Assessment of the value of PEF (cisplatin, epirubicin, 5 fluorouracil) in advanced extrahepatic biliary tract and pancreatic cancer
Zygulska, A.L.; Pawlega, J.
Przeglad Lekarski 65(12): 825-828
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 0033-2240 PMID: 19441672 Document Number: 619285
Extrahepatic biliary tract and pancreatic cancer are relatively rare malignant tumors. Prognosis is usually poor and surgical treatment gives a chance of cure in nonadvanced cases only. Evaluation of efficacy and toxicity of PEF regimen (cisplatin + epirubicin + 5 fluorouracil) in advanced extrahepatic biliary tract and pancreatic cancer. Chemotherapy regimen: cisplatin 20 mg/m2 i.v, epirubicin 25 mg/m2 i.v., 5 fluorouracil was given in 28 patients with advanced extrahepatic biliary tract and pancreatic cancer at the Clinic of Oncology of the Collegium Medicum of the Jagiellonian University in Krakow in years 1997 to 2004. The treatment was repeated every 4 weeks up to 6 cycles. 12 patients with extrahepatic biliary tract cancer and 16 patients with pancreatic cancer were treated. Median time from the diagnosis to death was 8.8 months in patients with extrahepatic biliary tract and 8.7 months in patients with pancreatic cancer. 1-year survival was 25% and 16.7%, respectively. Hematological toxicity G 3 and G 4 occured in 5 patients (17.9% treated). Chemotherapy PEF seems to be an active and well tolerated regimen of palliative chemotherapy for advanced extrahepatic biliary tract carcinomas and pancreas carcinomas. Overall survival in the pancreatic cancer group is comparable to results obtained with gemcitabine monotherapy.