Objective: To evaluate the effects of a novel adjuvant chemotherapy for the patients with advanced gastric cancer.
Methods: Preoperative chemotherapy with 5-Fluorouracil and cisplatin (5-FU/CDDP) was performed on 11 cases of nonresectable for advanced gastric cancer. The therapy comprised of either intravenous or arterial infusion or intraperitoneal administration of 5-Fu 750 mg/m2 and CDDP 60 mg/m2 or (CBDCA 400 mg/m2), for 1-2 courses.
Results: There was no CR, the PR, NC occurred in 8, and 3 cases respectively. There was no disease progression seen. The overall response rate was 72.7%(8/11) and ascites disappeared in being 85.7%(6/7) of the treated cases. 7 of the 8 PR cases were operated. Histologically the effects of the chemotherapy was considered as slight, moderate and marked in 3, 3 and 1 cases, respectively. Side effects were mainly bone marrow suppression which recovered in two to three weeks. These 7 cases recieved additional 1-2 courses of chemotherapy postoperatively, one patients died of intestinal obstruction.
Conclusion: The adjuvant chemotherapy reported here as a part of combination therapy plays a significant role in the effective treatment of otherwise nonresectable gastric cancer patients.