Tumors which are confined to the liver but because of their size, location or number, are too advanced for surgical removal, may be amenable to chemotherapy treatments directed to the liver. Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy is a treatment whereby a catheter is surgically implanted into the artery that feeds the liver and connected to a pump, which can be placed under the skin. This pump is then loaded with chemotherapy and the chemotherapy is pumped directly into the blood vessels that supply the tumors in the liver. The chemotherapy is then broken down in the liver so that the rest of the body does not experience the side effects that are typically associated with chemotherapy. The tumor is exposed to very concentrated drug over a long period of time, whereas the rest of the body experiences minimal to no side effects.

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy has been around for many years and has been accepted as one tool in the management of patients with cancer confined to the liver. The chance of responding to this type of treatment in patients with colorectal cancer metastases ranges from between 50 - 75 %. The duration of this response is an average of 10-12 months. More recent studies have suggested that this treatment can be used after surgical removal or ablation of tumors in the liver to help prevent recurrence.

While this treatment requires surgical implantation of the catheter and pump, the chemotherapy is being delivered by the pump, and most patients can lead a completely normal life while their liver is receiving chemotherapy. This technique and its indications are continually being refined. We are continually working on making the treatment more effective and easier on the patients.