Clinical observation of capecitabine as first-line monotherapy in elderly patients with II a breast cancer
10.3724/SP.J.1008.2009.00187
- Author:
Wei HU
1
Author Information
1. Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Aged;
Breast neoplasms;
Capecitabine;
Drug therapy
- From:
Academic Journal of Second Military Medical University
2010;30(2):187-189
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective: To observe the clinical effect and adverse reaction of capecitabine as first-line monotherapy in elderly patients with stage II a breast cancer. Methods: From June 2002 to June 2005, 71 elderly patients with stage II a breast cancer received chemotherapy (different scheme: capecitabine group and CEF group) after operation. The efficacies and adverse reactions were evaluated and compared between the two groups. Results: The 3-year and 5-year survival rates of patients in capecitabine group were 97.06% and 94.12%, respectively; the relapse rate was 5.88%; all were comparable to those of CEF group. One of the advantages of capecitabine was its oral administration. The adverse effect of capecitabine was mainly handfoot syndrome, with an incidence of 82.35%, but was tolerable. The gastrointestinal reaction and bone marrow repression in capecitabine group were significantly lower than those in the CEF group(P<0.01). There was no giving up of treatment due to adverse reactions or fear of chemotherapy in our group. Conclusion: Capecitabine is effective and safe in the treatment of elderly patients with stage II a breast cancer; it is easy to take, with less adverse effects and better patient compliance.
