[Combination chemotherapy of cyclophosphamide adriamycin and 5-fluorouracil (CAF) in advanced and recurrent breast cancer].

Combination chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide (CPA), adriamycin (ADR) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (CAF therapy) was performed in 85 patients with advanced and recurrent breast cancer. According to the response criteria for advanced breast cancer by the Japan Mammary Cancer Society, complete response was obtained in 6 cases and partial response in 19 and an overall effective rate was 29.4% (25/85). In terms of efficacy classified by metastatic lesion, the effective rate was more than 40% in skin and subcutaneous tissue, and lymph nodes, but if was low in bone metastases. Alopecia, leukopenia, nausea and vomiting were observed very frequently as side effects, but they disappeared within three weeks, except alopecia. CAF therapy is considered to be useful in the treatment of advanced and recurrent breast cancer.