[Cancer chemotherapy for recurrence of breast cancer employing implantable system via right internal mammary vein].

Chemotherapy using anti-cancer drugs for patients with recurrent breast cancer generally requires a comparatively long duration. The long-term securing of a vein for distal administration, however, is difficult because of stenosis resulting from chemical thrombophlebitis. In an effort to develop new administration routes for anti-cancer drugs, central venous access from different sites has been tried, but problems such as thrombus, stenosis and infection have resulted owing to catheter problems. In the hopes of shortening the distance of an indwelling in a central vein, we recently tried implanting of an indwelling reservoir for intravenous infusion via the right internal mammary vein according to the anatomical characteristics for administering anti-cancer drugs at a high dose. During administration of anti-cancer drugs, we have observed no trouble. For the improved quality of life of cancer patients, the route employed here can be ideal for the administration of anti-cancer drugs.