title: [Chemotherapy for elderly colorectal cancer patients in a regional hospital--problems in regional cancer care].
abstract: At Nara Social Insurance Hospital, from January 2005 to September 2008, chemotherapy for older adult (>or=70) colorectal cancer patients was performed in 18 adjuvant cases and 10 advanced cases. In adjuvant cases, 18 out of 33 patients of >or= stage IIIa received chemotherapy, and 13 completed treatment safely. In advanced cases, all patients received FLOFOX or FOLFIRI, with or without bevacizumab as first-line treatment with a response rate of 50%. Although adverse events were relatively frequent in the older adult patients, there was no difference in the survival rate between elderly and younger patient groups. Cancer chemotherapy for older adults with a high comorbidity rate requires more skill and experience than for younger patients. It was possible even for a small-volume hospital, which plays an important role in regional medical service for elderly patients, to build up a system providing standard chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. However, considering the limited financial and human resources, it is essential to form a regional alliance of designated cancer care hospitals and other clinics in order to maintain the level of practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Nara Social Insurance Hospital, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshiyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kitai
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kawashima
authors.forename: Hideaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fujii
authors.forename: Susumu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mashima
authors.forename: Yasuyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shimahara
authors.forename: Kazuyo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fujimura
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mune
authors.forename: Chie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ohnishi
authors.forename: Eiko
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fujisaki
authors.forename: Masayo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ueda
authors.forename: Yasuyo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shinohara
authors.forename: Kazuko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hatahara
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil