The American Cancer Society states that typical chemotherapy drugs shrink fewer than one in five tumors. Liver cancer tends to resist many chemotherapy drugs, and remissions do not last long. Hepatic artery infusion is a newer way to administer chemotherapy, which puts anticancer drugs right into the hepatic artery in the liver. The drugs circulate through the whole liver, but the healthy parts of the liver break down the medications before they travel to the rest of the body. With this method, more of the chemotherapy is able to reach the cancer, and there are fewer side effects.
Mitomycin-C
Mitomycin-C, the generic name for the brand name drug Mutamycin, is an antitumor antibiotic, according to chemocare.com. Antitumor antibiotics are drugs that damage cancer cells throughout their cell cycle, preventing new cancer cell growth and causing cell death. This drug is usually given intravenously. Common side effects that chemocare.com lists include mild nausea or vomiting, hair loss, mouth sores, fatigue and diarrhea.
Floxuridine
Floxuridine, also known as the brand name FDUR, is a chemotherapy drug known as an antimetabolite. The body breaks this drug down into various parts, including 5-fluorouracil, another chemotherapy drug. These chemical compounds help kill cancer cells by interfering with the RNA and DNA production by cancer cells, slowing down cell growth and killing cancer cells. This drug is given as a continuous infusion into the hepatic artery for 14 to 21 days, according to the American Cancer Society. Side effects of the medication can include diarrhea, loss of appetite, mouth and lip sores, hair thinning or loss, and peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is caused by damage to the nerves in the arms and legs, causing numbness, tingling and temperature sensitivity in the hands and feet. These side effects tend to resolve once treatment has ended.
Cisplatin
Cisplatin, also sold under the brand name Platinol, is a platinum-based chemotherapy drug that prevents cancer cells from growing, causing cell death. The drug is usually given intravenously, typically over an hour, although the infusions can be longer. Doctors give other medications as well, to help flush the drug through the body, which helps reduce the risk of kidney damage. Drinking two to three quarts of liquid a day while taking this drug will also help flush it through the body, according to the American Cancer Society. Common side effects include lowered white and red blood cell counts, leading to anemia and increased risk of infection; taste changes; peripheral neuropathy; nausea and vomiting; and swelling in the feet, hands and legs. Once treatment with cisplatin ends, these side effects usually resolve.
Doxorubicin
Doxorubicin, also sold under the brand name Adriamycin, is an anthracycline drug. This drug works the same way as antitumor antibiotics, according to chemocare.com. It is typically given intravenously over several minutes, or it can be given as a continuous infusion over longer periods of time. Common side effects include hair loss, nausea and vomiting, mouth sores, reddish colored urine, and darkening of the skin or nail beds. These resolve after treatment is over. The drug may cause heart damage. Before, during and after treatment, doctors will test and monitor patients' heart function.
