OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility of combined high dose leucovorin plus 5-fluorouracil infusion for head-neck and digestive tract cancers.

METHODSFifty-six patients with head-neck and digestive tract cancer were treated by combined high dose leucovorin (HD-CF) plus 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) 48 hour continuous infusion with each patient receiving an average of 3.8 cycles (2-6 cycles). Twenty-five of these 56 patients were untreated and 31 recurrent. Their clinical stages were II 4, III 13 and IV 39.

RESULTSThe over all response rate (CR + PR) was 35.7% and the clinical beneficial response rate was 80.4%. The main side effects were peripheral phlebitis, suppression of bone marrow, oral ulcer, nausea and vomiting of grade I to II.

CONCLUSIONHigh dose leucovorin plus 5-fluorouracil 48 hour continuous infusion is useful with favorable cost/utility ratio for head-neck and digestive tract cancer patients. Further studies are warranted.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Digestive System Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Leucovorin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome