Arterial Chemotherapy
Arterial Chemotherapy (also referred to as Hepatic Artery Infusion) is
designed to improve chemotherapy benefits for liver cancer by increasing
the amount of chemotherapy delivered to the site of the tumor. Chemotherapy
is dispensed from a specialized infusion system in which a catheter is
placed into the hepatic artery to directly deliver the chemotherapy to
the liver.
Insertion of the device traditionally requires opening the abdomen to
place the catheter into the hepatic artery. However, Hoag-USC surgeons
utilize a laparoscopic procedure for placing the catheter into the hepatic
artery. This advanced laparoscopic technique eliminates the need for a
large incision as used with open laparotomy. Furthermore the postoperative
recovery is much shorter and patients can be treated soon after the placement
of the pump.