A case of stage IVA intrahepatic biliary tract cancer successfully treated with gemcitabine

: We reported a case of non-resectable intrahepatic biliary tract cancer, treated with Gemcitabine and oral anticancer drugs. A 45-year-old man was admitted to the hospital due to abdominal distension and fatigue. CT scan revealed intrahepatic biliary tract cancer in the left lobe, which had metastasized to both lobes. Based on the diagnosis of non-resectable intrahepatic biliary tract cancer, systemic chemotherapy using gemcitabine (GEM) was employed. One course of the treatment consisted of 4 weeks. GEM 1,000 mg was administered once a week for 3 weeks followed by a week of no treatment. At the same time, the oral anti-cancer drug (5'-DFUR 600 mg/day) was administered every day. After 4 courses of chemotherapy, both the primary tumor and the hepatic metastasis were diminished, and the serum level of CA19-9 was reduced to the normal value. Relief from the abdominal distension allowed the patient to return to work. The chemotherapy was continued by outpatient-clinic treatment, preserving the quality of life for 13 months. The present case shows that gemcitabine/5'-DFUR combination is well supported in advanced unresectable biliary tract cancer.