Capecitabine and Radiation Therapy for Upper Abdominal Cancers
Author Information
Author(s): Das Prajnan, Wolff Robert A, Abbruzzese James L, Varadhachary Gauri R, Evans Douglas B, Vauthey Jean Nicolas, Baschnagel Andrew, Delclos Marc E, Krishnan Sunil, Janjan Nora A, Crane Christopher H
Primary Institution: The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
Hypothesis
Is concurrent capecitabine and upper abdominal radiation therapy well tolerated in patients?
Conclusion
The study found that capecitabine and concurrent radiation therapy to the upper abdomen is well tolerated with low rates of acute toxicity.
Supporting Evidence
- Only 6% of patients experienced grade 3 acute toxicity.
- No patients had grade 4 toxicity.
- 3% of patients required hospitalization due to acute toxicity.
- Capecitabine was modified in 15% of patients due to toxicity.
- Patients were monitored closely for acute toxicity.
Takeaway
This study shows that taking capecitabine with radiation therapy is safe for patients with certain types of cancer in the upper abdomen.
Methodology
Retrospective evaluation of acute toxicity in patients treated with capecitabine and radiation therapy.
Potential Biases
The patient population was heterogeneous with varying tumor sites and treatment doses.
Limitations
Acute toxicity was assessed retrospectively, which may have led to underestimation of toxicity rates.
Participant Demographics
Median age of patients was 65.5 years, with a range of tumor types including pancreatic and cholangiocarcinoma.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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