title: A pilot study of protracted venous infusion of 5-fluorouracil and concomitant radiation therapy.
abstract: A method to potentially increase the effectiveness of combination 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and radiation therapy (XRT) using protracted (more than 30 days) venous infusion (PVI) of 5-FU with conventionally fractionated XRT (180 to 200 cGy per day) (100 cGy = 100 rad) is described. Forty-one patients were treated with this combination with acceptable acute toxicity. In 95% of patients, the toxicity was mild or moderate and symptom control was achieved with medications or a short treatment interruption. In two patients (5%), severe gastrointestinal side effects resulted in cessation of all therapy. This method of administration of 5-FU is feasible, and we have demonstrated that it can be safely used with a course of conventionally fractionated, high-dose (approximately to 6,500 cGy) radiation therapy.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001835:Body Weight; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects
chemical_list: D005472:Fluorouracil