Frequency of Response Rate of Cisplatin Plus 5-Fu Combination Chemotherapy for Management of Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Most common primary solid tumors of the liver is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Its aggressiveness and widespread spread result in a bad prognosis for patients. HCC accounts approximately 5% of all malignant neoplasias, according to estimates. Treatment of advanced HCC is a challenge for the treating oncologist. Cisplatin and 5- FU have shown promising activity in this regard. Combination of these anti-cancer drugs has shown superior response than either of the drugs used alone.

Objective: was to evaluate chemotherapeutic regimen of Cisplatin and 5-FU for advanced HCC treatment.

Materials and Methods: This case series was carried out in Department of Oncology, Jinnah hospital, Lahore in 6 months. 116 patients were included in study. Then patients were prescribed Cisplatin, and 5-FU every 3^rd week for 5 months. After 5 months, clinical condition of patients was assessed by a CT scan to assess the condition of liver.

Results: Mean age was 63.79 ± 6.11 years. Gender distribution shows that 56.8 % (n=66) were males while 43.2 % (n=50) were females. Mean duration of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was 27.4 ± 8.5 days. After treating the patients for 5 months with a combination chemotherapy of 5-FU and cisplatin frequency of patients with partial response was 29.3 % (n=34). 44.8 % (n=52) of the patients showed stable disease while 25.9 % (n=30) of the patients showed progressive disease.

Conclusion: We conclude that 5-FU and Cisplatin combination therapy is effective for treating advanced HCC.

Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma, 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin