[Adverse reactions to TS-1 for outpatients with recurrent head and neck cancer]

To examine the adverse reactions to TS-1 for patients with recurrent head and neck cancer, five patients with locoregional recurrences and two with distant metastasis were enrolled in the present study and took TS-1 as outpatients. All patients underwent irradiation with or without surgery before administration of TS-1. One patient was given 100 mg of TS-1 daily, and six patients were given 120 mg of TS-1 daily. Thirteen courses consisted of the regimen of four weeks of TS-1 administration followed by two weeks of intermission, nine courses consisted of the regimen of two weeks of administration followed by one week of intermission, and seven courses consisted of the regimen of two weeks of administration followed by two weeks of intermission. Anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, and liver dysfunction were often observed as adverse reactions to TS-1 administration. Grade 3 bilirubinemia was observed in only one course, but other adverse reactions consisted of grade 1 or grade 2. Almost all adverse reactions returned to normal after the cessation of drug administration. Based on these results, we conclude that TS-1 is a safe drug for the treatment of outpatients with recurrent head and neck cancer.