[Randomized study of long-term adjuvant chemotherapy with Futraful and mitomycin C in gastric cancer. A second study (fourth report)]

In view of the usefulness of long-term adjuvant chemotherapy, the Cooperative Study Group of Surgical Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Gastric Cancer adopted as a second cooperative study a randomized controlled trial including three groups; MMC alone, Futraful alone and a combination of MMC and Futraful. In the groups given Futraful alone and the combination therapy, the survival and disease-free rate were improved at five years, in patients with stage III. Moreover, the survival and disease-free rate for the group given combination therapy were higher than those for the group given Futraful alone. Also, in the groups given Futraful alone and the combination therapy, toxicities probably due to the long-term Futraful therapy were minor, without serious side effects. Therefore, a long-term combined adjuvant chemotherapy with MMC and Futraful seems to be an effective chemotherapy regimen for resectable gastric cancer. A more potent regimen and cyclic therapy may be needed to improve the result of treatment.