[Preoperative treatment with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in gastric and colorectal cancer].

Preoperative chemotherapy with 5-FU was carried out on patients with gastric and colorectal cancer. 5-FU was given at a dose of 500 mg daily with a drip infusion for 7 days (Group A), with a one-shot intravenous infusion daily (Group B) and orally for 7 days (Group C). Histological effects were evaluated, using the criteria proposed by Ohboshi. In group A for gastric cancer and in group C for colon cancer, the histological response was stronger at the edge of the cancer than at its surface. In group C for gastric cancer and in group A for colon cancer, the histological response was more remarkable at the surface of the cancer than at its edge. The histological effects on metastatic lymph nodes in gastric cancer were the same as for the cancer nests in groups A and C. 5-FU used as a drip infusion or orally was more effective on metastatic lymph nodes of gastric cancer than on metastatic lymph nodes of colon cancer. 5-FU was detected at a high concentration in tumor tissues of gastric cancer in group A, Grade II response being obtained in 3 of 7 patients. Changes in regional lymph nodes, plasma and other organs in cases of combined resection were not obtained with regard to either the concentration of 5-FU or the histological findings for all three groups.