OBJECTIVETo examine the distribution of fluorouracil in gastric cancer (CA), lymph node (LN), normal gastric mucosa (NG), peritoneum (PE), greater omentum (GO) and lesser omentum (LO) by preoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy with Co-fluorouracil liposome (Co 5-Fu), and offer an experimental basis for clinic practice.

METHODSNinety-six gastric cancer patients were divided into four groups: Co 5-Fu i.v. injection group (Co 5-Fu i.v.), Co 5-Fu intraperitoneal perfusion group (Co 5-Fu i.p.), 5-Fu i.v. injection group (5-Fu i.v.) and intraperitoneal perfusion group (5-Fu i.p.) given on day-2, day-1 and 60 minutes before operation. Fluorouracil concentration in all tissues collected during operation were examined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

RESULTSThe fluorouracil concentration in the tissues in Co 5-Fu i.p. group was significantly higher than that in Co 5-Fu i.v. or 5-Fu i.p. group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and that in 5-Fu i.p. group was greatly higher than that at 5-Fu i.v. group (P < 0.01). In Co 5-Fu i.p. group, the concentration of drug in LN, CA, PE, NG, GO and LO decreased gradually with the former 3 tissues significantly higher than the latter 3 tissues (P < 0.01), and adjacent lymph node was the highest. In Co 5-Fu i.v. group, the ranking was LN, CA, NG, PE, GO and LO with the former 3 tissues significantly higher than the latter 3 tissues (P < 0.01) and showing tumor tissues higher than the other tissues (P < 0.01). In 5-Fu i.p. group, the ranking was PE, LN, CA, NG, GO and LO with the former 2 tissues significantly higher than the latter tissues (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCo 5-Fu possesses drug targeting, slow release and long effect in gastric cancer tissues and adjacent lymph nodes. Preoperative chemotherapy with Co 5-Fu i.p. is more advantageous than 5-Fu given i.v. or 5-Fu i.p.