Adjuvant regional chemotherapy in advanced pancreatic cancer: results of a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
In order to improve the dismal prognosis of patients suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer we treated 20 patients with adjuvant regional chemotherapy following resection of the tumor.


METHODS
All tumors were classified UICC stage III (TxN1M0). Regional chemotherapy consisted of Mitoxantrone 10 mg/m2 day 1, Folinic Acid 170 mg/m2 and 5-FU 600 mg/m2 days 2-4, and cis-Platinum 60 mg/m2 day 5 for up to 6 cycles. In a total of 101 cycles toxicities WHO III occurred in 6%, WHO IV in 0%.


RESULTS
The median survival times, compared to institutional historical controls (treated vs. controls) were 18.5 vs. 9.3 months (p < 0.0006). Hepatic disease progression seemed to be suppressed.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion regional chemotherapy seems to be effective for adjuvant treatment in resected pancreatic cancer.
Department of General Surgery, University of Ulm, Germany.
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Beger
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Gansauge
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D010478:Chemotherapy, Cancer, Regional Perfusion; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008942:Mitoxantrone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D008942:Mitoxantrone; D002945:Cisplatin; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil