[Two cases of advanced pancreatic cancer with cervical lymph node or liver metastasis responding well to S-1 monotherapy].

In two patients with advanced pancreatic cancer with cervical lymph node or liver metastasis and no indication of pancreatic resection and radiotherapy, oral treatment with S-1 (an anti-cancer agent of fluoropyrimidine derivative) exerted high anti-tumor activity on the metastatic lesions. Both cases responded well to this therapy in the late phase II study of S-1 in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer designed to evaluate efficacy and safety. In Case 1 (with cervical lymph node metastasis), the anti-tumor efficacy of this therapy was evaluated as a partial response (PR) after the first four courses of treatment. In Case 2 (with liver metastasis), the efficacy was evaluated as PR for overall response. Thus, the therapy indicated excellent efficacy in both cases. No grade 3 or severe adverse event was noted in either of the two cases. In Case 1, grade 2 anemia, stomatitis, vomiting and fatigue, and some other mild events were noted. When used as a systemic chemotherapy for metastatic pancreatic cancer, oral treatment of S-1 is highly effective, tolerable and convenient in an outpatient clinic. This drug is a promising way to improve and preserve the QOL essential to long-term home care.