Response of colo-rectal hepatic metastases to concomitant radiotherapy and intravenous infusion 5 fluorouracil

Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 1986 Dec;12(12):2179-87. doi: 10.1016/0360-3016(86)90018-0.

Abstract

Twenty-three patients with colo-rectal hepatic metastases were retrospectively reviewed after completing treatment with split course liver irradiation and continually infused concomitant intravenous 5-fluorouracil. Although no patient attained a complete response, an objective partial response was documented in 15 (Responders). The Responders had a median survival of 45 weeks whereas Non-responders had a median survival of 17 weeks. Patients with metastatic disease solely in the liver or those with a Karnofsky performance score (k.p.s) of over sixty, had a median survival of 49 weeks. Patients with multiple organ metastatic involvement had a median survival of 25 weeks and those with a Karnofsky with less than 60 had a median survival of 27 weeks. (p values of 0.006 and 0.03, respectively.) The overall survival of the group completing treatment was 30 weeks, and 19 patients (83%) achieved subjective palliation. The patients tolerated therapy well. There was minimal hematological toxicity; 3 patients developed a leucocyte count of less than 2000 and 1 developed a platelet count of 30,000. The palliation and prolongation of survival attained with minimal complications suggest that adjuvant liver irradiation with concomitant infusion 5-fluorouracil radiosensitization may be an option to offer patients identified to be at high risk of developing subclinical liver disease.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Colonic Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / adverse effects
  • Fluorouracil / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Liver / radiation effects
  • Liver Neoplasms / mortality
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Liver Neoplasms / therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiotherapy / adverse effects
  • Radiotherapy Dosage
  • Rectal Neoplasms / therapy*

Substances

  • Fluorouracil