Weekly Paclitaxel Combined with LFP for 34 Cases with Advanced Esophageal Carcinoma

To evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of weekly Paclitaxel (PTX) combined with 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu), DDP and CF as alternative chemotherapy for patients with advanced esophageal carcinoma. Thirty-four patients were enrolled in the study. Each was treated as following: PTX 80mg/m2 infusion once per week for 6 weeks; DDP 50mg/m2 infusion on 8th and 29th day; 5-Fu 500mg/m2 infusion for 6~8 hours once per week for 6 weeks; CF 100mg infusion 2 hours before 5-Fu infusion. Six weeks was one cycle. The efficacy is evaluated after one cycle. Thirty-two cases were eligible for evaluation. The overall response rate was 65.6% (3 complete response and 18 partial response were observed in 32 cases). The dose-limited toxicity was mild and mainly expressed as arrest of bone marrow. [Conclusion] Weekly Paclitaxel (PTX) combined with 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu), DDP and CF as alternative chemotherapy is encouraging for patients with advanced esophageal carcinoma.