Gemcitabine chemotherapy versus 5-fluorouracil-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare the survival benefits associated with gemcitabine chemotherapy and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer.


METHODS
One hundred and thirty-eight locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer patients were retrospectively enrolled from January 1995 to January 2005. All cases were histologically proven, and patients received gemcitabine chemotherapy, 5-FU-based CCRT, or supportive care at Seoul National University Hospital.


RESULTS
Median overall survival was 8.2 months. Twenty-six patients received gemcitabine chemotherapy, 56 patients 5-FU-based CCRT, and 56 patients supportive care. Weight loss and treatment modality were identified as independent prognostic factors by multivariate analysis. Patients in the 5-FU-based CCRT (overall survival, 10.4 months) and gemcitabine chemotherapy (11.3 months) groups showed survival benefit over those received supportive care (6.1 months, P < 0.0001). No grades 3 to 4 toxic adverse effects occurred in either treatment group and no statistical significant survival difference was found between gemcitabine chemotherapy and 5-FU-based CCRT (P = 0.5).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer who received gemcitabine chemotherapy or 5-FU-based CCRT showed better survival than those who received supportive care only. Gemcitabine chemotherapy and 5-FU-based CCRT showed similar survival advantages.
Park
Joo Kyung
JK
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Ryu
Ji Kon
JK
Lee
Jun Kyu
JK
Yoon
Won Jae
WJ
Lee
Sang Hyub
SH
Kim
Yong-Tae
YT
Yoon
Yong Bum
YB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D005472:Fluorouracil; D000093542:Gemcitabine