Primary leiomyosarcoma of the adrenal gland.

We report a rare case of a primary leiomyosarcoma of the adrenal gland. A 73-year-old woman presented with an inferior vena cava syndrome. MR imaging was suggestive of a large tumour originating from the right adrenal gland.

Balloon catheter hypoxic pelvic perfusion with mitomycin C and melphalan for locally advanced tumours in the pelvic region: a phase I-II trial.

Aims: To investigate the feasibility of hypoxic pelvic perfusion (HPP), using balloon catheter techniques as treatment modality for locally advanced pelvic malignancies.

Methods: In a phase I--II study, 16 patients with various non-resectable pelvic tumours were treated with two HPP with MMC and melphalan, followed by radiotherapy (25 Gy) and surgical resection if feasible. Toxicity and procedure related complications were documented.

Bio-chemotherapeutic strategies and the (dis) utility of hypoxic perfusion of liver, abdomen and pelvis using balloon catheter techniques.

Aims: To review the development and current status of balloon catheter mediated hypoxic perfusion of abdomen, pelvis and liver for treatment of locally advanced malignancies. Within this context we focus on the addition of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) to these minimal invasive perfusion procedures.

Methods: A literature search on these topics was carried out in PubMed for indexed articles and in all issues of Regional Cancer Treatment.

Balloon catheter hypoxic abdominal and pelvic perfusion with tumour necrosis factor-alpha, Melphalan and Mitomycin C: a pharmacokinetic study in pigs.

Background: Addition of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) to hypoxic abdominal perfusion (HAP) and hypoxic pelvic perfusion (HPP) with chemotherapeutic agents for treatment of un-resectable malignancies may lead to similar enhanced anti-tumour effects as are observed when TNF is added to isolated limb perfusions (ILP) with Melphalan. Here, we validate the methodology of HAP and HPP using balloon catheter techniques, and investigate the distribution of TNF, Melphalan and Mitomycin C (MMC) over the regional and systemic blood compartments when applying these techniques.

Materials And Methods: Twelve pigs underwent HAP or HPP with TNF, Melphalan and MMC for 20 min.

Balloon catheter hypoxic abdominal perfusion with Mitomycin C and Melphalan for locally advanced pancreatic cancer: a phase I-II trial.

Background: Developments in balloon catheter methodology have made hypoxic abdominal perfusion (HAP) with anti-tumour agents possible with only minimal invasive surgery. The initial reports on this modality and celiac axis stop-flow infusion for treatment of pancreatic cancer were very promising in terms of tumour response, median survival and pain reduction. Recent reports, however, have not been able to confirm these results and some have disputed the efficacy of these currently still applied treatment modalities.