Three patients who had metastatic urothelial carcinoma have been administered gemcitabine monotherapy (GEM). A 78-year-old male who underwent nephroureterectomy for right ureteral cancer presented with liver and retroperitoneal lymph node metastases postoperatively. GEM was administered because of severe renal insufficiency. Although 8 cycles of this therapy were done, we discontinued it because of progressive disease. A 68-year-old male who underwent nephroureterectomy for left ureteral cancer presented with retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis postoperatively. GEM for the purpose of maintenance therapy was administered after first-line chemotherapy. He maintained a stable disease after 9 cycles. A 70-year-old female who underwent transurethral resection of a bladder tumor presented with neck lymph node metastasis postoperatively. She was administered GEM for second-line chemotherapy as an outpatient because she did not want hospital treatment. However, it failed due to progressive disease after 3 cycles. There were few adverse events that forced the patient to be admitted into the hospital, although bone marrow suppression of grade 3 or 4 occurred in 2 patients. GEM for metastatic urothelial carcinoma may be adapted for patients who have severe renal insufficiency and need maintenance therapy.
Written by:
Kyoda Y, Kunishima Y, Fukuta F. Are you the author?
Department of Urology, Hokkaido Social Work Association Obihiro Hospital, Obihiro 080-0805, Japan.
Reference: Nihon Hinyokika Gakkai Zasshi. 2011 Sep;102(5):701-4.
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 22191280
Article in Japanese.
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