Preoperative chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal cancer with capecitabine 2,000 mg/m2/day.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluate the efficacy and the tolerability of preoperative chemoradiation with high dose Capecitabine.


METHODS
Fifteen patients with locally advanced resectable rectal cancer were treated with Capecitabine 2,000 mg/m2/day, orally 7 days/week concurrent with whole pelvic irradiation 45 Gy in 25 fractions/5 weeks. Patients underwent surgery in the following 4-6 weeks.


RESULTS
After complete treatment, 11 patients (73%) underwent surgery. Ten patients (66%) had sphincter preservative surgery; three of them had primary tumors located in the lower rectum. Five patients had grade 2 and one patient had grade 3 diarrhea. No grade 4 toxicity was reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative Capecitabine 2,000 mg/m2/day concurrent with whole pelvic irradiation were effective and well tolerated The potential dose limiting toxicity effect was the diarrhea.
Veerasarn
Vutisiri
V
Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. vutisiri@hotmail.com
Boonnuch
Wiroon
W
Chinswangwatanakul
Vitoon
V
Lohsiriwat
Darin
D
Mahamadsolaeh
Pranee
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069287:Capecitabine; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D000069287:Capecitabine; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil