Complete disappearance of pulmonary metastases in a case of hepatocellular carcinoma treated with docetaxel-based systemic chemotherapy

A case of the complete shrinkage of pulmonary metastases from multiple hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) after administration of docetaxel, cisplatin and enteric-coated tegafur/uracil is reported. A 54-year-old Japanese man was diagnosed with recurrent multiple HCC associated with pulmonary metastases and compensated liver cirrhosis. Docetaxel, cisplatin and enteric-coated tegafur/uracil were given to this patient. After 2 months of treatment, there was a decrease in tumor markers and a shrinkage of the pulmonary metastases. Image analyses such as chest X-rays and chest computed tomography scans showed a disappearance of the pulmonary metastases, although the multiple HCC did not disappear completely. This was evaluated as a complete remission of metastatic lesions or a partial remission of primary lesions according to the World Health Organization criteria. No recurrence of pulmonary metastasis was seen for 10 months. This combination therapy was well-tolerated for lung cancer and could represent an effective treatment for pulmonary metastases from HCC. (C) 2004 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.