Cisplatin and 5-FU combined with radiotherapy and surgery in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Palliative effects and tumor response.
The combination of cisplatin (90-120 mg/m2) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (1,000 mg/m2/day in continuous infusion for five days) was given for 2-3 cycles, prior to combined radiotherapy and surgery, to 73 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, 60 with limited disease (LD), and 13 with extensive disease (ED) (i.e. with metastasis) of whom 3 had recurrent disease. Before preoperative radiotherapy among 60 LD patients, 12 (20%) had complete response, 21 (35%) partial response, 25 (42%) had stable disease, and 2 (3%) progressive disease. Swallowing was improved in 35/73 (48%) of the cases. In the resected specimens, no tumor was found in 8/53 (15%) of the cases, microscopic tumor in 18/53 (34%) and macroscopic tumor in 27/53 (51%). In the ED group, complete response of distant metastases was obtained in 6/13 (48%) of the patients, one of whom is still alive with no evidence of disease 62 months after the start of treatment.
Mercke
C
C
Department of Oncology, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
Albertsson
M
M
Hambraeus
G
G
Tennvall
J
J
Lillo-Gil
R
R
Samuelsson
L
L
Willén
R
R
Ranstam
J
J
D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D010166:Palliative Care
D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil