A case of advanced gastric cancer with simultaneous multiple bone metastases and double occurrence of disseminated intravascular coagulation successfully controlled with combined chemotherapy

A 41-year-old man was found to have advanced gastric cancer with simultaneous multiple bone metastases when pyloric stenosis was being diagnosed in our hospital. We performed gastrojejunostomy from the lower third of the stomach to the upper third of the duodenum to relieve the obstruction. However, at 8 days after surgery, disseminated intra-vascular coagulation (DIC) occurred. Therefore, the patient was administered combined chemotherapy with TS-1 plus low-dose cisplatin in addition to anti-DIC therapy. TS-1 (150 mg/day) and cisplatin (10 mg/body intravenously over the course of 30 minutes) were administered on days 1 to 5, 8 to 12, and 15 to 19 (weekday-on/weekend-off schedule). There was remarkable response to this chemotherapy, and the patient was shifted from inpatient to outpatient treatment. The treatment course was repeated for 4 cycles until remission was observed. Because of hematologic relapse due to DIC at 6 months after the first treatment, he was readmitted for administration of combined chemotherapy. Fortunately, DIC once again responded to the same chemotherapy regimen. In this pathologic condition, combined chemotherapy is unavoidable when DIC occurs with cancer. Accordingly, it is necessary that an effective combined chemotherapy with mild bone marrow suppression be chosen. A companion drug should be chosen in consideration of delayed homo-toxicity and of the possibility of relapse into DIC in the drug withdrawal period. In addition, it is indispensable that careful consideration be given to the most favorable dose and regimen.