INDUCTION INTRAARTERIAL CHEMOTHERAPY FOR T-4 BREAST-CANCER THROUGH ANIMPLANTABLE PORT-CATHETER SYSTEM

Eleven patients with T-4 breast cancer received induction intraarteria l chemotherapy (IACT) as the first step in multidisciplinary therapy. The IACT agents (epirubicin and mitomycin C), were delivered weekly in the outpatient department by bolus injection through an implantable p ort-catheter system. A modified technique of port-catheter system impl antation was used. The precise localization of the catheter was dually confirmed by angiography and dye test. The effectiveness of the treat ment was evaluated by clinical appearance, image study, and microscopi c examination. A 91% response rate was obtained, and the lesions were resectable in less than or equal to 8 weeks. No obvious systemic toxic ity resulted from the IACT. Our results show that weekly IACT by bolus injection through a port-catheter system for treating locally advance d T-4 breast cancer is feasible and efficacious.