Intratumoral therapy of cisplatin/epinephrine injectable gel for palliation in patients with obstructive esophageal cancer

Am J Clin Oncol. 2000 Aug;23(4):386-92. doi: 10.1097/00000421-200008000-00016.

Abstract

Obstructing esophageal cancer produces severe dysphagia with ensuing death within 90 days. Palliation is possible with modalities like stent placement, laser, and photodynamic therapy. However, these treatments have a high rate of complications, and the overall mortality is not altered. A new alternative treatment evaluated in this study is endoscopic intratumoral injection with cisplatin/epinephrine (CDDP/epi) gel. CDDP/epi gel injections were administered weekly for 3 to 8 weeks in nine patients, median age, 72 years; mean tumor volume (+/-SEM), 41.44 (+/-22.4) cm3. Eight patients had stage IV, and one had stage III esophageal carcinoma. The mean dysphagia score (+/-SEM) was 3.5 (+/-0.17). All patients were followed up until death. Dysphagia resolved in eight patients with reduction in mean dysphagia score (+/-SEM) from 3.5 (+/-0.17) to 0.75 (+/-0.28; p = 0.005). Tumor volume was reduced by 75% in one patient and by 50% in two patients. The median survival was 4 months. The longest follow-up has been 15 months (458 days). In this pilot study, intratumoral injection of CDDP/epi gel restored swallowing in eight of nine patients and was an effective and safe outpatient treatment in patients with obstructive esophageal cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / complications
  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy*
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / complications
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / drug therapy*
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage*
  • Deglutition / physiology
  • Deglutition Disorders / etiology
  • Deglutition Disorders / therapy
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Epinephrine / administration & dosage*
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / complications
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Esophageal Stenosis / etiology
  • Esophageal Stenosis / therapy*
  • Esophagoscopy
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gels
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intralesional
  • Karnofsky Performance Status
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Palliative Care*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Survival Rate
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Gels
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents
  • Cisplatin
  • Epinephrine