Intensive versus standard chemotherapy in elderly gastric cancer patients:A retrospective analysis

Elderly patients contribute the largest group of advanced gastric patients, but as for other neoplastic disease little attention has been given to stu dy their optimal management, In this retrospective analysis we compare the results obtained in 47 patients older than 70 years treated with FEM (5fluo rouracil [5FU], epidoxorubicin [epiADR] and mytomicin-c [MIT-C]) combinatio n from 1987 to 1991 or with the PELFw (cisplatin [CDDP], epiADR, folinic ac id [LV], 5FU-weekly) combination from 1992 to 1995, Results are further com pared with those obtained in patients with the same clinical features but a ged less than 70 years who received chemotherapy in the same period, In our experience gastric cancer patients of 70 years old achieved comparable adv antages in terms of response rate and survival without a more severe toxici ty when compared with younger patients.