Adjuvant regional chemotherapy in advanced pancreatic cancer: results of a prospective study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In order to improve the dismal prognosis of patients suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer we treated 20 patients with adjuvant regional chemotherapy following resection of the tumor.

METHODOLOGY

All tumors were classified UICC stage III (TxN1M0). Regional chemotherapy consisted of Mitoxantrone 10 mg/m2 day 1, Folinic Acid 170 mg/m2 and 5-FU 600 mg/m2 days 2-4, and cis-Platinum 60 mg/m2 day 5 for up to 6 cycles. In a total of 101 cycles toxicities WHO III occurred in 6%, WHO IV in 0%.

RESULTS

The median survival times, compared to institutional historical controls (treated vs. controls) were 18.5 vs. 9.3 months (p < 0.0006). Hepatic disease progression seemed to be suppressed.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion regional chemotherapy seems to be effective for adjuvant treatment in resected pancreatic cancer.