Continuous 5-fluorouracil infusion in advanced gastric carcinoma.

Fourteen patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma were treated with continuous 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) infusion, 300 mg/m2/day, through an indwelling central venous catheter; 13 were evaluable for response. The results were as follows; Partial remission was seen in 4 of 13 patients (31%), stable disease in 5 of 13 patients (38%), and progressive disease in 4 of 13 patients (31%). The median duration of response was 19 weeks (range, 10-41), and the median survival for all patients from initiation of infusion was 27 weeks (range, 9-54).

24-hour mean pulse. Simple predictor of doxorubicin-induced cardiac damage.

Nineteen adult patients with cancer received six to 10 monthly treatments of doxorubicin and cisplatin. Recumbent pulse was measured for 24 to 30 hours before each treatment. Treatment was stopped for disease progression or when a total doxorubicin dose of 550 mg/m2 was reached.

Circadian mesor of recumbent pulse--cost-effective predictor of doxorubicin-induced congestive heart failure.

Nineteen adult cancer patients each received 6-10 monthly treatments of doxorubicin and cisplatin. For 24-30 hr before each treatment, recumbent pulse was measured. Treatment was stopped for disease progression or when a total doxorubicin dose of 550 mg/m2 was reached.

15;17 Translocation in acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a relatively rare subtype of leukemia that has been reported to be associated with a specific chromosome abnormality, t(15;17). It has been suggested that this translocation may have a geographical distribution and its presence may signify a poorer prognosis. In this present series of 14 patients with APL, 9 patients (64%) had the t(15;17) and 5 did not; however, no significant differences in clinical features or outcome could be found between those who did and those who did not express the translocation.