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Introduction: Our objectives are to describe the microbial spectrum and antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates from patients with culture-proven endophthalmitis., Material and Methods: Retrospective study of patients with microbiological diagnosis of endophthalmitis treated at the Ophthalmology Department of the General Hospital La Mancha Centro in the period 1996-2008. The identification of isolates was performed using the automated VITEK-2® and Api galleries (bioMérieux, Spain SA). The antimicrobial susceptibility was performed by the VITEK-2® system (bioMérieux, Spain SA), E-test strips (MIC Test Strip, Liofilchem, Italy) and Sensititre® YeastOne trading system (Trek Diagnostic Systems, Ohio, USA) for Candida species., Results: Forty four (70%) of 63 cases of endophthalmitis were culture positive. Gram-positive bacteria were much more common than gram-negative bacteria in both postoperative endophthalmitis (POE) and post-traumatic endophthalmitis (PTE). Staphylococcus epidermidis was predominant in POE, while Bacillus sp. predominated in the PTE; furthermore, the 75% of total fungal isolates corresponded to postraumatic cases. The isolated strains showed 100% susceptibility to vancomycin, ceftazidime and amikacin, while resistance to ciprofloxacin was greater than 15%. The empirical antifungal therapy failed in 50% of cases. The visual prognosis was significantly less favorable in the PTE., Conclusions: Based on the susceptibility of our isolates, vancomycin, ceftazidime and amikacin are good choices for empirical treatment of endophthalmitis, unlike ciprofloxacin. We recommend conducting antifungal prophylaxis after penetrating ocular trauma in a rural environment.

Case Report: A 70-year-old male was referred to our department due to a herpetic corneal perforation in the left eye. The perforation was healed with intracameral fibrin tissue sealant (Tissucol(®)), an amniotic membrane, and a large diameter soft contact lens. Postoperatively there were complete dissolution of the fibrin sealant and closure of the perforation without endothelial damage., Discussion: Intracameral fibrin glue may be effective in the closure of corneal perforations., (Copyright © 2011 Sociedad Española de Oftalmología. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Identify prognostic factors associated to total or proximal gastrectomy with or without splenectomy and / or distal pancreatectomy in patient with proximal gastric cancer. Evaluate the frequency of lymph node metastasis to the hilum and splenic artery, postoperative morbidity and mortality and the impact of lymphadenectomy of group 10 and 11 on long term survival., Materials and Methods: We performed an observational, descriptive, longitudinal and retrospective study analyzing patients with diagnostic of proximal third gastric adenocarcinoma subjected to total or proximal gastrectomy with or without splenectomy or distal pancreatectomy in the service of Abdomen of the Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas between 1990 and 2005. Overall survival for each of the groups was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, prognostic factors were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analysis., Results: We studied 219 patients with proximal third gastric adenocarcinoma (cardias and bottom), of wich, according to inclusion criteria, only qualify 129 (N=129): 22 (17.1%) were treated by gastrectomy alone, 79 (61.2%) gastrectomy associated witch splenectomy and 28 (21.7%) gastrectomy with distal pancreatosplenectomy, constituting three treatment groups. We compared the survival of each group and each factor analyzed, determining the following prognostic factors: lymph node metastasis (N2-N3), degree of differentiation, undifferentiated tumors and Borrmann III and IV tumors. Neither splenectomy or distal pancreatectosplenectomy improved survival compared to the gastrectomy alone. The morbidity and mortality was higher in patients with more aggressive but more aggressive surgery without significant value., Conclusions: The number of nodes removed in patients who had pancreatosplenectomy and /or splenectomy was higher, however, had no impact on survival at 5 years.

Subject: To determinate the frecuency and the time of development of the gallbladder stones in gastrectomy post-operated patients with stomach adenocarcinoma at The National Cancer Institute in Lima, Peru., Methods: In an observational, descriptive and retrospective case series design, 148 patiens' files who underwent gastrectomy for stomach adenocarcinoma in the National Cancer Institue of Lima during 1990 and 2000, have been reviewed looking for the development of gallbladder stones., Results: A total de 148 patients were involved in this study. 29 of them (19.6%) develop gallbladder stones during the (x years of) follow up vs 119 (80.9%) . The mean age ot the 29 patients with gallbladder stones were 59.9 years ans 18 of them were female and 11 male.\The mean time of develop gallbladder stones was 3.1 years.According to the type of surgery, 14 patient wiht gallbladder stones underwent to subtotal gastrectomy and 15 to total gastrectomy., Conclusions: The frecuency of gallbladder stones post gastrectomy in this study was 19.6%. The mean time of the develop and diagnosis of litiasis was 3.1 years.To perform the colecistectomy at the same time of the gastrectomy could be an important decision in patients with high risk of gallstones and gallbladder cancer.We need furthermore studies to have conclusions about the risk factors.

