[Outpatient chemotherapy with continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil (CI 5-FU) and intravenous bolus leucovorin (IVB LV) in advanced gastrointestinal cancer].

This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy, toxicity, and quality of life (QOL) of outpatient chemotherapy with 5-FU and LV in advanced gastrointestinal cancer. Treatment consisted of CI 5-FU 450-500 mg/body/day, days 1-28, IVB LV 30 mg/body q wk. 5-FU was administered with the Baxter infusor (0.5 ml/hr). LV was not administered if Grade 2 mucositis occurred. Seven patients (pts) with advanced gastrointestinal cancer (esophageal -2, gastric -1, colorectal -4) have been treated to maintain the efficacy of prior inpatient chemotherapy, and two pts with colorectal cancer instead of oral UFT. And to evaluate toxicity and QOL, six pts (bile duct -1, gastric -2, colorectal -3) treated as adjuvant chemotherapy were added. The median duration of response of the nine pts was 3.03 months. Because of mucositis, the administration of LV was restricted. The mean administration of it was 2.1 times (62 mg). Grade 3 or 4 toxicities of mucositis were seen in 40% of the cases. Grade 1 or 2 skin toxicities were seen in all pts. Mean score of QOL in these outpatients chemotherapy was 78.0 +/- 11.5, ranked between inpatient chemotherapy (5-FU+CDDP 59.0 +/- 13.8) and oral UFT (91.8 +/- 6.1). In conclusion, this schedule of 5-FU and LV combination offers a high patient QOL and is suitable for advanced gastrointestinal cancer treatment.