[A case of gastric cancer with peritoneal recurrence which developed during adjuvant administration of TS-1 showing complete response by weekly docetaxel regimen].

A 62-year old man had undergone total gastrectomy for Borrmann type 4 gastric cancer. No peritoneal dissemination was observed at the laparotomy. Pathological examination revealed that the tumor involved the subserosal layer, and that the lymph node metastasis extended to the left gastric nodes. Vascular and lymphatic involvement was also observed. One hundred mg/body of TS-1, an oral 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) anticancer agent, which consisted of tegafur (a prodrug of 5-FU), and two modulators (gimeracil and oteracil potassium) was given from the 16th post-operative day. A course of TS-1 consisted of consecutive administration for 4 weeks followed by 2 weeks rest. The patient complained of abdominal fullness after administration of the second course of TS-1. Computed tomography (CT) revealed massive ascites. The serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) titer was elevated to 13.5 ng/ml. From these findings, the occurrence of peritoneal dissemination was suspected. Weekly docetaxel of 30 mg/m2 (40 mg/body) was given for 3 weeks followed by a week cessation. At the start of the 6th course, the serum CEA was normalized, and CT scan detected the disappearance of ascites without any new lesion. Administration of docetaxel was continued until the 10th course then stopped without relapse of the disease. No dose reduction or postponement of administration were required. The patient has survived without disease one year after cessation of the treatment. Weekly docetaxel is a safe and effective regimen for gastric cancer worth using for a second-line therapy after failure of the 5-FU-based regimen.