Background: D2 gastrectomy has been regarded as an inconvenient procedure with high morbidity and no survival benefit in the West. Recent studies, however, have shown low mortality and a survival benefit of D2 gastrectomy. In the Instituto de Enfermedades Neoplasicas (INEN) of Lima Peru D2 gastrectomy is performed since 1990 after training of some of the authors in the NCC of Tokyo Japan. Distal Pancreatectomy was performed only if the pancreas was involved.The aim of this study was to evaluate the peri operative mortality and survival in a group of patients who had a standard D2 lymphadenectomy according to the rules of the Japanese Research Society for Gastric Cancer. Data were collected prospectively, and patients were followed for more than 7 years., Methods: Between 1990 and 1999, 938 patients with localized gastric cancer were registered at INEN. Of these, 801 patients underwent curative resection with extended lymphadenectomy (D2). Postoperative morbidity/mortality, type of gastrectomy, mean of lymph nodes removed, pTNM stages and Survival Time and were analyzed., Results: Sub total distal gastrectomy was performed in 511 patients and total gastrectomy in 290 patients. The mean number of lymph nodes removed was 46.48 per patient (54.91 nodes for total and 41.69 for sub total distal gastrectomy). Hospital mortality was 2.9%. 11% were Stage (TNM) IA, 9.4% stage IB, 19% stage II, 24.6% stage IIIA, 13.1% stage IIIB and 23% stage IV. Five-year actuarial survival was 47.5%. Five-year survival of patients with TNM stages IA, IB, II, IIIA, IIIB and IV were 85.8%, 79.4%, 60%, 46.7% 33% and 14.3% respectively., Conclusions: Gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy may be performed with low morbidity and mortality if the operation is performed in specialized centers with a strict quality control system, and without removing the pancreas during total gastrectomy unless it is suspected to be involved. This procedure could provide a good probability of long-term survival, even for patients with invaded regional lymph nodes.

Objective: To report the initial experience with the laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) with D2 lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer., Patients and Methods: Between May 2006 and May 2007, 29 consecutive GC patients with gastric cancer underwent LADG with D2 lymphadenectomy. The operation consisted in a laparoscopic time to perform lymphadenectomy and mobilization of the distal stomach, followed by a minilaparotomy for exteriorization of the specimen and construction of a hand sewn anastomosis., Results: Twenty-nine patients underwent LADG with D2 lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer. Mean age was 58.2 years. Mean operative time was 287.4 min. Mean number of lymph nodes resected was 42.6. Twelve patients were early gastric cancer, and seventeen were advanced gastric cancer. Mean proximal and distal resection margin were 5.8 cm and 3.5 cm, respectively. Resection margins were negative in all cases. Mean number of lymph nodes resected was 42.6. Thirty-day morbidity rate was 10.3 %. There were no postoperative deaths.CONCLUSION. The short-term results of our LADG with D2 lymphadenectomy for the treatment of gastric cancer shows that a radical surgery, in terms of resection margins and lymphadenectomy, can be done with low morbidity.

Background: To evaluate the short and long term outcome of liver resections for hepatocellular carcinoma a retrospective analysis was performed on 232 consecutive patients with hepatocellular carcinoma resected between January 1990 and December 2006 at the Department of Abdomen of the Instituto de Enfermedades Neoplasicas of Lima Peru., Methods: Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were determined by Kaplan-Meier method, Prognostic factors were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analysis, Results: The median age was 36 years. 44.2% were associated with hepatitis B, only 16.3% had cirrhosis. The median size of the tumors was 15 cm. The median value of AFP was 5,467 ng/ml. The majority of patients underwent a major hepatectomy (74.2 % had four or more segments resected)Overall morbidity and mortality were 13.7% and 5.3% respectively. After a median follow-up of 40 months, tumour recurrence appeared in 53.3% of the patients. The 1, 3, and 5 year overall survival rates were 66.5%, 38.7% and 26.7%respectively. The 1, 3, and 5 year disease-free survival rates were 53.7%, 27.6%, and 19.9%. On multivariate analysis, presence of multiple nodules (p<0.000), cirrhosis (p=0.001), and macroscopic vascular invasion (p=0.001) were found to be independent prognostic factors related to a worse long-term survival., Conclusions: Surgical resection is the optimal therapy for large HCC and can be safely performed with a reasonable long-term survival.

Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (CX) is a rare kind of chronic cholecystitis, not yet reported in our media, characterized by the presence of chronic, inflammatory infiltration, formation of granulomas, with fibrosis and severe histiocytic reaction with macrophages rich in foam cells. The object of this study is to establish the clinical, radiological and histopathological pattern of CX, by means of the analysis of 6 cases identified in a retrospective check of 191 medical histories of cholecystectomized patients suffering from anatomopathological diagnosis of chronic cholecystitis, in the Department of Abdomen of the Institute of Neoplastic Diseases, from 1939 to 2004. The clinical presentation was characterized by the presence of a palpable mass on physical examination and weight loss. There were complications in two patients. The ultrasonigraph, tomograph and/or laparotomy scans of the vesicle were similar in appearance to a locally advanced vesicular cancer. In none of the specimens was the coexistence of a vesicular carcinoma identified. The vesicle was dried out in block with adjacent hepatic parenchyma in all cases. The CX can simulate a hepatobiliary malignant neoplasia and require suitable oncological surgical treatment. In cases of vesicular tumors, which can be considered inoperable there is the possibility of being faced with a xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (CX), a benign condition treatable with surgery.

Objective: Determine the postoperative morbidity and in-hospital mortality of gastrectomy due to gastric cancer., Method: The study involved the review of the clinical records of all patients with histologically confirmed diagnostic of gastric adenocarcinoma, which underwent a gastrectomy at the Peruvian Institute of Neoplastic Diseases between January 1950 and December 1999. During that period, 2,033 gastrectomies were performed, 503 of which were total gastrectomies and 1,447 were distal subtotal gastrectomies. Postoperative morbidity of total and distal subtotal gastrectomy dropped from 23.7% and 14.3% during the 1950 decade, to 19.8% and 7.4% during the 1990 decade, respectively, while the in-hospital mortality of total and subtotal gastrectomy dropped from 28.9% and 19.4% during the 50s to 4.4% and 2.2% during the 90's. The most common complications were the esophagojejunal, gastrojejunal and duodenal fistulas, respiratory infections, intra-abdominal abscesses, pancreatic fistula, early intestinal obstruction, hemorrhage from the anastomosis site and surgical site infection., Results: Multivariate logistics regression analysis showed that the risk factors for in-hospital mortality of total gastrectomy were hypoalbuminemia, intraoperative blood transfusion and re-resection (OR: 2.4, 5.9 and 1.7, respectively). For distal subtotal gastrectomy, the risk factors for in-hospital mortality were hypoalbuminemia, intraoperative blood transfusion, splenectomy and re-resection (OR: 2.6, 2.46, 2.42 and 6.3, respectively)., Conclusions: Based on our results, the in-hospital mortality risk depends on the postoperative variables (hypoalbuminemia, intraoperative blood transfusion, splenectomy and re-resection) more than on the pre-operative variables, beyond the surgeon's control (age, sex, clinical stage, etc.).

Aim: To compare the leakage rate of esophagojejunal anastomosis performed with stapler or hand sutures., Material and Methods: We studied a series of 367 patients who underwent total gastrectomy for gastric cancer at the Instituto de Enfermedades Neoplásicas (Lima-Peru) from 1986 to 1999., Results: In 197 patients esophagojejunal anastomosis was performed with stapler and in 170 with manual sutures. There were no differences between both groups with regard to age, TNM stage, operating time and hospital stay. There were 8 anastomotic leakage (4.1%) in the stapler group and 4 (2.4%) in the hand sutures group (p> 0.05). Of these 12 cases, 2 patients (16%) died of causes directly related to the leak of the esophagojejunal anastomosis., Conclusion: There were no statistical differences in the rate of leakage of the esophagojejunal anastomosis performed with stapler or hand sutures, thus both techniques should be accepted as standard procedures.

