Oral urea in the treatment of secondary tumours in the liver
1988
Oral Urea for Liver Tumors
Sample size: 20
publication
Evidence: low
Author Information
Author(s): P.I. Clark, M.L. Slevin, J.A.W. Webb, R.J. Osborne, S. Jones, P.F.M. Wrigley
Primary Institution: St. Bartholomew's and Homerton Hospitals
Hypothesis
Can oral urea be an effective treatment for secondary liver tumors?
Conclusion
Oral urea is ineffective in treating liver metastases from colorectal cancer.
Supporting Evidence
- All 20 patients were evaluable for tumour response.
- Eighteen patients had progressive disease on their liver scans.
- Urea treatment was well tolerated without side effects.
- Plasma urea concentrations were not affected by the treatment.
- Previous studies suggested urea might be effective, but this study found no responses.
Takeaway
Doctors tried giving a medicine called urea to help people with liver cancer, but it didn't work at all.
Methodology
Twenty patients with liver metastases were treated with oral urea and monitored using ultrasound scans.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and only included patients with colorectal cancer.
Participant Demographics
10 females and 10 males, aged 47-77 years, with a mean age of 61 years.
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