RELIEF OF JAUNDICE BY 5-FLUOROURACIL AND FOLINIC ACID IN PATIENTS WITH RECURRENT GASTRIC-CANCER

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 5-fluorouracil (5- FU) and;folinic acid on liver function and bile production in patients with recurrent gastric cancer and jaundice. Thirteen patients were st udied for liver function and hyperbilirubinaemia, and six patients wer e studied for bile production retrospectively, who were treated with 5 -FU [700 mg m(-2)] and folinic acid [20 mg m(-2)] for 4 days. Serum to tal bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transf erase (gamma-GT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) concentrations all imp roved with treatment (P<0.0001), and bile production increased signifi cantly (P<0.0001) following treatment. 5-FU and folinic acid can signi ficantly improve jaundice and liver function, and promote bile product ion. It is possible that 5-FU and folinic acid may become a new method for the relief of jaundice in patients with gastrointestinal tract ma lignancies.