COMBINATION CHEMOTHERAPY WITH EPIRUBICIN, CISPLATIN AND 5-FLUOROURACIL FOR THE PALLIATION OF ADVANCED GASTRIC AND ESOPHAGEAL ADENOCARCINOMA

The palliative efficacy of laser therapy with combination chemotherapy (cisplatin, epirubicin and continuousinfusion 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 aser 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-randoized propsective 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).