Objective: To determine if the morbidity and postoperative mortality after a full gastrectomy for gastric cancer performed on patients of more than 70 years of age were different from those of younger patients., Material and Methods: Between 1980 and 1999, a total of 411 gastrectomies for gastric adenocarcinoma were performed at the Institute of Cancer Diseases (INEN). Of these, 87 were inpatients older than 70 years of age (elderly group) and 92 were inpatients between 50 and 59 years of age (young group). The clinical record of both groups were studied and the clinical-pathological features, morbidity and postoperative mortality, staying time in hospital and survival rate were compared., Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding clinical-pathological features except in the TNM stage. In the elderly group 23.0% had stage IV and 43.5% in the young group (p=0.007). The average operating time in the elderly group was shorter than in the young group (5.5 hours versus 6.0 hours, p=0.015). The morbidity for the elderly group was 29.9% and that of the young group was 34.8%, whereas the postoperative mortality for the elderly and young groups was 4.6% and 2.2%, respectively. Pneumonia was the most frequent postoperative complication (14.8%) and the primary cause of postoperative death in the elderly group. Time in hospital and survival were similar between both groups., Conclusions: The morbidity and postoperative mortality after a full gastrectomy for cancer of the stomach in the elderly is no different from those found in younger patients.

Objective: Determine the clinical features and the survival of patients with gastric cancer invading the muscularis propia., Material and Methods: We reviewed the clinical records of the patients with gastric cancer invading the muscularis propia, that had undergone surgical treatment at the National Cancer Institute (INEN) between 1950 and 1999. We considered age, sex, location of the tumor, regional lymph node metastases (N), distant metastases (M), TNM stage and survival., Results: 202 patients had gastric cancer invading the muscularis propia, the mean age was 60.03 years, 105 (52%) were females, in 69% the neoplasm was in the antrum and in 22% in the body. We found regional lymph node metastases in 48% and distant metastases in 1%; 52.1% was in the IB TNM stage and 3.1% in the IV. The five year survival rate using Kaplan Meier was 66%, patients with N0, N1, N2 and N3 had 78%, 70%, 25% and 0% respectively.

OBJECTIVE: In order to determine a the clinicopatological features in young patients with gastric cancer and compare them with aged patients.PATIENTS AND METHODS: For this study, we selected the clinical charts from the total of patients with histological proved diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma admitted at the INEN between 1980 and 1996 whose age was less than 31 year (Young group, n =92). As a comparison group (Average Group) we chose of the same universe, a random sample of 184 patients between 50 to 70 years of age. Epidemiological, clinical and histological features, operability and resecability, TNM stage, type of surgery and follow-up of both groups were analyzed.RESULTS: In the Young Group in compared with Average Group, females were more frequent (73.9% vs. 50.5% p<0.001); mucocelular type (70% vs. 31.0%, p<0.001) and undifferentiated carcinoma (75% vs. 32.6%, p>0.001). The mean survival time in the Young Group was 74.9 months and in the Average Group was 36.03 months (p=0.26), there were no significant differences in the survival between resecability and sex (p=0.10 and p=0.41).CONCLUSION: The females and undifferentiated carcinoma was the most frequent features in the young patients with gastric cancer. The survival in this group is better than the average group but this was a no significant difference because the diagnosis was made in late stages.

OBJECTIVE: In the absence of extra hepatic disease, the hepatic resection is the treatment of choice for liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma, but a no treatment attitude or the use of chemotherapy still persists in some health centers. This study was done to evaluate the peri operative morbi-mortality and survival after resection of hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer in our institution.METHODS: Clinical, pathologic and outcome data of patients undergoing liver resection for metastatic colorectal cancer at the Instituto de Enfermedades Neoplasicas de Lima Peru between January 1986 and July 2000 was examined.RESULTS: Of 300 liver resections, 24 were performed in patients with liver metastases of colorectal cancer; 17 patients were men and 7 women, who ranged in age from 21 to 79 years ( a mean of 52.66 years), the site of primary disease was the rectum in 7 and colon in 17, 20 patients were Dukes C and 4 Dukes B.Synchronous secondary disease were found in 9 patients and metachronous lesions were found in 15 patients Forty nine metastases were resected (Mean size 4.5 cm, range 1.5 cm 24 cm)Seven patients underwent right hepatectomy, one right hepatectomy plus non anatomic wedge resection, two right trisegmentectomy, 4 left lobectomy and ten a non anatomical resection.The overall post operative morbidity was 8% and the 30 day post operative mortality rate was 0% Estimated three and five year survival rates using Kaplan-Meier method was 50 % and 20% respectively.CONCLUSION: Hepatic resection for a secondary malignant liver growth from colorectal cancer is relatively safe with low morbidity and mortality rates, an remains the only potentially curative treatment. We continue to recommend an aggressive surgical approach to hepatic metastases of colorectal origin in the abscense of extra hepatic disease.

