Super-Selective Intra-Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy by the Transradial Artery Approach for Oral Cancer

「Abstract」There are differences in intra-arterial chemotherapy for head and neck tumors among various facilities in terms of the route of intra-arterial infusion, choice of anticancer drugs, and use of concomitant radiotherapy. This study evaluated a transradial artery (TRA) approach for this therapy. Participants comprised 21 patients (13 men, 8 women) who had been diagnosed with oral cancer and received intra-arterial chemotherapy in the Department of Oral Surgery at Nihon University Matsudo School of Dentistry during the 2-year period from January 2007 through December 2008. Underlying diagnoses were tongue cancer (n=10), gingival cancer (n=4), buccal cancer (n=4) and carcinoma of the oral floor (n=1). The average age was 62.5 years (range, 27-85 years). A TRA approach was used in all 21 patients. In two patients, puncture of the radial artery was difficult during the second session of intra-arterial chemotherapy, and the approach had to be switched to a transfemoral artery (TFA) approach. The TRA approach is not easy, but offers a very useful technique for intra-arterial chemotherapy.