A case of perforated gastric cancer in which complete response was confirmed with resection following TS-1/CDDP combined chemotherapy after omentopexy

The present patient was a 50-year-old male with sudden upper abdominal pain. The patient exhibited pallor, and physical examination revealed a rigid abdomen. Abdominal x-ray revealed free air, and emergency laparotomy was performed to confirm upper gastrointestinal tract perforation. A perforated lesion of approximately 1 cm in diameter was found on the anterior wall at the gastric angle. The area surrounding the lesion was tumor-like, and the posterior wall was fused invasively with the pancreas. Malignancy was suspected; however, considering the patient's general status, greater omentum grafts were opted for. The patient was diagnosed with type III gastric cancer by gastroendoscopy post-operatively, and TS-1/CDDP therapy was started on the 28th day after surgery. After three courses of treatment, the tumor was found to have smoothened, wall consolidation was improved, and a second surgery was performed. During laparotomy, a nodule in the round ligament of liver was found and removed; however, there were no other medical findings that raised suspicion of peritoneal dissemination or liver metastasis. It was concluded that radical surgery was possible, and distal gastrectomy (D 2) was performed. Pathological examination revealed that signet ring cell carcinoma was present on only part of the mucous membrane. The lower and muscle layers of the serous membrane and the nodule in the round ligament of liver were replaced by fibrous tissue, indicating the disappearance of cancer cells. Two years and three months after surgery, the patient exhibited no signs of recurrence.     

A case of gastric cancer with liver metastasis resected after the combination chemotherapy with CDDP and TS-1

A 44 year-old woman presented with epigastralgia in March 2004 was diagnosed as having type II gastric cancer by gastrofiberscope, and histological diagnosis of biopsy specimens was group V (tub2, por1). Since multiple liver metastases were observed in subsegments 2, 3, and 5 by abdominal ultrasonography, systemic chemotherapy was first conducted for tumor down sizing. The patient was treated by three cycles of the one month regimen (CDDP 70 mg/m2, day 8, for 24hrs, and TS-1 80 mg/m2, day 1-14; 2 week cessation of the drugs). CT scan taken on May 16, 2005 revealed that the tumor diameters in subsegments 2, 3, and 5 were 1 cm, 3 cm, and 1.5 cm, respectively. On September 14, liver tumors were markedly shrunk. Tumor in subsegment 2 became undetectable, and the diameters in those in subsegments 3 and 5 were 1.5 cm, and 0.5 cm, respectively. On September 28, a distal gastrectomy associated with S3 partial hepatectomy and microwave coagulation therapy for S5 tumor was performed without any macroscopic residual lesions. The prognosis of liver metastasis of gastric cancer is generally poor, and there is no comprehensive therapy. The marked clinical response in this patient suggests that this combination therapy with CDDP and TS-1 might be a promising preoperative chemothepapy for unresectable gastric cancer.     

A resected case of advanced gastric cancer with multiple liver metastasis responding to preoperative TS-1/CDDP chemotherapy

Case: A 75-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with hematoemesis. Gastrofiber-scopy revealed that type 3 gastric cancer was widespread in the lesser curvature. Multiple liver metastases 5 cm in diameter were shown on CT. We thought that the case was unresectable, and TS-1/CDDP chemotherapy was performed. TS-1 (80 mg/body/day) was orally administered and CDDP at 20 mg/body/day by intravenous drip infusion a week for 3 weeks followed by a drug-free 2 week period as the first course. After the third course, the primary lesion and the liver metastasis showed a partial response in terms of size. No serious drug adverse reaction was observed. Since there was no longer any reduction of the tumor, gastrectomy and coagulation therapy for liver metastasis were performed, and he has been alive for 15 months without recurrence. Combined use of TS-1 and CDDP is effective as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer.     

