and 1 was relieved of deep obstructive jaundice but died 4 months after treatment. The patients were studied clinically, by serial haematological and liver-function tests, and by hepatography and liver scanning. The only severe toxic effect was diarrhoea in 1 patient. The rationale of this method of treatment is discussed along with other applications. It is considered justifiable to use this technique in this group of patients in an attempt to improve the poor prognosis.