Use of 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin and mitomycin C (FEM) as adjuvant therapy in node-positive, radically-resected gastric cancer patients: survey of a general hospital experience.
Between 1/1986 and 6/1996, 37 consecutive patients affected by node-positive gastric cancer (GC) were treated with radical surgery and received 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin and mitomycin C (FEM) as adjuvant treatment. Only 57% of the patients received all six cycles and the reasons for treatment withdrawal were mainly related to concomitant pathologies and prolonged leukopenia. After a median follow-up of 39 months, the 3-year disease-free survival, disease-related survival and overall survival were 75.8%, 83.7% and 78.6% respectively. A statistically significant difference in survival was found in the subgroup of patients receiving more than three courses of treatment.
Caffo
O
O
Department of Medical Oncology, S. Chiara Hospital, Largo Medaglie D'Oro, 38100 Trento, Italy.
Ambrosini
G
G
Amichetti
M
M
Brugnara
S
S
Graiff
C
C
Robbiati
S F
SF
Galligioni
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005743:Gastrectomy; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors
D015251:Epirubicin; D016685:Mitomycin; D005472:Fluorouracil