TS-1/CDDP/Lentinan combination chemotherapy for inoperable advanced gastric cancer

It is reported that TS-1 administered orally shows a significant anti-neoplasm effect on advanced gastric cancer, and, furthermore, approximately 70% or greater effectiveness is reported for combination chemotherapy with cisplatin (CDDP). Lentinan is reported to extend the survival period in advanced cancer, and in combination with Tegafur. In the present study, combination chemotherapy with TS-1/CDDP/Lentinan was conducted for patients with inoperable advanced gastric cancer, and the validity, safety and resultant QOL of the treatment were evaluated. TS-1 was administered for 3 weeks at 80 mg/m2, followed by withdrawal for 2 weeks, and CDDP was prescribed once for patients at 70 mg/m2 on the 8th day after starting TS-1 administration. For patients aged 80 or above, however, the dose was reduced, and given separately to the patients. Lentinan was administered at 2 mg/week. The rate of effectiveness for the 9 registered patients was 100%. This high rate was obtained regardless of changes in the histopathological findings. Critical side effects (grade three or above) were anemia and pigmentation, in one case each. An improvement in QOL was also observed for combination therapy including Lentinan. In cases of inoperable advanced gastric cancer, TS-1/CDDP combination chemotherapy showed higher efficacy regardless of the pathological alterations, and higher and sustained improvement of QOL was also observed with the addition of Lentinan to the protocol.     

A case of advanced gastric cancer with multiple liver metastases successfully treated with TS-1/low-dose CDDP/lentinan combination chemotherapy

We report herein a case of advanced gastric cancer successfully treated with TS-1/low-dose CDDP/Lentinan combination chemotherapy. A 74-year-old male suffering from anorexia was admitted to our hospital and diagnosed as having type 2 gastric cancer metastasizing to the liver. TS-1 was orally administered at 100 mg/body/day for 28 days with a 14-day interval as one session. During the second session, because grade 1 thrombocytopenia was noted, administration of TS-1 was rescheduled to every other day. CDDP was infused at 10 mg/body/day on day 6 to 10, 13, 15, and 17. After his discharge, CDDP at 10 mg/body and Lentinan at 2 mg/body were weekly infused as ambulant patient chemotherapy. The abdominal CT scan showed reduction of hepatic tumors by 86% in three months and 97% in 16 months. Metastatic lymph nodes disappeared in 4 months. The primary tumor was reduced and flattened to a cicatrix, and endoscopic biopsy revealed no cancer cells. The tumor markers, CEA (716.9 ng/ml) and CA 19-9 (57.2 U/ml), were reduced to normal range. The therapeutic efficacy was judged as a partial response (PR), which lasted for 16 months without severe adverse effects. He maintained good quality of life. This combination chemotherapy was thought to be beneficial for patients with advanced gastric cancer.     

A case of advanced gastric cancer with peritoneal dissemination responding remarkably to TS-1/CDDP combination chemotherapy

A 57-year-old woman visited a physician with complaints of anorexia and pollakiuria. Because a pelvic tumor and ascites were detected, she was referred to our department. Douglas pouch puncture revealed adenocarcinoma cells. Further examination showed an advanced gastric cancer with peritoneal dissemination. The cancer was judged to be unresectable. Chemotherapy with a combination of TS-1 and CDDP was performed before the operation. After 2 courses of the chemotherapy, her complaints disappeared, although abdominal CT confirmed remaining peritoneal dissemination. After 7 courses of chemotherapy, abdominal CT showed that the peritoneal dissemination had disappeared. Total gastrectomy and lymph node dissection were performed. Histological findings of the stomach revealed complete disappearance of cancer cells in the stomach and the regional lymph nodes. We confirmed that the TS-1/CDDP therapy resulted in a complete response to advanced gastric cancer and peritoneal dissemination. We recommend that chemotherapy be continued until the peritoneal dissemination disappears.     

A case of advanced gastric cancer which disappeared histopathologically after short-time chemotherapy

Poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma was confirmed by endoscopic biopsy. Anticancer therapy was performed preoperatively, but was discontinued after the second intravenous administration of MFC because she developed nausea, vomiting and pancytopenia. On Jan. 18, 1980, gastrectomy with extended lymph node dissection was performed. Histologically, the excised stomach showed non-specific active ulcer (ul-IV) at the side of the tumor without evidence of residual cancer cells. The cause for the disappearance of the advanced carcinoma remains unknown. Although the dosage of the anticancer chemotherapy was quite small, this treatment may have promoted the regression of the tumor in conjunction with activated antitumor immunity of the host.     

