Benefits and Toxicity of Taxane Addition to Platinum- Fluoropyrimidine Combination in Gastric Cancer Patients with Peritoneal Metastasis

Abstract

Peritoneal involvement seems to be the most common pattern of metastasis or recurrence and is associated with a poor prognosis in advanced gastric cancer (AGC). 1 More importantly, peritoneal metastasis is associated with several serious clinical complications such as massive ascites, bowel obstruction, hydronephrosis, poor oral intake, and poor performance status (PS), which worsen the quality of life. As a result of these complications, patients with peritoneal metastasis are often too frail to be administered chemotherapy (CT) and have a poor survival rate as compared to those without peritoneal metastasis. [2][3][4][5] In previous studies, it was shown that triplet regimens containing taxanes, platinum, and fluoropyrimidine (TPF; F) offer better survival and response rates than doublet regimens such as platinum plus F (PF) derivatives. Thus triplet regimens are highly recommended for those AGC patients who are fit for treatment. 6 The use of oxaliplatin in place of cisplatin and capecitabine in place of 5-fluoropyrimidine in doublet treatment regimens did not affect the survival of patients. 7 As most of the studies had been conducted 127 127 127