[Effect of leucovorin and 5-FU for advanced colorectal cancer patients]

In 17 cases of advanced colorectal carcinoma with accessible metastatic lesions, a low dose of leucovorin (LV, 30 mg/body) + 5-fluorouracil (5-FU 500 - 750 mg/body) was administered intravenously as a bolus injection, or by injection into the hepatic artery from a reservoir. Two of the 12 patients (16.7%) who received intravenous injection, and one of the five cases who received intra-hepatic artery injection showed partial response (PR). The side effect of this treatment was mild, and the performance status of the patients was excellent. This article deals with 3 PR cases. Case 1 had a bipulmonary multiple metastasis. When LV + 5-FU was administered intravenously, a reduction rate of 87% was obtained, and the patient survived for 27 more months. Case 2 had paraaortic lymph node metastasis. When LV + 5-FU was administered intravenously, a reduction rate of 59% was obtained, but the patient died after 9 months. Case 3 had a multiple liver metastasis. LV + 5-FU was administered intravenously in the liver, and a reduction rate of 69% was achieved. The patient survived for 30 months from the administration. LV + 5-FU is an effective treatment for advanced colorectal cancer. In the future, more research should be conducted to study the amount and method of administration, and combined treatment, to increase the response rate and to extend the period of good health.