A case of advanced gastric cancer responding to neoadjuvant TS-1/CDDP chemotherapy

The patient was a 61-year-old man who was referred to our hospital with a complaint of epigastric pain. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and X-ray examination of the stomach revealed type 3 cancer in the gastric antrum, extending to the middle body. It was about 9 cm in diameter, and the biopsy specimen revealed moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma. Abdominal CT scan showed marked enlargement of No. 3 lymph nodes along the lesser curvature of the stomach. Examination of the blood showed a hemoglobin of 10.2 g/dl, CEA 5.8 ng/ml, CA19-9 330.5 U/ml. For this gastric cancer, clinical Stage IIIA (cT3N1HOPOMO), neoadjuvant chemotherapy with TS-1/CDDP was planned. TS-1 (120 mg/day) was orally administered for 3 weeks followed by a drug-free-2-week period as the first course, and 93 mg (60 mg/m2) of CDDP administered by intravenous drip on day 8. There were grade 2 nausea and grade 3 appetite loss by intravenous administration of CDDP in the second course. An upper GI series revealed 33% reduction of gastric cancer, and laboratory studies CEA and CA 19-9 showed normal values. One month after the second course of chemotherapy, total gastrectomy, splenectomy and lymph node dissection D2 were performed. The pathological specimens showed no cancer cells in the surgically obtained stomach and lymph nodes, so the histological effect was Grade 3. The postoperative course was satisfactory, and he now attends outpatient department without any findings of recurrence 12 months after the operation. TS-1/CDDP chemotherapy produced a high response in this case, and it may be useful as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer.     

A case of stage IV advanced gastric cancer responding to TS-1/CDDP neoadjuvant chemotherapy which leads to a pathological complete response

A 72-year-old male with advanced gastric cancer (cT3N2M0H0P0CY1, cStage IV) was treated with TS-1/CDDP as neoadjuvant chemotherapy. TS-1 (60 mg/m(2)/day) was orally administered for 3 weeks followed by 2 drug free weeks as a course, and CDDP (60 mg/m(2)) was administered by intravenous drip on day 8. After the fourth course,a significant tumor reduction was obtained. Total gastrectomy, splenectomy, and D 2 type nodal dissection were performed. The histological diagnosis revealed complete disappearance of cancer cells in the stomach and all of the lymph nodes, which is a so-called pathological complete response. The patient has now been in good health without a recurrence for 24 months after surgery. This case suggests that neoadjuvant chemotherapy with TS-1/CDDP is a potential regimen for advanced gastric cancer.     

A case of recurrent advanced gastric cancer suggesting the efficacy of TS-1 and CDDP combination chemotherapy

The patient, a 53-year-old male, underwent radical surgery for advanced gastric cancer (stage IV). On the second day after surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy consisting of 250 mg/day 5-FU (i.v.) for 14 days, followed by 450 mg/day of UFT-E for about 12 months, was initiated. About 21 months after surgery (7 months after cessation of medication), the CA19-9 level had risen (136 U/ml). After 26 months, the patient experienced a backache and his CEA and CA19-9 levels had risen 11.7 ng/ml and 869 U/ml, respectively. The results from an imaging examination were suggestive of multiple bone metastases and para-aortic lymphatic metastasis. Chemotherapy was resumed with only TS-1 (100 mg/day). Because the tumor markers (TM) continued to rise, he was hospitalized and the medication was combined with daily administration of 10 mg of CDDP (TS-1 + CDDP protocol). When the total dose of CDDP reached 160 mg, there was a dramatic drop in the TM (surrogate marker) level. The patient was discharged and medication of TS-1 and 10 mg/day of CDDP twice a week was continued on an outpatient basis. Five months after the initial administration of FP, the CEA and CA19-9 returned to normal levels (4.3 ng/ml and 33 U/ml, respectively). Metastases to the para-aortic lymph nodes had disappeared and the sites of bone metastases were reduced in size. The patient was able to resume his full social activities. Since that time, a second-line therapy has been added. Currently (about two years after the recurrence), he is still undergoing therapy with TS-1 + CDDP.     

