A case of liver metastases of rectal carcinoid successfully treated with hepatic arterial infusion of methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil]

Standard therapy for liver metastasis from colorectal carcinoid remains controversial because of the rarity of the disease. We report herein a case of rectal carcinoid with multiple liver metastasis successfully treated with hepatic arterial infusion of methotrexate (MTX) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). A 65-year-old woman underwent posterior pelvic exenteration and hepatic arterial catheterization for rectal carcinoid involving the vagina associated with multiple liver metastases. Hepatic arterial infusion of MTX (50 mg/body) and 5-FU (500 mg/body) was started and repeated with a frequency of twice a week postoperatively. After 40 cycles of this chemotherapy, all but the largest metastatic lesion disappeared, and the largest decreased in size by 53%. The partial response was maintained for 7 months. Her performance status did not deteriorate throughout the period of the chemotherapy. These results suggest that hepatic arterial MTX/5-FU is safe and worth trying in patients with liver metastases from colorectal carcinoid.