Effects of oral administration of UFT in unresectable gastric cancer with liver metastasis

: A 62-year-old male was admitted because of upper abdominal mass. Exploratory laparotomy revealed unresectable gastric cancer, liver metastases and swelling of regional lymph nodes. Histological examination showed papillotubular adenocarcinoma. After 6 months' postoperative administration of UFT at a daily dose of 600 mg, X-ray and endoscopic examination revealed remarkable improvement of the gastric cancer. Computed tomography and ultrasonography showed disappearance of the mass in the liver and a remarkable decrease in the size of paraaortic lymph nodes. The cancer marker, serum CEA also decreased from 5.2 ng/ml to 2.1 ng/ml. At present, the abdominal mass is not palpable and the patient is asymptomatic except for pigmentation and being followed up in the outpatient department. This case suggests the possibility that UFT may be effective for advanced gastric cancer with liver metastases.