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Intra‐arterial chemotherapy with mitomycin C in gallbladder cancer: A follow‐up study
Author(s) -
Bode Michaela K.,
Perälä Jukka,
Mäkelä Jyrki T.,
Lein Sami
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.20290
Subject(s) - medicine , gallbladder cancer , mitomycin c , chemotherapy , gallbladder , oncology , gastroenterology , general surgery , surgery
Background and Objectives There is only limited and somewhat controversial information available on hepatic artery infusion of cytotoxic agents in gallbladder cancer. We report the results of 5‐year follow‐up of all gallbladder cancer patients treated with surgery and intra‐arterial mitomycin C or mitomycin C alone in our hospital during 15 years. Methods Thirty‐five patients with gallbladder cancer were treated with superselective intra‐arterial chemotherapy (SIAC) with mitomycin C during 1981–1996. Survival was measured from diagnosis, and all patients were followed up until death or the end of January 2002. Cumulative survival rates and median survival times were calculated for all patients, according to response to treatment and staging. The data are presented as 5‐year survival. Results Median survival times after SIAC for all patients, responders, and non‐responders were 48, 60+, and 8.5 months, respectively. Overall response rate was 60%. Survival was significantly better for tumors limited to the gallbladder wall, as expected. Drug toxicity occurred in half of the patients, requiring cessation of chemotherapy in 25% of the cases. Conclusions The median survival of gallbladder cancer patients treated with surgery and SIAC seems to be significantly better compared to the previously reported outcome of surgical treatment alone. Drug toxicity limits the use of i.a. chemotherapy and requires careful monitoring for early side‐effects. J. Surg. Oncol. 2005;91:102–106. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.