Chemotherapy for Outpatients with Advanced and Postoperative Malignant Tumors

Abstract

In recent years, outpatient chemotherapy has become generally acceptable in Japan. We reviewed the patients who underwent outpatient chemotherapy for advanced malignant tumors or adjuvant chemotherapy. For advanced malignant tumors, including adenoid cystic carcinoma with bone metastasis, leiomyosarcoma with lung metastases, and cutaneous melanoma with lymph node metastases, chemotherapy was useful for maintaining the quality of life (QOL)．For adjuvant chemotherapy, most of the anticancer agents were applied orally, although it is still controversial to decide its indication and to perform adjuvant chemotherapy for skin cancer or soft tissue sarcoma. Outpatient chemotherapy will become a useful treatment not only to maintain QOL but also to restrain the cost of medical care.