Abstract
Objective : Low-dose 5FU with CDDP therapy was applied to unresectable or recurrent colorectal cancer patients via subcutaneous implantable reservoir. The effectiveness of this treatment was evaluated.
Materials and Methods : Twenty-three patients with unresectable or advanced colorectal cancer were analyzed. All patients continued to receive low-dose FP therapy (5FU300mg/m2/d, civ, dl-5 + CDDP 7mg/ m2/ d, iv, dl&4) until Progressive Disease or the appearance of the significant toxicity. The following items were analyzed. Efficacy, survival period, ratio of home treatment period (period at home/period of survival), safety, medical cost and responses to a questionnaire survey of the patients about QOL..
Results : The rate of effectiveness was 17%. In total, 83% of the patients did not show any serious clinical side effects prior to Progressive Disease. The average interval until Progressive Disease was 8 months. The ratio of home treatment period was 75 %. The following toxicities were observed. : pigmentation of fingers (11 cases), cheilosis, aphtha (5 cases) nausea, vomiting (3 cases) leucocytopenia, grade 2 (10 cases). The toxicities described above were not severe. Catheter problems were observed in 7 cases. One case required the exchange of the reservoir. Medical cost of outpatient or home chemotherapy ranged from one-fourth to one-fifth of the cost of in-hospital chemotherapy.
Conclusion : We concluded that outpatient or home chemotherapy with reservoir can be applied to patients safely and reliably and was also useful for improving patient QOL and reducing medical expenses.
