Percutaneous hepatic perfusion

Percutaneous hepatic perfusion (PHP) is a medical procedure used in the treatment of liver cancer. It is a type of regional chemotherapy that delivers high doses of chemotherapy directly to the liver, while minimizing exposure to the rest of the body.

Procedure

The PHP procedure involves the insertion of a catheter into the femoral artery in the groin. This catheter is then guided to the hepatic artery, which supplies blood to the liver. A second catheter is placed in the jugular vein to collect the chemotherapy-laden blood exiting the liver. This blood is then passed through a filtration system to remove the chemotherapy before it is returned to the body.

Uses

PHP is primarily used to treat metastatic liver cancer, particularly when the cancer has spread from the eye (ocular melanoma) or the colon (colorectal cancer). It may also be used in cases where the cancer is confined to the liver but is not suitable for surgery or liver transplantation.

Benefits and Risks

The main benefit of PHP is that it allows for the delivery of high doses of chemotherapy directly to the liver, potentially improving the effectiveness of treatment. However, it also carries risks, including potential damage to the liver and other organs, as well as the usual side effects of chemotherapy.

See Also

• Liver cancer
• Chemotherapy
• Regional chemotherapy
• Metastatic cancer