Regional Treatment of Advanced Nonresectable and of Resected Pancreatic Cancer via Celiac Axis Infusion

Abstract

Thirty-two patients with advanced nonresectable pancreatic cancer of UICC stages III (17 patients) and IV (15 patients; palliative group) received regional chemotherapy with mitoxantrone, 5-FU + folinic acid, and cisplatin via celiac axis infusion with the Seldinger technique. Twenty patients received this treatment after resection of their primary tumors (adjuvant group). Overall 202 cycles [4(1-11)/patient] were applied. Toxicities in all cycles were as follows: gastrointestinal ulcers 6%, gastritis 5%, severe stomatitis 0.5%, nausea/vomiting WHO I+ 11 44%, leukopenia WHO I+ II 11% and WHO III 0.5%. A false aneurysm and a hematoma developed in 1 patient each. The median survival times were 7.5 months in the palliative group (UICC III 12 months, UICC IV 4 months) and 15.1 months in the adjuvant group. Pain decreased significantly in the palliative group.