[Positron emission tomography--a technique for the routine practice of ambulatory care?].

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) has been regarded as a breakthrough technology that helps diagnoses various conditions. PET was developed in the United States during the 1960s, and has since diffused rather slowly into most modern health care systems. Germany is an exception, as here the diffusion of PET has been rapid, and more than 70 PET scanners have been installed.

Prevention of extrahepatic disease during intraarterial floxuridine of colorectal liver metastases by simultaneous systemic 5-fluorouracil treatment? A prospective multicenter study.

Fifty-two (52) patients with nonresectable hepatic-only metastases from colorectal carcinoma (tumor volume less than 75%) were treated by intraarterial FUdR, 0.2 mg/kg/d x 14 days/month (IA) using implantable pumps (Infusaid). They were randomized either for IA or for IA + systemic 5-FU 700 mg/m2/d x 3 days/month (IA/IV).

Temporary chemoembolization of colorectal liver metastases with degradable starch microspheres.

Increasing drug delivery to the tumor should induce improved tumor response. To study this the effect of degradable starch microspheres (DSM) and mitomycin was evaluated in 11 patients with chemoembolization of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) and previous floxuridine (FUDR) treatment. In 10 patients access to the hepatic artery was obtained either by infusaid pump or infusion chambers.

Morphological changes after intra-arterial chemotherapy of the liver.

The livers of twenty patients given intra-arterial chemotherapy to treat malignant tumors of the liver or liver metastases, were examined histologically. The results show that cytostatic chemotherapy primarily affects tumor cells, but also causes toxic damage to liver tissue. Besides necrosis of single cells or groups of cells and cholestasis in about one-third of the cases sclerosing cholangitis is a major complication.

[Continuous intravenous or intra-arterial administration via a subcutaneous implantable infusion chamber. Preliminary clinical experiences with particular reference to intra-arterial chemotherapy].

An infusion chamber was implanted subcutaneously in 18 patients for intravenous systemic treatment and in 20 for intra-arterial treatment of the liver. Intravenous catheters were introduced via the cephalic vein, intra-arterial ones via the gastroduodenal artery, after exclusion of extrahepatic metastases. Six manageable complications were observed during a total implantation time of 102 months for i.