Concomitant chemoradiation treatment in the management of patients with extrahepatic biliary tract recurrence of gastric carcinoma

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine the role of concomitant chemoradiation in the alleviation of obstructive jaundice in patients with extrahepatic biliary tract metastases from gastric carcinoma. METHODS Thirteen patients with good performance status who had obstructive jaundice resulting from extrahepatic biliary metastases after gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma were treated with palliative intent. Treatment consisted of insertion of a percutaneous transhepatic choledochal drainage (PTCD) catheter followed by external radiation up to a total dose of 40–60 grays in combination with chemotherapy (cisplatin 20 mg/m2/day, 5-fluorouracil 600 mg/m2/day, and leucovorin 90 mg/m2/day for 96 hours during the first and fifth weeks) on an outpatient basis. RESULTS The concomitant chemoradiation produced a good palliative effect in all 13 patients. Hyperbilirubinemia continued to improve after treatment, patients' clay-colored stool resolved within an average of 4 weeks (range, 2–6 weeks), and bilirubin levels returned to normal. The PTCD catheter could be removed after treatment was completed (the seventh week); the mean duration of PTCD placement was 2 months. The entire treatment course was performed on an outpatient basis; hospital admission was necessary only for PTCD insertion and chemotherapy. Ten patients died of their disease, with an average survival of 14.4 months (range, 4–31 months) from the time of PTCD insertion. Three patients are still alive at 16, 21, and 8 months. Biliary tract patency was maintained until death. No serious treatment-related complications occurred, and no endoprothesis or intraluminal brachytherapy was needed in this study. CONCLUSIONS Satisfactory palliation can be achieved by concomitant chemoradiation for patients with obstructive jaundice resulting from extrahepatic biliary metastases from gastric carcinoma, providing an alternative treatment choice for these patients. Cancer 2000;89:29–34. © 2000 American Cancer Society.