[A case of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with docetaxel for liver metastasis from breast cancer].

We experienced a case of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy using docetaxel for liver metastasis, which showed no response to CEF therapy, from breast cancer. A 63-year-old woman had undergone modified radical mastectomy for right breast cancer (T2aN1bM0: Stage II) in October, 1995. Six-cycle CMF therapy and toremifene citrate (40 mg/day) were administered as adjuvant therapy, but multiple recurrent tumors in liver, lung, and local site were detected in February 1997. Six-cycle CEF therapy was given for recurrent disease and there was a complete response for lung and local recurrence, but no change in liver metastasis. Chemoendocrine therapies using 5'-DFUR or CMitF in addition to TAM and fadrozole hydrochloride hydrate had developed progressive disease for liver metastasis. A catheter and port kit were operatively inserted and implanted in March 1998. Hepatic arterial infusion of docetaxel (30-40 mg/body/month, one hour administration) was repeated 4 times, once in our clinic. Leukopenia, general fatigue and fever, which were mild and did not require any treatment, appeared as side effects. This treatment reduced multiple liver metastatic sites on abdominal CT finding and was thought to be a partial response. However, the patient had multiple brain metastasis and died on August 2, 1998. While docetaxel, even by systemic administration, has a 36-77% response rate for liver metastasis, arterial infusion might have a good response and mild side effect with a lower dose than by intravenous administration.