FOLFOX as First-line Therapy for Gastric Cancer with Severe Peritoneal Metastasis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Severe peritoneal metastasis (PM) from advanced gastric cancer (AGC) causes massive ascites and inadequate oral intake. Because patients with severe PM are often not included in clinical trials, little is known regarding the efficacy and safety of oxaliplatin with l-leucovorin and bolus/continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil (FOLFOX) for them.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied AGC patients with massive ascites and/or inadequate oral intake due to severe PM treated with FOLFOX as the first-line treatment.

RESULTS: Only 39 (10%) of 378 AGC patients had severe PM; 10 received FOLFOX. The median progression-free and overall survivals were 7.5 and 13.2 months, respectively. Ascites decreased in seven of nine patients with ascites, and oral intake improved in four of seven patients with an inadequate oral intake. Common grade 3-4 adverse events included neutropenia and anemia.

CONCLUSION: This study suggests that FOLFOX is effective and manageable for AGC patients with severe PM.