Efficacy of combination chemotherapy for stage IV colon cancer with extensive peritoneal dissemination and multiple liver metastases: a case report.

A patient was diagnosed as having subacute ileus due to advanced cancer of the descending colon with multiple liver metastases and was treated by palliative left hemicolectomy. He was considered to have Stage IV cancer based on the finding of extensive peritoneal dissemination. Histopathological examination showed that the tumor was moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. Postoperative palliative chemotherapy was given with 5-FU and LV twice a month as 1 course, and he received a total of 3 courses. As a result, the multiple liver metastases were completely eliminated. However, his liver metastases recurred, so CPT-11 was added to 5-FU and LV for another 3 courses. When bilateral pleural effusions developed about 1 year postoperatively, CPT-11 was changed to CDGP. Jaundice and massive ascites eventually developed, and he died about 1 year and 5 months postoperatively.