758 The value of citostatic chemotherapy in colorectal cancer

Between 1980–1992, we studied 104 patients with advanced colorectal cancer (ACRC): 64 cases in Duke's C and 40 in Duke's D stage. There were 2 groups: (A) 42 inoperable cases reconverted for surgery after 3–4 neoadjuvant chemotherapy schedules (CTS); (B) 62 patients with radical or cytoreductive surgery followed by 6–10 adjuvant CTS every 21 days. CTS were: FU-Fol-C (florouracil 750 mg. + folinic acid 200 mg./day) x 4days + Cisplatinum 80 mg./m 2 and Fu-Fol-L. Fu-Fol + Lomustine 60–70 mg/m 2 . Mild mucositis occurred in 2% of cases (nausea was prevented by Zofran). Results (A) 90% overall response rate with surgical reconversion and 2 years free disease survival (fds.); (B) overall 61% partial remission lasting 2–12 months, 15% no change, 23% failures. Fu-Fol schedules in ACRC realise: the rise off da., the possibility of safe less extensive surgery, the improvement ofthe quality of life.