Continuous 5-fluorouracil infusion in advanced gastric carcinoma.
Fourteen patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma were treated with continuous 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) infusion, 300 mg/m2/day, through an indwelling central venous catheter; 13 were evaluable for response. The results were as follows; Partial remission was seen in 4 of 13 patients (31%), stable disease in 5 of 13 patients (38%), and progressive disease in 4 of 13 patients (31%). The median duration of response was 19 weeks (range, 10-41), and the median survival for all patients from initiation of infusion was 27 weeks (range, 9-54). Treatment interruption and/or dosage attenuation for toxicity was necessary in 7 of 14 patients (50%); however, myelosuppression, alopecia, and nausea and vomiting were not observed. 5-FU infusion is well-tolerated, palliative therapy for patients with advanced gastric carcinoma and may warrant further investigation in combination with other chemotherapeutic drugs.
Moynihan
T
T
Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin and Affiliated Hospitals, Milwaukee 53226.
Hansen
R
R
Anderson
T
T
Quebbeman
E
E
Beatty
P
P
Ausman
R
R
Ritch
P
P
Chitambar
C
C
Vukelich
M
M
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality
D005472:Fluorouracil