[Experience with chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic carcinoma].

The effectiveness of different regimens of chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer was compared in 74 cases (1995-1999). 5-fluorouracil (5FU), adriamycin and mitomycin C (FAM) were given to 12 patients, 5FU alone--23, 5FU plus leukovorin--29, and gemcitabine alone--10. Metastases to the liver were detected in 42 (57%) patients. Partial response (40) was registered in: FAM--1 (8%); 5FU--1 (4%); 5FU + leukovorin--3 (10%); gemcitabine--3 (30%). Mean duration (40) was 5.4; 4; 6.1 and 9 months, respectively. Stabilization was recorded in 17 (23%), mean duration--4.4 months; tumor progression--49 (66%). Toxic side-effects of all the regimens were insignificant. Mean survival rates following FAM, 5FU, 5FU + leukovorin were 4.4; 4.2 and 5.6 months, respectively, while that for gemcitabine varied 3-24 months (on average--7.9 months). Survival in patients responsive to chemotherapy was 9.8; remaining patients--4.7 (p (0.05). Chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic carcinoma is a measure of palliation; its use was followed by a 20% increase in survival. Gemcitabine treatment appeared most effective.