Abstract
The palliative efficacy of laser therapy with combination chemotherapy (cisplatin, epirubicin and continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil) was assessed in 34 patients with inoperable gastro-oesophageal cancer. Comparison was made with a group of 30 patients treated previously by laser alone. Twenty patients responded to chemotherapy. There was a significant improvement in dysphagia, as measured by a decreased laser requirement to maintain satisfactory swallowing. In this non-randomized prospective phase II trial, palliation was attained and some responses were long-lasting (median duration of response 8.7 (range 2.3 to more than 29.2) months).
Publication types
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Clinical Trial
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Clinical Trial, Phase II
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Comparative Study
MeSH terms
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Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy*
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Adenocarcinoma / mortality
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Adenocarcinoma / surgery
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Adult
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Aged
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Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
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Cisplatin / administration & dosage
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Combined Modality Therapy
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Epirubicin / administration & dosage
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Esophageal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
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Esophageal Neoplasms / mortality
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Female
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Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
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Humans
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Laser Therapy
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Palliative Care / methods*
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Prognosis
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Stomach Neoplasms / drug therapy*
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Stomach Neoplasms / mortality
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Survival Analysis
Substances
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Epirubicin
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Cisplatin
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Fluorouracil