SUPERSELECTIVE INTRAARTERIAL CHEMOTHERAPY IN RECURRENT LYMPH-NODE METASTASES IN BREAST-CANCER

Purpose: To demonstrate a superselective intraarterial chemotherapy as a therapeutic alternative in the treatment of previously treated recu rrent lymph node metastases in breast cancer. Methods: 14 patients wit h recurrent lymph node metastases in cases of breast cancer were prese nted to be treated by intraarterial chemotherapy of 25 mg mitoxantrone /m(2) over a period of 24 hours. In two patients with superclavicular lymph node involvement an intraarterial therapy could not be carried o ut because of a vascular connection to the anterior spinal artery. Inv olved lymph stations could be reached in superselective technique by s ide branches of the subclavian artery. Heparin coverage was given intr avenously. Every patient had had surgery, radiation, systemic chemo- a nd hormonal therapy before and was now graded as inoperable. Therapy i ndication was given by local tumour-induced symptoms. Results: In the 12 treated cases complete remission was seen in three, partial remissi on in 4, a steady state in two and a progressive disease in three. The re were no complications or severe side effects. Conclusion: Intraarte rial chemotherapy is an effective and well tolerated treatment in recu rrent lymph node metastases in cases of breast cancer even if conventi onal therapies can no longer be used.