The Leakage Factor in Regional Perfusion with Chemotherapeutic Agents

Abstract

During the past two years approximately 130 regional perfusions have been performed for cancer in The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute. These procedures have been undertaken primarily for research purposes, that is, for the study of various aspects of chemotherapy in relation to cancer in the human subject, and, secondarily, as an experimental method of treatment of certain patients with cancer. To insure the maximum effectiveness of perfusion as a method of treatment, the highest possible dose of the chemotherapeutic agent should be administered. On previous occasions we have pointed out that the most important considerations in arriving at the maximum dosage are (1) local tissue tolerance and (2) the leakage factor.^3-8 The term "local tissue tolerance" is used to denote the maximum amount of the compound which can be introduced into an extremity, organ, or region of the body without causing serious damage