[A case in which intra-arterial chemotherapy for simultaneous hepatic metastases markedly improved AFP-producing gastric cancer].

The prognosis of most hepatic and lymph node metastases in AFP-producing gastric cancer is poor, and despite the use of multimodal therapy, the average survival period is reported to be approximately one year. Described here is one example in which intra-arterial chemotherapy for simultaneous hepatic metastases in AFP-producing gastric cancer achieved a marked improvement. The patient is a 65-year-old female. Distal gastrectomy was performed for Type II gastric cancer. L, type 2, 5.5x2.4 cm, tub 2>por 1, pT2 (MP), int, INF b, ly2, v1, pN1, pPM (-), pDM (-), pH1: stage IV. The AFP level before surgery was 801.4 ng/mL and lowered to 65.8 ng/mL after surgery, AFP-producing gastric cancer and simultaneous hepatic metastases (S4, single lesion) was diagnosed based upon imaging examinations. 5-FU+epirubicin+MMC (FEM)intra-arterial chemotherapy was started one month following surgery, but because CT showed multiple new hepatic lesions(S4, S5)four months following surgery, DSM therapy was performed with hepatic arterial injections of MMC 10 mg, DSM 300 mg. Dynamic CT showed a reduction in size of the tumors in both S4 and S5, and at five months following surgery, hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy FP (CDDP 5 mg+5-FU 250 mg weekly) was started and performed 45 times in a 14-month period. During therapy, CR was achieved for the hepatic metastases and tumor marker levels were also normal. Because an introduction of contrast medium into the hepatic reservoir showed a narrowing of the hepatic artery and inflow of contrast medium into the splenic artery, arterial infusion was terminated. Following this, from the 20th month following surgery, S-1 (100 mg/day: 4 weeks administration, 2 weeks rest) was started and from the third course (50 mg/ day: 4 weeks administration, 2 weeks rest), and the patient is currently undergoing a sixth course. Currently, 2 years and 4 months after surgery, there have been no recurrences. This suggests the possibility that intra-arterial chemotherapy is an effective treatment method for hepatic metastases in AFP-producing gastric cancer.