Abstract
Conventional superselective intra-arterial chemotherapy via the superficial temporal artery (STA) has a risk of catheter exposure outside the body, infection, and accidental withdrawal. We think that it is advisable to bury the catheter subcutaneously to avoid such risks. In this study, we report on retrograde superselective intra-arterial chemotherapy using a subcutaneous implant reservoir for oral cancer. The subjects were three cases of oral cancer with dementia. A guide wire was advanced from STA to the tumor nutrient artery and Anthron®P-U catheter was downstreamed along the guide wire. The catheter was connected to the subcutaneous implant reservoir in the front part of the ear, and the skin was sutured. We started the intra-arterial chemotherapy (CBDCA+5-FU) and radiotherapy on post-catheterization day 4, and complications such as infection or accidental withdrawal did not occur in any of the cases by the end of treatment. Because we could avoid such risks by performing retrograde superselective intra-arterial chemotherapy using a subcutaneous implant reservoir and outpatient department chemotherapy was possible, we think that subcutaneous implant reservoirs should be used for patients with oral cancer except dementia patients.
