CHEMOTHERAPY OF METASTATIC COLORECTAL-CAN CER

The chemotherapy of metastatic colorectal cancer has demonstrated a sy mptomatic benefit and a prolongation, in survival, The modulation of 5 -fluorouracil (5-FU) by leucovorin is the current standard treatment. The best protocols include 5-FU 24 or 48 hour continuous infusion on a weekly or bimonthly schedule, The response rate is about 30%, the med ian progression-free survival is 6 to 8 months and the median survival 10 to 15 months, The toxicity is moderate. New drugs are available or under evaluation: 5-FU prodrugs, raltitrexed, CPT11, oxaliplatin, tri metrexate, Synergisms with 5-FU allow to consider more effective polyc hemotherapies.