Long-term, ambulatory, continuous IV infusion of 5-FU for the treatment of advanced adenocarcinomas

Twenty-three patients with metastatic adenocarcinomas were treated with long-term, continuous, ambulatory iv infusion of 5-FU. Length of infusion ranged from 54 to 324 days. The usual daily dose was 300 mg/m2. Toxicity was primarily stomatitis. Hand/foot syndrome occurred in 11 patients. Nausea, vomiting, myelosuppression, and alopecia were not observed. Thirteen patients had stomatitis. Eighteen patients had evaluable lesions; eight achieved partial response, five had stable disease, and five had progressive disease. Further studies are necessary to confirm the level of tumor response and survival period of patients treated with this method.