Evaluation of Second-Line Chemotherapy with Docetaxel/5-fluorouracil/Cisplatin for Unresectable or Recurrent Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus

Takeshi Matsutani, Koji Sasajima, Hiroshi Maruyama, Ryohei Futami, Yoshikazu Tsuchiya, Moto Kashiwabara, Akihisa Matsuda, Seiji Suzuki and Takashi Tajiri*

Department of Surgery, Nippon Medical School Tama-Nagayama Hospital
Department of Surgery, Nippon Medical School*

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of combination chemotherapy consisting of docetaxel (TXT), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and cisplatin (CDDP) as a second-line treatment for unresectable or recurrent esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Ten patients who developed recurrence after surgery and three inoperable patients were enrolled in the combination of TXT 40 mg/m² (day 1), CDDP 10 mg/body weight (days 1-5), and 5-FU 500 mg/body weight (days 1-5) at intervals of 2 weeks. Evaluated responses in all patients were partial in 6, stable in 6, and progressive in 1. Overall response was 46%. Myelosuppressions with Grade 3 and 4 leucopenia occurred in 5 (38%). Combination chemotherapy of TXT, 5-FU, and CDDP is effective and tolerable as second-line treatment for patients with unresectable or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

Key words
docetaxel, second-line chemotherapy, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Reprint requests
Takeshi Matsutani Department of Surgery, Nippon Medical School Tama-Nagayama Hospital
1-7-1 Nagayama, Tama, 206-8512 JAPAN

Accepted
October 29, 2007

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