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Capecitabine as second-line treatment for metastatic cholangiocarcinoma: a report of two cases
J Stemmler1, V Heinemann, A Schalhorn
1Abteilung für Innere Medizin III, Universitätsklinik München, Germany. joachim.stemmler@med3.med.uni-muenchen.de
Background:
The management of recurrent, metastatic cholangiocarcinoma still remains a problem since this tumor entity is classified as chemotherapy-resistant. When advanced or metastatic disease is diagnosed, the therapeutic efforts are essentially directed toward palliation.
Patients And Methods:
We report on 2 patients suffering from metastatic cholangiocarcinoma. Both had received previous chemotherapy for metastatic disease, including hepatic artery infusion [5-fluorouracil (5-FU) / folinic acid (FA) and oxaliplatin] and a combination therapy consisting of 5-FU/FA and gemcitabine. Since a progression of the disease was diagnosed, both patients were started on oral capecitabine at a daily dose of 2,500 mg/m(2) in 2 divided doses for 2 weeks, followed by 1 week rest.
Results:
Capecitabine was tolerated well and severe side effects were not observed. A stop of progression, documented by imaging procedures and tumor marker kinetics, was achieved in both patients.
Conclusion:
Capecitabine could potentially be used for secondline treatment in patients with progressive metastatic cholangiocarcinoma.
