Adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy in patients with gastric cancer.
BACKGROUND
The role of adjuvant therapy in gastric cancer has been controversial.


OBJECTIVE
In this study, we report our experience with adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy in patients with non-metastatic gastric cancer.


METHODS
Fifty patients were reviewed and assigned to three therapeutic groups.


METHODS
Twenty patients received radiotherapy with concomitant administration of 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin on the first and last three days of radiotherapy; 20 patients received a five-day cycle 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin followed four to five weeks later by radiotherapy concomitant with the administration of fluorouracil on the first and the last three days of radiotherapy. Four weeks after radiotherapy two more five-day cycles of chemotherapy were administered; 10 patients received three cycles of cisplatin/docetaxel followed by radiotherapy and three additional cycles of chemotherapy after the completion of radiotherapy.


METHODS
Patients were evaluated for treatment-related toxicity, local recurrences, distant metastases and deaths. We also aimed to make any possible comparisons between different chemo-radiation protocols.


RESULTS
Within a median follow-up of 21.5 months seven patients developed local recurrence and 17 patients developed distant metastases. The overall death proportion was 42% (95% CI 28.2-56.8%). Despite the limited number of patients, no statistically significant differences in local recurrences, distant metastases and deaths were observed between the three protocols. Acute and long-term treatment-related toxicity was low and no treatment-related deaths were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite variations of chemotherapy, our study demonstrated that combined chemo-radiotherapy for patients with resected gastric cancer can be administered safely, with acceptable toxicity.
Capizzello
A
A
Department of Radiation Therapy, University Hospital of Ioannina, University of Ioannina, Medical School, Ioannina, Greece.
Tsekeris
P G
PG
Pakos
E E
EE
Papathanasopoulou
V
V
Pitouli
E J
EJ
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002945:Cisplatin; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil