title: Carboplatin in the treatment of oesophageal cancer.
abstract: Cisplatin has modest activity in squamous cancer of the oesophagus but substantial toxicity limits its usefulness. Carboplatin (Paraplatin; BM Group), a second-generation platinum analogue, was developed to maintain the antitumour activity of cisplatin and reduce toxicity. Eleven patients with advanced oesophageal cancer were treated with carboplatin. A partial response was seen in 1 patient (9%) and minor responses in 2 cases. The median survival was 12 months in responding patients and 3 months in non-responders. One patient suffered reversible myelosuppression but nephrotoxicity and vomiting were not observed. Carboplatin is well tolerated and may have a role as a less toxic substitute for cisplatin in combination chemotherapy regimens for oesophageal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mannell
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Winters
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D016190:Carboplatin