Role of hepatic arterial chemoembolization in the treatment of elderly and geriatric patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

Aim. To improve the results of the treatment of colorectal cancer with hepatic metastases in patients over 60 years old by applying selective chemoembolization of the hepatic artery.

Materials and methods. At the Central Clinical Hospital “Railways-Medicine“, 20 patients over 60 years old with colorectal cancer liver metastases were treated. Ten patients in the control group received systemic chemotherapy. In the main group, 10 patients underwent chemoembolization of the hepatic artery using microspheres saturated with doxorubicin. Treatment results were assessed using the RECIST 1.1 scale. We considered the immediate and long- term results up to 12 months after the treatment.

Results. A partial response according to the RECIST 1.1 scale was detected in 4 patients from the main group (40%), stabilization of the oncological process in the liver in 2 (20%) patients, progression of the metastatic process was detected in 4 (40%) patients. There were no deaths within 12 months after the chemotherapy. In the control group, stabilization was observed in 2 (20%) patients after systemic chemotherapy according to the RECIST 1.1 scale, and progression was diagnosed in 8 (80%) patients. One death (10%) was noted during the observation period.

Conclusion. The use of selective chemoembolization of the hepatic artery in the main group of patients has shown its effectiveness while preserving a satisfactory quality of life (QLP).

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