The locoregional chemotherapeutic treatment of neoplasms

Regional antiblastic treatment is an important part of the oncological research aimed to improve the success of the antitumor chemotherapy. This therapeutic approach, which involves the administration of the antitumor drugs in serous cavities, intrathecally, intravesically or through the tumor's afferent vessels, has a valid theoretical basis. Compared to the conventional systemic therapy, this treatment has the advantage of directly exposing the tumor to a greater drug concentration as well as to a lower incidence of toxic systemic effects. While intravesical and intrathecal chemotherapies have already precise indications and clinical applications, the role of the other forms of regional treatment are more controversial, and their use is presently limited to controlled clinical studies. Problems which remain unresolved include the definition of protocols, the improvement of drug administration techniques and the reduction of complications and local toxicity. Overcoming these problems could lead to a wider spectrum of indications for these therapeutic systems, which are presently rather limited.