title: Cisplatin, bleomycin and methotrexate in the treatment of advanced oesophageal cancer.
abstract: From February 1981 to September 1982, 34 patients with metastatic or locally advanced (inoperable) epidermoid carcinoma of the oesophagus were treated with a combination of cisplatin, bleomycin and methotrexate. Thirty-one patients are now evaluable for response: 16 of 31 (52%) experienced some improvement, but only eight (26%) obtained major responses (one complete and seven partial). Responses were obtained rapidly within the first two courses. The median duration of responses was 5 months. The median survival from start of therapy was 8 months for responsive and 5 months for non-responsive patients. Gastrointestinal toxicity (cisplatin-related) and mild myelosuppression were the most prominent side-effects. This combination chemotherapy proved to be only of small efficacy in the long-term control of advanced oesophageal cancer. However, because the responses were obtained rapidly, it is conceivable that a similar regimen (with increased dosage of cisplatin) applied before surgery to patients with limited disease could obtain a reduction of the bulky tumour, with a possible increase of the resectability rate and destruction of micrometastases.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001761:Bleomycin; D002945:Cisplatin; D008727:Methotrexate