TRANSCAROTID ARTERY CHEMOTHERAPY FOR GLIOMAS: AN ANALYSIS OF 212 CASES / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of transcarotid artery chemotherapy for gliomas after surgery, and selection of drug, avenue of administration, and optional time for the therapy. Methods Beginning from 4 to 30 days after operation, Nimustine (ACNU, Japan) 2.5mg/kg was injected per carotid artery, once every week for three times as one course. A second course of treatment was given after an interval of 4 to 6 weeks. Results With the above regime, the effect was marked in 39 cases (18.8%), fairly effective in 44 cases (20.8%), only slightly effective in 59 cases (27.8%), no effect in 61 cases (28.8%), and failure in 5 cases (2.4%), the mean survival time was nearly 100 weeks. Conclusion Transcarotid artery chemotherapy for gliomas is helpful in prolonging survival period, with little side effects, easy to carry out, less expensive, and better accepted by the patients.