A case of pancreatic cancer achieving symptomatic improvement with systemic chemotherapy

Hepatogastroenterology. 1999 Jul-Aug;46(28):2621-4.

Abstract

We present a case of pancreatic cancer demonstrating symptomatic improvement with systemic chemotherapy using 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin (FP therapy). A 43 year-old man had pancreatic cancer with para-aortic lymph node metastases. He received FP therapy and achieved a partial response. After the initiation of chemotherapy, his symptoms such as severe pain and fatigue improved remarkably. Serum interleukin-6 levels correlated with these symptoms; the level was high before chemotherapy, but the levels were decreased during the courses of FP therapy. It is important to achieve symptomatic improvement in patients with pancreatic cancer, and serum interleukin-6 levels may be useful to evaluate a symptomatic response to chemotherapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / blood
  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnosis
  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy*
  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / blood
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Male
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / blood
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Prognosis
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Interleukin-6
  • Cisplatin
  • Fluorouracil