A case of gastric cancer with liver invasion responding to TS-1/low-dose CDDP chemotherapy

We report the case of a 79-year-old female with gastric cancer accompanied by liver invasion. She underwent simple subtotal gastrectomy in another hospital. Five months after surgery, combination chemotherapy with TS-1 (100 mg/body/day, 3 weeks) and CDDP (10 mg/body/day, day 1, 8, 15 drip infusion) in 1 course was performed, and complete response (CR) was noted. No severe adverse effects were observed during this combined therapy. TS-1 and low-dose CDDP therapy may prove effective for treating gastric cancer with liver invasion in advanced age.     

A case of gastric cancer with liver metastasis had a good reaction to S-1/CDDP chemotherapy after S-1 chemotherapy was ineffective

A woman in her sixties underwent total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. The pathological diagnosis was pT3, pN3, sH0, pCY0, sP0, sM0, fStage IV. Chemotherapy with S-1 was used after surgical treatment. Because a CT scan after three courses chemotherapy showed the paraaortic lymph nodes swelling, combination chemotherapy with S-1 and docetaxel was used as a second-line chemotherapy. When the CT scan after 8 courses of this combination chemotherapy revealed multiple liver metastases, the chemotherapy was changed to CPT-11 monotherapy and paclitaxel monotherapy as the third-and fourth-line chemotherapy, respectively. In spite of those chemotherapies, the metastatic disease progressed, and therefore, combination chemotherapy with S-1 and CDDP was used as the fifth-line chemotherapy. After 6 courses of this treatment, serum CEA and CA19-9 levels dropped into the normal range. Multiple liver metastases were markedly reduced, and were considered as a partial response(PR). The patient is still alive, maintaining the effect of PR for 17 months without any adverse effects except appetite loss and vomiting of grade 2.     

A case of gastric cancer with paraaortic lymph node metastasis responding to TS-1/CDDP combination therapy

A 53-year-old man had consulted another physician regarding his epigastralgia and anorexia. Since gastric cancer was detected, he was referred to our department. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a type-2 gastric cancer at the upper portion of the lesser curvature of the stomach, and an abdominal CT scan showed marked swelling of periaortic lymph nodes. Since a radical resection appeared impossible, we used preoperative chemotherapy with a combination of TS-1 and CDDP. The patient was administered TS-1 for 3 weeks at 120 mg/ day, received an intravenous drip infusion of 90 mg/body of CDDP on day 8, and then discontinued chemotherapy for 2 weeks, which was regarded as one course. After 2 courses of the chemotherapy, an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed that the primary tumor was reduced in size, the periphery of the tumor almost flattened, and an abdominal CT scan confirmed the loss of swelling in the periaortic lymph nodes. The responsive rate was evaluated as PR. Since a radical resection was considered possible, we performed a total gastrectomy with complete D3 extirpation combined with a splenectomy. Histological efficacy was evaluated as grade 2 in primary cancer, and grade 3 in lymph nodes. Regrettably, the patient died one year and 7 months postoperatively. However, we consider the TS-1 and CDDP in combination useful as preoperative chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer with periaortic lymph node involvement.     

A case of gastric cancer with liver metastasis responding to low-dose CDDP/5-FU combination chemotherapy

We reported a case of a 62-year-old female with gastric cancer accompanied by liver, Virchow and paraaortic lymph nodes, and bone metastasis (taken low-dose cisplatin (CDDP)/5-fluorouracil (5-FU) combination chemotherapy). CDDP (10 mg/body/day) was injected on 1-5 days i.v. and 5-FU (500 mg/body/day) was injected i.v. continuously on 1-7 days. This treatment cycle was repeated for 4 weeks. After 4 cycles, liver metastasis disappeared without severe side effects. Primary lesion and Virchow's lymph nodes metastasis were reduced. However, bone and paraaortic lymph node metastasis showed no response. It was considered that low-dose CDDP/5-FU combination chemotherapy was effective for liver and lymph nodes metastasis of gastric cancer in this case.     