INTRODUCTION: Dehiscence of pancreaticojejunostomy is the major complication after proximal pancreaticoduodenectomy (PDP) that may lead to other complications and eventually to death.OBJECTIVE: We present a modified dunking pancreaticojejunostomy used for reconstruction after PDP.SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: We first performed a purse-string suture around the cut end of the jejunal limb. The pancreas stump is intussuscepted 4 cm into the jejunum guided by two sutures between the pancreas and the intestine. Then the purse-string suture is tied around the pancreas stump, four interrupted anchoring sutures are added in order to avoid slippage of the jejunum out of the pancreas. External diversion of pancreatic and biliary secretions is achieved by means of a tube jejunostomy or a Kehr tube.MATERIAL AND METHODS: We prospectively studied 59 consecutive patients who underwent PDP at the Instituto de Enfermedades Neopl sicas between 1995 and 1998. This technique was used in all the patients regardless the characteristics of the pancreas.RESULTS: Only one (1.7%) patient developed a dehiscence of the pancreticojejunostomy that healed spontaneously. Post-operative morbidity and mortality rate were 35.6% and 0%, respectively.CONCLUSION: Our modified dunking pancreaticojejunostomy is simple, safe and applicable to all type of pancreas and is our standard technique of reconstruction after PD.

To investigate whether past exposure to Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) were risk factors for the development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) in Peru, a case-control study of 136 patients with HCC and 136 age-matched and sex-matched control subjects was performed. Past exposure to HBV and HCV were assessed respectively by antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (Anti-HBc) and HbsAg and anti-HCV.Of the HCC cases, 63.2% were posuitive for HbsAg and 0.73% foranti-HCV. Of the control patients, 4.4% were positive to HbsAg and 0.73% to anti-HCV.The mean age of patients with HCC negative for HbsAg was significantly greater than that of patients HCC positive for HbsAg (35.4 versus 29.4 years, p less than 0.001).The HbsAg patients are 36.26 times more prone to developing HCC than those with HbsAg negative (95% confidence interval: 15.31-90.7).Infection with HCV does not pose a risk for the development of HCC (RR 1, 95% confidence interval: 0.062-16.152).A causal relation between HBV infection in children HCC was observed. These results indicate that HbsAg carriage is a risk factor for HCC in Peru. The importance of vertical or perinatal transmission of HBV and the prophylactic role of passive immunization plus vaccination during childhood is emphasized as well as the selective vaccination of high risk groups.

Objective: To measure gastrointestinal hormonal response (GHR) with minimal enteral feeding (MEF) in sick premature infants., Methods: Forty-one babies birth weight < 1800 g receiving total parenteral nutrition or intravenous solutions entered the study. They were distributed in two groups: group I: 26 infants (early enteral feeding < or = 5 d) and group II = 15 infants (late enteral feeding = 10-14 d). A diluted special formula was used as MEF starting with 1 mL hourly with daily increments of 1 mL up to 120 mL. Basal and final determinations of GHR were done before and after the MEF., Results: Both groups were similar in birth weight, postnatal age, and trophism. There were intragroup differences between basal and final GHR for all hormones in both groups. Subgroups by gestational age (< or = 32 vs > 32 weeks) and trophism (< or = 1250 vs > 1250 g) also showed basal-final differences. There were no complications related to the MEF., Conclusions: MEF favors secretion of gastrointestinal hormones in sick premature infants. Early MEF seems to be preferable to late one since it allows a faster secretion related to volume of the formula. MEF did not increase abdominal complications in our infants.

