[A case study of alpha feto protein (AFP)-producing gastric carcinoma with multiple liver metastases, in which chemotherapy was effective enough to once save a life in rapid decline].
A 57 year-old man visited our hospital with general fatigue and a sensation of abdominal fullness. He had lost 10 kg in body weight during the previous 3 months. Between admission and the time the diagnosis of AFP-producing gastric carcinoma with multiple liver metastases was made, his condition deteriorated quickly due to the rapid growth of the liver metastases. Combined chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin and 5-FU was given, and was so effective that the patient recovered well and both serum AFP level and the size of the swollen liver decreased markedly. However, about a month after being discharged, he experienced a relapse and was readmitted. After obtaining informed consent, chemotherapy consisting of methotrexate and 5-FU was started. Though the level of tumor markers and LDH decreased significantly, he died of hepatic failure. We think that this case is worthy of notice because it shows the effectiveness and limitations of chemotherapy in a situation where the condition of a patient is deteriorating quickly due to rapid extension of an AFP-producing gastric carcinoma.
Unno
J
J
Dept. of Internal Medicine, Kawakita General Hospital.
Shirozaki
T
T
Inoue
K
K
Watanabe
Y
Y
Arai
S
S
Okuyama
H
H
Hayashida
N
N
Kouda
S
S
Tadokoro
M
M
Ishikou
T
T
Touda
J
J
Kajiwara
M
M
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil