ABSTRACT
We report a case of fluoropyrimidine-resistant recurrent colon cancer with liver and paraaortic lymph node metastases successfully treated with weekly administration of irinotecan (CPT-11). The patient was a 70-year-old man who underwent rt-colectomy for advanced colon cancer in January 2008. After the operation, adjuvant chemotherapy with uracil/tegafur and oral l-leucovorin was started and continued. However, the CEA level increased after six months, so we switched to CPT-11 at a dose of 100 mg/m2/day for 3 consecutive weeks followed by a week rest. CEA decreased to within the normal range after administration of 4 courses, and CT scan revealed metastatic lesions were reduced after 6 courses. Grade 1 general fatigue, nausea, diarrhea and grade 2 anemia and alopecia were noted, but no serious adverse reaction appeared. After that, CEA slightly increased, so the interval of administration was changed to bi-weekly in consideration of the adverse effect, restarted, and is now continuing. This was then restarted as a bi-weekly treatment, and is being continued now. It is thought this treatment may be simple, easy and promising second-line chemotherapy for uracil/tegafur and oral l-leucovorin-resistant metastatic colorectal cancer.