title: Phase I-II pilot of whole abdominal radiation and concomitant 5-FU as an adjuvant in colon cancer: a Southwest Oncology Group Study.
abstract: Thirty-eight patients with Stage B2, C1 or C2 colon cancer (Astler-Coller Modification of Dukes) received 3000 rads whole abdominal radiation and concomitant intermittent bolus 5-FU as part of a phase I-II adjuvant trial. Patients whose tumor penetrated the serosa (B2 or C2) in addition received a 1600 rad boost to the tumor bed. 5-FU was administered only during radiation. It was given at a dose of 300 mg/m2 days 1-5 and 28-32 in 21 patients (Group A) and day 1-3 and 28-31 in 17 patients (Group B). Median follow-up time for Group A is 44 months. Group A patients have a disease-free survival of 66% and overall survival of 73% at 44 months. The 16 C2 patients in Group A have a disease-free survival of 54% and overall survival of 65% at 44 months. There was a 26% incidence of moderate to severe acute toxicity in Group A but no long term bowel, liver, or hematologic toxicity. One patient developed acute myelogenous leukemia 2 years after treatment. Group B patients had only a 6% incidence of moderate to severe toxicity, but had a disease-free survival of 60% and overall survival of 100% at median follow-up of 23 months. Group B Stage C2 patients had a disease-free survival of 53% and overall survival of 100% at this same follow-up period. Disease-free and overall survival in Group A Stage C2 patients is superior to that in several published trials. Given the manageable toxicity, adjuvant whole abdominal radiation with concomitant 5-FU and tumor bed boost should be tested in a randomized fashion for possible therapeutic benefits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Fabian
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jewell
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Trowbridge
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McCracken
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vogel
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Goodwin
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Fletcher
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000528:radiation effects*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D005472:Fluorouracil