[Resection made possible following hepatic arterial infusion in 2 cases of hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer].

Of 66 examples of hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer, 30 cases in which resection was performed had 3- and 5-year cumulative survival rates of 66.7% and 56.8%, while in 36 cases in which resection was not possible, the percentages were 8.7% and 2.9%, respectively. In two of the latter cases, resection was possible following WHF (5-FU 1,000 mg/m2 5 h qw). Case 1: A 58-year-old male, with rectal cancer and multiple metastases (H3, synchronous). Arterial infusion was performed 21 times, with the total volume of 5-FU administered being 31.5 g. The size of the lesions was reduced and hepatic resection was performed. The patient later died due to local recurrence and intra-abdominal lymph node metastases. He had survived 2 years and 11 months following hepatic resection and was free from recurrence of hepatic metastases. Case 2: An 82-year-old female, with cancer of the ascending colon, sigmoidal colon and multiple hepatic metastases (H3, metachronous). Arterial infusion was performed 16 times, with the total amount of 5-FU administered being 20 g. A lowering of CEA levels and reduction of tumor size were achieved, and hepatic resection was performed. Seven months following hepatic resection, CEA levels are normal and no distant metastases or recurrence in the residual liver have been found: possibly a complete cure. Even among cases of unresectable hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer, there are some in which resection is possible following hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy, with the possibility of complete cure.