Arterial Chemotherapy

Arterial Chemotherapy (also referred to as Hepatic Artery Infusion) is designed to improve chemotherapy benefits for liver cancer by increasing the amount of chemotherapy delivered to the site of the tumor. Chemotherapy is dispensed from a specialized infusion system in which a catheter is placed into the hepatic artery to directly deliver the chemotherapy to the liver.

Insertion of the device traditionally requires opening the abdomen to place the catheter into the hepatic artery. However, Hoag-USC surgeons utilize a laparoscopic procedure for placing the catheter into the hepatic artery. This advanced laparoscopic technique eliminates the need for a large incision as used with open laparotomy. Furthermore the postoperative recovery is much shorter and patients can be treated soon after the placement of the pump.