OBJECTIVES: To determine which are the operability and resectability tendencies of gastric cancer in Peru.BACKGROUND: In Peru, gastric cancer is the first cause of death in men and the third one in women. Most of the patients with gastric cancer receive treatment al the Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas of Lima (INEN).PATIENTS AND METHODS: Every patient with untreated histologically verified gastric adenocarcinoma, who was admitted to the INEN between January 1980, and December 1994, was included.We determined the actual trends of operability and resectability. These rates were calculated and compared with rates of the 1952-1977 period.The 1980-1994 period was divided in lustrums to evaluate a more complete preoperative staging act upon operability and resectability.The causes of inoperability and irresectability were also determined.RESULTS: Between 1980 and 1994 a total of 2280 new gastric cancer patients were admitted to the INEN. The operability and resectability rates of the 1980-1994 period (56,8% and 58,5% respectively) differ significantly from rates of the 1952-1977 period (43,8% and 49,2% respectively). A more complete preoperative staging produces a decrease of operability and an increase of resectability.The main causes of inoperability were poor physical condition associated to a locally advanced tumor 34%, and peritoneal metastases 26%. The main causes of irresectability were peritoneal metastases 50,3%, and invasion to adjacent organs 26,7%.CONCLUSIONS: Even when there is an increase of operability and resectability rates, gastric cancer is still diagnosed al a late stage in Peru. It is vital to stage pathology precisely to avoid unnecessary laparotomies.

Usually primary cancer originating in the hepatic duct confluence (Klatskin Tumor) is regarded as unresectable at diagnosis and therefore percutaneously or endoscopically placed stents have been advocated. Unfortunately with these palliative modalities the median survival is only 3-6 months. However with aggressive surgical resection of the tumor 17% of five year survival have been obtained. The present paper summarizes our experience from three patients with Klatskin tumor which underwent surgery. The Klatskin tumors were Type II (one case), Type IIIa (one case) and Type IIIb (one case). The patient with tumor Type II had wide tumor excision and extrahepatic bile duct resection at the liver hilum. The patients with tumor Type III had extrahepatic bile duct resection at the liver hilum with left and right hepatectomy respectively. Reconstruction was made with Roux-en-Y biliary enteric anastomosis, the mean post operative stay was 9 days. The mean post operative survival of two patients undergoing surgery with curative intent was 21 months, in contrast to 10 months for the patient with palliative surgery. One patient is alive 22 months with no evidence of disease. Our results supports an aggressive surgical approach in patients with Klatskin tumor which should include Hepatectomy to obtain free resection margins.

Objective: Determination of the postoperative morbidity and mortality after gastroenterostomy in patients with unresectable gastric cancer., Study Design: Retrospective review of clinical records of all patients with obstructive distal gastric cancer who underwent gastroenterostomy at the Instituto de Enfermedades Neoplásicas between 1980 and 1993. The following factors were analyzed: age, sex, hemoglobin, albumin, preoperative risk, ascites, extent of disease, operative time, hospital stay, morbidity and mortality., Results: 198 gastroenterostomy were done with a morbidity and mortality rates of 20% and 10%, respectively. Pneumonia was the principal cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality. High operative risk, adjacent organ invasion by the tumor and peritoneal metastasis were factors associated with increased postoperative morbidity (p > 0.05). High operative risk was the only prognostic factor for postoperative mortality (p < 0.01)., Conclusions: Because of high postoperative morbidity and mortality, gastroenterostomy should not be done in patients with unresectable gastric cancer and high preoperative risk.

Thirty one patients with diagnosis of Gastric Cancer were admitted in this study. Median age was 71 years (range 24-82). Twenty two were male. No one had previous chemotherapy. Functional capacity was 0-1 in 26/31 (60.6%). More common symptoms were: loss of weight 21/31 (75.1%) and abdominal pain in 13/31 (40.3%). Ten patients were Borrmann III and nine Borrmann IV. Twenty one had surgery: 12 palliative gastrectomy and 9 exploratory laparatomy. Twenty three cases were adenocarcinoma and 8 undifferentiated carcinoma. FEM regimen was administered (5 Fluoruracil 600 mg/m2/day 1 and 8, Epidoxorubicin 30 mg/m2/day 1 and Mitomycin 10 mg/m2/day 1). Ten of 24 patients (41.7%) achieved partial remission with a median survival of 10.5 months. Three patients achieved subjective response with a median survival of 6 months. Median survival for the non response was 3 months (range 2-7 months). Survival difference between responders and no responders was statistically significant. Survival among the adjuvent group was 5.7 months (range 2-16 months). One out of three patients survived without evidence of disease at the end of this study. Twenty three patients died and 5 were lost to follow up. Alopecia was the most common secondary effect in 74%, nausea and vomiting in 60% and leukopenia below 3000 x mm3 in 54%. Cardiotoxicity was not documented in any case.