A case of advanced gastric cancer successfully treated by combination therapy of S-1 and docetaxel

A 73-year-old man with gastric cancer of Borrmann type 3 accompanied with N3 was treated by combination therapy of S-1 and docetaxel (DOC). He received DOC intravenously at 45 mg/m/2 on day 1 and 15, and S-1 orally at 120 mg/body on day 1 to 7 and day 15 to 21. This treatment was repeated every 28 days as one course. After 4 courses of treatment, a CT scan revealed partial response of the lymph node metastases, and imaging modalities showed complete response of the primary lesion. The serum CEA value normalized after 4 courses of treatment. Toxicities included leukocytopenia (grade 3-4) and neutropenia (grade 3-4). Chemotherapy in the outpatient setting was possible by reduction of dose (DOC 45-->40-->35 mg/m2). Total gastrectomy was performed after 4 courses of treatment. The histological effect of primary lesion was judged to be Grade 2.