TS-1/CDDP therapy for advanced gastric cancer as neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Five patients with inoperable advanced gastric cancer were treated with combination chemotherapy of TS-1 and cisplatin (CDDP). TS-1 of 80-120 mg/body/day was orally administered for 3 weeks followed by 2 drug-free weeks, and 60 mg/m2/day of CDDP was venally administered on Day 8. It was possible to evaluate all 5 patients for response and toxicity. Only low grade toxicities (Grade 1 or 2) of leukocytopenia, neutrocytopenia, anemia, nausea, diarrhea and stomatitis were seen. Four of 5 patients achieved a partial response, for a response rate of 80.0%. Stomach, liver, lymph node and peritoneal tumors responded to TS-1/CDDP. TS-1/CDDP therapy produces a high response in cases of gastric cancer, and it is useful as a neoadjuvant chemotherapy.     

A case of advanced gastric cancer treated with S-1/CDDP combination chemotherapy through jejunostomy

Recently, although chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer has been proving more highly effective, no standard chemotherapy for gastric cancer has been established. We administered S-1 combined with cisplatin (div) to a patient with advanced gastric cancer who underwent a jejunostomy because of swallowing difficulties (PS 4) due to cerebral infarction. The overall response of this chemotherapy was a partial response (PR) for 14 months. We concluded that the administration of S-1 combined with cisplatin (div) through a jejunostomy can improve the nutrition management and the quality of life (QOL) of a patient with advanced gastric cancer who is incapable of oral intake.     

A case report of complete response by TS-1 and paclitaxel combination chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer

We report a case in which combination chemotherapy of TS-1 and paclitaxel was effective for gastric cancer with malignant ascites, metastatic ovarian cancer and hydronephrosis. Judging from the above issue, the stage was IV and the type was Borrmann 4. The chemotherapy schedule was adjusted at the patient' s request without hindering her activities of daily living. The patient was a 53-year-old woman who suffered from gastric cancer as having malignant ascites and metastatic ovarian tumor. As an outpatient, she was treated with combination chemotherapy of TS-1 and paclitaxel for 2 cycles. The ascites had remarkably disappeared after 2 cycles. The adverse event was alopecia (grade 2), but she could continue the chemotherapy as an outpatient treatment. After completing 5 cycles of chemotherapy, we recognized the primary tumor as an endoscopic complete response.     

A case of gastric cancer with multiple liver metastases and spleen metastasis that responded to low-dose CDDP/TS-1 combination therapy

Since the introduction of TS-1 for clinical treatment of the progression or recurrence of stomach cancer, the effectiveness of combination therapy incorporating other agents with CDDP has been reported. Low-dose CDDP/TS-1 combination treatment was carried out in a case of Stage IV progressive stomach cancer showing multiple liver metastases and spleen metastasis. Regression of the primary carcinoma and reduction in size of liver metastases and spleen metastasis were observed. Grade 2 leukocyte decrease and grade 1 stomatitis were noted as adverse reactions to the treatment. Low-dose CDDP/TS-1 combination therapy was useful in this case of advanced gastric cancer.     

Three advanced gastric cancer cases with liver metastases successfully treated by TS-1/CDDP combination therapy

Three cases with unresectable advanced gastric cancer with liver metastases were successfully treated by the combination therapy of TS-1 and cisplatin( CDDP). TS-1 (1.25 m2>: 80 mg/day, 1.25 m2-1.50 m2: 100 mg/day, > or =1.50 m2: 120 mg/day) was administered orally for 14 consecutive days followed by 14 days rest,and a 24-h infusion of CDDP (70 mg/m2) was administered on day 8 of each course. Treatment was repeated every 4 weeks unless disease progression was observed. Partial response was obtained in all of the following three advanced gastric cancer cases with liver metastases. Case 1: 67-year-old male with Borrmann type I gastric cancer with multiple liver metastases. Case 2: 55-year-old female with multiple liver and lymph node metastases whose primary gastric lesion was surgically resected. Case 3: 53-year-old-male with Borrmann type III gastric cancer with liver and lymph node metastases. TS-1/CDDP therapy can be highly recommended for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer with liver metastases.