Adjuvant chemotherapy after resection of adenocarcinoma of the periampullary region and the head of the pancreas. A non-randomized pilot study.
From 1980 till 1984 16 patients were entered into a non-randomized pilot study, to investigate the feasibility of five courses of adjuvant 5-fluorouracil, Adriamycin and mitomycin C (FAM) after a curative resection of pancreatic or periampullary cancer. The survival of this group of patients was compared with that of 36 patients who underwent a curative resection alone between 1977 and 1984. Four patients received less than 20%, 4 patients 50%-60% and 7 patients greater than or equal to 80% of the calculated dose of adjuvant chemotherapy. The chemotherapy was badly tolerated. Only 1 patient resumed some of his normal activity during chemotherapy. The 3-year actuarial survival after curative resection with and without FAM was similar, i.e. 24% and 28% respectively. These data suggest that adjuvant FAM after a Whipple's operation or total pancreatectomy is not feasible because of additive postoperative and chemotherapy-induced morbidity.
Splinter
T A
TA
Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Dijkzigt, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Obertop
H
H
Kok
T C
TC
Jeekel
J
J
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D000368:Aged; D014670:Ampulla of Vater; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003138:Common Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016685:Mitomycin; D008937:Mitomycins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010180:Pancreatectomy; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D010865:Pilot Projects
D008937:Mitomycins; D016685:Mitomycin; D004317:Doxorubicin; D005472:Fluorouracil