Retrospective analysis of stage IV advanced gastric cancer treated with S-1 or other chemotherapy

Background We retrospectively analyzed the influence of various clinicopathologic factors on the survival of patients treated with chemotherapy. Methods A retrospective analysis was made of 110 patients with stage IV gastric cancer who were treated from January 1996 to June 2004. Results Median survival time was 429 days for patients treated with S-1 therapy and 236 days for patients without S-1 therapy. A better survival was demonstrated in patients who had good performance status, one metastatic site, or had been given a second-line chemotherapy (P < 0.01). But very few patients (17%; 5/29) with multiple metastatic sites were able to receive the second-line chemotherapy. Conclusion Patients treated with S-1 therapy had a better prognosis than patients without S-1. One metastatic site and being given second-line chemotherapy were other factors for better prognosis. For patients with only one metastatic site, a good prognosis can be obtained by second-line chemotherapy for those refractory to S-1. The prognosis of patients who had more than two metastatic sites remained poor; more effective chemotherapy might improve the survival of such patients if they retain good performance status.