A phase II study of 5-fluorouracil, adriamycin and mitomycin-C in adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus.

We have evaluated the effect of 5-fluorouracil 600 mg/m2, doxorubicin ('Adriamycin') 40 mg/m2, and Mitomycin-C 4 mg/m2 (FAM) in two groups of patients with adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus, as either a preoperative or primary treatment. Response was assessed by barium swallow, CT scan, and measurement of metastases where present. Toxicity was as reported for FAM in gastric cancer. In the operated group 8 of 22 patients (36%) showed a partial response following two courses of FAM. Resection was completed in 20 patients, with six hospital deaths (30%). Of the 14 patients who were discharged from hospital, 8 have died (median 8 months) and 6 are alive at 12 to 27 months, with known recurrence in 1. In the non-operated group 6 of 17 patients (35%) showed a response, one complete, following one to six (mean 4.2) courses of FAM. Fifteen patients have died (median 5 months), and 2 are alive and free from disease at 12 and 17 months. Neoadjuvant therapy with FAM in adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus offers no advantage over surgery alone, although with inoperable disease FAM may be of use in palliation.