[A case of unresectable pancreatic cancer that responded to UFT chemotherapy]

A 77-year-old patient with an unresectable pancreatic cancer was treated with a combination chemotherapy of UFT (600 mg/day, p.o.) and Lentinan (2 mg/week, i.v.). After three and a half months, a partial response (PR) was achieved, based on the criteria of Koyama, Saito, et al. The findings of the follow up CT scans suggested that 600 mg/day of UFT, rather than 300 mg/day, was effective as a chemotherapeutic agent. Although transient thrombocytopenia (62,000/mm2) and eruption were observed during this therapy, no serious side effects were experienced. After eighteen months of this chemotherapy, the patient has not succumbed and manifests a good quality of life.