Complete response obtained and maintained by combination of S-1 and CPT-11 in hepatic metastases of colon cancer: a case report.

Background: An oral combined fluoropyrimidine, S-1 (tegafur, gimeracil and oteracil) has recently been used alone or in combination for colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: A 67-year-old man underwent left hemicolectomy for the descending colon cancer with multiple hepatic metastases. A combined chemotherapy with S-1 and irinotecan (CPT-11) was started after surgery. After three courses of the chemotherapy, no metastasis was observed in contrast computed tomography with decline of tumor markers. The patient was judged to have achieved a complete response (CR). The chemotherapy, continued on an outpatient basis, has maintained the CR for 15 months so far, though adverse reactions such as neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and hypolacrimia have occurred.

Conclusions: This case indicates that the combination of S-1 and CPT-11 is feasible on an outpatient basis and has potential as one of the treatment choices for hepatic metastasis from CRC.