[Effect of cis-diammine dichloroplatinum, vindesine sulfate combination chemotherapy for advanced esophageal...

Eleven patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus were treated with a two-drug combination of cis-diammine dichloroplatinum and vindesine sulfate at Saitama Cancer Center between July 1982 and September 1983. Median age was 71 years old (range: 47-48) and 8 patients were greater than 70 years old. Median performance status was 3 (range: 1-4) by Koyama -Saito Criteria. Male female ratio was 6:5. Of the 11 patents, three obtained partial response (27.3%), lasting 8 weeks, 20 weeks+, and 42 weeks-, respectively, and three patients had minor response (27.3%). The major toxic effects including myelosuppression, nausea and vomiting were in general manageable.