Palliative chemotherapy in metastatic colorectal carcinoma: comparison of two chemotherapeutic regimens.

BACKGROUND

We retrospectively compared two different palliative chemotherapy regimens for advanced colorectal carcinoma with respect to efficacy and toxicity.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between April 1986 and September 1994, 84 patients started treatment with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based combination chemotherapy [MFL (Sequential MTX and 5-FU, N=39) or FLV (Sequential 5-FU and FA, N=45)] in our clinic. Treatment was initially administered every two weeks.

RESULTS

In the MFL and FLV group, 37 and 41 patients, respectively, were evaluable. The objective response rates were 16% in the MFL group and 26% in the FLV group. Median survival was 10 months in both groups, and the median time to progression was not significantly different. With regard to subjective response, 39% of patients in both groups obtained partial or complete relief of tumor related symptoms. A significantly larger part of the patients in the MFL group (54%) complained about adverse effects when compared to the FLV group (27%).

CONCLUSIONS

With regard to efficacy the chemotherapeutic regimens were equivalent, however the MFL regimen appeared more toxic when compared to FLV.