[A study of 10 patients with unresectable colorectal cancer who achieved long-term survival]

Appropriate evaluation and countermeasures against adverse events are important for the continuation of long-term chemotherapeutic treatment of patients with unresectable colorectal cancer. We studied 10 patients who were treated for advanced recurrent colorectal cancer at the outpatient chemotherapy unit of our department during the period from 2006 to 2010 and who survived with cancer for at least 3 years. In order to prevent grade 3 neuropathy caused by oxaliplatin (L- OHP), the duration and severity of adverse events were simultaneously assessed using a self-assessment form and a numeric rating scale( NRS) at the unit. In patients with an NRS score above 5 on or after the seventh day of treatment, L- OHP discontinuation was considered. In patients with long-term survival, the duration of FOLFOX or sLV5FU2 chemotherapy was significantly prolonged, and the L-OHP reintroduction rate was also high. Once non-hematological toxicities such as peripheral neuropathy occur, these can undermine the willingness to continue treatment and present considerable obstacles to ongoing therapy. Detailed assessment may prevent or at least reduce the incidence of grade 3 adverse events and thereby contribute to treatment continuation.