Hepatic artery ligation and cytotoxic infusion in treatment of liver neoplasms.

Since 1970, 38 patients with multiple primary or secondary liver neoplasms have been treated by hepatic artery ligation and distal cytotoxic infusion with fluorouracil. There have been two postoperative deaths. Although liver enzymes (alkaline phosphatase, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, and lactic dehydrogenase) rise markedly during the first three days, they usually return to preoperative levels within eight days.