Six-year stabilisation of a relapsed pelvic mass from rectal cancer after oxaliplatin-containing chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy alone without a multimodality approach has never been demonstrated to cure metastatic colorectal cancer patients. We report the case of a young woman referred in 1999 to our institution for a pelvic relapse of rectal cancer remained stable after oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and folinic acid therapy and never grown in size up to now, more than 6 years after the last relapse. Death of all the cancer cells, neuroendocrine cells selection, or cell dormancy are some of the discussed explanations to this unique observation. An intriguing question remains open: Should this patient be considered cured?
Tampellini
Marco
M
Department of Medical Oncology, University of Torino at San Luigi Hospital, Regione Gonzole 10, 10043, Orbassano, Torino, Italy. marco.tampellini@unito.it
Brizzi
Maria Pia
MP
Bitossi
Raffaella
R
Alabiso
Irene
I
Sculli
Carla Maria
CM
Chiusa
Luigi
L
Papotti
Mauro
M
Dogliotti
Luigi
L
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D010388:Pelvis / Q000473:pathology; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil